Effective fraction from Simiao Wan prevents hepatic insulin resistant by inhibition of lipolysis via AMPK activation / 中国天然药物

Simiao Wan (SMW) is a traditional Chinese formula, including Atractylodis Rhizoma, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex and Coicis Semen at the ratio of 1:1:2:2. It can be used to the treatment of diabetes. However, its bioactive compounds and underlying mechanism are unclear. This study aimed to screen the antilipolytic fraction from SMW and investigate its therapeutic mechanisms on hepatic insulin resistance. Different fractions of SMW were prepared by membrane separation combined with macroporous resin and their antilipolytic activities were screened in fasted mice. The effects of 60% ethanol elution (ESMW) on lipolysis were investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes stimulated by palmitic acid (PA) and high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. In our study, ESMW is the bioactive fraction responsible for the antilipolytic activity of SMW and 13 compounds were characterized from ESMW by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. ESMW suppressed protein kinase A (PKA)-hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) related lipolysis and increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in PA challenged 3T3-L1 adipocytes. AMPKα knockdown abolished the inhibitory effects of ESMW on IL-6 and HSL pSer-660, revealing that the antilipolytic and anti-inflammatory activities of ESMW are AMPK dependent. Furthermore, ESMW ameliorated insulin resistance and suppressed lipolysis in HFD-fed mice. It inhibited diacylglycerol accumulation in the liver and inhibited hepatic gluconeogenesis. Conditional medium collected from ESMW-treated 3T3-L1 cells ameliorated insulin action on hepatic gluconeogenesis in liver cells, demonstrating the antilipolytic activity contributed to ESMW beneficial effects on hepatic glucose production. In conclusion, ESMW, as the antilipolytic fraction of SMW, inhibited PKA-HSL related lipolysis by activating AMPK, thus inhibiting diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation in the liver and thereby improving insulin resistance and hepatic gluconeogenesis.

Perception and attitude of the healthcare workers on workplace violence in a secondary Grade A hospital: based on the perspectives of a qualitative interview / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To understand the true perception and attitude of the healthcare workers(HCWs) on the workplace violence(WPV) in a secondary Grade A hospital.METHODS: A total of 27 HCWs in a secondary Grade A hospital were selected as study subjects using a typical sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the information of their perception and attitude on the types and effects of WPV, as well as on the coping measures and the work stress. The characteristics of WPV in the hospital were analyzed. RESULTS: The interviewees believed that verbal abuse was the most common type of WPV received by HCWs. Nurses and female workers were the main victims of WPV. Horizontal violence among colleagues and sexual harassment should not be ignored. Common causes of violent incidents for patients and their family members against HCWs included the fees for treatment, doctor-patient communication, patients alcohol abuse and treatment outcomes not meeting patients′ expectation. About half of the interviewees said that WPV had serious impact on their mental health. The follow-up coping measures to violent incidents were mostly to reassurance to patients with unconditional apology from the HCWs. More than half of the interviewees considered that they had acceptable workload, while some interviewees considered their work to be stressful. The interviewees suggested that improving doctor-patient communication, hospital systems, and the professional knowledge of HCWs were the recommended means to prevents and control the WPV. CONCLUSION: The perception and attitude of HCWs on WPV in this hospital are relatively scattered. Considering the complex causes, the serious consequences, and difficult coping measures, the hospitals, HCWs and all sectors of society need to take comprehensive measures to prevent WPV towards HCWs.

Status and influencing factors of psychological violence against healthcare workers in a secondary Grade A hospital / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To study the status and influencing factors of psychological violence in healthcare workers(HCWs) of a secondary Grade A hospital. METHODS: A total of 1 028 HCWs in a secondary Grade A hospital were selected as the study subjects in 2019 using a typical sampling method. The psychological violence they had received in the previous year was investigated using the Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Studies Research Instruments--Survey Questionnaire. The results were compared with the baseline survey results in 2018. RESULTS: The incidence of psychological violence in the workplace of HCWs in 2019 was 41.6%, among which the incidence of verbal abuse, bullying/gang bullying, sexual harassment and racial discrimination were 40.2%, 9.9%, 1.9% and 1.6%, respectively. The incidence of verbal abuse, bullying/gang bullying and psychological violence among HCWs in 2019 were decreased compared with that in 2018(45.7% vs 40.2%, 12.8% vs 9.9%, 47.1% vs 41.6%, all P<0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis results showed that the HCWs in medical technology, internal medicine, surgery, outpatient and emergency departments were at higher risk of verbal abuse than that in administrative departments(all P<0.01). The HCWs in direct contact with patients had a higher risk of verbal abuse and psychological violence(all P<0.01). The HCWs aged <35 and those with night-shift-work had higher risks of bullying/gang bullying(all P<0.05). Male HCWs had a higher risk of sexual harassment than female HCWs(P<0.05). The coping style of attempting to conceal the occurrence of the incident after HCWs suffered psychological violence dropped from 5.8% in 2018 to 0.5% in 2019(P<0.01), and the proportion of no response was as high as 59.1%. CONCLUSION: The psychological violence of HCWs in this hospital is very serious and has specific features. The incidence of psychological violence decreased compared with that a year ago, but there is still room for improvement. The influencing factors of psychological violence are complex and the consequences are serious. Therefore, it is urgent for HCWs and hospital management departments to improve their management methods.

Investigation on workplace violence countermeasures in a Grade 2A hospital / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of perpetrators of hospital workplace violence(WPV) on healthcare workers(HCWs) and the countermeasures. METHODS: A total of 978 HCWs was selected as the research subjects in a Grade 2 A hospital using a typical sampling method. The source of the perpetrators of hospital WPV, the subjects′ response to WPV, their degree of worry, their final coping styles and their satisfaction with the coping styles were investigated by the Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Studies Research Instruments--Survey Questionnaire. RESULTS: The incidence rate of workplace physical violence among HCWs was 8.79%(86/978). The perpetrators were mainly from patients and their family members(82.28%). The main responses to physical violence were to stop the perpetrator with words, talk to colleagues, inform the leaders in charge and try to prevent physical violence from recurring(58.59%). The degree of worry about physical violence was mainly very worried(52.33%). The final coping style was ″nothing was done″(76.75%). The satisfaction of HCWs to physical violence coping styles was very unsatisfied, unsatisfied and uncertain(86.05%). The incidence rate of workplace psychological violence among HCWs was 47.14%(461/978). The perpetrators were mainly patients and their family members(80.40%). The main responses to psychological violence were talking to colleagues, not responding, using language to stop the perpetrator and informing the leaders in charge(71.41%). The degree of worry was very worried and uncertain(71.58%). The final coping style was ″do nothing″ and verbal warning(83.08%). The satisfaction of HCWs to psychological violence coping styles was very unsatisfied, unsatisfied and uncertain(83.08%).CONCLUSION: Patients and their family members are the main perpetrators of hospital WPV, but the parallel violence from HCWs can′t be ignored. We do not have a good way to deal with most of the hospital WPV. The number of HCWs seeking legal protection and union support is extremely low. It is urgent to explore effective management mode to deal with hospital WPV.

Antibody prevalence and immunotherapy response in Chinese patients with epilepsy and encephalopathy scores for patients with different neuronal surface antibodies / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The scale assessment was helpful in predicting the presence of antibodies to autoimmune encephalitis. This study aimed to evaluate the application of antibody prevalence in Chinese patients with epilepsy and encephalopathy (APE2-CHN) and response to immunotherapy in Chinese patients with epilepsy and encephalopathy (RITE2-CHN) for patients with different neuronal surface antibodies.@*METHODS@#A total of 1365 patients with epileptic seizures as the prominent feature in Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, from June 2016 to June 2020 were enrolled in our study. Of these, 915 patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology whose serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid samples were examined for autoimmune antibodies were selected. All patients were scored with antibody prevalence in patients with epilepsy and encephalopathy (APE2), response to immunotherapy with epilepsy and encephalopathy (RITE2), APE2-CHN, and RITE2-CHN scores.@*RESULTS@#Of the 915 patients, 191 patients were positive for neural-surface specific antibodies (115 N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) Ab, 47 leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) Ab, 8 contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2) Ab, 4 AMPA2R-Ab, and 11 GABAR-B-Ab; 3 CASPR2-Ab and LGI1-Ab, 2 NMDAR-Ab and CASPR2-Ab, and 1 NMDAR-Ab and myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein [MOG] Ab). The sensitivity and specificity of APE2 ≥4 in predicting the presence of neural-surface specific antibodies in our study were 74.35% and 81.77%, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of APE2-CHN ≥4 were 75.92% and 84.53%, respectively. Eight cases had an APE2 score <4 and APE2-CHN score ≥5; all these patients had memory decline as the prominent manifestation. We divided the patients into six groups according to the different antibodies. APE2-CHN scores showed higher sensitivity for the prediction of NMDAR-Ab, but lower sensitivity for LGI1-Ab. A total of 187/191 (97.91%) patients received immunotherapy and 142/191 (74.35%) patients benefited from the treatments. The patients who were positive for LGI1-Ab with RITE2-CHN ≥8 responded well to immunotherapy.@*CONCLUSIONS@#APE2-CHN had the highest value for predicting the positivity of NMDAR-Ab and RITE2-CHN evaluated the response of immunotherapy for anti-LGI1 encephalitis appropriately. However, RITE2 and RITE2-CHN do not appear to be good predictors of immunotherapy outcomes for patients with specific neuronal-surface antibodies and high APE2-CHN scores are often indicative of a poor response to immunotherapy.

Protocol on transcranial alternating current stimulation for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) offers a new approach for adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tACS treating MDD.@*METHODS@#This is an 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Ninety-two drug-naive patients with MDD aged 18 to 65 years will receive 20 daily 40-min, 77.5-Hz, 15-mA sessions of active or sham tACS targeting the forehead and both mastoid areas on weekdays for 4 consecutive weeks (week 4), following a 4-week observation period (week 8). The primary outcome is the remission rate defined as the 17-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS-17) score ≤7 at week 8. Secondary outcomes are the rates of response at weeks 4 and 8 and rate of remission at week 4 based on HDRS-17, the proportion of participants having improvement in the clinical global impression-improvement, the change in HDRS-17 score (range, 0-52, with higher scores indicating more depression) over the study, and variations of brain imaging and neurocognition from baseline to week 4. Safety will be assessed by vital signs at weeks 4 and 8, and adverse events will be collected during the entire study.@*DISCUSSION@#The tACS applied in this trial may have treatment effects on MDD with minimal side effects.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800016479; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=22048.

A study of medial and lateral temporal lobe epilepsy based on stereoelectroencephalography / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) originating from different seizure onset zones had distinct electrophysiological characteristics and surgical outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the origin and prognosis of TLE, and the stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) features.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients with TLE, who underwent surgical treatment in our functional neurosurgery department from January 2016 to December 2017, were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent anterior temporal lobectomy after an invasive pre-operative evaluation with SEEG. Depending on the epileptic focus location, patients were divided into those with medial temporal lobe seizures (MTLS) and those with lateral temporal lobe seizures (LTLS). The Engel classification was used to evaluate operation effectiveness, and the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to detect seizure-free duration.@*RESULTS@#The mean follow-up time was 25.7 ± 4.8 months. Effectiveness was 63.3% for Engel I (n = 19), 13.3% for Engel II, 3.3% for Engel III, and 20.0% for Engel IV. According to the SEEG, 60.0% (n = 18) had MTLS, and 40.0% (n = 12) had LTLS. Compared with the MTLS group, the operation age of those with LTLS was significantly greater (26.9 ± 6.9 vs. 29.9 ± 12.5 years, t = -0.840, P = 0.009) with longer epilepsy duration (11.9 ± 6.0 vs. 17.9 ± 12.1 years, t = -1.801, P = 0.038). Patients with MTLS had a longer time interval between ictal onset to seizure (67.3 ± 59.1 s vs. 29.3 ± 24.4 s, t = 2.017, P = 0.008). The most common SEEG ictal pattern was a sharp/spike-wave rhythm in the MTLS group (55.6%) and low-voltage fast activity in the LTLS group (58.3%). Compared with the LTLS group, patients with MTLS had a more favorable prognosis (41.7% vs. 77.8%, P = 0.049). Post-operative recurrence was more likely to occur within three months after the operation for both groups, and there appeared to be a stable long-term outcome.@*CONCLUSION@#Patients with MTLS, who accounted for three-fifths of patients with TLE, showed a more favorable surgical outcome.

Up-Regulation of Trem2 Inhibits Hippocampal Neuronal Apoptosis and Alleviates Oxidative Stress in Epilepsy via the PI3K/Akt Pathway in Mice / 神经科学通报·英文版

Epilepsy is a chronic and severe neurological disorder that has negative effects on the autonomous activities of patients. Functionally, Trem2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2) is an immunoglobulin receptor that affects neurological and psychiatric genetic diseases. Based on this rationale, we aimed to assess the potential role of Trem2 integration with the PI3K/Akt pathway in epilepsy. We used microarray-based gene expression profiling to identify epilepsy-related differentially-expressed genes. In a mouse hippocampal neuron model of epilepsy, neurons were treated with low-Mg extracellular fluid, and the protein and mRNA expression of Trem2 were determined. Using a gain-of-function approach with Trem2, neuronal apoptosis and its related factors were assessed by flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and Western blot analysis. In a pilocarpine-induced epileptic mouse model, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the hippocampus were determined, and the protein expression of Trem2 was measured. In addition, the regulatory effect of Trem2 on the PI3K/Akt pathway was analyzed by inhibiting this pathway in both the cell and mouse models of epilepsy. Trem2 was found to occupy a core position and was correlated with epilepsy. Trem2 was decreased in the hippocampus of epileptic mice and epileptic hippocampal neurons. Of crucial importance, overexpression of Trem2 activated the PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit neuronal apoptosis. Moreover, activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway through over-expression of Trem2 alleviated oxidative stress, as shown by the increased expression of SOD and GSH-Px and the decreased expression of MDA and 8-OHdG. The current study defines the potential role of Trem2 in inhibiting the development of epilepsy, indicating that Trem2 up-regulation alleviates hippocampal neuronal injury and oxidative stress, and inhibits neuronal apoptosis in epilepsy by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Neuroimaging in patients with panic disorder / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and fear of dying or losing control, which negatively influences the social functioning and life quality of the patients. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying PD have not been clearly understood. Previous opinion held that hyperactivity of the fear network which included amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, brain stem and so on and dysfunction of prefrontal cortex underlay PD. Summarizing recent advances on magnetic resonance imaging studies in PD, this review focuses on the functional, structural and metabolic neuroanatomical alterations in the specific population. There is evidence to show that the hyperactivity of fear network, prefrontal and occipital cortex may be involved in the pathophysiology of PD and it is necessary to revise models of anxiety disorder.

Neuroimaging in patients with panic disorder / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and fear of dying or losing control,which negatively influences the social functioning and life quality of the patients.The neurobiological mechanisms underlying PD have not been clearly understood.Previous opinion held that hyperactivity of the fear network which included amygdala,hypothalamus,hippocampus,brain stem and so on and dysfunction of prefrontal cortex underlay PD.Summarizing recent advances on magnetic resonance imaging studies in PD,this review focuses on the functional,structural and metabolic neuroanatomical alterations in the specific population.There is evidence to show that the hyperactivity of fear network,prefrontal and occipital cortex may be involved in the pathophysiology of PD and it is necessary to revise models of anxiety disorder.

Comparison Study of Polysomnographic Features in Multiple System Atrophy-cerebellar Types Combined with and without Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The brain stem is found to be impaired in multiple system atrophy-cerebellar types (MSA-C). Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is reported as a marker of progressive brain stem dysfunction. Few systematic studies about the sleep disturbances in MSA-C patients combined with or without RBD were reported. This study aimed to explore the polysomnographic (PSG) features of sleep disturbances between MSA-C patients with and without RBD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally, 46 MSA-C patients (23 with RBD, and 23 without RBD) were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent a structured interview for their demographic data, history of sleep pattern, and movement disorders; and then, overnight video-PSG was performed in each patient. All the records were evaluated by specialists at the Sleep Medicine Clinic for RBD and the Movement Disorder Clinic for MSA-C. The Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables, and the Chi-square test for categorical variables were used in this study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MSA-C patients with RBD had younger visiting age (52.6 ± 7.4 vs. 56.7 ± 6.0 years, P = 0.046) and shorter duration of the disease (12.0 [12.0, 24.0] vs. 24.0 [14.0, 36.0] months, P = 0.009) than MSA-C patients without RBD. MSA-C with RBD had shorter REM sleep latency (111.7 ± 48.2 vs. 157.0 ± 68.8 min, P = 0.042), higher percentage of REM sleep (14.9% ±4.0% vs. 10.0% ± 3.2%, P = 0.019), and lower Stage I (9.5% ±7.2% vs. 15.9% ±8.0%, P = 0.027) than MSA-C without RBD. Moreover, MSA-C patients with RBD had more decreased sleep efficiency (52.4% ±12.6% vs. 65.8% ±15.9%, P = 0.029) than that without RBD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In addition to the RBD, MSA-C patients with RBD had other more severe sleep disturbances than those without RBD. The sleep disorders of MSA patients might be associated with the progress of the disease.</p>

Gut Microbiota-brain Axis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To systematically review the updated information about the gut microbiota-brain axis.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>All articles about gut microbiota-brain axis published up to July 18, 2016, were identified through a literature search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, with the keywords of "gut microbiota", "gut-brain axis", and "neuroscience".</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>All relevant articles on gut microbiota and gut-brain axis were included and carefully reviewed, with no limitation of study design.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It is well-recognized that gut microbiota affects the brain's physiological, behavioral, and cognitive functions although its precise mechanism has not yet been fully understood. Gut microbiota-brain axis may include gut microbiota and their metabolic products, enteric nervous system, sympathetic and parasympathetic branches within the autonomic nervous system, neural-immune system, neuroendocrine system, and central nervous system. Moreover, there may be five communication routes between gut microbiota and brain, including the gut-brain's neural network, neuroendocrine-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, gut immune system, some neurotransmitters and neural regulators synthesized by gut bacteria, and barrier paths including intestinal mucosal barrier and blood-brain barrier. The microbiome is used to define the composition and functional characteristics of gut microbiota, and metagenomics is an appropriate technique to characterize gut microbiota.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gut microbiota-brain axis refers to a bidirectional information network between the gut microbiota and the brain, which may provide a new way to protect the brain in the near future.</p>

High-frequency Oscillations and the Seizure Onset Zones in Neocortical Epilepsy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To study the characters of high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) in the seizure onset zones (SOZ) and the nonseizure onset zones (NSOZ) in the electrocorticography (ECoG) of patients with neocortical epilepsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Only patients with neocortical epilepsy who were seizure-free after surgery as determined with ECoG were included. We selected patients with normal magnetic resonance imaging before surgery in order to avoid the influence of HFOs by other lesions. Three minutes preictal and 10 min interictal ECoG as recorded in 39 channels in the SOZ and 256 channels in the NSOZ were analyzed. Ripples and fast ripples (FRs) were analyzed by Advanced Source Analysis software (ASA, The Netherlands). Average duration of HFOs was analyzed in SOZ and NSOZ separately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For ripples, the permillage time occupied by HFOs was 0.83 in NSOZ and 1.17 in SOZ during the interictal period. During preictal period, they were 2.02 in NSOZ and 7.93 in SOZ. For FRs, the permillage time occupied by HFOs was 0.02 in NSOZ and 0.42 in SOZ during the interictal period. During preictal period, they were 0.03 in NSOZ and 2 in SOZ.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>High-frequency oscillations are linked to SOZ in neocortical epilepsy. Our study demonstrates the prevalent occurrence of HFOs in SOZ. More and more burst of HFOs, especially FRs, means the onset of seizures.</p>

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive technique used to alter cortex excitability that has been proposed as an efficient method for treating brain hyperexcitability or hypoexcitability disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether high-frequency rTMS could have any beneficial effects in restless legs syndrome (RLS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fourteen patients with RLS were given high-frequency rTMS (15 Hz, 100% motor threshold) to the leg representation motor cortex area of the frontal lobe for 14 sessions over 18 days. Patients were diagnosed according to the international criteria proposed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group in 2003. The International RLS Rating Scale (IRLS-RS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale were used to evaluate the severity of RLS, sleep quality, anxiety and depression, respectively. The scale scores were evaluated at four-time points (baseline, end of the 14 th session, and at 1- and 2-month posttreatment). One-way analysis of variance was used to compare scale scores at different time points.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was significant improvement in the IRLS-RS (from 23.86 ± 5.88 to 11.21 ± 7.23, P < 0.05), PSQI (from 15.00 ± 4.88 to 9.29 ± 3.91, P < 0.05), and HAMA (from 17.93 ± 7.11 to 10.36 ± 7.13, P < 0.05) scale scores at the end of 14 th session, with ongoing effects lasting for at least 2 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>High-frequency rTMS can markedly alleviate the motor system symptoms, sleep disturbances, and anxiety in RLS patients. These results suggest that rTMS might be an option for treating RLS.</p>

A Special Electroencephalography Pattern Might Help in the Diagnosis of Antibody-positive Encephalitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Patterns observed with electroencephalography (EEG) for patients who have encephalitis are usually known as generalized nonspecific cerebral abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of a special EEG pattern for patients with encephalitis and to explore features related to this special and uncommon pattern.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EEG monitoring was performed for every patient aged >15 years with encephalitis who was hospitalized between December 2011 and March 2014. Clinical characteristics and EEG recordings were collected and evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty-two patients with encephalitis were enrolled in our study with a 2-h median EEG recording time, and extreme beta brushes (EBBs) occurred in 17 patients (32.7%). Its presence was not significant regarding gender, age, psychiatric medication use, EEG rhythmic disorganization (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, among the patients with EBBs, nine patients (52.9%) had epileptic seizures that had a significant detection rate (P < 0.05); moreover, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum of 15 patients (88.2%) with EBBs was positive for antibodies (P < 0.05). Four patients (23.5%) who had EBB had corresponding regional distributions on neuroimaging scans. The EBBs completely correlated with the regional distributions of spike discharges for four patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EBB is a special EEG pattern for patients with encephalitis, especially those with epileptic seizures or who have antibody-positive CSF/serum, and should be considered in clinical practice.</p>

A Marked Increase in Obstetric Hysterectomy for Placenta Accreta / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Obstetric hysterectomy (OH) as a lifesaving measure to manage uncontrolled uterine hemorrhage appears to be increasing recently. The objective of this study was to determine the etiology and changing trends of OH and to identify those at particular risk of OH to enhance the early involvement of multidisciplinary intensive care.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was carried out in patients who had OH in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from 2004 to 2014. Maternal characteristics, preoperative evaluation, operative reports, and prenatal outcomes were studied in detail.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 19 cases of OH among a total of 18,838 deliveries. Comparing the study periods between 2004-2010 and 2011-2014, OH increased from 0.8/1000 (10/12,890) to 1.5/1000 (9/5948). Indications for OH have changed significantly during this study period with uterine atony decreasing from 50.0% (5/10) to 11.1% (1/9) (P < 0.05), and placenta accreta as the indication for OH has increased significantly from 20.0% (2/10) to 77.8% (7/9) (P < 0.05). Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used to make an exact antepartum diagnosis of placenta accreta. A multidisciplinary management led to improved outcomes for patients with placenta accreta.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As the multiple cesarean delivery rates have risen, there has been a dramatic increase in OH for placenta accreta. An advance antenatal diagnosis of ultrasonography, and MRI, and a multidisciplinary teamwork can maximize patients' safety and outcome.</p>

Application of Case-based Learning in Ward-round for Residents Training / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective To observe the effect of case-based learning (CBL) applied in ward-round on residents training. Methods A total of 33 residents trained with routine ward-round and CBL ward-round in the neurological department were investigated with questionnaire. Results 30 effective answers were recalled. More of them reported that CBL ward-round was very significant in improving clinical thinking, mastering the specialized knowledge, developing autonomous learning and improving the communication with patients and their family members (P<0.05). Conclusion CBL ward-round is effective on improving the comprehensive professional abilities of residents.

Study of the association between SNP rs7903146(C/T) in TCF7L2 and metabolic syndrome in Chinese Korean and Han populations from Yanbian / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the association between a rs7903146(C/T) polymorphism of TCF7L2 gene and metabolic syndrome (MS), plasma lipoprotein, and plasma adiponectin (PA) in Chinese Korean and Han populations from Yanbian region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to determine the genotype of rs7903146 in 310 Chinese Korean (190 in case group and 120 in control group) and 344 Chinese Han (255 in case group and 89 in control group). ELIAS was used to test serum insulin (INS) and PA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of T allele was higher in ethnic Han compared with ethnic Koreans (0.022 vs. 0.008), lower than that of Europeans (0.279) and Africans (0.257), but similar to those of Beijing Chinese and Japanese. For ethnic Korean Chinese, the frequencies of TT and CT genotypes as well as the T allele in patients with EH were significantly higher than those of the control group (P< 0.01), which also showed an increasing trend for both MS and T2DM groups (P=0.09 and P=0.07, respectively). By contrast, for Chinese Han, the frequencies of genotypes and particular allele in patients with MS, T2DM and EH showed no significant difference from those of the control group. For T2DM, EH, and control groups, PA level of individuals with CT or TT genotypes was significantly higher compared with that of the CC genotype (P< 0.05). The TC and LDL-C levels were significantly higher in T2DM, MS and EH groups compared with those of the control group. The PA level was lower in MS group compared with the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The T allele of SNP rs7903146 of TCF7L2 gene may be a risk factor for EH in Chinese Korean population from Yanbian region. The T allele also affects the PA level; lower PA is a risk factor for MS. The rs7903146 polymorphism showed a racial and ethnic difference.</p>

Somatosensory disinhibition in patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is characterized by recurrent brief episodes of chorea and dystonia induced by sudden movement. Whether the central nervous system is hyper- or hypoexcitable in PKD remains undetermined. The aim of our study was to compare the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) recovery cycle, a marker of somatosensory system excitability, in PKD patients and controls.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four PKD patients (mean age of (20.0±5.3) years; 21 males, 3 females) and 18 control age-matched subjects (mean age of (22.0±5.0) years; 17 males, 1 female) were studied. The stimuli were delivered to the median nerve in the affected dominant arm in patients and in the dominant arm in controls. The change in SEP amplitude was measured after paired electrical stimulation at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 5, 20, and 40 ms. The SEPs evoked by S2 (test stimulus) were calculated by subtracting the response to S1 (the conditioning stimulus) from the response to a pair of stimuli (S1+S2), and their amplitudes were compared with those of the control response (S1) at each ISI. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) or equivalent was used for non-parametric data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In patients, the P27 amplitude after the single stimulus (S1) was significantly larger than that after the control stimulus. The (S2/S1)×100 ratio for P14 and N30 SEPs did not differ significantly between PKD patients and normal subjects at ISI of 5 ms but were significantly higher in patients at ISIs of 20 and 40 ms (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Somatosensory system disinhibition takes place in PKD. The finding of reduced suppression of different SEPs, each thought to have a different origin, suggests an abnormality of intracortical and subcortical inhibitory circuits.</p>

Effects of blueberry on the expression patterns of heme oxygenase-1 in rats with hepatic fibrosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of Blueberry against rat hepatic fibrosis and the effect of Blueberry on HO-1 expression patterns.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 45 SD rats were randomly divided into five groups namely control group (group A), model group (group B), blueberry group (group C), Dan-shao-hua-xian (DSHX) capsule group (group D) and blueberry +Dan-shao-hua-xian group (group E). Fibrous liver models in rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 and high-lipid/low-protein diet for 8 weeks except the control group which accepted saline alone. The level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum was examined. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver homogenates were determined. by the xanthine oxidase method and the thiobarbituric acid method. The pathology of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining. The Expression of HO-1 was detected by real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemical techniques and western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum ALT levels in every prevention group was lower than the group B [(149.44+/-16.51), (136.88+/-10.07), (127.38+/-11.03) vs (203.25+/-31.62) U/L, F = 92.498, P < 0.05], the SOD of liver homogenate in prevention group was significantly higher and the MDA was lower compared with the group B [SOD: (1.36+/-0.09), (1.42+/-0.13), (1.50+/-0.15) vs (1.08+/-0.19) U/mg, F = 13.671, P < 0.05; MDA: (0.294+/-0.026), (0.285+/-0.025), (0.284+/-0.028) vs (0.335+/-0.056) nmol/mg, F = 20.809, P < 0.05]. The pathological stages of hepatic fibrosis were all significantly reduced in prevention group (Chi2 test = 24.956, P < 0.05). Compared with group A, the mRNA and protein expressions of HO-1 were elevated (F = 4.549, 22.926, P < 0.05) in group B and increased in group C-E, but there is no significant difference existed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Blueberry may have preventive and protective effects on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis by reducing lipid peroxidation. However, these effects may not be related to the activation of HO-1 during long-term of CCl4.</p>