Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Down-Regulates the Phosphorylation of FXYD1 and Rescues Behavioral Deficits in a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disease in children that is mainly caused by mutations in the MeCP2 gene, which codes for a transcriptional regulator. The expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is reduced in RTT patients and animal models, and IGF-1 treatment is a promising therapeutic strategy for RTT. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of IGF-1 remains to be further explored. FXYD1 is an auxiliary subunit of Na, K-ATPase. Overexpression of FXYD1 is involved in the pathogenesis of RTT. However, whether IGF-1 exerts its effect through normalizing FXYD1 is completely unknown. To this end, we evaluated the effect of IGF-1 on FXYD1 expression and posttranslational modification in a mouse model of RTT (MeCP2308) using both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results show that FXYD1 mRNA and phosphorylated protein (p-FXYD1) were significantly elevated in the frontal cortex in RTT mice, compared to wild type. In RTT mice, IGF-1 treatment significantly reduced levels of FXYD1 mRNA and p-FXYD1, in parallel with improvements in behavior, motor coordination, and cognitive function. For mechanistic insight into the effect of IGF-1 on p-FXYD1, we found the decreased phosphorylated forms of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway components in the frontal cortex of RTT mice and the normalizing effect of IGF-1 on the phosphorylated forms of these components. Interestingly, blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway by PI3K inhibitor could abolish the effect of IGF-1 on p-FXYD1 level, in addition to the effect of IGF-1 on the phosphorylation of other components in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Thus, our study has provided new insights into the mechanism of IGF-1 treatment for RTT, which appears to involve FXYD1.

[Research advances in the biomarkers of brain damage in preterm infants].

While the survival rate of preterm infants has continually increased with the development of perinatal and neonatal monitoring techniques, the incidence of brain injury in preterm infants has been increasing, resulting in varying degrees of cognitive impairment and movement disorders. Measuring the biomarkers of brain damage is an important means to diagnose brain injury. The biomarkers can be divided into neuroglial damage markers, neuronal damage markers and other markers according to the features of injured cells. The biomarkers widely used in clinical practice include S100B protein, myelin basic protein and neuron-specific enolase. Recent studies have newly discovered a collection of markers that can suggest potential brain injury in preterm infants, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain protein, α-II spectrin breakdown products, chemokines, melatonin and urinary metabolomics. These biomarkers can contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of preterm brain injury, essential for improving neural development and prognosis. This article reviews the latest research advances in the biomarkers of preterm brain injury, in order to provide evidence for the early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Evaluation of Whole Blood Trace Element Levels in Chinese Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which has increased markedly during the last decades. Essential trace elements play an important role in neurological function and their imbalances are common in children with ASD. The objective of the present study was to investigate whole blood levels of trace elements including zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and magnesium (Mg) in Chinese children with ASD. In total, 113 children diagnosed with ASD and 141 age-matched and gender-matched neurotypical children, divided into two gender and age groups of preschool age (2-5 years old) and school (6-10 years old) age, were examined. The quantitative analyses of whole blood trace element contents were performed by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. In the present study, the children with ASD generally had lower whole blood levels of Zn than the neurotypical controls. No significant differences in the whole blood Cu, Zn/Cu ratio, Fe, or Mg was detected between the ASD group and the control group. It is notable that whole blood Fe level in boys with ASD was significantly higher than in girls with ASD, and was nearly significant when compared with the control level of boys. After stratification for age, a significant 6% decrease in whole blood Zn levels was detected in preschool-aged children with ASD as compared to the control values. However, this significant ASD-related change was not detected in school-aged children. The whole blood Zn level and Zn/Cu ratio were significantly increased in school-aged children than in preschool-aged children in both ASD and control group. In addition, school-aged children with ASD had a significantly higher level of whole blood Fe than preschool-aged children with ASD. The results of the present study suggest an association between whole blood levels of Zn in Chinese children with ASD.

Heat shock protein 70 downregulation inhibits proliferation, migration and tumorigenicity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

The overexpression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), a major stress-inducible heat shock protein, has been identified to enhance the proliferation, survival, invasion and metastasis of diverse types of human cancer. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poorly understood. The present study demonstrated that HSP70 expression was higher in tested HCC cell lines, compared with the normal hepatocyte LO2, and the suppression of HSP70 significantly inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721 and Hep3B cells. The growth inhibitory effect was mediated by cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase with reduced cyclin D1 and increased p27Kip1 expression. Furthermore, HSP70 knockdown significantly inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of HCC cells. In conclusion, HSP70 is a key regulator involved in the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC, and it may be used as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.

Effect of saracatinib on pulmonary metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Src is involved in multiple processes of cancer metastasis; however, its significance in HCC is not well defined. In the present study, overexpression of Src phosphorylation (Y416) was observed in the highly metastatic MHCC97H cell line; additionally, through inhibition of Src kinase activation, HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation were significantly reduced in vitro. Tumour growth was not affected in the orthotopic xenograft HCC model, but the metastasic potential was inhibited as revealed by reduced lung metastasic foci after administration of saracatinib. Phosphorylation level of Src pathway signalling molecules, such as Src, FAK and Stat3, were also reduced in vitro and in vivo, as a result of the anti-metastasic effects caused by saracatinib treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated the pro-metastasic role of Src in HCC, and further experiments suggest the use of the Src inhibitor in combination with cytotoxic agents and other anticancer treatments to improve HCC prognosis.

Clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.

BACKGROUND: Clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) is a clinico-radiological syndrome characterized by transient mild symptoms of encephalopathy and a reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is often triggered by infection. The common pathogens of MERS are viruses, especially influenza virus. However, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M.pneumoniae) are relatively rare pathogens for MERS. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report two paediatric cases of M.pneumoniae infection-induced MERS. The diagnosis of M.pneumoniae infection was established based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and specific serum antibodies (IgM). Both of the two patients presented with mild encephalopathy manifestations and recovered completely within a few days. The initial MRI showed a lesion in the central portion of the splenium of the corpus callosum, which completely resolved on the seventh and eighth day after admission for case 1 and case 2. Lumbar puncture was performed in both patients, which revealed no pleocytosis. In case 1, the patient had hyponatremia, peripheral facial nerve paralysis, and rash. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first MERS case associated with peripheral nerve damage. In case 2, interleukin-6(IL-6) was moderately increased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It suggested that IL-6 may play a role in the pathogenesis of M.pneumoniae-induced MERS. CONCLUSION: Our study enriches the available information on the pathogens of MERS and provides valuable data for better understanding of this syndrome.

Reversible bilateral striatal lesions following Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection associated with elevated levels of interleukins 6 and 8.

BACKGROUND: Reversible bilateral striatal necrosis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection is a rare neurological disease. The exact pathogenic mechanism remains unknown. PATIENT: We report reversible bilateral striatal lesions with a favorable outcome secondary to M. pneumoniae infection in an 8-year-old Chinese girl. Cranial MRI showed abnormal signals in bilateral striatum, which disappeared 8 months later. To better understand the pathogenesis of this encephalopathy, we examined cytokines levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from this patient. The results revealed the concentrations of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 increased significantly in serum (26 pg/mL and 66 pg/mL, respectively) and cerebrospinal fluid (122 pg/mL and 325 pg/mL, respectively), and were reduced markedly after the therapy. Intrathecal production of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 is probably related to the pathogenesis of striatal lesions caused by M. pneumoniae. These cytokines may cause local vascular injury, and finally leading to local vascular occlusion. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of this disease. This is the first report to describe the role of cytokines in this condition and relevant literature is reviewed. Our findings may lead to better understanding of the pathogenesis of M. pneumoniae-associated striatal lesions.

Novel mutations of the ATP7B gene in Han Chinese families with pre-symptomatic Wilson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder of copper metabolism, caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, resulting in copper accumulation in the liver, brain, kidney, and cornea and leading to significant disability or death if untreated. Early diagnosis and proper therapy usually predict a good prognosis, especially in pre-symptomatic WD. Genetic testing is the most accurate and effective diagnostic method for early diagnosis. METHODS: The clinical and biochemical features of three unrelated Han Chinese families with pre-symptomatic WD were reported. The molecular defects in these families were investigated by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Hundred healthy children with the same ethnic background served as controls. Bioinformatic tools (polymorphism phenotyping-2, sorting intolerant from tolerant, protein analysis through evolutionary relationships, and predictor of human deleterious single nucleotide polymorphisms) were combined and used to predict the functional effects of mutations. RESULTS: We identified 2 novel ATP7B mutations (p.Leu692Pro and p.Asn728Ser) and 3 known mutations (p.Met769fs, p.Arg778Leu and p.Val1216Met) in these Chinese WD families. These mutations were not observed in the 100 normal controls. The bioinformatic method showed that p.Leu692Pro and p.Asn728Ser mutations are pathogenic. CONCLUSIONS: Our research enriches the mutation spectrum of the ATP7B gene worldwide and provides valuable information for studying the mutation types and mode of inheritance of ATP7B in the Chinese population. Liver function analysis and genetic testing in young children with WD are necessary to shorten the time to the initiation of therapy, reduce damage to the liver and brain, and improve prognosis.

TLR4 signaling is involved in the protective effect of propofol in BV2 microglia against OGD/reoxygenation.

Propofol exhibits neuroprotective effects against hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, but the underlying mechanisms are still not clear. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a considerable role in the induction of innate immune and inflammatory responses. The purposes of this study are to investigate the effect of propofol on the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation (OGD/R) BV2 microglia and to explore the role of TLR4/myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in the neuroprotective effects of propofol. BV2 microglia were placed into an airtight chamber and in glucose-free medium for OGD/reoxygenation. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay. TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules, MyD88 and NF-κB expressions were detected by Western blotting. Level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in culture medium was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. BV2 microglia apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. We found that pretreatment with propofol significantly alleviated the hypoxic injury in BV2 microglia. Propofol inhibited upregulation of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB expressions in BV2 microglia exposed to OGD/reoxygenation. Propofol pretreatment also significantly reduced the production of TNF-α and apoptosis in OGD/reoxygenation BV2 microglia. The results indicated that TLR4 and its downstream MyD88-dependent signaling pathway contributed to neuroprotection of propofol to microglia exposed to OGD/reoxygenation.

Toll-like receptor 4 signaling is involved in PACAP-induced neuroprotection in BV2 microglial cells under OGD/reoxygenation.

OBJECT: The neuroprotective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclise-activating polypeptide (PACAP) have been well documented in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which PACAP protected microglia from ischemic/hypoxic injury via inhibition of microglia activation remain unclear. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a considerable role in the induction of innate immune and inflammatory responses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of PACAP on the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation BV2 microglia and to explore the role of TLR4/myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway in the neuroprotective effects of PACAP. METHODS: We conducted OGD/reoxygenation by placing BV2 microglia into an airtight chamber and in glucose-free medium. BV2 microglia cell viability was determined by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide] assay. Western blot was utilized to detect TLR4, MyD88 expression, inhibitory protein of NF-kappaB (IkappaB) phosphorylation/degradation, NF-kappaB activation. Level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in culture medium was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: We found that pretreatment with PACAP to BV2 cells immediately before OGD/reoxygenation significantly alleviated microglia hypoxic injury. PACAP inhibited upregulation of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-kappaB in BV2 microglial cells exposed to OGD/reoxygenation. PACAP administration also significantly reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines and apoptosis in BV2 microglia exposed to OGD/reoxygenation. DISCUSSION: Pretreatment with PACAP inhibited activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-kappaB signaling pathway and decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, as well as apoptosis in microglia, thereby attenuating microglia hypoxic injury. Our results suggested that TLR4-mediated MyD88-dependent signaling pathway contributed to neuroprotection of PACAP to microglia against OGD/reoxygenation.

Exogenous administration of PACAP alleviates traumatic brain injury in rats through a mechanism involving the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is effective in reducing axonal damage associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and has immunomodulatory properties. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important mediator of the innate immune response. It significantly contributes to neuroinflammation induced by brain injury. However, it remains unknown whether exogenous PACAP can modulate TBI through the TLR4/adapter protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the potential neuroprotective mechanisms of PACAP pretreatment in a weight-drop model of TBI. PACAP38 was microinjected intracerebroventricularly before TBI. Brain samples were extracted from the pericontusional area in the cortex and hippocampus. We found that TBI induced significant upregulation of TLR4, with peak expression occurring 24 h post-trauma, and that pretreatment with PACAP significantly improved motor and cognitive dysfunction, attenuated neuronal apoptosis, and decreased brain edema. Pretreatment with PACAP inhibited upregulation of TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules MyD88, p-IκB, and NF-κB, and suppressed increases in the levels of the downstream inflammatory agents interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), in the brain tissue around the injured cortex and in the hippocampus. Administration of PACAP both in vitro and in vivo attenuated the ability of the TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to increase TLR4 protein levels. Therefore, PACAP exerts a neuroprotective effect in this rat model of TBI, by inhibiting a secondary inflammatory response mediated by the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in microglia and neurons, thereby reducing neuronal death and improving the outcome following TBI.

Effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide on CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cell levels after traumatic brain injury in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: The effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) during traumatic brain injury (TBI) and whether it can modulate secondary injury has not been reported previously. The present study evaluated the potential protective effects of ventricular infusion of PACAP in a rat model of TBI. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups (n=6, each): sham-operated, vehicle (normal saline)+TBI, and PACAP+TBI. Normal saline or PACAP (1 µg/5 µL) was administered intracerebroventricularly 20 minutes before TBI. Right parietal cortical contusion was produced via a weight-dropping method. Brains were extracted 24 hours after trauma. Histological changes in brains were examined by HE staining. The numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in blood and the spleen were detected via flow cytometry. RESULTS: In injured brain regions, edema, hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and swollen and degenerated neurons were observed under a light microscope, and the neurons were disorderly arrayed in the hippocampi. Compared to the sham group, average CD4(+) CD8(-) lymphocyte counts in blood and the spleen were significantly decreased in rats that received TBI+vehicle, and CD4(-) CD8(+) were increased. In rats administered PACAP prior to TBI, damage was attenuated as evidenced by significantly increased CD4(+), and decreased CD8(+), T lymphocytes in blood and the spleen. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with PACAP may protect against TBI by influencing periphery T cellular immune function.

[Research advance of the protective role of PACAP in the nervous system diseases].

In the central nervous system, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts different actions as neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, neurotrophic and neuroprotective factors via multiple signaling pathways. PACAP plays an important protective role in the nervous system diseases, such as focal cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), schizophrenia, anxiety disorders Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Now, we reviewed the research advances about the protective role of PACAP in the nervous system diseases.

miR-340 inhibition of breast cancer cell migration and invasion through targeting of oncoprotein c-Met.

BACKGROUND: Different microRNAs have been shown to have oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions in human cancers. Detection of their expression may lead to identifying novel markers for breast cancer. METHODS: The authors detected miR-340 expression in 4 human breast cell lines and then focused on its role in regulation of tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion and target gene expression. They then analyzed miR-340 expression in benign and cancerous breast tissue specimens. RESULTS: Endogenous miR-340 expression was down-regulated in the more aggressive breast cancer cell lines, which was confirmed in breast cancer tissue specimens by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Further studies showed that induction of miR-340 expression was able to suppress tumor cell migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of miR-340 expression induced breast cancer cell migration and invasion. At the gene level, the authors identified c-Met as a direct miR-340 target to mediate cell migration and invasion through regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Ex vivo, loss of miR-340 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, high tumor histological grade, clinical stage, and shorter overall survival of breast cancer as well as increased c-Met expression in breast cancer tissue specimens. CONCLUSIONS: miR-340 may play an important role in breast cancer progression, suggesting that miR-340 should be further evaluated as a novel biomarker for breast cancer metastasis and prognosis, and potentially a therapeutic target.

MiR-339-5p inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and may be a potential biomarker for breast cancer prognosis.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. Detection of their expression may lead to identifying novel markers for breast cancer. METHODS: We profiled miRNA expression in three breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468) and then focused on one miRNA, miR-339-5p, for its role in regulation of tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion and target gene expression. We then analyzed miR-339-5p expression in benign and cancerous breast tissue specimens. RESULTS: A number of miRNAs were differentially expressed in these cancer cell lines. Real-time PCR indicated that miR-339-5p expression was downregulated in the aggressive cell lines MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 and in breast cancer tissues compared with benign tissues. Transfection of miR-339-5p oligonucleotides reduced cancer cell growth only slightly but significantly decreased tumor cell migration and invasion capacity compared with controls. Real-time PCR analysis showed that BCL-6, a potential target gene of miR-339-5p, was downregulated in MDA-MB-231 cells by miR-339-5p transfection. Furthermore, the reduced miR-339-5p expression was associated with an increase in metastasis to lymph nodes and with high clinical stages. Kaplan-Meier analyses found that the patients with miR-339-5p expression had better overall and relapse-free survivals compared with those without miR-339-5p expression. Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that miR-339-5p expression was an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-339-5p may play an important role in breast cancer progression, suggesting that miR-339-5p should be further evaluated as a biomarker for predicting the survival of breast cancer patients.

Specific activation of 2'-5'oligoadenylate synthetase gene promoter by hepatitis C virus-core protein: a potential for developing hepatitis C virus targeting gene therapy.

AIM: To examine whether 2'-5'oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) gene promoter can be specifically activated by hepatitis C virus (HCV)-core protein. METHODS: Human embryo hepatic cell line L02 was transfected with pcDNA3.1-core plasmid and selected by G418. Expression of HCV-core was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The OAS promoter sequence was amplified from the genomic DNA and inserted into pGL3-basic vector. The resultant pGL3-OAS-Luci plasmid was transiently transfected into L02/core cells and luciferase activity was assayed. RESULTS: L02/core cell line stably expressing HCV-core protein was established. The pGL3-OAS-Luci construct exhibited significant transcriptional activity in the L02/core cells but not in the L02 cells. CONCLUSION: HCV-core protein activates the OAS gene promoter specifically and effectively. Utilization of OAS gene promoter would be an ideal strategy for developing HCV-specific gene therapy.

[Evaluation of right ventricular function by quantitative tissue velocity imaging and tissue tracking imaging in neonates with congenital hypothyroidism].

OBJECTIVE: Although several reports documented the association of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and left ventricular (LV) function in infants or neonates, right ventricular (RV) function in neonates with CH has not been previously studied. The aim of the present study was to assess RV function in neonates with CH before and after thyroxine substitution therapy by quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI) and tissue tracking imaging (TTI). METHODS: Fifty-two neonates aged 18-28 days (25 males and 27 females) with CH and 35 healthy neonates aged 18-28 days (16 males and 19 females) were studied by QTVI, TTI as well as conventional pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography (PWD). The standard apical four-chamber view for long-axis motion of the right ventricle was used for echocardiographic evaluation. Peak systolic displacement (D), peak systolic velocity (Vs), peak early (Ve) and late (Va) diastolic velocity of tricuspid annule were measured, Ve/Va ratio was calculated as well. Transtricuspid flow velocity during early diastole (E) and late diastole (A) were also measured by pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography. PWD and E/A ratio were calculated too. For each neonate, serum hormone levels of TSH, TT(3), TT(4), FT(3) and FT(4) were measured with a standard chemiluminescent immunoassay. After 1 month of levothyroxine (L-T(4)) substitution therapy in CH neonates, all the echocardiographic evaluations and biochemical tests were re-evaluated. Correlation analysis was also made between serum thyroid hormones levels and right ventricular function. RESULTS: The indices of right ventricular diastolic function by PWD (E and E/A ratio) in CH group were (45 +/- 10) cm/s and (0.8 +/- 0.3), respectively. Compared with controls, E and E/A ratio in CH neonates were significantly lower (P < 0.001, respectively), while A did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). QTVI and TTI showed that right diastolic function (Ve and Ve/Va ratio) as well as right systolic function (Vs and D) in CH group were (3.69 +/- 1.38) cm/s, (0.74 +/- 0.19) cm/s, (4.38 +/- 0.63) cm/s and (0.52 +/- 0.12) cm, respectively. CH neonates had significantly lower Ve, Ve/Va ratio, Vs and D of tricuspid annular velocity (P < 0.001, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in Va between the two groups (P > 0.05). After 1 month of substitutive therapy, CH neonates showed a significant increase of Ve, Ve/Va ratio, Vs, D, E, and E/A ratio, (6.92 +/- 1.86) cm/s, (1.13 +/- 0.22), (5.92 +/- 1.03) cm/s, (0.78 +/- 0.17) cm, (61 +/- 10) cm/s and (1.1 +/- 0.4), respectively (P < 0.001). Those parameters were positively correlated with serum TT(3), TT(4), FT(3) and FT(4) levels (P < 0.01, respectively), and were negatively correlated with serum TSH levels (P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that neonates with CH are associated with right ventricular subclinical systolic and diastolic dysfunction, which can be reversed by early L-T(4) substitution therapy. QTVI and TTI are valuable methods to evaluate right ventricular function in neonates. Systolic and diastolic velocities of the tricuspid annulus measured by QTVI and TTI are useful and accurate to assess RV function in neonates.

[A study on the social adjustment and its affective factors in Down syndrome children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the social adjustment status and affected factors thereof in Down syndrome children. METHODS: The family environment, cognitive development and social adjustment were examined in 36 Down syndrome children aged 52 - 167 months, 30 mental age-matched children aged 20 - 65 months, and 40 chronological age-matched children aged 43 - 144 months with questionnaire of family influential factors, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and Infants-Junior Middle School Students' Social-Life Abilities Scale from September 2004 to July 2006. The gender and general family environment were matched among the three groups. The information about the mode of delivery, history of newborn, family structure, income of family, and parents' education could be gathered from the questionnaire (used by parents). PPVT was adopted as research tool of cognitive development. Infants-Junior Middle School Students' Social-Life Abilities Scale was adopted as research tool of social adjustment. RESULTS: There were no differences between the Down syndrome children and mental age-matched group in communication and socialization. The Down syndrome children were better than the mental age-matched group in self-help [(20.0 +/- 4.8) vs (13.3 +/- 4.7), t = 5.72, P = 0.000]; locomotion [(7.5 +/- 1.4) vs (6.4 +/- 1. 6), t = 3.10, P = 0.003]; occupation [(8.2 +/- 2.4) vs (6.2 +/- 2.0), t = 3.68, P = 0.000], and self-direction [(5.9 +/- 2.6) vs (4.6 +/- 2.0), t = 2. 28, P = 0.026]. The chronological age-matched group were much better than the Down syndrome children in all factors of social-life abilities, including self-help [(20.0 +/- 4.8) vs (26.5 +/- 4.9), t = 5.84, P = 0.000]; locomotion [(7.5 +/- 1.4) vs (11.4 +/- 3.3), t = 6.76, P = 0.000]; occupation [(8.2 +/- 2.4) vs (14.4 +/- 3.9), t = 8.55, P = 0.000]; communication [(8.3 +/- 3.6) vs (18.3 +/- 4.8), t = 10.38, P = 0.000]; socialization [(9.6 +/- 2.3) vs (17.1 +/- 4.2), t = 9.76, P = 0.000], and self-direction [(5.9 +/- 2.6) vs (13. 8 +/- 4.6), t = 9.25, P = 0.000]. There was a relationship between the raw score of PPVT and social-life abilities in these children. Even after controlling effect of age, it was still associated with self-help (r = 0.70, P = 0.000), locomotion (r = 0.74, P = 0.000), occupation (r = 0.77, P = 0.000), communication (r = 0.86, P = 0.000), socialization (r = 0.80, P = 0.000), and self-direction (r = 0.76, P = 0.000). Multiple stepwise regression showed that the main factor influencing self-help was family structure. Family structure and mother's education influenced locomotion. Family structure and newborn history influenced occupation, communication, socialization and self-direction. CONCLUSION: Down syndrome children have better social adjustment than the mental age-matched group, yet worse than the chronological age-matched group. Cognition development, family environment and newborn history differently influence the Down syndrome child, which means proper intervention can improve their social adjustment.

Study on the social adaptation of Chinese children with down syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate social adjustment and related factors among Chinese children with Down syndrome (DS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A structured interview and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) were conducted with a group of 36 DS children with a mean age of 106.28 months, a group of 30 normally-developing children matched for mental age (MA) and a group of 40 normally-developing children matched for chronological age (CA). Mean scores of social adjustment were compared between the three groups, and partial correlations and stepwise multiple regression models were used to further explore related factors. RESULTS: There was no difference between the DS group and the MA group in terms of communication skills. However, the DS group scored much better than the MA group in self-dependence, locomotion, work skills, socialization and self-management. Children in the CA group achieved significantly higher scores in all aspects of social adjustment than the DS children. Partial correlations indicate a relationship between social adjustment and the PPVT raw score and also between social adjustment and age (significant r ranging between 0.24 and 0.92). A stepwise linear regression analysis showed that family structure was the main predictor of social adjustment. Newborn history was also a predictor of work skills, communication, socialization and self-management. Parental education was found to account for 8% of self-dependence. Maternal education explained 6% of the variation in locomotion. CONCLUSION: Although limited by the small sample size, these results indicate that Chinese DS children have better social adjustment skills when compared to their mental-age-matched normally-developing peers, but that the Chinese DS children showed aspects of adaptive development that differed from Western DS children. Analyses of factors related to social adjustment suggest that effective early intervention may improve social adaptability.

[Expression of androgen receptor gene in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats with perinatal hypothyroidism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of perinatal thyroid hormone deficiency on the expression of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats. METHODS: Perinatal hypothyroidism was induced by the administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) solution to the dams by gavage (50 mg/d) beginning at embryonic d15 throughout the lactational period. In the T(4) injected group hypothyroid rats were injected intraperitoneally with levothroxine (L-T(4)) 2 microg/100 g BW daily, starting from the day of birth. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus specimen were collected from controls,hypothyroid and T(4)-injected hypothyroid rats on postnatal d1, 5, 10, 15 and 20. Quantification of ARmRNA in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was performed with competitive RT-PCR using internal and external standardization. RESULT: Age-related increasing ARmRNA levels were observed in neonatal rats, and those in male animals were significantly higher. AR expression was higher in the hippocampus than in the cerebral cortex. ARmRNA levels in the hypothyroid pups were lower than those in age-matched controls. The mRNA levels in the T(4)-injected hypothyroid pups were significantly higher compared with the age-matched hypothyroid pups, but in hippocampus ARmRNA expression did not reach normal levels in male rats at d10 and d20, in female at d15 and d20. CONCLUSION: The expression of ARmRNA decreases in brain of rats with perinatal hypothyroidism. Treatment with thyroid hormone can recover ARmRNA expression in cerebral cortex, but not in hippocampus.