[Clinical features and prognostic factors of advanced myelodysplastic syndromes in children].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors of advanced myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in children. Methods: Clinical data of children diagnosed with advanced MDS in the Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, between September 2009 and April 2022 were retrospectively collected. Follow-up assessments were performed through telephone interviews and the review of medical records until May 1, 2023. The clinical features of children with advanced MDS were summarized by analyzing chromosomal karyotype tests, second-generation gene sequencing results. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the prognostic factors of advanced MDS in children. Results: A total of 69 children, comprising 49 males and 20 females, aged [M (Q1, Q3)] 8 (5, 10) years, were enrolled in the study. Sixty-seven cases underwent chromosomal karyotype testing, of which 42 cases (62.7%) had abnormal karyotypes, with monosomy 7 the most common in 17 cases (25.4%). Forty-three cases underwent next-generation sequencing, with mutations in the SETBP1, NRAS, PTPN11 and RUNX1 genes more common, identified in 12 cases (27.9%), 9 cases (20.9%), 8 cases(18.6%), and 8 cases(18.6%), respectively. The follow-up time [M (Q1, Q3)] was 26 (13, 56) months and the 5-year overall survival rate was 56%(95%CI: 44.4%-70.5%). The 5-year overall survival rate for children who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was higher than that of children who did not undergo HSCT (73.9% vs 29.1%, P<0.001). HSCT (HR=0.118, 95%CI: 0.037-0.372, P<0.001) was a protective factor for the overall survival rate of children with advanced MDS. Serum ferritin level>356.3 µg/L (HR=6.497, 95%CI: 2.068-20.415, P=0.001) and moderate to severe splenomegaly (HR=4.075, 95%CI: 1.174-14.141, P=0.027) were risk factors for the overall survival rate of children with advanced MDS. Conclusions: Monosomy 7 was the most common abnormal karyotype and SETBP1 was the gene that had the highest mutation frequency in children with advanced MDS. HSCT, increased ferritin and moderate to severe splenomegaly are prognostic factors influencing the overall survival rate of children with advanced MDS.

[Value of constructing a non-invasive diagnostic model based on serum heme oxygenase-1 and glucose regulatory protein 78 for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].

Objective: To analyze the clinical application value of serum heme oxygenase (HO)-1expression level in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and, based on that, establish a diagnostic model combined with glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78) so as to clarify its diagnostic effectiveness and application value. Methods: A total of 210 NAFLD patients diagnosed by abdominal B-ultrasound and liver elastography were included, and at the same time, 170 healthy controls were enrolled. The general clinical data, peripheral blood cell counts, and biochemical indicators of the research subjects were collected. The expression levels of HO-1 and GRP78 were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate analysis was used to screen independent risk factors for NAFLD. Visual output was performed through nomogram diagrams, and the diagnostic model was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of NAFLD. Measurement data were analyzed using a t-test or Mann-Whitney U rank sum test to detect data differences between groups. Enumeration data were analyzed using the Fisher's exact probability test or the Pearson χ(2) test. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, the white blood cell count, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GTT), fasting blood glucose (Glu), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), serum HO-1, and GRP78 levels were significantly increased in the NAFLD group patients (P < 0.05). Binary logistic analysis results showed that AST, TG, LDL-C, serum HO-1, and GRP78 were independent risk factors for NAFLD (P < 0.05). A nomogram clinical predictive model HGATL was established using HO-1 (H), GRP78 (G) combined with AST (A), TG (T), and LDL-C (L), with the formula P=-21.469+3.621×HO-1+0.116 ×GRP78+0.674×AST+6.250×TG+4.122 ×LDL-C. The results confirmed that the area under the ROC curve of the HGATL model was 0.965 8, with an optimal cutoff value of 81.69, a sensitivity of 87.06%, a specificity of 92.82%, a P < 0.05, and the diagnostic effectiveness significantly higher than that of a single indicator. The calibration curve and DCA both showed that the model had good diagnostic performance. Conclusion: The HGATL model can be used as a novel, non-invasive diagnosis model for NAFLD and has a positive application value in NAFLD diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation. Therefore, it should be explored and promoted in clinical applications.

Docosahexaenoic Acid Reverses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Drug Resistance by Impairing the PI3K/AKT/ Nrf2/GPX4 Signalling Pathway in Docetaxel-Resistant PC3 Prostate Cancer Cells.

Drug resistance is a serious problem in cancer therapy. Growing evidence has shown that docosahexaenoic acid has anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive abilities. Studies have shown that autophagy inhibition and ferroptosis are promising therapeutic strategies for overcoming multidrug resistance. This study was aimed to examine whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) could reverse docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer cells. Cell survival was examined by MTT and colony formation. Protein expression was determined by Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured by flow cytometry. DHA displayed anti-cancer effects on proliferation, colony formation, migration, apoptosis, autophagy and epithelial mesenchymal transition. Glutathione-S-transferase π is an enzyme that plays an important role in drug resistance. DHA inhibited GSTπ protein expression and induced cytoprotective autophagy by regulating the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in PC3R cells. DHA combined with PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) enhanced apoptosis by alleviating the expression of LC3B, (pro-) caspase- 3 and (uncleaved) PARP. DHA induced ferroptosis by attenuating the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). DHA-treated PC3R cells produced ROS. The ROS and cytotoxicity were reversed by treatment with ferrostatin-1. DHA combined with docetaxel inhibited EMT by regulating the expression of E-cadhein and N-cadherin. In summary, DHA reversed drug resistance and induced cytoprotective autophagy and ferroptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2/GPX4 signalling pathway in PC3R cells. We propose that DHA could be developed as a chemosensitizer and that the PI3K/AKT /Nrf2/GPX4 signalling pathway might be a promising therapeutic target for overcoming cancer drug resistance.

[Identification of Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-EDMB-PICA in Suspicious Herbal Products].

ABSTRACT: Objective To study the qualitative analysis strategy for unknown synthetic cannabinoid in the suspicious herbal product when no reference substance is available. Methods The synthetic cannabinoid in herbal blend was extracted with methanol. The extract was concentrated by rotary evaporator and separated and purified by preparative liquid chromatography, to obtain high purity synthetic cannabinoid sample. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-QTOF-MS） and nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） were used to determine the structure of the prepared compound. Results High purity unknown sample （10 mg） was obtained by preparative liquid chromatography. The sample was analyzed by GC-MS, UPLC-TOF-MS and NMR, and through spectrum analysis, the unknown synthetic cannabinoid was determined as 5F-EDMB-PICA. Conclusion The method to extract unknown synthetic cannabinoid from low content herbal products by preparative liquid chromatography was established, and the structure of the unknown sample was identified by comprehensive use of GC-MS, UPLC-QTOF-MS and NMR. The information will assist forensic laboratories in identifying this substance or other compounds with similar structures in their casework.

[Determination of Salt Forms of New Psychoactive Substances by Ion Chromatography].

ABSTRACT: Objective To establish an ion chromatography method for the salt form determination of new psychoactive substances （NPS）. Methods The method of conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis of six types of organic acid ions （acetate ion, tartrate ion, maleate ion, oxalate ion, fumarate ion, citrate ion） and five types of inorganic anions （fluoride ion, chloride ion, nitrate ion, sulfate ion, phosphate ion） in NPS sample by ion chromatography was developed. The salt forms of 222 seized NPS samples （103 samples with synthetic cannabinoids, 81 samples with cathinones, 44 samples with phenylethylamines, 12 samples with tryptamines, 7 samples with phencyclidines, 6 samples with piperazines, 2 samples with aminoindenes, 26 samples with fentanyls and 43 samples with other types of NPS） were analyzed by this method. Results Each anion had good linearity in the corresponding linear range, the correlation coefficients （r） were greater than 0.999, the limits of detection were 0.01-0.05 mg/L, and the limits of quantitative were 0.1-0.5 mg/L. Except that 5F-BEPIRAPIM was hydrochloride, the salt forms of the other 102 synthetic cannabinoids were all base. The salt form of 81 cathinone samples, 44 phenylethylamine samples, 7 phencyclidine samples and 2 aminoindene samples were all hydrochloride. The salt forms of tryptamine samples included base, hydrochloride, fumarate and oxalate. The salt forms of piperazine samples included base and hydrochloride. The salt forms of fentanyl samples and samples of other types included base, hydrochloride and citrate. Conclusion Ion chromatography is a simple, accurate and efficient method for determining the salt form of NPS samples, which makes the qualitative and quantitative conclusions of NPS more scientific and rigorous.

Rapid Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Caffeine and Sodium Benzoate in Annaca by Infrared Spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT: Objective To establish an infrared spectroscopic method for the rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of caffeine and sodium benzoate in Annaka samples. Methods Qualitative and quantitative modeling samples were prepared by mixing high-purity caffeine and sodium benzoate. The characteristic absorption peaks of caffeine and sodium benzoate in Annaka samples were determined by analyzing the infrared spectra of the mixed samples. The quantitative model of infrared spectra was established by partial least squares （PLS）. Results By analyzing the infrared spectra of 17 mixed samples of caffeine and sodium benzoate （the purity of caffeine ranges from 10% to 80%）, the characteristic absorption peaks for caffeine were determined to be 1 698, 1 650, 1 237, 972, 743, and 609 cm-1. The characteristic absorption peaks for sodium benzoate were 1 596, 1 548, 1 406, 845, 708 and 679 cm-1. When the detection of all characteristic absorption peaks was the positive identification criteria, the positive detection rate of caffeine and sodium benzoate in 48 seized Annaka samples was 100%. The linear range of PLS quantitative model for caffeine was 10%-80%, the coefficient of determination （ R2） was 99.9%, the root mean square error of cross validation （RMSECV） was 0.68%, and the root mean square error of prediction （RMSEP） was 0.91%; the linear range of PLS quantitative model for sodium benzoate was 20%-90%, the R2 was 99.9%, the RMSECV was 0.91% and the RMSEP was 1.11%. The results of paired sample t test showed that the differences between the results of high performance liquid chromatography method and infrared spectroscopy method had no statistical significance. The established infrared quantitative method was used to analyze 48 seized Annaka samples, the purity of caffeine was 27.6%-63.1%, and that of sodium benzoate was 36.9%-72.3%. Conclusion The rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of caffeine and sodium benzoate in Annaka samples by infrared spectroscopy method could improve identification efficiency and reduce determination cost.

First Measurements of Electrons and Waves inside an Electrostatic Solitary Wave.

Electrostatic solitary wave (ESW)-a Debye-scale structure in space plasmas-was believed to accelerate electrons. However, such a belief is still unverified in spacecraft observations, because the ESW usually moves fast in spacecraft frame and its interior has never been directly explored. Here, we report the first measurements of an ESW's interior, by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission located in a magnetotail reconnection jet. We find that this ESW has a parallel scale of 5λ_{De} (Debye length), a superslow speed (99 km/s) in spacecraft frame, a longtime duration (250 ms), and a potential drop eφ_{0}/kT_{e}∼5%. Inside the ESW, surprisingly, there is no electron acceleration, no clear change of electron distribution functions, but there exist strong electrostatic electron cyclotron waves. Our observations challenge the conventional belief that ESWs are efficient at particle acceleration.

[Structure Analysis and Characterization of Aminorex Analogue 4'-F-4-MAR].

ABSTRACT: Objective To study the identification method for 4'-F-4-methylaminorex （4'-F-4-MAR） in samples without reference substance. Methods Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry （UPLC-QTOF-MS）, nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） and Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） were comprehensively used for the structure identification of 4'-F-4-MAR in samples. Results Under the positive electrospray ionization （ESI+） mode, quasi-molecular ion in the first order mass spectrometry of the unknown compound was 195.092 6 and its molecular formula was inferred to be C10H11FN2O. The fragment ions in the mass spectrometry of the unknown compound were compared with the related fragment ions of 4,4'-dimethylaminorex （4,4'-DMAR） in literature. It was found that the main fragment ions of the unknown compound were all 4 bigger than the corresponding fragment ions of 4,4'-DMAR. Therefore, the unknown compound was inferred to be a 4,4'-DMAR analogue with a methyl substituted by a fluorine in the benzene ring. The equivalent protons at δ=7.30 and δ=7.06 in 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance （1H-NMR） spectra and the characteristic spin-spin coupling constants （1JC-F=245.2 Hz, 2JC-F=21.3 Hz, 3JC-F=8.1 Hz） for 13C-19F interactions in carbon spectra, further proved that the fluorine substituted methyl at the para-position of the benzene ring. Finally, the unknown compound was determined as 4'-F-4-MAR. Conclusion A method that comprehensively used the identification materials 4'-F-4-MAR in GC-MS, UPLC-QTOF-MS, NMR and FTIR is established and the fragmentation mechanism of fragmentation ions of 4'-F-4-MAR created under the two modes -- electron impact （EI） and electrospray ionization under collision induced dissociation （ESI-CID） is deduced. The information will assist forensic science laboratories in identifying this compound or other substances with similar structure in their case work.

A hippocampus to prefrontal cortex neural pathway inhibits food motivation through glucagon-like peptide-1 signaling.

The hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are traditionally associated with regulating memory and executive function, respectively. The contribution of these brain regions to food intake control, however, is poorly understood. The present study identifies a novel neural pathway through which monosynaptic glutamatergic ventral hippocampal field CA1 (vCA1) to mPFC connectivity inhibits food-motivated behaviors through vCA1 glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R). Results demonstrate that vCA1-targeted RNA interference-mediated GLP-1R knockdown increases motivated operant responding for palatable food. Chemogenetic disconnection of monosynaptic glutamatergic vCA1 to mPFC projections using designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs)-mediated synaptic silencing ablates the food intake and body weight reduction following vCA1 GLP-1R activation. Neuropharmacological experiments further reveal that vCA1 GLP-1R activation reduces food intake and inhibits impulsive operant responding for palatable food via downstream communication to mPFC NMDA receptors. Overall these findings identify a novel neural pathway regulating higher-order cognitive aspects of feeding behavior.

ROR2 modulates neuropathic pain via phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunit GluN2B in rats.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain, a type of chronic pain as a result of direct central or peripheral nerve damage, is associated with significant quality of life and functional impairment. Its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether ROR2, a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor (ROR) family, participates in modulation of neuropathic pain. METHODS: Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were measured using radiant heat and von Frey filament testing. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect expression of ROR2 in neuronal nuclei. Fos expression was determined by immunocytochemistry. Phosphorylation status was detected by western blot and immunoprecipitation. Small interfering RNA was used to knock down ROR2 expression. RESULTS: ROR2 was upregulated and activated in spinal neurones after chronic constriction injury (CCI) in mice [1.3 (0.1) to 2.1 (0.1)-fold of sham, P<0.01] from Day 1-21. CCI induced significant demethylation of the CpG island in the ROR2 gene promoter [0.37 (0.06) vs 0.12 (0.03)% CpG methylation, P<0.001]. Knockdown of ROR2 in the spinal cord prevented and reversed CCI-induced pain behaviours and spinal neuronal sensitisation [Fos expression: 130 (12) vs 81 (8) cells, P<0.05; 120 (11) vs 70 (7) cells, P<0.05]. In contrast, activation of spinal ROR2 by intrathecal injection of Wnt5a induced pain behaviours and spinal neuronal sensitisation [Fos expression: 11 (1) vs 100 (12) cells, P<0.001] in wild-type mice. Furthermore, ROR2-mediated pain modulation required phosphorylation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit (GluN2B) at Ser 1303 and Tyr1472 by pathways involving protein kinase C (PKC) and Src family kinases. Intrathecal injection of GluN2B, PKC, or Src family kinase-specific inhibitors significantly attenuated Wnt5a-induced pain behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: ROR2 in the spinal cord regulates neuropathic pain via phosphorylation of GluN2B, suggesting a potential target for prevention and relief of neuropathic pain.

Mass Spectral Character of Fentanyl Analogues.

ABSTRACT: Objective To provide the reference for the identification of unknown fentanyl analogues by studying the characteristic ions and main fragmentation pathways of fentanyl analogues in the modes of collision induced dissociation （CID） and electron ionization （EI）. Methods Nine fentanyl analogues （2, 2'-difluorofentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, butyl fentanyl, valeryl fentanyl, acryloyl fentanyl, furan fentanyl, 4-fluorine isobutyl fentanyl, carfentanyl） were selected and analyzed with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry （UHPLC-QTOF-MS） and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. The mass spectrum obtained was analyzed. The CID and EI fragmentation routes of fentanyl analogues were speculated. Results The CID and EI fragmentation pathways were highly similar. In the CID mode, characteristic ions were formed by the carbon-nitrogen bond cleavage between the piperidine ring and the N-phenyl-amide moiety, within the piperidine ring, and between the phenethyl and piperidine ring. While in the EI mode, dissociation of the piperidine ring, as well as cleavage between the piperidine ring and the phenethyl were the main fragmentation pathways. Conclusion This study summarizes the main fragmentation pathways and characteristic ions of fentanyl analogues in the CID and EI modes, which is useful for forensic laboratories to identify and structural analyze fentanyl type new psychoactive substance in practical work.

A splicing-regulatory polymorphism in DRD2 disrupts ZRANB2 binding, impairs cognitive functioning and increases risk for schizophrenia in six Han Chinese samples.

The rs1076560 polymorphism of DRD2 (encoding dopamine receptor D2) is associated with alternative splicing and cognitive functioning; however, a mechanistic relationship to schizophrenia has not been shown. Here, we demonstrate that rs1076560(T) imparts a small but reliable risk for schizophrenia in a sample of 616 affected families and five independent replication samples totaling 4017 affected and 4704 unaffected individuals (odds ratio=1.1; P=0.004). rs1076560(T) was associated with impaired verbal fluency and comprehension in schizophrenia but improved performance among healthy comparison subjects. rs1076560(T) also associated with lower D2 short isoform expression in postmortem brain. rs1076560(T) disrupted a binding site for the splicing factor ZRANB2, diminished binding affinity between DRD2 pre-mRNA and ZRANB2 and abolished the ability of ZRANB2 to modulate short:long isoform-expression ratios of DRD2 minigenes in cell culture. Collectively, this work implicates rs1076560(T) as one possible risk factor for schizophrenia in the Han Chinese population, and suggests molecular mechanisms by which it may exert such influence.

Influence of continuous intervention on growth and metastasis of human cervical cancer cells and expression of RNAmiR-574-5p.

This study was carried out to acquire solid evidence that some common treatments could affect micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) by revealing the regulatory effect of genes, so as to provide a reference for further exploration of the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. Nude mouse tumorigenicity assay was used to study the effect of inhibiting miR-574-5p on development and tumorigenic ability of Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) tumor. Cell wound scratch assay, flow cytometry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were adopted to study the effects of anoxia and temperature, etc., on expression of miR-574-5p and QKI in HeLa as well as on the clone and migration ability of cells, to provide prevention and treatment of cervical cancer with new ideas and evidence. The results demonstrated that cervical cancer tissues had a significantly increased miR-574-5p expression compared with para-carcinoma tissues; conversely, Gomafu, overall QKI (pan-QKI) and QKI-5 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression all decreased. Part of the common nursing methods had a certain influence on miR-574-5p expression, HeLa reproduction and metastasis, and even cell cycle. For example, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was effective in decreasing miR-574-5p expression of HeLa and inhibiting cell migration; severe hypoxia significantly decreased the survival rate of HeLa, leading to the increase of programmed death percentage and cell ratio in G2/M phase as well as the decrease of cell ratio in G1 phase. Incubation at different temperatures also affected miR-574-5p expression and cell proliferation. Thus, it can be known that miR-574-5p, Gomafu and QKI expression in cervical cancer tissues and para-carcinoma tissues are significantly up-regulated or down-regulated. Some treatments, such as UV irradiation, hypoxia, incubation temperatures, etc., can affect miR-574-5p expression and HeLa proliferation as well as metastases in different degrees. These findings provide a reference and basis for further study.

Short hairpin ribonucleic acid constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 rehabilitated dyslipidaemia in diabetic rats.

It was investigated whether short hairpin ribonucleic acid constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3 shRNA) can rehabilitate dyslipidaemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. After 12 weeks of intracavernous administration of IGFBP-3 shRNA, intracavernous pressure responses to electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves were evaluated. The concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate were all detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The per cent of smooth muscle in corpus cavernous tissue was also evaluated. It was found that the cavernosal pressure was significantly increased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group after 12 weeks of intracavernous administration of IGFBP-3 shRNA (P < 0.01). The concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group, while no significant changes of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration were found (P < 0.01). At the same time, cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations and the percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle were both significantly increased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group (P < 0.01). This study indicated that IGFBP-3 shRNA might rehabilitate erectile function via a decrease in concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride, an increase in the percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle and an improvement in the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate signalling activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Association of older paternal age with earlier onset among co-affected schizophrenia sib-pairs.

BACKGROUND: Advanced paternal age is associated with increased risk of schizophrenia. This study aimed to explore whether older paternal age is associated with earlier onset among co-affected schizophrenia sib-pairs with the same familial predisposition. METHOD: A total of 1297 patients with schizophrenia from 630 families, which were ascertained to have at least two siblings affected, throughout Taiwan were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. Both inter-family comparisons, a hierarchical regression model allowing for familial dependence and adjusting for confounders, and within-family comparisons, examining the consistency between onset order and birth order, were performed. RESULTS: An inverted U shape was observed between paternal age and onset of schizophrenia. Affected offspring with paternal age of 20-24 years had the oldest onset. As paternal age increased over 25 years, older paternal age exhibited a linear decrease in the onset of schizophrenia. On average, the onset was lowered by 1.5 years for paternal age of 25-29 years and by 5.5 years for paternal age ⩾50 years (p = 0.04; trend test). The proportion of younger siblings with earlier onset (58%) was larger than that of older siblings with earlier onset (42%) (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that paternal age older than 25 years and younger than 20 years were both associated with earlier onset among familial schizophrenia cases. The associations of advanced paternal age with both increased susceptibility to schizophrenia and earlier onset of schizophrenia are consistent with the rate of increases in spontaneous mutations in sperm as men age.

Effect of intracoronary tirofiban on platelet alpha-granule membrane protein and myocardial perfusion level during emergency percutaneous coronary intervention.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of intracoronary application of tirofiban on platelet alpha-granule membrane protein (GMP-140) and myocardial perfusion levels during emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 70 patients who accepted emergency PCI treatment were randomly divided into tirofiban and control groups. We determined GMP-140 and troponin I (cTnI) levels before and 12 h after surgery, as well as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels 1 and 7 days after surgery in the two groups. The results showed that GMP-140 and cTnI levels were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in the tirofiban group than in the control group 12 h after operation (17.99 ± 1.01 vs 24.56 ± 1.96 µg/L and 50.96 ± 2.20 vs 58.69 ± 2.34 ng/mL, respectively). The D-value of the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels between 1 and 7 days after operation was significantly higher in the tirofiban group than in the control group (894.19 ± 90.91 vs 829.50 ± 84.18 pg/mL; P < 0.01). The intracoronary application of tirofiban during emergency PCI clearly reduced the GMP-140 level, inhibited the activation function of platelets, improved myocardial perfusion, and helped recover cardiac function in patients.

Effects of thrombin on the secondary cerebral injury of perihematomal tissues of rats after intracerebral hemorrhage.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of thrombin released in hematoma after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) on the cerebral injury of perihematomal tissues and to evaluate the protection effect of hirudin on the cerebral injury after ICH. We used the autologous uncoagulated blood injection method to prepare the ICH rat model, and all rats were randomly divided into a normal group, an ICH group, or a hirudin group. At different time points, rat heads were cut to harvest brain sections. Immunohistochemical staining, histochemical staining, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were conducted for CD34, microglia, and neutrocytes. CD34-positive microvessels were most abundant in brain tissues of the sham-operation group. At 12 h after ICH, CD34 expression reduced and reached the minimum level at 72 h (P<0.01). At 6 h after ICH, microglia expression was visible and reached a peak at 48 h (P<0.01). At 12 h after ICH, neutrocyte infiltration was visible and the number was greatest at 48 h (P<0.01). The early application of hirudin after ICH could significantly reduce microglia and neutrocyte expression and could significantly slow down the CD34 decrease trend (P<0.01). However, hirudin application in the edematization stage after ICH did not significantly increase CD34- positive microvessel abundance (P>0.05). A thrombin-mediated inflammatory reaction is involved in the cerebral injury after ICH, and the early application of hirudin has a protective effect.

Antigenicity and functional properties of ß-lactoglobulin conjugated with fructo-oligosaccharides in relation to conformational changes.

Bovine ß-lactoglobulin (ß-LG) was conjugated with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) by Maillard reaction to investigate the relationship among antigenicity, functional properties, and conformational changes of ß-LG. When comparing the antigenicity of ß-LG conjugated with FOS at different ratios, the lowest antigenicity of ß-LG was observed at a ratio of 1:4, which was about 7 times lower than that of the control ß-LG. Thus, the ratio of 1:4 was chosen to conjugate ß-LG with FOS, and the functional properties and conformational changes of ß-LG-FOS conjugates were investigated. The functional properties (solubility, emulsifying ability, and emulsion stability) of ß-LG were enhanced after conjugation with FOS. Furthermore, the molecular weight of ß-LG increased from 18.4 to 19.9 kDa after conjugation with FOS, as evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Partial unfolding of ß-LG occurred after conjugation with FOS, as reflected by the quenching of fluorescence, the red-shift of fluorescence spectra, and the increase of ß-strands, which may contribute to the decrease in antigenicity and the improvement of functional properties.

Three-dimensional ultrasonographic assessment of compression effect on urethra following tension-free vaginal tape and transobturator tape procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anatomical difference using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound between the urethra at rest and during straining, in women who have undergone a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) or TVT-obturator tape (TVT-O) procedure for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively 48 women with SUI who had undergone either a TVT (n = 24) or a TVT-O (n = 24) procedure. All women underwent urinalysis, pelvic examination, pad test, 3D perineal ultrasonography and personal interview about urinary symptoms within 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: After both TVT and TVT-O procedures, the area and longest and shortest diameters of the hypoechoic core of the mid-urethra were significantly smaller during straining than during resting (P < 0.01). The distance between tape and urethra was similarly smaller during straining in both groups. Analysis of ultrasound measurements in women reporting success (n = 40) and those reporting failure (n = 8) of the procedure showed the area and longest and shortest diameters of the hypoechoic core of the mid-urethra to be significantly smaller during straining than during resting in both groups (P < 0.01). However, the shortest diameter of the proximal and distal urethra during straining were significantly smaller only in the successful group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There are differences in urethral morphology during straining compared with during resting in women with TVT and those with TVT-O, regardless of tape procedure. A urethral compression effect of slings may have an important role in the continence mechanism.

Impact of interleukin-8 gene polymorphisms and environmental factors on oral cancer susceptibility in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-8 (IL-8), which is an angiogenic chemokine with a high expression level in tumor tissues, plays important roles in developing many human malignancies including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study was designed to examine the association of IL-8 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC. METHODS: A total of 270 patients with OSCC and 350 healthy control subjects were recruited. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-8 genes were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genotyping analysis. RESULTS: Results showed that four IL-8 SNPs (-251 T/A, +781 C/T, +1633 C/T, and +2767 A/T) were not associated with oral cancer susceptibility as well as clinicopathological parameters. But among 345 smokers, IL-8 polymorphisms carriers with betel quid chewing were found to have a 17.41- to 23.14-fold risk to have oral cancer compared to IL-8 wild-type carriers without betel quid chewing. Among 262 betel quid chewers, IL-8 polymorphisms carriers with smoking have a 10.54- to 20.44-fold risk to have oral cancer compared to those who carried wild type without smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the combination of IL-8 gene polymorphisms and environmental carcinogens might be highly related to the risk of oral cancer.