[A multicenter study of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen, China]. / 深圳市新生儿脑卒中多中心现况调查.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence rate, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen, China. METHODS: Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital, the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022. The incidence, clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137, 1/6 060, and 1/7 704, respectively. Ischemic stroke accounted for 75% (27/36); boys accounted for 64% (23/36). Among the 36 neonates, 31 (86%) had disease onset within 3 days after birth, and 19 (53%) had convulsion as the initial presentation. Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates (61%) had left cerebral infarction and 13 (36%) had basal ganglia infarction. Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates, among whom 9 (75%) had involvement of the middle cerebral artery. Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates, with sharp waves in 21 neonates (72%) and seizures in 10 neonates (34%). Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals. Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates (33%, 12/36), with a mean score of (32±4) points. The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age, with 44% (12/27) of the neonates having a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke, often with convulsions as the initial presentation, involvement of the middle cerebral artery, sharp waves on electroencephalography, and a relatively low neurodevelopment score. Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method, and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Relationship between chronotypes and aggression in adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between chronotypes and aggression in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 755 primary and secondary school students aged 11-16 years in rural areas of Ningxia Province, China. The Chinese version of the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ-CV) and the Chinese version Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ-CV) were used to assess the aggressive behavior and chronotypes of the study subjects. The Kruskal-Wallis test was then used to compare the differences in aggression among adolescents with different chronotypes, and Spearman correlation analysis to determine the relationship between chronotypes and aggression. Further linear regression analysis was used to investigate the effects of chronotype, personality traits, family environment, and class environment on adolescent aggression. RESULTS: There were significant differences in chronotypes between different age groups and different sexes. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the MEQ-CV total score was negatively correlated with the AQ-CV total score (r = -0.263) and score of each AQ-CV subscale. In Model 1, chronotypes were negatively associated with aggression when controlling for age and sex, and evening-type adolescents might be more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior (b = -0.513, 95% CI: [-0.712, -0.315], P < 0.001); in Model 2, the negative association remained after controlling for family and class environment on the basis of Model 1 (b = -0.404, 95% CI: [-0.601, -0.208], P < 0.001); and in Model 3, the negative association still existed after controlling for personality traits on the basis of Model 2 (b = -0.383, 95% CI: [-0.577, -0.190], P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to morning-type adolescents, evening-type adolescents were more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior. Given social expectations for MT adolescents, adolescents should be actively guided to develop a good circadian rhythm that may be more conducive to their physical and mental development.

Correlational research on facial and clinical characteristics of adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND: The neurodevelopmental model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suggests that the neurodevelopmental changes in the ventral striatal circuit of the prefrontal lobe are associated with the initial symptoms of OCD. Facial morphology is one of the most consistent anatomical phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders, which can reflect brain structure and function. Facial deformity, an easily measured index of brain malformation, can reflect abnormal brain structure and function. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between clinical features and neurodevelopment of adolescents with OCD through facial morphology. METHODS: The enrolled study sample comprised 40 adolescents diagnosed with OCD using the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) and 38 healthy controls (HCs). Facial photos, 21 facial diameters, and 9 facial angles were collected using image software. RESULTS: In males, lower lip red height was significantly lower in OCD patients than in HCs (P < 0.025); no significant differences were observed in other facial indicators (all P > 0.025). In females, the nasolabial angle was smaller in OCD patients than in HCs (P < 0.025); no significant differences were observed in other facial indicators (all P > 0.025). The difference in lower lip red height between the OCD group and HC group was positively correlated with neutralizing symptoms (r = 0.401, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Male OCD patients had a thinner lower lip and female OCD patients had smaller nasolabial angles. The facial features of adolescents with OCD were positively correlated with lower lip redness and neutralizing symptoms.

Migrant adolescents' behavioral problems compared to host adolescents and adolescents in their region of origin: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Since the 1990s, families from the ecologically hostile mountainous southern areas of Ningxia Province, China, have been migrating to the northern areas of the province. This study compared the prevalence of behavioral problems among migrant adolescents to those among host adolescents (adolescents from the northern areas) and adolescents in the region of origin (adolescents from the southern areas), to determine whether ecological migration is related to adolescent behavioral problems, and possible changes in such problems over time. METHODS: We used the Children and Adolescents Ecological Migration Survey on Mental Health, administered to 4805 students aged 12-16 years and their parents between 2012 and 2014 (W1), of whom 1753 students and their parents completed the follow-up between 2014 and 2017 (W2). Parents answered questions related to adolescent behavioral problems, main source of family income, parents' desire to reverse migrate, improved standard of living, and parents' educational attainment, while children completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and a classroom environment questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of behavioral problems among the migrant adolescents (28.04%) was significantly higher than among host adolescents (21.59%) or adolescents in the region of origin (24.37%; p < 0.001) at W1. After adjusting for gender and age, parents' work outside the home was the main source of family income (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.13-1.78), and adolescents' learning burden (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.06) in school negatively influenced behavioral problems. Strong student-teacher relationships (OR = 0.97,95% CI = 0.94-0.99) and parents who had no intention to move back to the original residence (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.52-0.94) exerted a protective effect at W1; at W2, a protective effect was associated with improved living conditions (OR = 0.39-0.55, 95% CI = 0.25-0.84). The extent of behavioral problems among migrant adolescents significantly decreased after two years. CONCLUSION: Ecological migration will increase children's behavioral problems in the early stage, with various factors influencing the extent of these problems.

Mild Metal-Free Hydrosilylation of Secondary Amides to Amines.

The combination of amide activation by Tf2O with B(C6F5)3-catalyzed hydrosilylation with TMDS constitutes a method for the one-pot reduction of secondary amides to amines under mild conditions. The method displays a broad applicability for the reduction of many types of substrates, and shows good compatibility and excellent chemoselectivity for many sensitive functional groups. Reductions of a multifunctionalized α,ß-unsaturated amide obtained from another synthetic methodology, and a C-H functionalization product produced the corresponding amines in good to excellent yield. Chemoselective reduction of enantiomeric pure (ee >99%) tetrahydro-5-oxo-2-furaneamides yielded 5-(aminomethyl)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-ones in a racemization-free manner. The latter were converted in one pot to N-protected 5-hydroxypiperidin-2-ones, which are building blocks for the synthesis of many natural products. Further elaboration of an intermediate led to a concise four-step synthesis of (-)-epi-pseudoconhydrine.

[Effects of single heat stress treatment on spermatogenic cells in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of single heat stress treatment on spermatogenic cells in mice. METHODS: We randomly divided 36 C57 male mice into a control and a heat stress treatment group and submerged the lower part of the torso in water at 25 °C and 43 °C, respectively, both for 15 minutes. At 1, 7, and 14 days after treatment, we obtained the testicular organ indexes, observed the changes in testicular morphology by HE staining, and determined the location and expression levels of the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) and synaptonemal comlex protein-3 (SCP-3) in the testis tissue by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: The testicular organ index was significantly lower in the heat stress treatment than in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the controls, the heat shock-treated mice showed loosely arranged spermatogenic cells scattered in the seminiferous tubules at 1 day after heat stress treatment, atrophied, loosely arranged and obviously reduced number of spermatogenic cells at 7 days, and relatively closely arranged seminiferous tubules and increased number and layers of spermatogenic cells at 14 days. The number of SCP-3 labelled spermatocytes obviously decreased in the heat stress-treated animals at 1 and 7 days and began to increase at 14 days. The PLZF protein expression was significantly reduced in the heat stress treatment group at 1 day as compared with that in the control (0.19 ± 0.12 vs 0.64 ± 0.03, P < 0.01), but elevated to 0.77 ± 0.02 at 7 and 14 days, even remarkably higher than in the control animals (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Heat stress treatment can induce short-term dyszoospermia in mice, which can be recovered with the prolonged time after treatment.

Comparison of the effects of temperature and water potential on seed germination of Fabaceae species from desert and subalpine grassland.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Temperature and water potential for germination based on the thermal and hydrotime models have been successfully applied in predicting germination requirements of physiologically dormant seeds as well as nondormant seeds. However, comparative studies of the germination requirements of physically dormant seeds from different ecosystems have not been done. METHODS: Germination of scarified seeds of four legume species collected from the Qing-Tibetan Plateau and of four collected in the Alax Desert in China was compared over a range of temperatures and water potentials based on thermal time and hydrotime models. KEY RESULTS: Seeds of species from the Qing-Tibetan Plateau had a lower base temperature (T b) and optimal temperature (T o) for germination than those from the Alax Desert. Seeds of the four species from the Qing-Tibetan Plateau germinated to high percentages at 5°C, whereas none of the four desert species did so. Seeds of species from the Alax Desert germinated to a high percentage at 35°C or 40°C, while no seeds of species from the Qing-Tibetan Plateau germinated at 35°C or 40°C. The base median water potential [Ψ b(50)] differed among species but not between the two habitats. CONCLUSIONS: The thermal time and hydrotime models accurately predicted the germination time course of scarified seeds of most of the eight species in response to temperature and water potential; thus, they can be useful tools in comparative studies on germination of seeds with physical dormancy. Habitat temperatures but not rainfall is closely related to germination requirements of these species.

[Dynamic study and screening of new markers of spermatogonial stem cells by iTRAQ protein mass spectrometry].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dynamic changes in the protein marker expression in the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) of mice at different ages by iTRAQ protein mass spectrometry and to screen new markers using the bioinformatic proteome database. METHODS: Based on the postnatal weeks, we divided 80 healthy male C57BL/6 mice into eight age groups of equal number, harvested their testicular tissues, extracted proteins following purification of the SSCs by compound enzyme digestion and magnetic-activated cell sorting. Then we analyzed and identified proteins using two-dimensional electrophoresis, protein mass spectrometry, and protein database information. RESULTS: Totally, 248,510 mass spectra were obtained from the MS experiment and 1132 proteins were identified. By the criteria of >1.2-fold for protein abundance difference and P value <0.05, we identified 298 differentially expressed proteins and 9 currently known makers of SSCs (PCNA, GFRalpha1, CDH1, Annexin A7, UCHL1, VASA, CD49f, CD29, and PLZf). Compara- tive analysis showed different expressions of the proteins in the SSCs of the mice of different ages, and the differences in the expressions of GFRalpha1, CD49f, and CD29 were consistent with the findings in other published literature. Ten proteins (P63, CD71, CD98, K19, ACE, K18, K15, K17, SH2, and SH3) were selected as SSC markers to be further studied. CONCLUSION: The proteins in SSCs are differentially expressed in mice of different ages. The technology of iTRAQ protein mass spectrometry can be used to analyze and compare the proteome information of mouse SSCs, obtain differentially expressed proteins in mice of different ages, and thus offers a new ap- proach to further analysis and study of the function and roles of these differential proteins.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of hand foot, and mouth disease in a Shenzhen sentinel hospital from 2009 to 2011.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the epidemiological and clinical data of all hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in a sentinel hospital of Shenzhen, China from 2009 to 2011. METHODS: HFMD cases diagnosed in our institution were assessed from 2009 to 2011. Both epidemiological and clinical features were analyzed retrospectively. All the fatal cases were reported. RESULTS: A total of 12132 patients were diagnosed with HFMD, of which 2944 (24.3%) were hospitalized. Of the 2944 hospitalized patients, the highest proportion of diagnosed cases were admitted in May and July (989/2944, 33.6%). In 2009 all severe HFMD cases were diagnosed with enterovirus 71 (EV71). In 2010 and 2011, some of the severe HFMD were diagnosed with Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16). Incidence was highest in 0-4-year old children, with males being predominant. There were sporadic cases with HFMD the whole year except in February. All cases were cured in 2009. Six deaths were reported during 2010 and 2011. CONCLUSIONS: EV71 can cause severe complications and deaths in our region. HFMD is an important public health problem in Shenzhen in spite of stringent measures taken in preschool centers. A high degree of vigilance should be maintained over the disease situation.

[Expression analysis of the Medicago truncatula floral specific expression genes].

The expression of genes specific to floral organ is important for the floral organ formation and development in Medicago truncatula. Screening of the genes specifically expressed in M. truncatula flowers and comparing the expression patterns of their orthologous homologous genes among different model plants can provide novel insights into the functions of these genes in controlling the floral organ development in M. truncatula. According to the expression profile data of PISTILLATA (PI), we screened 97 genes specifically expressed in M. truncatula floral organs (ratio≥10 and Z≥7.9). Their homolog genes were also identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, soybean (Glycine max L.), Lotus japonicus, and rice (Oryza sativa L.). The results of comparing the gene expression levels, the gene expression patterns, and the gene functions among these species indicated that the expression variation of the orthologous homolog genes was small in the kindred species and was great in distant species. Furthermore, we compared the cis-acting regulatory elements of the genes, which had large expression variation among different plants. These results suggest that the great discrepancy of the orthologous homolog gene expression caused by the different character of cis-element in the promoter region.

[Effect of sophoridine and TLR4/MD-2 blocking agent on pathway of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophage TLR4-NF-kappaB-TNF-alpha].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of sophoridine and TLR4/MD-2 blocking agent on pathway of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophage TLR4-NF-kappaB-TNF-alpha in and its pharmacological mechanism of antiendotoxin. METHOD: RAW264. 7 macrophages were cultured and divided into 5 groups, namely the blank control group, the LPS model group, the sophoridine + LPS group, the TLR4/MD-2 blocking agent + LPS group and the anti-TLR4/MD-2 + sophoridine + LPS group. Cells and cell culture fluids were collected at 120 min after the each group was processed. The expression of TLR4 protein was measured by western blot, the distribution and expression of NF-kappaB protein were measured by immunocytochemistry, and the expression of NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha mRNA were measured by western blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The content of TNF-alpha in the cell supernatant was detected by using radioimmunoassay. RESULT: Compared with the LPS group, the expression of TLR4 protein, NF-kappaB mRNA, the rate of NF-kappaB entry the nucleus, TNF-alpha mRNA and TNF-alpha content in the cell supernatant were significantly decreased in the sophoridine + LPS group (P < 0.01). The rate of NF-kappaB entry the nucleus and TNF-alpha in the TLR4/MD-2 blocking agent + LPS group and the TLR4/MD-2 blocking agent + sophoridine + LPS group were notablly lower than that of the LPS model group (P < 0.01), close to that of the blank control group. However, there was no statistical significance between the two groups. CONCLUSION: TLR4/MD-2 may be one of sophoridine's targets. Sophordine's inhibitory effect on pathway activity of TLR4-NF-kappaB-TNF-alpha may be one of its antiendotoxin mechanisms.

[18F]FEDAC translocator protein positron emission tomography-computed tomography for early detection of mitochondrial dysfunction secondary to myocardial ischemia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the biodistribution and kinetics of [18F]FEDAC targeting the translocator protein TSPO in the myocardium, and to explore its use for the identification of mitochondrial dysfunction. We also assessed the feasibility of [18F]FEDAC for the early detection of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with myocardial ischemia (MI). METHODS: The radiochemical purity and stability of [18F]FEDAC were analyzed by radio-high-performance liquid chromatography (radio-HPLC). Its biodistribution and kinetics were evaluated by dissection and dynamic imaging using micro-positron emission tomography-computed tomography (micro-PET-CT) in healthy mice. [18F]FEDAC was also applied in an MI rat model and in sham-operated controls. Mitochondrial changes were observed by immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Radioactivity levels (%ID/g) in the myocardium in normal mice, determined by [18F]FEDAC, were 8.32 ± 0.80 at 5 min and 2.40 ± 0.10 at 60 min. PET showed significantly decreased uptake by injured cardiac tissue in MI rats, with maximal normal-to-ischemic uptake ratios of 10.47 ± 3.03 (1.5 min) and 3.92 ± 1.12 (27.5 min) (P = 0.025). Immunohistochemistry confirmed that TSPO expression was decreased in MI rats. Mitochondrial ultrastructure demonstrated significant swelling and permeability. CONCLUSION: [18F]FEDAC uptake is reduced in the injured myocardium, consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction. These results may provide new evidence to aid the early detection of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with myocardial ischemic injury.

MicroRNAs are dynamically regulated in hypertrophic hearts, and miR-199a is essential for the maintenance of cell size in cardiomyocytes.

Cardiac hypertrophy, which is characterized by an increase in cell size and reactivation of fetal genes, occurs as an adaptive response to diverse forms of stress and often results in heart failure and sudden death. Growing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in cardiac hypertrophy, but the function of these miRNAs remains elusive. Here, using real time PCR analysis, we showed that several miRNAs were dynamically regulated in the rat hypertrophic hearts and miR-199a was up-regulated by 10-fold in hypertrophic hearts after abdominal aorta constriction for 12 weeks. With tissue profiling analysis, we showed that miR-199a was predominantly expressed in cardiomyocytes, but was also faintly detected in cardiac fibroblasts. To investigate whether miR-199a was involved in cardiac hypertrophy, both over-expression and knockdown of miR-199a were performed in cultured cardiomyocytes. Over-expression of miR-199a in cardiomyocytes increased the cell size as measured by cell surface area, and also reduced the mRNA expression level of alpha-myosin heavy chain. In accordance, knockdown of endogenous miR-199a in cardiomyocytes reduced the cell size. Down-regulation of miR-199a also attenuated the phenylephrine-induced increase of cell size. Furthermore, bioinformatic algorithms were used to predict the potential targets of miR-199a in cardiac hypertrophy, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha was confirmed by the luciferase reporter assay to be a potential target of miR-199a. Taken together, our results demonstrated that miR-199a, which was predominantly expressed in cardiomyocytes, was essential for the maintenance of cell size of cardiomyocytes and might play a role in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy.

Astragaloside IV Improves High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Rats by Regulating Inflammatory Factors Level via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Objective: Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is the primary bioactive component purified from Astragalus membranaceus which is one of the traditional Chinese medicines. Research studies found that AS-IV has significant pharmacological effects on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis, and diabetic nephropathy, but little is known about the effects of AS-IV on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we investigated whether AS-IV has beneficial effects on NAFLD in rats and its potential mechanisms. Methods: Male SD rats were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to establish NAFLD rat model, and then, the rats were divided into five groups. The control group rats were fed with normal diet for 12 weeks and then were given normal saline (1.0 ml kg-1 day-1) by intragastric administration for 4 weeks. The model group rats were fed with HFD for 12 weeks and then were given normal saline (1.0 ml kg-1 day-1) by intragastric administration for 4 weeks. The AS-IV-L, AS-IV-M, and AS-IV-H groups were treated with 20, 40, and 80 mg kg-1 day-1 of AS-IV by intragastric administration for 4 weeks and given HFD diet. Then, we detected serum transaminase (ALT, AST), blood lipid (TG, TC), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α), liver histology(NAFLD activity score), TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway in liver tissue. Results: We found AS-IV significantly reduced serum levels of AST, ALT, TG, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in NAFLD rats and downregulate the expression of TLR4 mRNA, MyD88 mRNA, NF-κB mRNA, and proteins in liver tissue. Moreover, AS-IV could significantly reduce the NAFLD activity score of NAFLD rat liver. Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that AS-IV have a protective effect on NAFLD by inhibiting TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 levels and down-regulating TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB expression in rat liver tissues.

[Effects of ouabain at different concentrations on growth of leukemia cells].

OBJECTIVE: Cardiotonic steroids (CTS) can bind to Na+, K+ -ATPase to activate complex intracellular signaling cascades regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ouabain at different concentrations on growth regulation in various kinds of leukemia cell lines and explore the pathogenesis of leukemia, the functions of Na+, K+ -ATPase as a signal transduction conductor and its effects on cell growth. METHODS: Using the MTT assay, the survival rates of leukemia cell lines were observed 6, 12 and 24 hrs after treatment with 1 or 10 nmol/L ouabain. The expression of Na+, K+ -ATPase alpha1 subunit of leukemia cells was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The MTT results showed that ouabain at 1 nmol/L or 10 nmol/L induced proliferation of lymphocytic leukemia B95 and Jhhan cell lines, as well as megakaryocytic leukemia M07e and Meg01 cell lines. Ouabain at 1 nmol/L or 10 nmol/L increased the expression of Na+, K+ -ATPase alpha1 subunit. There were significant differences in the proliferation and the expression of Na+, K+ -ATPase alpha1 subunit of the leukemia cell lines between the ouabain treatment and the blank control groups 24 hrs after ouabain treatment (P<0.05). The proliferation effect of leukemia cell lines was in a direct proportion with the ouabain concentration and incubation time. CONCLUSIONS: Na+, K+ -ATPase plays an important role in signal transductions. Through binding to ouabain, Na+, K+ -ATPase may regulate proliferation of leukemia cell lines of different origins. Ouabain at 1 nmol/L or 10 nmol/L may induce proliferation of lymphocytic leukemia cell lines (B95, Jhhan) and megakaryocytic leukemia cell lines (M07e, Meg01), and the proliferation effect was in a direct proportion with the concentration and incubation time of ouabain.

[Effect of grain-moxibustion on neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and quality of life in patients with advanced gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of grain-moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Weishu (BL 21) on neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Sixty patients with advanced gastric cancer were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, conventional chemotherapy regimen combined with symptomatic treatment，such as antiemetic, acid-suppressive, liver-protecting drugs. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, grain-moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36) and Weishu (BL 21) in the observation group, 9 cones for each acupoint, once a day for a total of 90 days. The levels of NLR were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy and quality of life were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the value of NLR in the observation group was significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05), there was no significant difference before and after treatment in the control group (P>0.05), and the descend range of observation group was larger than the control group (P<0.05). The effective rates (RR) were 33.3% (10/30) in the observation group and 36.7% (11/30) in the control group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the QOL in the observation group was improved in diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, general health states (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the control group before and after treatment in varions scores (P>0.05), and the observation group was superior to the control group in fatigue, sleep disorder, loss of appetite, diarrhea and general health states after treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Grain-moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Weishu (BL 21) can decrease NLR and improve QOL of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Suicidality among young adults: Unique and cumulative roles of 14 different adverse childhood experiences.

BACKGROUND: College students with suicidal ideation (SI) are at high risk of suicide. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are important risk factors for suicidal behavior. Most research in this area has been restricted to 10 conventional ACEs and suggests negative long-term developmental effects from other common childhood adversities such as peer victimization, peer isolation/rejection, exposure to community violence, and low socioeconomic status. OBJECTIVE: To test the unique and cumulative associations of 14 different ACEs with SI among young adults. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants were 989 college students from two universities in China's provincial-leveled Hui Autonomous Region. METHODS: Associations between ACEs and SI were analyzed by logistic regression. A Chi-square trend test was used to examine the association between cumulative ACEs and SI. RESULTS: The rates of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among the cohort were 11.9%, 3.7%, and 1.6%, respectively; 43.9% had experienced at least one ACE. The strongest predictor of SI in adulthood was peer isolation/rejection, followed by emotional neglect, then low socioeconomic status. There was a cumulative effect of ACEs and SI, whereby the greater the number of ACEs, the greater the likelihood of SI. CONCLUSION: Peer isolation/rejection, emotional neglect, and low socioeconomic status were associated with increased risk of SI in adulthood. Two (peer isolation/rejection and low socioeconomic status) of the three factors that emerged from the analysis are not typically included in ACEs research. There was a cumulative effect of 14 kinds of ACEs on SI among young adults. Early recognition of risk factors is therefore important.

Inhibition of hepatic interleukin-18 production by rosiglitazone in a rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

AIM: To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone (RGZ) on expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and caspase-1 in liver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rats. METHODS: Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control, NAFLD, and RGZ treated NAFLD groups. A NAFLD rat model of NAFLD was established by feeding the animals with a high-fat diet for 12 wk. The NAFLD animals were treated with RGZ or vehicle for the last 4 wk (week 9-12) and then sacrificed to obtain liver tissues. Histological changes were analyzed with HE, oil red O and Masson's trichrome staining. Expressions of IL-18 and caspase-1 were detected using immunohistochemical staining and semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS: The expression levels of both IL-18 and caspase-1 were higher in the liver of NAFLD group than in the control group. Steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis, found in the liver of NAFLD rats, were significantly improved 4 wk after RGZ treatment. The elevated hepatic IL-18 and caspase-1 expressions in NAFLD group were also significantly attenuated after RGZ treatment. CONCLUSION: RGZ treatment can ameliorate increased hepatic IL-18 production and histological changes in liver of NAFLD rats. The beneficial effects of RGZ on NAFLD may be partly due to its inhibitory effect on hepatic IL-18 production.

[Thyrocytes contribute to their own demise: the role of interleukin-18 in Hashimoto's thyroiditis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the IL-18 expression in the thyroid tissues of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and its cellular localization and the effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on the interleukin- (IL)-18 expression in thyrocytes. METHODS: RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the IL-18 expression and its cellular localization in the thyroid tissues biopsy specimens of 6 HT patients with normal thyroid function, 6 normal thyroid specimens resected from patients with pharyngeal carcinoma, and 16 specimens of thyroid tissues adjacent to the thyroid adenoma obtained during operation. Thyrocytes were isolated, cultured, and exposed to IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), or IFN-gamma for 48 h. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the IL-18 expression. RESULTS: IL-18 mRNA expression was at an extremely low levels in the normal thyroid tissues and at a significantly higher level in the thyroid tissues of HT. Immunohistochemical staining showed that IL-18 expression was augmented in the thyroid tissues of HT and was mainly localized in the thyroid follicular cells. The IL-18 mRNA expression in the isolated human thyrocytes was dose-dependently elevated by IFN-gamma rather than TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. Western blotting showed that pro-IL-18, but not mature IL-18, was detected in the lysates of the cultured human thyrocytes and the expression of pro-IL-18 was increased by IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: IL-18 expression is elevated in the thyroid follicular cells of HT. IL-18 is constitutively expressed in the isolated human thyrocytes and its expression is up-regulated by IFN-gamma. Therefore, interplay between IL-18 and IFN-gamma may have an important role in the thyrocytes destruction in HT.