Recent advance in risk factors related to restless leg syndrome / 中华神经医学杂志

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor disorder. Although it does not pose a threat to life, it seriously affects the quality of life of patients. RLS pathogenesis is still unclear, and its incidence is associated with a variety of risk factors, including genetic factors and non-genetic factors. Genetic factors involve more than 20 risk genes, such as meis homeobox 1 ( MEIS1), BTB domain containing 9 ( BTBD9), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 ( MAP2K5), and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type Db ( PTPRD). Non-genetic factors include regional age, gender, obesity, medical related diseases, neuropsychiatric diseases and drugs. This paper reviews the recent advance in risk factors and related pathogenesis of RLS to provide references for early prevention and treatment of the disease.

Association between temperature and mortality: a multi-city time series study in Sichuan Basin, southwest China

BACKGROUND@#There are few multi-city studies on the association between temperature and mortality in basin climates. This study was based on the Sichuan Basin in southwest China to assess the association of basin temperature with non-accidental mortality in the population and with the temperature-related mortality burden.@*METHODS@#Daily mortality data, meteorological and air pollution data were collected for four cities in the Sichuan Basin of southwest China. We used a two-stage time-series analysis to quantify the association between temperature and non-accidental mortality in each city, and a multivariate meta-analysis was performed to obtain the overall cumulative risk. The attributable fractions (AFs) were calculated to access the mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperature. Additionally, we performed a stratified analyses by gender, age group, education level, and marital status.@*RESULTS@#A total of 751,930 non-accidental deaths were collected in our study. Overall, 10.16% of non-accidental deaths could be attributed to non-optimal temperatures. A majority of temperature-related non-accidental deaths were caused by low temperature, accounting for 9.10% (95% eCI: 5.50%, 12.19%), and heat effects accounted for only 1.06% (95% eCI: 0.76%, 1.33%). The mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperatures was higher among those under 65 years old, females, those with a low education level, and those with an alternative marriage status.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our study suggested that a significant association between non-optimal temperature and non-accidental mortality. Those under 65 years old, females, and those with a low educational level or alternative marriage status had the highest attributable burden.

Reduced Field of View APT Imaging of Rectum (RAPTOR) at 3T MRI Scanner / 生物化学与生物物理进展

ObjectiveThe chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) technique has become a valuable tool in diagnosing metabolic changes associated with cerebral and systemic diseases, leveraging the calculation of compounds with exchangeable protons in proximity to water molecules. Specifically, the amide proton transfer (APT) CEST technique has shown promise in diagnosing cerebral strokes and tumors by comparing altered endogenous proteins or peptides with normal tissues. Reduced field of view (rFOV) imaging technology has been widely used in the diagnosis of small organ lesions in the body. In this study, we aim to apply the rFOV imaging to identify CEST signals in the rectum, investigating the potential utility of rFOV technique in clinical diagnosis of rectal diseases and providing metabolic insights for chemoradiotherapy. MethodsMRI images of eleven healthy volunteers were acquired using transverse Full_FOV and rFOV CEST imaging on a 3T scanner. The resolution was set at 2.5×2.5×6 mm³ and 1.5×1.5×6 mm³ for Full_FOV or the rFOV method. Saturation powers of 0.7 μT and 2 μT were applied. For the 2 μT saturation, MTRasym at ±3.5 ppm was employed, while for 0.7 μT saturation, Lorentzian difference was used for CEST quantification of the contrast maps and curves. ResultsThe rFOV method has the advantage of halving the scan time while maintaining the same contrast as the Full_FOV method. When compared to Full_FOV methods, rFOV methods exhibited nearly identical Z_spec and very similar MTRasym curves. Additionally, rFOV with a 1.5 mm×1.5 mm in-plane resolution could be achieved in approximately 3 min. rFOV method displayed better structural details for the entire rectum, including CEST contrast maps and quantitative curves. ConclusionCEST MRI proves valuable in diagnosing rectal diseases, and employing the rFOV technique could provide higher spatial and temporal resolution. CEST MRI should be the preferred choice for offering improved diagnostic capabilities with its potential for rectal disease diagnosis.

Outcome of surgical repair for aortic coarctation with coexisting descending aortic aneurysm in adult patients / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment of aortic coarctation combined with descending aortic aneurysm in adult patients. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Adult patients with aortic coarctation who were hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2015 to April 2019 were enrolled. The aortic coarctation was diagnosed by aortic CT angiography, and the included patients were divided into the combined descending aortic aneurysm group and the uncomplicated descending aortic aneurysm group based on descending aortic diameter. General clinical data and surgery-related data were collected from the included patients, and death and complications were recorded at 30 days after surgery, and upper limb systolic blood pressure was measured in all patients at discharge. Patients were followed up after discharge by outpatient visit or telephone call for their survival and the occurrence of repeat interventions and adverse events, which included death, cerebrovascular events, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, hypertension, postoperative restenosis, and other cardiovascular-related interventions. Results: A total of 107 patients with aortic coarctation aged (34.1±15.2) years were included, and 68 (63.6%) were males. There were 16 cases in the combined descending aortic aneurysm group and 91 cases in the uncomplicated descending aortic aneurysm group. In the combined descending aortic aneurysm group, 6 cases (6/16) underwent artificial vessel bypass, 4 cases (4/16) underwent thoracic aortic artificial vessel replacement, 4 cases (4/16) underwent aortic arch replacement+elephant trunk procedure, and 2 cases (2/16) underwent thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the choice of surgical approach (all P>0.05). In the combined descending aortic aneurysm group at 30 days after surgery, one case underwent re-thoracotomy surgery, one case developed incomplete paraplegia of the lower extremity, and one case died; and the differences in the incidence of endpoint events at 30 days after surgery were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Systolic blood pressure in the upper extremity at discharge was significantly lower in both groups compared with the preoperative period (in the combined descending aortic aneurysm group: (127.3±16.3) mmHg vs. (140.9±16.3) mmHg, P=0.030, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa; in the uncomplicated descending aortic aneurysm group: (120.7±13.2) mmHg vs. (151.8±26.3) mmHg, P=0.001). The follow-up time was 3.5 (3.1, 4.4) years. There were no new deaths in the combined descending aortic aneurysm group, no transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction or re-thoracotomy surgery, and one patient (1/15) suffered cerebral infarction and 10 patients (10/15) were diagnosed with hypertension. The differences in the occurrence of endpoint events during postoperative follow-up were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: In experienced centers, long-term prognosis of patients with aortic coarctation combined with descending aortic aneurysm is satisfactory post surgical intervention.

Application progress of imaging examination in the diagnosis of urethral stricture / 现代泌尿外科杂志

Urethra stricture is one of the most common diseases of the urinary system. Accurate imaging diagnosis is key to the selection of surgical approach. At present, X-ray urethral imaging can show the form of urethra cavity, but not the tissues around the urethra. Sonourethrography (SUG) can dynamically identify the urethral cavity and the surrounding tissues without radiation exposure. Multi-layer spiral CT urethrography (CTU) has advantages of no need to adjust the position, quick scanning and reconstruction of the three-dimensional image, which can accurately show the location, length and degree of urethral stricture, and the spatial relationship with the surrounding tissues. Magnetic resonance urethrography (MRU) can provide useful information of the urethral stricture and soft tissues around the urethra, especially in urethral strictures caused by pelvic fractures and complex urethral stenosis. The choice of imaging method should be based on the etiology, anatomy, types of urethral injury and the general situation of patients. Appropriate imaging method can improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Role of P2X7/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in cognitive impairment in sleep deprived mice / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the possible role and mechanism of purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7(P2X7)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome pathway in cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation (SD)mice.Methods:SPF grade male C57BL / 6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the random number table method with 6 mice in each group.They were normal control group (CC group), SD group and SD+ P2X7 receptor antagonist brilliant blue G(BBG) group (SD+ BBG group). Modified multiple platform method was used to establish a 5-day SD model in mice.During the SD intervention period, the mice in SD+ BBG group were injected with BBG(50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally once a day, while the mice in CC group and SD group were injected with the same volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution.Morris water maze was conducted to evaluate the cognitive function of mice.The protein expression levels of P2X7, NLRP3, caspase-1, apoptosis-associated proteins(ASC) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), IL-1β, interleukin-18(IL-18) and microglial polarization surface markers CD206 and CD86 in hippocampus.Graph pad Prism 8.0 software and SPSS 25.0 software were used for statistical analysis and mapping.Results:(1) The interaction effect between time and groups of escape latency in three groups of mice was significant ( F=15.76, P<0.001). From the 2nd to 5th day, the escape latencies of mice in SD group were higher than those of CC group, while the escape latencies of mice in SD+ BBG group were lower than those of SD group (all P<0.05). (2)The results of the space exploration experiment showed that there were statistically significant differences in target quadrant residence time and the times of crossing the platform( F=6.65, P=0.009; F=12.39, P<0.001). The target quadrant residence time ((23.42±0.55) s) and times of crossing the platform ((17.67±0.71) times) of the SD group were both lower than those of the CC group ((29.48±1.78) s, (23.33±0.95) times) (both P<0.05), while the target quadrant residence time ((28.62±1.19) s) and the times of crossing the platforms ((21.33±0.76) times) of the SD+ BBG group were both higher than those of the SD group (both P<0.05). (3)There were statistically significant differences in the protein levels of inflammatory related proteins such as P2X7, NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC and IL-1β in the hippocampus of mice among the 3 groups( F=8.23, 8.97, 8.45, 54.42, 8.12, all P<0.05). Compared with CC group, the protein levels of P2X7 ((0.93±0.02), (0.71±0.04)), NLRP3 ((0.97±0.04), (0.62±0.09)), caspase-1 ((1.00±0.03), (0.76±0.07)), ASC ((0.96±0.02), (0.77±0.04)) and IL-1β ((0.85±0.07), (0.54±0.04)) in SD group were all higher (all P<0.05). Compared with SD group, the protein levels of P2X7 (0.74±0.05), NLRP3 (0.78±0.02), caspase-1 (0.74±0.04), ASC (0.67±0.02), IL-1β (0.53±0.07) in SD+ BBG group were all lower (all P<0.05). (4)There were statistically significant differences in the mRNA levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, CD86 and CD206 in hippocampus among the three groups ( F=12.80, 12.28, 105.80, 7.06, 30.19, all P<0.05). The mRNA levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, CD86 in SD group were all higher than those in CC group(all P<0.05), while the mRNA level of CD206 in SD group was lower than that in CC group( P<0.05). Compared with SD group, the mRNA levels of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, CD86 were lower in SD+ BBG group (all P<0.05), while the CD206 mRNA level of SD+ BBG group was higher than that in SD group( P<0.05). Conclusion:SD intervention can lead to cognitive impairment and increased expression of P2X7 in hippocampus of mice, which may be related to the activation of P2X7/ NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway, promoting the polarization of microglia into pro-inflammatory type and up-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Inhibition of P2X7 can improve the cognitive function of mice.

NR4A1 suppresses cisplatin-induced ferroptosis in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells by up-regulating the expression of NRF2 / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To explore the role and mechanism of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 ( NR4A1) in suppressing cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Methods:The expression of NR4A1 gene in renal cell subpopulations was analyzed using the "Tabula-muris" single cell transcriptome sequencing database. NR4A1 gene was over-expressed by lentivirus infection in HK-2 cell line and primary renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect the cytotoxicity of cisplatin. The cell death ratio was analyzed using propidium iodide (PI) staining by flow cytometry. The expression of NR4A1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 ( NRF2) was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Ferroptosis was analyzed by detecting the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results:The single cell transcriptome sequencing database showed that NR4A1 gene was the lowest expression in renal proximal tubular epithelial cell subsets. Cisplatin (50 μmol/L or 100 μmol/L) could significantly induce MDA, GSSG and lipid ROS production in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (all P<0.01), and higher cisplatin concentration accompanied with a more increase of MDA, GSSG and lipid ROS. Compared with the control HK-2 cells, the lipid ROS content and iron ion content of HK-2 cells over-expressing NR4A1 were significantly lower (all P<0.01), and the over-expression of NR4A1 inhibited cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and ferroptosis in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Mechanistically, NR4A1 up-regulated the expression of anti-ferroptosis gene NRF2 in proximal renal tubular epithelial cells ( P<0.01). Furthermore, single cell data analysis showed that, similar to the expression of NR4A1 in renal tissue subsets, NRF2 was also the lowest in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells. Conclusions:Cisplatin can induce ferroptosis of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. NR4A1 can inhibit cisplatin-induced ferroptosis by up-regulating NRF2 in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, thereby alleviating the cytotoxicity of cisplatin.

Effect of virtual reality on sleep quality, sleep structure and neuropsychological characteristics of patients with chronic insomnia / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of virtual reality (VR) on sleep quality, sleep structure and neuropsychological characteristics of patients with chronic insomnia.Methods:Fifty one patients with chronic insomnia enrolled from Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from October 2021 to April 2022 were chosen; according to their wills, they were divided into VR combined drug treatment group ( n=26) and drug treatment group ( n=25). Patients in drug treatment group accepted non-benzodiazepine combined with melatonin receptor agonist and serotonin reuptake inhibitor; in patients of VR combined drug treatment group, VR was added 30 min/d for 5 d/week on basis of above drug therapy. Subjective sleep quality was assessed by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI). Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were used to assess anxiety and depression. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Digital Span Test (DST), Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop Color Word Test A/B/C, Judgment of Line Orientation Test (JLO), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) were used to assess the overall and individual cognitive functions. Portable sleep monitor (PSM)-100A based on cardiopulmonary coupling technology was used to evaluate the sleep structure. Differences of subjective sleep quality, sleep structure, and neuropsychological characteristics were compared between the 2 groups before and after treatment and in VR combined drug treatment group before and after treatment. Results:(1) After 6 weeks of treatment, compared with the drug treatment group, the VR combined with drug treatment group had significantly decreased scores of PSQI, ISI, HAMD and HAMA, increased total scores of AVLT immediate memory, scores of AVLT short delay recall, long delay recall and recognition, higher SDMT scores, increased correct times of DST reciting in reverse order, shorter time in TMT-A and TMT-B, higher proportion of high frequency coupled sleep (HF, stable sleep), lower proportion of low frequency coupled sleep (LF, unstable sleep), and decreased LF/HF ( P<0.05). (2) The VR combined with drug treatment group after VR treatment had significantly decreased PSQI, ISI, HAMD and HAMA scores, higher total scores of AVLT immediate memory, higher scores of AVLT short delay recall, long delay recall and recognition, shorter time in TMT-A and TMT-B, increased correct times of DST reciting in order and reciting in reverse order, and higher scores of JLO, Stroop Color Word Test A/B/C and SDMT, higher proportion of HF sleep, lower LF sleep, decreased LF/HF, and decreased arousal frequency compared with that before VR treatment ( P<0.05). Conclusion:VR combined with drug treatment can effectively improve the subjective sleep quality and sleep structure, reduce depression and anxiety, and improve memory and attention of patients with chronic insomnia.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in risk genes of restless legs syndrome: a Meta-analysis / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between single nucleic acid polymorphisms (SNPs) of MEIS1, BTBD9, MAP2K5, PTPRD and restless leg syndrome (RLS).Methods:By searching the literatures published before March 1, 2021 at home and abroad, case-control studies on risk genes associated with RLS were collected, and the Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 15.1 softwares were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 8 studies were included, with a total of 7 824 cases and 14 645 controls.Meta analysis results showed that the SNPs locus of the risk gene associated with RLS was MEIS1 rs2300478( OR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.59-1.78), BTBD9 rs9296249( OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.47-1.77), BTBD9 rs9357271( OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.44-1.55), MAP2K5 rs12593813( OR=1.44, 95% CI: 1.36-1.53), MAP2K5 rs11635424( OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.34-1.60)and PTPRD rs1975197( OR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.21-1.49). Conclusion:MEIS1 rs2300478, BTBD9 rs9296249, BTBD9 rs9357271, MAP2K5 rs12593813, MAP2K5 rs11635424 and PTPRD rs1975197 are the risk loci of RLS.

Experimental study of proteasome inhibitor MG132 up-regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to improve osteoporosis / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism of proteasome inhibitor MG132 in improving osteoporosis.@*METHODS@#Total of 32 female SD rats, weighing 220 to 250 g and 8 weeks old, were selected. They were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8). Rats of group A and group B were cut off ovaris on both sides to make model of osteoporosis, and then they were given proteasome inhibitors MG132 and dimethyl sufoxide (DMSO) respectively. Group C was a sham group and rats were given MG132. Group D was a normal group and rats were given MG132 too. The rats were killed in batches at 6 and 12 weeks after administration, and the femoral neck tissues were obtained. Relevant data were analyzed, such as pathomorphological observation, micro-CT analysis, detection of 20S proteasome activity in tissues, and expression of Wnt and β-catenin.@*RESULTS@#Morphological observation showed that the trabecular were slightly thinner, reticulated, and occasionally interrupted in group A, while the trabecular were obviously thinner and discontinuous in group B. And the trabecular were intact and arranged reticulated in group C and D. The analysis results of bone mineral density(BMD), bone surface(BS), bone volume/total volume(BV/TV) and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th) showed that group B was worse than other groups in all parameters at different time points(P<0.05), and group A was worse than group C and group D in BS(P<0.05), there was no significant difference in all parameters between group C and group D. RFU value of 20S proteasome in group B was significantly higher than that in other groups(P<0.05). According to the results of Western blot, the gray values of Wnt protein and β-catenin protein in group A were significantly higher than those in other groups (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#MG-132, a ubiquitin proteasome inhibitor, can regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by inhibiting the degradation of β-catenin protein, and delaying the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.

Transcranial sonography characteristics and their influencing factors in patients with restless leg syndrome / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of transcranial sonography (TCS) in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS), and analyze the correlations of scores of RLS Self-rating Severity Scale by International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group (IRLS) and TCS parameters with clinical data of these patients.Methods:Twenty-one patients with RLS admitted to the Sleep Disorder Clinic of our hospital from September 2020 to January 2021 were selected as RLS group, and 23 healthy controls at the same time period were recruited as control group. IRLS was used to evaluate the severity of patients in the RLS group, and the 14-item Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA-14) and 24-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-24) were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression of subjects from the 2 groups. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to evaluate the sleep quality of subjects from the 2 groups. TCS was used to examine the occurrence of hypoechoic substantia nigra and raphe nucleus rupture and the width of the third ventricle in the two groups. The clinical data and TCS parameters of patients in the 2 groups were compared, and the correlations of IRLS scores and TCS parameters with clinical features of patients in the RLS group were analyzed.Results:As compared with those in the control group, the HAMA-14, HAMD-24, ISI and PSQI scores in the RLS group were statistically higher ( P<0.05). As compared with the control group, RLS group had significantly higher proportion of patients with hypoechoic substantia nigra or raphe nucleus rupture ( P<0.05). In RLS patients, the IRLS scores were positively correlated with HAMA-14, HAMD-24, and ISI scores ( P<0.05); ESS scores were negatively correlated with hypoechoic substantia nigra and width of the third ventricle ( rs=-2.005, P=0.045; r=-0.477, P=0.029); width of the third ventricle was negatively correlated with gender (male) and years of education ( rs=-0.592, P=0.005; r=-0.627, P=0.002), and positively correlated with age and course of the disease ( r=0.756, P<0.001; r=0.167, P=0.047). Conclusions:Patients with RLS are prone to anxiety, depression and sleep disorders; their TCS shows hypoechoic substantia nigra and raphe nucleus rupture. RLS severity may affect HAMA-14, HAMD-24, and ISI scores. Gender, age, years of education, course of disease, and ESS scores of RLS patients may affect TCS related parameters.

Treatment of sleep disorder in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

The high incidence of cerebrovascular disease and the high rate of disability cause a huge burden on the patient, family and society. The incidence of sleep disorder in acute cerebrovascular disease is high, which has an important effect on the prognosis of patients with cerebrovascular disease. This paper reviews the treatment of sleep disorder in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease, mainly acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Erratum: Author correction to 'Up-regulation of glycolipid transfer protein by bicyclol causes spontaneous restriction of hepatitis C virus replication' Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 9 (2019) 769-781

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.01.013.].

Effect of IGF-1 on cognitive function and the regulation of IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signal pathway in hippocampus of sleep deprived mice / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of IGF-1 on cognitive function in REM sleep deprivation model mice and its possible mechanism.Methods:C57BL/6J mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 mice in each group.They were Normal control group (CC group), REM sleep deprivation 5d group (SD group), REM sleep deprivation 5d+ Intraperitoneal injection of IGF-1 group (SD+ IGF-1 group), and REM sleep deprivation 5d+ Intraperitoneal injection of PBS group (SD+ PBS group). The Morris water maze was used to test the cognitive function of all mice.The content of IGF-1 in mice hippocampus was detected by Elisa, and the expression level of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in mice in hippocampus was determined by RT-qPCR.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of p-GSK3β, GSK3 beta, p-Akt, Akt, Bcl-2 and Caspase-9 in mice hippocampus of each group.Results:The time in the target quadrant and the number of times across the platform of the SD group ((11.87±1.67)s, (12.50±5.54) times, respectively)was lower than that of the CC group((19.40±1.75)s, (22.17±8.21) times, respectively), the difference was statistically significant( t=8.71, 2.26, both P<0.05). The time in the target quadrant and the number of times across the platform of the SD+ IGF-1 group ((18.11±1.12)s, (21.83±10.26) times), which were higher than those in the SD+ PBS group ((10.60±1.36)s, (11.50±3.94) times). The difference was statistically significant( t=8.69, 2.42, both P<0.05). The expression of IGF-1 protein in the hippocampus of SD group ((579.38±55.95) pg/mg) was lower than that of CC group ((729.13±79.46)pg/mg), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.83, P<0.05). The expression of IGF1 protein in the hippocampus of SD+ IGF-1 group((665.50±55.21)pg/mg) was significantly higher than that of SD+ PBS group ((563.40±76.33)pg/mg), the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.61, P<0.05). The expression of p-GSK3 beta protein (1.51±0.02) in mice hippocampus of SD group was higher than that of CC group (1.47±0.03), and the expression of p-Akt (0.92±0.04) was lower than that of CC group (1.18±0.05), The difference was statistically significant ( t=3.07, t=10.85, both P<0.05). The expression of Caspase-9 in mice hippocampus of SD group(0.65±0.03)was higher than that of CC group (0.60±0.02). The expression of Bcl-2 in mice hippocampus of SD group (0.93±0.03) was lower than that of CC group (1.00±0.04), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.65, 3.98, both P<0.05). The expression of p-Akt and p-GSK3β protein in mice hippocamps of SD+ IGF-1 group( (1.20±0.04), (1.57±0.03)) was increased compared with those of SD+ PBS group ((0.92±0.05), (1.51±0.03)), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.98, 11.49, both P<0.05). The expression of Caspase-9 in mice hippocamps of SD+ IGF-1 group (0.60±0.03) was decreased compared with that of SD+ PBS group (0.67±0.02). The expression of Bcl-2 in mice hippocampus of SD+ IGF-1 group (1.00±0.03) was increased compared with SD+ PBS group (0.93±0.02), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.19, 3.83, both P<0.05). The expression level of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA in mice hippocampus of SD group ((3.36±0.67), (2.00±0.40), (4.63±0.72)) were increased compared with CC group with statistically significant differences ( t=8.58, 6.15, 2.37, all P<0.05). The expression level of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA in mice hippocampu of SD+ IGF-1 group ((1.21±0.25), (1.08±0.33), (0.98±0.47)) were lower than those of SD+ PBS group ((3.86±0.79), (2.11±0.30), (4.43±0.67)), with statistically significant differences ( t=7.81, 5.76, 10.39, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The cognitive function of mice decreased after REM sleep deprivation and improved after IGF-1 supplementation, which may be related to the activation of PI3K / Akt signal pathway by IGF-1, thus reducing apoptosis related signal transduction and inflammatory factor expression.

Gamma oscillations of cognitive dysfunction in chronic insomnia patients with anxiety and depression / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of gamma oscillation in chronic insomnia patients with anxiety and depression, and to investigate its underlying neural mechanism.Methods:According to the anxiety and depression scores, the subjects with chronic insomnia who met the diagnostic criteria were divided into chronic insomnia with anxiety and depression group ( n=19) and chronic insomnia group ( n=13). Healthy subjects matched with age, gender, and educational background were selected as the normal control group ( n=16). The EEGs from the three groups under resting state and cognitive load state were collected.The relative gamma power was then calculated by fast Fourier transform.The spatial distribution pattern of the gamma oscillation in the three groups was analyzed.Spearman correlation analysis was employed to quantify the correlation between relative gamma powers and sleep scale, anxiety and depression scale scores. Results:In the resting state, the relative gamma power in the chronic insomnia with anxiety and depression, chronic insomnia and normal control group was 0.192 1±0.008 0, 0.210 3±0.009 6, 0.237 3±0.006 4, respectively.In the cognitive load state, the relative gamma power in the three groups increased compared with those in the resting state (0.220 7±0.008 1, 0.249 5±0.009 8, 0.267 7±0.007 2, respectively) (all P<0.05). In the resting state, the relative gamma power (F3, F4, C3, C4, P3, P4, O2, F8, T4) in the chronic insomnia with anxiety and depression group (0.179 9±0.009 7) and the chronic insomnia group (0.194 4±0.010 4) was lower than that in control (0.236 0±0.012 0, P<0.05). In the cognitive load state, the relative gamma power (F3, C3, C4, P3, P4, T4) in the chronic insomnia with anxiety and depression group (0.207 3±0.009 7) was lower than that in control (0.259 1±0.009 4)( P<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between the relative gamma power in the nodes(F3, C3, P3)and the insomnia, anxiety and depression in the three groups(correlation coefficient r=-0.467--0.274, P<0.05). Conclusion:Chronic insomnia patients with anxiety and depression are often accompanied by cognitive dysfunction.The loss of gamma oscillation in left posterior, left central and left apex may be one of the potential neural mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in chronic insomnia patients with anxiety and depression.

Up-regulation of glycolipid transfer protein by bicyclol causes spontaneous restriction of hepatitis C virus replication

Bicyclol is a synthetic drug for hepatoprotection in clinic since 2004. Preliminary clinical observations suggest that bicyclol might be active against hepatitis C virus (HCV) with unknown mechanism. Here, we showed that bicyclol significantly inhibited HCV replication and in hepatitis C patients. Using bicyclol as a probe, we identified glycolipid transfer protein (GLTP) to be a novel restrictive factor for HCV replication. The GLTP preferentially bound host vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein-A (VAP-A) in competition with the HCV NS5A, causing an interruption of the complex formation between VAP-A and HCV NS5A. As the formation of VAP-A/NS5A complex is essential for viral RNA replication, up-regulation of GLTP by bicyclol reduced the level of VAP-A/NS5A complex and thus inhibited HCV replication. Bicyclol also exhibited an inhibition on HCV variants resistant to direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) with an efficacy identical to that on wild type HCV. In combination with bicyclol, DAAs inhibited HCV replication in a synergistic fashion. GLTP appears to be a newly discovered host restrictive factor for HCV replication, Up-regulation of GLTP causes spontaneous restriction of HCV replication.

Progress in the treatment of atrophic age-related macular degeneration / 中华眼底病杂志

Atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) does not show obvious loss of visual function in the early stage,so it is not easy to be taken seriously.In the advanced stage,most of the patients suffered from macular area retinal map atrophy,which affected night vision and central vision.Drugs currently used in clinical or clinical trials to treat atrophic AMD include drugs for improving choroidal perfusion,reducing the accumulation of harmful substances,preventing oxidative stress injury,inhibiting inflammatory reactions,as well as neuroprotectants and lipid metabolism drugs.Stem cell transplantation for atrophic AMD is currently the most promising treatment.In theory,it is feasible to replace atrophic AMD with retinal photoreceptor cells and RPE cells derived from human stem cell differentiation.However,there are still many problems to be solved,such as how to improve the efficiency of directional differentiation of seed cells and how to ensure the safe and effective RPE cell transplantation and survival after transplantation.At present,several studies have found that multiple locus mutations are associated with atrophic AMD,so gene therapy also plays an important role in the development of the disease.

Objective sleep assessment in patients with chronic insomnia using cardiopulmonary coupling analysis and its correlation with cognitive function / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the objective sleep status of patients with chronic insomnia by cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) technique, and evaluate the characteristics of cognitive dysfunction to explore the correlation between objective sleep and cognitive dysfunction in patients with chronic insomnia. Methods Forty-three patients with chronic insomnia, admitted to our hospital from October 2017 to April 2019, were enrolled in our study;15 age-, gender-and education-matched healthy volunteers were recruited as control group. All subjects followed their daily routine at home and completed CPC examination. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Auditory Vocabulary Learning Test (AVLT), Trail Making Test (TMT) and Stroop Color Word Test were used to evaluate the general and single cognitive functions, respectively. The correlation of objective sleep with cognitive function was analyzed. Results (1) As compared with those in the control group, high frequency coupling (stable sleep) ratio was significantly decreased, low frequency coupling (un-stable sleep) ratio and extremely low frequency coupling (rapid-eye-movement sleep/waking) ratio were significantly increased, and latency of high frequency coupling was significantly prolonged in chronic insomnia group (P<0.05). (2) Chronic insomnia group had significantly lower MoCA total scores than control group (P<0.05), specifically manifested as decrement of visuospatial ability and execution and attention abilities; specific cognitive test showed that chronic insomnia group performed worse in immediate recall, and had delayed recall of AVLT, longer time consumption in TMT-B, smaller number of wired arrival numbers, and longer time consumption in Stroop color word test than the control group, with significant differences (P<0.05). (3) There was a correlation between CPC sleep structure and Cognitive Function Scale scores in patients with chronic insomnia. Conclusion In patients with chronic insomnia, stable sleep is reduced, un-stable sleep and rapid-eye-movement sleep/waking are increased; the impaired cognition domains are visual space and executive function, attention and memory; disturbed sleep structure aggravates the memory and execution impairment of patients with chronic insomnia.

Prevalence of silicosis among Xiangyu railway construction workers in Nanchong from 2008-2007 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To analyze the prevalence of silicosis in the militias with contribution to the former Xiangyu Railway construction in Nanchong, China, from 2008 to 2017, and to provide a scientific basis for the future development of pneumoconiosis prevention and control strategies based on the current status.@*Methods@#A database was established for the data of 11863 militias with contribution to the former Xiangyu Railway construction in Nanchong, China, who attended our hospital from 2008 to 2017, including 11485 males (96.81%) and 378 females (3.19%). The SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the differences in the detection rate of silicosis between militias with different sexes or those with different job types, as well as the age, length of service, and regional distribution of patients.@*Results@#Of the 11863 railway militias in Nanchong, 3169 (26.71%) were diagnosed with silicosis, including 2761 (87.12%) in stage I, 359 (11.33%) in stage II, and 49 (1.55%) in stage III; the males had a significantly higher detection rate of silicosis than the females (χ2=64.496, P<0.05); there was a significant difference in the detection rate of silicosis between the militias with different job types (χ2=856.839, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the mean age of diagnosis and the mean length of service between the patients with different stages of silicosis (F=4.944, P<0.05; F=3.174, P<0.05). There was a significant difference in the number of militia patients with silicosis between different areas of Nanchong (χ2=843.330, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#The prevalence of silicosis is relatively high among the militias with contribution to the former Xiangyu Railway. It is necessary to strengthen the occupational health monitoring of patients, actively treat and prevent complications, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Technology optimization of Gardeniae Fructus processed with ginger juice and composition changes after processing / 中国中药杂志

To optimize the technology of Gardeniae Fructus processed with ginger juice,establish fingerprints and simultaneously determine seven compounds( geniposidic acid,chlorogenic acid,genipin-1-β-D-gentiobioside,geniposide,rutin,crocin Ⅰ,and crocin Ⅱ) by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography( UPLC). Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18( 2. 1 mm×50 mm,1. 7μm) column was used with acetonitrile and 0. 1% formic acid solution as mobile phase for gradient elution at the flow rate of 0. 4 m L·min-1. The data was comprehensively processed and analyzed with similarity evaluation,principal component analysis( PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis( PLS-DA) methods. Twenty common peaks were identified in this study,and the similarity of samples was over 0. 97. The results of PCA and PLS-DA showed that there were differences in chemical compositions and contents between the raw Gardeniae Fructus and those processed with ginger juice,with 9 potential differentiated chromatographic peaks. After being processed with ginger juice,the contents of chlorogenic acid,crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ were less than before and the contents of other four compositions were higher than before. The optimized preparation for Gardeniae Fructus processed with ginger juice was stable and feasible. The methods of UPLC fingerprints and simultaneous determination of seven components can be effectively carried out to distinguish Gardeniae Fructus and Gardeniae Fructus processed with ginger juice.