Transcriptome Sequencing Identifies Potential Biomarker for White Matter Lesions Diagnosis in the Hypertension Population.

Hypertension is confirmed to be one of the major risk factors of leukoaraiosis (LA). However, the pathogenesis of LA is not completely understood and there is no reliable indicator for the early diagnosis of LA in the hypertensive population. This study was designed to explore the potential biomarker for LA diagnosis in patients with hypertension. And it serves as the basis for the further study of LA mechanism. In this study, This study included 110 subjects, including 50 in the LA group and 60 in the control group. First, we performed transcriptome sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR) in four samples from the LA group, and three from the control group (seven people) to identify relevant long non-coding RNAs (long ncRNAs or lncRNA). The 103 samples were used for qPCR validation of relevant lncRNAs and the results were consistent with the sequencing. In-depth bioinformatics analysis were performed on differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs. Go-functional enrichment analysis was performed on DE mRNAs. Some DE mRNA were enriched to biological processes associated with LA, And some lncRNAs related to DE mRNAs were traceable through cis/trans analysis, suggesting that they might be regulated in some way. Additionally, potential biomarkers for LA diagnosis in the hypertension population were identified via RT-qPCR and receive operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis of lncRNA. One lncRNA, AC020928.1, has been demonstrated to be potential biomarkers for LA diagnosis in the hypertension population. The results of the present study indicated that the lncRNA may have an important role in the pathogenesis of LA and may be a novel target for further research. As the relationship between lncRNAs and LA is just beginning to be unraveled, their specific mechanisms require further investigation.

Erratum to "Spinocerebellar ataxia type 40: A case report and literature review".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0190.].

Risk Factors Affecting Cognitive Impairment of the Elderly Aged 65 and Over: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Elderly population with cognitive impairment has been accelerating in China. This study aimed to explore the relationship between each risk factor and each cognitive domain to provide evidence for risk prevention of controlling impaired cognitive function in elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the cognitive status of the elderly aged 65 and above in three communities in Shizhong District of Jinan City. Cognitive status was assessed by MMSE. The influencing factors of cognitive impairment were analyzed by chi square test, correlation analysis and regression analysis. Results: Among 1,171 participants, 643 were defined as cognitive impairment with an incidence of 54.9%. And we found that there were significant differences in the incidence of cognitive impairment among residents with different gender, age, education level, hypertension and LDL-C (P < 0.05). However, BMI, marital status, smoking, physical exercise, T2DM, TC, TG and HDL-C had no significant differences in the incidence of cognitive impairment. In addition, education level (b = 1.194, P <0.001), age (b = -0.040, P = 0.001), LDL-C (b = 0.169, P = 0.018) had statistical significance on the total score of MMSE according to binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Gender, age, education level, hypertension and LDL-C had significant differences in the incidence of cognitive impairment. And these risk factors could provide a basis for the early screening and intervention of cognitive impairment in the elderly.

A Systematic Review of Body Fluids Biomarkers Associated With Early Neurological Deterioration Following Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Biomarkers are objectively measured biological properties of normal and pathological processes. Early neurological deterioration (END) refers to the deterioration of neurological function in a short time after the onset of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and is associated with adverse outcomes. Although multiple biomarkers have been found to predict END, there are currently no suitable biomarkers to be applied in routine stroke care. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review standards, we present a systematic review, concentrating on body fluids biomarkers that have shown potential to be transferred into clinical practice. We also describe newly reported body fluids biomarkers that can supply different insights into the mechanism of END. In our review, 40 scientific papers were included. Depending on the various mechanisms, sources or physicochemical characteristics of body fluids biomarkers, we classified related biomarkers as inflammation, protease, coagulation, metabolism, oxidative stress, and excitatory neurotoxicity. The body fluids biomarkers whose related articles are limited or mechanisms are unknown are categorized as other biomarkers. The inflammation-related biomarkers, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and hypersensitive C-reactive protein, play a crucial role among the mentioned biomarkers. Considering the vast heterogeneity of stroke progression, using a single body fluids biomarker may not accurately predict the risk of stroke progression, and it is necessary to combine multiple biomarkers (panels, scores, or indices) to improve their capacity to estimate END.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 40: A case report and literature review.

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative diseases with ataxia as the main clinical manifestation. The phenotypes, gene mutations, and involved sites of different subtypes show a high degree of heterogeneity. The incidence of SCA varies greatly among different subtypes and the case of SCA40 is extremely rare. The aim of this study is to report a rare case of SCA40 and systematically review the incidence, gene mutation, and phenotype of SCAs, especially SCA40.

Sex Differences in Risk Factors for Transient Ischemic Attack in a Chinese Population.

Introduction: This study aimed to collect and evaluate basic information of a stroke screening population in eastern China and to compare distribution differences in risk factors between males and females in a transient ischemic attack (TIA) population. Methods: A standardization of the risk factors for stroke was performed according to an implementation plan of stroke in a high-risk population screening and intervention project in Shandong Province. Of the 231,289 residents, 8,603 patients with a previous TIA were identified and risk factors in this cohort were analyzed for sex differences. Results: In our initial cohort of 231,289 residents, we found 3,390 men and 5,213 women with TIA, accounting for a prevalence of 3.1 and 4.2%, respectively. Risk factors for TIA were hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise, overweight, and family history of stroke. In our TIA cohort, we found that the prevalence of smoking was significantly higher in men (41.3%) compared with that found in women (4.2%). Further, hypertension (58.8 vs. 55.5%) and family history of stroke (22.3 vs. 20.0%) were more prevalent in men compared with women, whereas atrial fibrillation (AF) (14.7 vs. 16.4%), diabetes (11.1 vs. 13.2%), lack of exercise (27.2 vs. 28.0%), and overweight (29.5 vs. 35.7%) were less prevalent. Conclusions: In our TIA cohort from eastern China, we found significant sex differences for the risk factors of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, smoking, diabetes, and overweight.

[Change of gene expression pattern and regulation of SFK on the change in early stage after hemitransection of the spinal cord in rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of gene expression in early stage of hemitransection of spinal cord and the regulatory effects of the traditional Chinese mixture Suifukang (SFK) on these changes. METHODS: Eighty-six adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Suifukang group (Group S, n = 31, administered with SFK 3 days before the hemitransection at the dose of 2.5 g crude drugs/100 kg body weight QD and then 4 h and 8 h after hemitransection), model group (Group M, n = 45, administered with normal saline in the manner as in Group S), and normal control group (Group N, n = 10, without any treatment). The rats of Groups S and M underwent hemitransection of spinal cord at the level T12 three days before treatment. Twenty-four hours after the spinal cord injury (SCI), the rats were anesthetized and the injured tissues of Groups S and M and the corresponding tissues of Group N were removed. Total RNA was extracted, mRNA was purified and marked by Cy3 or Cy5 fluorescence labeling to synthesize cDNA hybridized probe that was hybridized with Biostars gene chip. Then the chip was scanned with ScanArray500 scanning apparatus. The data were analyzed by Imagene3.0 software. RESULTS: There were 139 differentially expressed genes in Group M, 83 up-regulated and 56 down-regulated, involved in multifarious functions, such as cell metabolism, especially lipid metabolism, and regulation of ionic channel, immunity and defense, cytoskeleton protein, extracellular matrix, cell cycle, etc. There were 37 differentially expressed gene in Group S, 11 up-regulated, such as such Anxal, Ca(2+)-ATPase, IL-1 beta, Ofp, and 26 down-regulated, such as HSP-70 and Psap, several being key genes related to protection and regeneration of neuron. CONCLUSION: In the early stage after SCI many genes related to nervous degeneration, necrosis, traumatic inflammation, secondary injury of spinal cord, and aborted regeneration, etc, are expressed differentially. SFK regulates the changes of gene expression induced by SCI, thus initiating the protective effect of nervous tissues and promoting and supporting the regeneration of injured nervous tissues.

[Study on effect of suifukang in regulating the change of free radical after hemitransected spinal cord injury].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory effect of Suifukang (SFK), a compound Chinese patent drug on the change of free radical in tissue of spinal cord and blood caused by experimental spinal injury. METHODS: Seventy male adult SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, the SFK group (n = 20), the hormone group (n = 20), the control group (n = 20) and the normal group (n = 10). Rats in the former three groups were made into the right hemitransected spinal cord (T12) injury. SFK were given to the rats in the SFK group 3 days before and 2 hrs after modeling via gastrogavage, saline was given to rats in the control group at the same time. As for the rats in the hormone group, methyl-prednisolone 30 mg/kg was given once immediately by peritoneal injection. The rats were sacrificed in two batches (10 of each group in each batch) at 8 hrs and 24 hrs after modeling to obtain the serum and injured spinal cord tissue for determining superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. RESULTS: (1) As compared with the normal group, SOD activity in serum and spinal tissue of the control group was lower significantly both at 8 hrs and 24 hrs after modeling, but the changes of SOD activity in the SFK and the hormone group were insignificant; (2) Content of MDA in serum and spinal tissue of rats elevated after modeling, which in the control group at 8 hrs after modeling were higher than that in the normal group, also higher than that in the SFK group and the hormone group; but at 24 hrs after modeling, it lowered significantly in both treated groups. The changes of MDA content in serum were similar to those in the spinal tissue. CONCLUSION: SFK could effectively eliminate the excessive free radical in serum and injured spinal tissue, and raise the capability of antioxidation of organism.

[Observation on pathological changes of the medial aspect of the first metatarsal head of hallux valgus].

OBJECTIVE: To observe pathological characteristic of bone and soft tissue of the medial aspect of the first metatarsal head in order to investigate the pathogenesis of hallux valgus. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three patients with hallux valgus (235 feet) were obtained from August 2003 to December 2004 in our department. The bone and soft tissue of the medial aspect of the first metatarsal head were taken out from the incision. The pathological conditions of specimen were observed by HE stain. RESULTS: The pathological changes included: degeneration and desmoplasia around the attachment point of tendon and joint capsule, reactive hyperplasia of periost, decreasing of bone trabecula, cartilaginification of periost, cortical bone and tendon insertion, bone formation and osteoclasts response. CONCLUSION: The pathological changes of the medial aspect of the first metatarsal head of hallux valgus presented extensive chronic inflammation.