Long-term trends and risk factors of tracheostomy and decannulation in patients with cervical spinal cord Injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors of tracheostomy and decannulation after cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) and their epidemiological changes over the past 8 years in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRC), China. SETTING: Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, CRRC. METHODS: We reviewed 8 years of patient data (2013.1.1 to 2020.12.31) at CRRC, focusing on those hospitalized and diagnosed with CSCI. We analyzed changes in demographic and clinical data's trends. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors impacting tracheostomy and decannulation. RESULTS: Finally, 1641 CSCI patients met the inclusion criteria. Over the past 8 years, the proportion of tracheostomized patients with CSCI was 16.3%, and the proportion of successfully decannulated of tracheostomized patients with TCSCI was 77.9%. We found that Traumatic (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.06, 3.22; p = 0.046), Motor level of injury (C5-C8) (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = -1.91,-0.34; p = 0.005), AIS = A/B/C (OR = 22.7/11.1/4.2, 95% CI = 12.16,42.26/5.74,21.56/2.23,7.89; p < 0.001/p < 0.001/p < 0.001), age > 56 (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.04, 2.32; p = 0.031) were the risk factors for tracheostomy. By analyzing the risk factors of decannulation failure in tracheostomized patients with TCSCI through multivariable logistic regression, statistically significant differences were found in age > 45 (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 1.44, 11.81; p = 0.008), complete injury (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.26, 5.95; p = 0.011), facet dislocation (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.13,7.07; p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Recent years have witnessed shifts in the epidemiological characteristics of CSCI. Identifying the factors influencing tracheostomy and decannulation in CSCI can aid in improving patient prognosis.

Whole-Genome Resequencing of Worldwide Wild and Domestic Sheep Elucidates Genetic Diversity, Introgression, and Agronomically Important Loci.

Domestic sheep and their wild relatives harbor substantial genetic variants that can form the backbone of molecular breeding, but their genome landscapes remain understudied. Here, we present a comprehensive genome resource for wild ovine species, landraces and improved breeds of domestic sheep, comprising high-coverage (∼16.10×) whole genomes of 810 samples from 7 wild species and 158 diverse domestic populations. We detected, in total, ∼121.2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, ∼61 million of which are novel. Some display significant (P < 0.001) differences in frequency between wild and domestic species, or are private to continent-wide or individual sheep populations. Retained or introgressed wild gene variants in domestic populations have contributed to local adaptation, such as the variation in the HBB associated with plateau adaptation. We identified novel and previously reported targets of selection on morphological and agronomic traits such as stature, horn, tail configuration, and wool fineness. We explored the genetic basis of wool fineness and unveiled a novel mutation (chr25: T7,068,586C) in the 3'-UTR of IRF2BP2 as plausible causal variant for fleece fiber diameter. We reconstructed prehistorical migrations from the Near Eastern domestication center to South-and-Southeast Asia and found two main waves of migrations across the Eurasian Steppe and the Iranian Plateau in the Early and Late Bronze Ages. Our findings refine our understanding of genome variation as shaped by continental migrations, introgression, adaptation, and selection of sheep.

Historical Introgression from Wild Relatives Enhanced Climatic Adaptation and Resistance to Pneumonia in Sheep.

How animals, particularly livestock, adapt to various climates and environments over short evolutionary time is of fundamental biological interest. Further, understanding the genetic mechanisms of adaptation in indigenous livestock populations is important for designing appropriate breeding programs to cope with the impacts of changing climate. Here, we conducted a comprehensive genomic analysis of diversity, interspecies introgression, and climate-mediated selective signatures in a global sample of sheep and their wild relatives. By examining 600K and 50K genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data from 3,447 samples representing 111 domestic sheep populations and 403 samples from all their seven wild relatives (argali, Asiatic mouflon, European mouflon, urial, snow sheep, bighorn, and thinhorn sheep), coupled with 88 whole-genome sequences, we detected clear signals of common introgression from wild relatives into sympatric domestic populations, thereby increasing their genomic diversities. The introgressions provided beneficial genetic variants in native populations, which were significantly associated with local climatic adaptation. We observed common introgression signals of alleles in olfactory-related genes (e.g., ADCY3 and TRPV1) and the PADI gene family including in particular PADI2, which is associated with antibacterial innate immunity. Further analyses of whole-genome sequences showed that the introgressed alleles in a specific region of PADI2 (chr2: 248,302,667-248,306,614) correlate with resistance to pneumonia. We conclude that wild introgression enhanced climatic adaptation and resistance to pneumonia in sheep. This has enabled them to adapt to varying climatic and environmental conditions after domestication.

Evaluation of the effect of myelotomy on nerve function in rats with spinal cord injury by diffusion tensor imaging.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe central nervous system injury that can generally induce different degrees of sensory and motor dysfunction. PURPOSE: To clarify the changes of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters after spinal cord myelotomy in rats with SCI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the Sham group (n=6), SCI group (n=6), and Mye group (n=6), respectively. The DTI values at 1, 3, 7, and 21 days after modeling were collected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The spinal specimen at the injury site was collected on the 21st day for Nissl's staining to assess the changes in neurons. RESULTS: The fractional anisotropy (FA) values in both the SCI group and Mye group significantly decreased. In addition, the FA values between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) values all decreased and then increased (P < 0.001). Pearson correlation test showed that the ADC, MD, and AD values were positively correlated with the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) score. Nissl's staining showed a higher number of Nissl's bodies, and deep staining of Nissl's bodies in the Mye group, while the morphology of neurons was relatively good. The number of neurons in the Mye group was significantly higher after myelotomy compared to the SCI group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The DTI parameters, especially ADC values, could non-invasively and quantifiably evaluate the efficacy of myelotomy for rats with SCI.

Effect of Cognitive Function on Balance and Posture Control after Stroke.

Hemiplegic gait is the most common sequela of stroke. Patients with hemiplegic gait are at a risk of falling because of poor balance. The theory of cognitive-motor networks paved the way for a new field of research. However, the mechanism of the relationship of cognition with gait or posture control networks is unclear because of the dynamic characteristics of walking and changing postures. To explore differences in the balance function and fall risk between patients with and without cognitive impairment after stroke, we utilized the Berg balance scale, Timed "Up and Go" test, and 10 m walking test. Patients were divided into two groups: the observation group (16 patients, female 6 and male 10), comprising patients with cognitive impairment after stroke, and the control group (16 patients, female 7 and male 9), comprising patients without cognitive impairment after stroke. We found that patients with cognitive impairment had worse balance function and a higher risk of falls. They needed a longer time to turn around or sit down. Our findings indicated that posture control in turning around and sitting down required more cognitive resources in daily life.

Mechanical stress regulates autophagic flux to affect apoptosis after spinal cord injury.

Increased mechanical stress after spinal cord injury (SCI) expands the scope of nerve tissue damage and exacerbates nerve function defects. Surgical decompression after SCI is a conventional therapeutic strategy and has been proven to have neuroprotective effects. However, the mechanisms of the interaction between mechanical stress and neurons are currently unknown. In this study, we monitored intramedullary pressure (IMP) and investigated the therapeutic benefit of decompression (including durotomy and piotomy) after injury and its underlying mechanisms in SCI. We found that decreased IMP promotes the generation and degradation of LC3 II, promotes the degradation of p62 and enhances autophagic flux to alleviate apoptosis. The lysosomal dysfunction was reduced after decompression. Piotomy was better than durotomy for the histological repair of spinal cord tissue after SCI. However, the autophagy-lysosomal pathway inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) partially reversed the apoptosis inhibition caused by piotomy after SCI, and the structural damage was also aggravated after CQ administration. An antibody microarray analysis showed that decompression may reverse the up-regulated abundance of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR caused by SCI. Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of decompression and the effects of mechanical stress on autophagy after SCI.

Selection, identification, and application of DNA aptamers against bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins 4.

The bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (bPAGs) have been widely used as robust markers for early diagnosis of pregnancy in the cattle. The current immune recognition methods for detecting bPAGs are limited and, to a certain extent, are associated with high costs and poor stability of the antibody. Aptamers that are more stable and easily synthesized than antibodies might serve as suitable candidates for the development of rapid detection methods. This paper describes selection and characterization of bPAG4 aptamers and theirs applicability to detect bPAG4 in the serum. In this work, the recombinant bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins 4 (bPAG4) with a relative molecular mass of about 48 kDa was successfully expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells. Subsequently, the ssDNA aptamers were selected by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) using magnetic beads (MB) coated with bPAG4 as target. After 9 rounds of selection, three aptamers with high affinity to bPAG4 (Kd = 11.7~40.2 nM) were identified. The selected aptamers were successfully used in enzyme-linked aptamer assay (ELAA) to detect bPAG4 at a detection limit of 0.09 ng/mL. Meanwhile, it has been successfully applied for the detection of bPAG4 in serum samples. This work demonstrated that the selected aptamers could be used as promising affinity probes in the development of inexpensive, simple, and sensitive analysis methods for detecting bPAGs. Graphical abstract.

Colorimetric enzyme-linked aptamer assay utilizing hybridization chain reaction for determination of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins.

DNA aptamers that bind to bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (bPAGs) were selected by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) procedure coupled to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology. After seven rounds of selection using carboxylated magnetic beads (MB) coated with bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins 9 (bPAG9) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) as target and counter targets, respectively, two aptamers designated as A1 and A24 showed high affinities to bPAG9 (Kd = 1.04 and 2.5 nM). Moreover, the specificity was determined by testing the non-targets bPAG4, bPAG6, bPAG16, BSA, and ovalbumin (OVA). Results showed that two aptamers demonstrated broad group specificity to bPAG family. Subsequently, a colorimetric sandwich enzyme-linked aptamer assay was developed for ultrasensitive detection of bPAG9 based on hybridization chain reaction (HCR) amplification strategy. The method exhibited a broad determination from 0.134 to 134 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.037 ng/mL. The method has been successfully applied to determine bPAGs in real samples. The results demonstrate that the developed aptamers could be used as promising molecular probes for the development of pregnancy diagnostic tools. Graphical abstract In this study, we first selected aptamers against bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (bPAGs) as molecular recognition elements and then developed a colorimetric enzyme-linked aptamer assay utilizing hybridization chain reaction to detect bPAGs in the serum.The GA can't be deleted, the modified GA can not upload. So themodified GA and figures will be send to CorrAdmin3@spi-global.com.

The comparison of reproductive hormone receptor expressions of the sheep ovary and hormone concentrations in two Chinese breeds.

The aim of this research was to investigate the changes in reproductive hormone receptor expressions of the ovary and hormone concentrations between oestrous cycle pattern of two different sheep breeds in China. Ovarian tissues were collected from Chinese Merino (Junken type) and Hu sheep with different reproductive states in spring and autumn. Serum samples were assayed for oestrogen (E2), progesterone (P), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations by radioimmunoassay during spring. The ovarian expression of hormone receptors (ERα, ERß, PR, LHR and FSHR) was analysed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In Chinese Merino, there was no corpora lutea and ovulation point on the surfaces of ovaries in spring and low basal levels of both LH and P in serum. ERα, ERß and FSHR were expressed significantly higher in Merino ovaries during anoestrus compared with oestrous or luteal phases of Hu sheep (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). However, both varieties of sheep exhibited a similar tendency to secrete E2 and FSH. Compared with Hu sheep, FSH levels were slightly higher in Merino serum. In Hu sheep, ERα, ERß, FSHR, LHR and PR expressed in luteal phase ovaries during spring were significantly lower (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 or p < 0.001) than autumn. Interestingly, LHR and PR expressed in anoestrous ovaries were similar to that in oestrous phase of both sheep breeds. The above results suggest that seasonal reproductive sheep increased the expression of E2 and FSH receptors in ovary during spring may enhance the effects of E2 and FSH on follicular development. It is likely that this enhancement prevents the ovary from progressing to the luteal phase.

Dynamic diffusion tensor imaging of spinal cord contusion: A canine model.

This study aimed to explore the dynamic diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of changes in spinal cord contusion using a canine model of injury involving rostral and caudal levels. In this study, a spinal cord contusion model was established in female dogs using a custom-made weight-drop lesion device. DTI was performed on dogs with injured spinal cords (n=7) using a Siemens 3.0T MRI scanner at pre-contusion and at 3 h, 24 h, 6 weeks and 12 weeks post-injury. The tissue sections were stained for immunohistochemical analysis. Canine models of spinal cord contusion were created successfully using the weight-drop lesion device. The fractional anisotropy (FA) value of lesion epicenter decreased, while the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) values increased, and the extent of the curve was apparent gradually. The site and time affected the DTI parameters significantly in the whole spinal cord, ADC (site, P < 0.001 and time, P = 0.077, respectively); FA (site, P < 0.001 and time, P = 0.002, respectively). Immunohistological analysis of GFAP and NF revealed the pathologic changes of reactive astrocytes and axons, as well as the cavity and glial scars occurring during chronic SCI. DTI is a sensitive and noninvasive imaging tool useful to assess edema, hemorrhage, cavity formation, structural damage and reconstruction of axon, and myelin in dogs. The DTI parameters after contusion vary. However, the curves of ADC, MD, and RD were nearly similar and the FA curve was distinct. All the DTI parameters were affected by distance and time.

Surface molecularly imprinted polymers prepared by two-step precipitation polymerization for the selective extraction of oleanolic acid from grape pomace extract.

Surface molecularly imprinted polymers were successfully prepared by a novel two-step precipitation polymerization method. The first-step allowed the formation of 4-vinylpyridine divinylbenzene and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate copolymeric microspheres. In the second-step precipitation polymerization, microspheres were modified with a molecularly imprinting layer of oleanolic acid as template, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, and divinylbenzene/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker. The obtained polymers had an average diameter of 4.43 µm and a polydispersity index of 1.011; adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 40 min, with adsorption capacity reaching 27.4 mg/g. Subsequently, the polymers were successfully applied as the adsorbents of molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction to separate and purify the oleanolic acid from grape pomace. The content of oleanolic acid in the grape pomace extract was enhanced from 13.4 to 93.2% after using the molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction process. This work provides an efficient way for effective oleanolic acid separation and enrichment from complex matrices, which is especially valuable in industrial production.

Computer-aided design of magnetic dummy molecularly imprinted polymers for solid-phase extraction of ten phthalates from food prior to their determination by GC-MS/MS.

Magnetic dummy molecularly imprinted polymers (MDMIPs) were prepared by combining the surface imprinting technique with computer simulation for selective recognition of phthalate esters (PAEs). A computational study based on the density functional theory was performed to evaluate the template-monomer geometry and interaction energy in the prepolymerization mixture. The MDMIPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. They exhibited (a) high saturation magnetization of 53.14 emu g-1 (leading to fast separation), and (b) large adsorption capacity, fast binding kinetics, and high selectivity for PAEs. Subsequently, a molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction procedure followed by GC-MS was established for selective extraction and determination of 10 PAEs in food samples. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the response (peak area) was linear in the 0.5-100 ng mL-1 concentration range. The limits of detection ranged from 0.15 to 1.64 ng g-1. The method was applied to the determination of PAEs in spiked real samples. The recoveries for 10 PAEs from various foods were in the range of 73.7%-98.1%, with relative standard deviations of 1.7%-10.2%. Graphical abstract Magnetic dummy molecularly imprinted polymers (MDMIPs) were prepared and successfully were applied as a special sorbent for the selective recognition and fast enrichment of 10 PAEs from different complex matrix.

Death associated protein 1 (DAP 1) positively regulates virus replication and apoptosis of hemocytes in shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus.

Death-associated protein 1 (DAP1) is a small proline-rich cytoplasmic protein that functions both in the apoptosis and autophage process of mammalian and in the clinical cancer of human. However, little knowledge is known about the homologue gene of DAP1 and its roles in the physiological process of invertebrates. In this paper, we report a novel function of DAP1 in the antivirus immunity of shrimp. A homologue gene of DAP1 was cloned from Marsupenaeus japonicus and named as Mjdap-1. The full-length of Mjdap-1 was 1761 bp with a 309 bp open reading frame that encoded 102 amino acids. Reverse transcription-PCR results showed that Mjdap-1 was expressed in all tested tissues, including hemocytes, gills, intestines, stomach, heart, hepatopancreas, testes, and ovaries. In shrimp, Mjdap-1 transcripts were up-regulated by white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection; Mjdap-1 knockdown decreased the virus copy in vivo and the mortality of M. japonicus to WSSV challenge. Conversely, injecting the purified recombinant MjDAP1 protein promoted the amplification of virus in shrimp. Flow cytometric assay showed, the virus infection-induced apoptosis of hemocytes was enhanced by MjDAP1 protein injection and inhibited in MjDAP1 knockdown shrimp. Furthermore, the expression of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was regulated by Mjdap-1, but the caspase transcripts were not affected. Our results suggested that MjDAP1 facilitated the amplification of virus in shrimp, which may be attributed to the promotion of hemocyte apoptosis in an AIF-dependent manner. These results provided a new insight into the function of this protein that may be used for virus disease control.

Preparation and characterization of monodisperse molecularly imprinted polymers for the recognition and enrichment of oleanolic acid.

Monodisperse molecularly imprinted polymers for oleanolic acid were successfully prepared by a precipitation polymerization method using oleanolic acid as a template, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, and divinylbenzene/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinker in a mixture of acetonitrile and ethanol (3:1, v/v). The imprinted polymers and nonimprinted polymers were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The resulting imprinted polymers had average diameters of 3.15 µm and monodispersity values of 1.024. The results clearly demonstrate that use of ethanol as a cosolvent is indeed exceedingly effective in promoting the dissolution of oleanolic acid and in obtaining uniform microspheres. Molecular recognition properties and binding capability to oleanolic acid were evaluated by adsorption testing, which indicated that the imprinted polymers displayed optimal binding performance with a maximum adsorption capacity of 17.3 mg/g and a binding saturation time of 80 min. Meanwhile, the produced imprinted polymers exhibited higher selectivity to oleanolic acid than that for ursolic acid and rhein. Herein, the studies can provide theoretical and experimental references for the oleanolic acid molecular imprinted system.

Magnetic-nanobead-based competitive enzyme-linked aptamer assay for the analysis of oxytetracycline in food.

This study presents a novel analytical method for the detection of oxytetracycline (OTC) in complex food matrices based on a direct competitive enzyme-linked aptamer assay and magnetic separation technology. In this protocol, free OTC competed with horseradish peroxidase labeled OTC (OTC-HRP) for binding to the OTC aptamer immobilized on magnetic beads. The parameters that can affect the response, such as avidin concentration, aptamer concentration, OTC-HRP concentration, incubation temperature, incubation time, blocking agent, and binding buffer, were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range for the OTC concentration detection is 0.5-100 ng mL(-1), with a concentration of OTC needed to obtain 50 % of the maximum signal of 14.47 ng mL(-1). The limit of detection and the limit of quantitation were 0.88 and 3.40 ng mL(-1), respectively. There was no obvious cross-reactivity with most of the tetracycline pesticides. The recovery rates ranged from 71.0 to 91.2 % for the food samples, including chicken, milk, and honey, and the relative standard deviation was less than 15.0 %. The proposed method was applied to measure OTC in real samples, and was validated using high-performance liquid chromatography. This method has the advantages of magnetic separation and the concentration effect of magnetic nanoparticles, the specificity of the aptamer, and the high-throughput of microtiter plates; it offers a promising approach for the screening of OTC because it is simple, rapid, highly sensitive, and has low cost.

Residual Chlorella-Based Cellulose Nanofibers and Their Quaternization Modification and Efficient Anionic Dye Adsorption.

Dye is an anionic common pollutant in industrial wastewater and poses a great threat to the environment and human health. Owing to its advantageous adsorption capacity, nanocellulose is widely used for wastewater treatment. The cell walls of Chlorella mainly comprise cellulose instead of lignin. In this study, residual Chlorella-based cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and cationic cellulose nanofiber (CCNF) with surface quaternization were prepared through homogenization. Moreover, Congo red (CR) was used as a model dye to measure the adsorption capacity of CNF and CCNF. The adsorption capacity was almost saturated when CNF and CCNF contacted CR for 100 min, and the adsorption kinetics coincided with the pseudo-secondary kinetics model. The initial concentration of CR considerably affected its adsorption on CNF and CCNF. Below the initial concentration of 40 mg/g, the adsorption on CNF and CCNF considerably increased with the increase in the initial concentration of CR. Based on the sorption isotherms analysis of CNF and CCNF, the Langmuir model fitted best with the experimental data. Thus, CNF and CCNF surfaces were uniform, and monolayer adsorption occurred. The adsorption of CR on CNF and CCNF was greatly affected by the pH value, and the acidic medium favored the adsorption of CR (especially for CCNF). CCNF showed a more advantageous adsorption capacity, with a maximum value of 1657.89 mg/g, compared to that of CNF (190.0 mg/g). According to the findings of this study, residual Chlorella-based CCNF could be a very promising adsorbent candidate for removing anionic dyes from wastewater.

Two-Pronged Approach: Synergistic Tuning of the Surface and Carbon Core to Achieve Yellow Emission in Lignin-Based Carbon Dots.

In this study, yellow emissive lignin-based carbon dots (Y-CDs) were successfully prepared through a synergistic approach to adjust its surface and carbon core states. The lignin was initially effectively oxidized and carboxymethylated to impart abundant -COOH onto the precursor, which eventually adjusts the surface state of the CDs. Subsequently, α-naphthol was employed during the solvothermal treatment of lignin with the aim of elevating the sp2 domain content in the CDs and, thus, adjusting its carbon core state. The obtained Y-CDs possessed abundant carboxyl groups and nanoscale spherical shape with an average diameter of 5.21 nm. Meanwhile, the energy gap of Y-CDs was 2.46 eV and the optimal emission wavelength was 561 nm under the excitation wavelength of 410 nm. Synergistic adjusting carbon core and surface of the Y-CDs would alter the surface charge distribution and promote the delocalization of π electrons, and thus lead to a red shifting with the emission wavelength of 154 nm. Furthermore, a shape memory film with excellent recovery performance and fluorescent properties was designed by embedding the Y-CDs into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer. The incorporation of Y-CDs could impart the film with considerable high-value applications in the fields of intelligent sensing, biomedicine, and tissue engineering.

The Effect of Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation over the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Cognitive Function and Emotional Regulation in Patients with Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common cause of vascular dementia and is often accompanied by mental disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on the cognitive function and Hamilton depression (HAMD) scores in patients with CSVD. METHODS: A total of 30 CSVD patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the sham or cTBS group. The patients in both groups received routine cognitive function training. All the patients were under treatment for 14 sessions, with one session per day (each cTBS conditioning session consisted of three-pulse bursts at 50 Hz repeated at 5 Hz, 80% MT, and 600 pulses). Before and after the treatment, the patients in both groups were evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT), Trail Marking Test (TMT), Digital Span Test (DST), and HAMD test. The time to complete the SCWT and TMT were recorded. The scores of the MoCA, DST and HAMD test were recorded. RESULTS: The HAMD scores in the cTBS group decreased significantly compared to the control (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the MoCA (including the MoCA subitems) or DST scores or in the SCWT or TMT completion times between the two groups (p > 0.05). For the HAMD scores and the MoCA subitem visuospatial/executive scores, the SCWT-B and SCWT-C completion times in the two groups both improved significantly before and after treatment (p < 0.05). For the MoCA scores, the DST-backward scores and the TMT-B completion times in the cTBS group improved significantly before and after treatment (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the SCWT-A, TMT-A completion times and MoCA subitems naming, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation scores either before or after treatment in the two groups or between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, cTBS over the right DLPFC decreased the HAMD scores significantly in patients with CSVD but had no significant improvement or impairment effects on cognitive function. cTBS over the right DLPFC could be used to treat CSVD patients with depression symptoms.

Diffusion tensor imaging reveals brain structure changes in dogs after spinal cord injury.

Based on the Wallerian degeneration in the spinal cord pathways, the changes in synaptic connections, and the spinal cord-related cellular responses that alter the cellular structure of the brain, we presumed that brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters may change after spinal cord injury. However, the dynamic changes in DTI parameters remain unclear. We established a Beagle dog model of T10 spinal cord contusion and performed DTI of the injured spinal cord. We found dynamic changes in DTI parameters in the cerebral peduncle, posterior limb of the internal capsule, pre- and postcentral gyri of the brain within 12 weeks after spinal cord injury. We then performed immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of neurofilament heavy polypeptide (axonal marker), glial fibrillary acidic protein (glial cell marker), and NeuN (neuronal marker). We found that these pathological changes were consistent with DTI parameter changes. These findings suggest that DTI can display brain structure changes after spinal cord injury.

Leonurine improves bovine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development by reducing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function.

It is acknowledged that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) level attributes greatly to the compromised developmental potential of oocytes matured in vitro. Although agents were applied to alleviate ROS levels, results were varied because of the distinct antioxidative activity and cell toxicity. Leonurine (LEO), extracted from the natural Chinese herb motherwort, is considered to be a potent free radical scavenger. Yet, it is undetermined whether LEO is benefit for oocyte development during in vitro maturation (IVM). In the present study, the effect of LEO on the quality of bovine oocyte as well as the underlying mechanism was investigated. We found that maturation rate (P < 0.01), subsequent blastocyst formation rate (P < 0.05), and the total blastocyst cell number (P < 0.05) after parthenogenetic activation were significantly increased in the group treated with 20 µM LEO. Moreover, a dramatic decline in ROS (P < 0.01), decreased lipid content (P < 0.01), elevated MMP level (P < 0.05), increased ATP content (P < 0.05), and reduced mitochondrial temperature (P < 0.01) were observed in oocytes treated with LEO. Furthermore, the expression level of anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 was significantly higher in LEO treated oocytes (P < 0.01), and the ratio of BAX/BCL2 was obvious decreased (P < 0.01). Finally, we found that LC3B intensity was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) while the rate of EdU positive nuclei was markedly increased (P < 0.05) in embryos derived from LEO-treated oocytes. Our results demonstrate that LEO exhibits a potent protective role in the acquisition of oocyte development capacity against oxidative stress during IVM, and provides a new solution for optimizing the in vitro culture system of bovine embryos.