Changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate/glutamine levels in the right thalamus of patients with episodic and chronic migraine: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate/glutamine (Glx) levels in the right thalamus of patients with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) and their effects on the chronification of migraine. BACKGROUND: Migraine affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide, with 2.5%-3% of people with EM progressing to CM each year. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies have revealed altered GABA and Glx levels in the thalamus of patients with migraine without aura, but these neurometabolic concentrations are underexplored in the thalamus of patients with CM. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients with EM and CM were recruited. Mescher-Garwood point resolved spectroscopy sequence was used to acquire neurotransmitter concentrations in the right thalamus of patients with EM and CM and matched healthy controls (HCs). RESULTS: A total of 26 patients (EM, n = 11; CM, n = 15) and 16 age- and sex-matched HCs were included in the analysis. There were significantly lower GABA+/Water levels in the right thalamus of the CM group (mean ± standard deviation: 2.27 ± 0.4 [institutional units]) than that of the HC group (2.74 ± 0.4) (p = 0.026; mean difference [MD] = -0.5 [i.u.]), and lower Glx/Cr levels in the EM group (mean ± SD: 0.11 ± < 0.1) than in the HCs (0.13 ± < 0.1) and CM group (0.13 ± < 0.1) (p = 0.023, MD < -0.1, and p = 0.034, MD < -0.1, respectively). The GABA+/Glx ratio was lower in the CM group (mean ± SD: 0.38 ± 0.1) compared to the EM group (0.47 ± 0.1) (p = 0.024; MD = -0.1). The area under the curve for GABA+/Water levels in differentiating patients with CM from HCs was 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.68, 0.98; p = 0.004). Correlation analyses within the migraine group revealed no significant correlation between metabolite concentration levels and headache characteristics after Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSION: Reduced GABA+/Water levels and imbalance of excitation/inhibition in the right thalamus may contribute to migraine chronification.

Hydrophobic Modification on the Surface of SiO2 Nanoparticle: Wettability Control.

Good control of the morphology, particle size, and wettability of silica nanoparticles is of increasing importance to their use in a variety of fields. Here, we propose a strategy to tune the surface wettability of nanosilica by changing the dosage of a chemical modifier. A series of measurements, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser scatting technique, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and surface hydroxyl number and water contact angle measurement, were conducted to verify the surface chemistry and wettability of these nanoparticles. Through controlled chemical modification, the contact angle of the treated nanoparticles increases from 34.7 to 155° with increasing amount of dichlorodimethylsilane (DCDMS) within a molar ratio (MR) between DCDMS and nanoparticles of 5.17. The number of hydroxyl groups covered on the particle surface decreases gradually from 1.79 to 0.47, and the surface grafting rate could reach 73.7%. As the addition of dichlorodimethylsilane equals MR 5.17, the contact angle reaches the maximum value of 155°, which displays excellent superhydrophobicity. After surpassing the point of MR 5.17, the contact angle does not increase but starts to decrease, ultimately remaining stable at 135°. It can be concluded that the surface wettability of nano-SiO2 particles can be precisely modulated by varying the amounts of the modifier. Furthermore, the modulating mechanism of the process occurring on the surface of SiO2 particles has been investigated at the molecular level.

[Reliability and Validity of the Abridged Chinese Version of Autism Spectrum Quotient-Child form in China].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability and validity of the abridged Chinese version of the autism spectrum quotient (AQ) -child form. METHODS: A total of 86 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were recruited from the West China Hospital from July 2014 to December 2016, along with 6 896 children recruited from three schools in Chengdu. The participants completed the AQ scale under instructions from a trained interviewer. Then 170 school children were selected and repeated the AQ scale within one month. RESULTS: All subscale scores were correlated with the scale score, but with weak inter-subscale correlations. The total AQ score of the control group was continuously distributed in the population, which was similar to the normal distribution. The skewness was -0.127 and the kurtosis was -0.124, indicating that the total AQ score was negatively skewed and slightly flat in the population.There were differences in AQ scores between different genders in community children (P<0.01), with male group (42.09±9.92) higher than female group (40.07±9.94).There was no gender difference in the ASD individuals. There was a correlation between age and AQ score (R=0.06).The autistic children had a higher AQ score (54.49±14.16) than the school children (41.12±9.98)(P<0.01). Similar results were found in the subscale scores, except for"attention to detail". The AQ scale had a Cronbach α coefficient of 0.71: ranging from 0.21 to 0.69 for the subscales. The test-retest reliability was good for the scale and the subscales (all P>0.05) . The sensitivity and specificity of AQ for screening ASD was both 0. 71. CONCLUSION: The abridged Chinese version of the AQ-child scale has good psychometrics properties and may be a valid and reliable instrument for ASD screening with a cut-off score of 48.

Multiple Eruptive Dermatofibroma: A Case Report.

Background: Multiple eruptive dermatofibroma (MEDF) is a rare presentation of dermatofibroma which is frequently associated with underlying diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus infection or systemic lupus erythematosus. It generally presents a characteristic histology with hyperplasia of the epidermis, prominent bundles of collagen and a diffuse proliferation of fibrocytes. Case Summary: We report a case of MEDF in a 30-year-old man who presented with a large number of dark brownish red maculopapules distributed over the trunk and extremities for more than 10 years. According to the pathology, the patient was diagnosed with MEDF. Infections and autoimmune diseases were ruled out. As he had no clinical symptoms, and presented with lesions widely distributed over the body, we gave no special treatment, but suggested a regular examination. Conclusion: Patients with MEDF usually have no pain and pruritus. If human immunodeficiency virus infection and systemic lupus erythematosus and other causes are ruled out, and lesions are widely distributed over the body, regular check-up is recommended without specific treatment.

[Correlation of resistance to peer pressure and risky decision-making with adolescent health risk behaviors].

OBJECTIVE: To explore possible interrelationships among resistance to peer pressure, risky decision-making and health risk behaviors among young adolescents. METHODS: Based on the cluster sampling method, the participants who were recruited from 5 junior middle schools in Guangzhou and 3 junior middle schools in Shenyang city on October, 2010, were administered to complete the questionnaire concerned with their experiences with drinking and smoking during the past 30 days preceding the survey, and the hours using computer daily both in weekdays and in weekend. The level of resistance to peer influence and risky decision-making were assessed by Resistance to peer influence scale (RPIS) and Youth decision-making questionnaire (YDMQ). Logistic regression was used to explore possible interrelationships among resistance to peer influence, risky decision-making and health risk behaviors among young adolescents. RESULTS: A total of 1985 questionnaires were valid, including 1001(50.4%) boys and 984 (49.6%) girls. About 27.1% (537/1985) junior middle school students reported having health risk behaviors, boys' (30.7%, 307/1001) was higher than girls' (23.4%, 230/984) with significant gender difference (P < 0.05). The prevalence of smoking, drinking during the past 30 days before the survey and using computer over 3 hours daily in weekdays and in weekend were 5.1% (102/1985), 14.3% (284/1985), 3.5% (70/1985) and 13.7% (272/1985), respectively. The rate of drinking, using computer over 3 hours daily in weekdays and in weekend were higher in males (16.4% (164/1001), 4.5% (45/1001), 16.2% (162/1001)) than those in females (12.2% (120/984), 2.5% (25/984), 11.2% (110/984)) (P < 0.05). The scores of RPIS and YDMQ of the two cities adolescents were 2.82 ± 0.39 and 1.68 ± 0.62. The students reported smoking, drinking during the past 30 days before the survey and using computer over 3 hours daily in weekend gained lower RPIS scores (2.43 ± 0.40, 2.61 ± 0.41, 2.77 ± 0.40) than their counterparts who didn't report these kind of health risk behaviors (2.84 ± 0.38, 2.85 ± 0.38, 2.82 ± 0.39)(P < 0.05). And those reported smoking, drinking during the past 30 days before the survey and using computer over 3 hours daily in weekdays and in weekend gained higher YDMQ scores (2.38 ± 0.66, 2.06 ± 0.66, 1.97 ± 0.72, 1.84 ± 0.64, respectively) than their counterparts who didn't report these kind of health risk behaviors (1.64 ± 0.38, 1.61 ± 0.58, 1.67 ± 0.61, 1.65 ± 0.61, respectively) (P < 0.05). After adjusting gender, area, parental education degree, self-reported family economic condition, multi-variant logistic regression analysis indicated that the low and middle level of resistance to peer influence (low and middle level vs high level, had odds ratios of 2.97 (1.96 - 4.50) and 1.51 (1.05 - 2.16)), and also the middle and high level of risky decision-making (middle and high level vs low level, had odds ratios of 1.62 (1.19 - 2.22) and 3.43 (2.39 - 4.90)) were all the risk factors of adolescent health risk behaviors. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with poor ability of resistance to peer pressure and high risky decision-making were both the risk factors of adolescent health risk behaviors.

Toxicity mechanism of peri-implantation pesticide beta-cypermethrin exposure on endometrial remodeling in early pregnant mice.

Beta-cypermethrin (ß-CYP) is a universally used pyrethroid pesticide with adverse effects on human health. ß-CYP may impair endometrial remodeling in mice; however, the mechanism remains largely unknown. Endometrial remodeling plays a vital role in embryonic development and the maintenance of pregnancy. Therefore, we explored the mechanism by which peri-implantation ß-CYP administration reduces uterine remodeling in pregnant mice. The C57BL/6 J pregnant mice were administered a dose of 20 mg/kg.bw. d ß-CYP via oral gavage once daily from day 1 of gestation (GD1) to GD7. Molecular markers of endometrial remodeling, stromal cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway were evaluated in the decidual tissue of the uterus on GD7. An in vivo pseudopregnancy mouse model, a pregnant mouse model treated with an mTOR activator and an mTOR inhibitor and an in vitro decidualization model of mouse endometrial stromal cells were used to confirm ß-CYP-induced defective endometrial remodeling and the key molecules expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The results showed that ß-CYP decreased the expression of the endometrial remodeling markers MMP9 and LIF in the uterine decidua. Peri-implantation ß-CYP treatment markedly downregulated the expression of endometrial proliferation markers PCNA and Ki67 and decreased decidua thickness. Correspondingly, peri-implantation ß-CYP exposure upregulated the expression of FOXO1, P57 and p-4E-BP1 in the decidua. Further experiments showed ß-CYP significantly inhibited key molecules in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway: PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR, and p-P70S6K in the uterine decidua. Additional experiments showed that aberrant endometrial remodeling induced by ß-CYP was aggravated by rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) and partially reversed by MHY1485 (an mTOR agonist). In summary, our results indicated that a reduction in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway may enhance defective endometrial remodeling by downregulating the proliferation and differentiation of endometrial stromal cells in early pregnant mice exposed to ß-CYP. Our study elucidates the mechanism of defective endometrial remodeling induced by peri-implantation ß-CYP exposure.

P2X7R Blockade Prevents NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Pancreatic Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Chronic Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of P2X7R (purinergic 2X7 receptor) and NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3) inflammasome activation in the process of pancreatic fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis (CP). METHODS: Chronic pancreatitis was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of 50 µg/kg cerulein for 6 weeks in mice. P2X7R antagonist oxidized ATP (OxATP) or brilliant blue G (BBG) was administered after the last cerulein injection for 2 weeks. Pancreatic chronic inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated by histological score, Sirius red staining, and alpha-smooth muscle actin immunohistochemical staining. We further determined pancreatic P2X7R, NLRP3, and caspase-1 expressions in gene and protein levels and the pancreatic concentrations of caspase-1, interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and IL-18. RESULTS: The pancreatic P2X7R, NLRP3, and caspase-1 expressions in gene and protein levels and the pancreatic concentrations of caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18 were all reduced significantly in both the OxATP and BBG groups (P < 0.05). The pancreatic chronic inflammation and the fibrosis indices were all remarkably attenuated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: P2X7R antagonist OxATP and BBG significantly decreased pancreatic chronic inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse CP model and suggested that blockade of P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for CP and its fibrotic process.

[Investigation on the number of ancient medical books collected in Haiyuan Private Library].

Yang's Haiyuan Private Library in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, is the only extant one among the four famous private libraries of the Qing dynasty in Northern China. Its collection is ample and graceful and especially rich in rare and secret versions, amounting to over 2 000 kinds, 200- thousand volumes. By sorting out 5 kinds of such collections from the Yang's family catalogue of Liaocheng in Shandong, plus 3 kinds of supplemented catalogue by Wang Shaozeng, the Catalogue of Haiyuan Private Library Collected in Shandong Provincial Library, and catalogues of modern scholars, it can be basically identified that the number of medical collections of Yang's Haiyuan Private Library is 87 kinds. Supposing all kinds contain 112 works, then Haiyuan Private Library totally has 1296 volumes according to the catalogues.