Congenital Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Very Low Birth Weight Neonate: A Case Report.

Congenital tuberculosis is rare and carries a high mortality rate. In this study, we report a case of congenital pulmonary tuberculosis in a very low birth weight of 1310g neonate born at the gestational age of 30 weeks 4 days. The mother of the patient had a fever a week before the delivery, and her symptoms improved after taking antibiotics. At the 9th day after birth, the neonate developed a fever, there was no improvement after the administration of antibiotics. Considering the maternal history and clinical suspicion of tuberculosis, we performed a series of screening tests and congenital pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed. After anti-tuberculosis treatment, the patient improved and was discharged.

[Corrigendum] Grifola frondosa polysaccharides induce breast cancer cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, in Fig. 3B on p. 1092, the western blots shown for 'Bax' in the MCF-7 group and 'Cleaved Caspase-8' in the MDA-MB-231 group were strikingly similar, such that these may have been the identical data re-used in the same figure. The authors have subsequently re­examined their data, and realize that the Cleaved Caspase-8 blots were incorrectly used in Fig. 3B during the process of assembling this figure (i.e., the western blots were duplicated, and these were correctly shown as the data for Bax in the MCF-7 group). Furthermore, the authors have realized that the western blots selected for the Cleaved Caspase-3 experiment in the western blots shown in Fig. 5D on p. 1093 were not as clear as they could have been, and also requested that the data here be changed for those from one of the repeated experiments. Consequently, the revised versions of Figs. 3 and 5, containing the correct data for the Cleaved Caspase-8 blots in the MDA-MB-231 group in Fig. 3B and the replacement Cleaved Caspase-3 blots in Fig. 5C, are shown on the next page. These errors did not affect the major conclusions reported in the paper. All the authors agree to the publication of this corrigendum, and thank the Editor of International Journal of Molecular Medicine for allowing them the opportunity to publish this. The authors regret the error that went unnoticed during the compilation of the figures in question, and apologize to the readership for any confusion that this may have caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 40: 1089-1095, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3081].

Sex Differences in Depression Caused by Early Life Stress and Related Mechanisms.

Depression is a common psychiatric disease caused by various factors, manifesting with continuous low spirits, with its precise mechanism being unclear. Early life stress (ELS) is receiving more attention as a possible cause of depression. Many studies focused on the mechanisms underlying how ELS leads to changes in sex hormones, neurotransmitters, hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) axis function, and epigenetics. The adverse effects of ELS on adulthood are mainly dependent on the time window when stress occurs, sex and the developmental stage when evaluating the impacts. Therefore, with regard to the exact sex differences of adult depression, we found that ELS could lead to sex-differentiated depression through multiple mechanisms, including 5-HT, sex hormone, HPA axis, and epigenetics.

Congenital intestinal malrotation with gastric wall defects causing extensive gut necrosis and short gut syndrome: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital intestinal malrotation (CIM) is a common malformation in neonates. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention can improve the prognosis. CIM combined with congenital gastric wall defect is a potentially fatal condition. We present a severe case of CIM with gastric wall defect causing extensive gut necrosis and short gut syndrome. After three operations, the neonate survived and subsequently showed normal growth and development during infancy. CASE SUMMARY: A male neonate (age: 4 d) was hospitalized due to bloody stools and vomiting for 2 d, and abdominal distention for 1 d. Emergent exploratory laparotomy revealed black purplish discoloration of the bowel loops. Bowel alignment was abnormal with congestion and dilatation of the entire intestine, and clockwise mesentery volvulus (720°). The posterior wall of the gastric body near the greater curvature showed a defect in the muscularis layer (approximately 5.5 cm), and a circular perforation (approximately 3 cm diameter) at the center of this defect. Ladd's procedure was performed and gastric wall defect was repaired. Third operation performed 53 d after birth revealed extensive adherence of small intestine and peritoneum, and adhesion angulated between many small intestinal loops. We performed intestinal adhesiolysis, resection of necrotic intestine, and small bowel anastomosis. CONCLUSION: This case highlights that prolonged medical treatment may help improve intestinal salvage after surgical removal of necrotic intestines, and improve patient prognosis.

Lumbar Puncture in the prone position for Low Birth Weight Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar puncture in the lateral decubitus position will make the neonates uncomfortable and is likely to cause position change and unstable vital signs, and the application of sedative drugs will cause adverse effects. This study explored a novel method for lumbar puncture in the prone position for low weight neonates. METHODS: The neonates were randomly assigned into the standard position group receiving lumbar puncture in the lateral decubitus position; and the improved position group receiving lumbar puncture in the prone position. The success rate of first time attempts and the overall success rate of lumbar puncture, incidence of adverse effects, NIAPAS scores were collected and compared between these two groups. The difference in success rate and adverse effects incidence rate was analysed through Chi-square. Student's t-test was used for the test of NIAPAS rating. RESULTS: The improved position group had a higher success rate of first attempt and overall success rate, significantly lower incidence of adverse effect and lower NIAPAS scores than those of the standard position group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This lumbar puncture in the prone position is safer, more effective, and more comfortable for preterm neonates and those with low birth weight. Thus, this method is worth of further promotion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration number, ChiCTR2100049923; Date of Registration, August 11, 2021; Retrospectively registered.

Mechanisms of paeoniaceae action as an antidepressant.

Paeoniflorin (PF) has been widely used for the treatment of depression in mice models, some Chinese herbal compound containing PF on treating depression, such as Xiaoyao San, Chaihu-Shugan-San, Danggui Shaoyao San etc. Many experiments are also verifying whether PF in these powders can be used as an effective component in the treatment of depression. Therefore, in this review the antidepressant effect of PF and its mechanism of action are outlined with particular focus on the following aspects: increasing the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, inhibiting the HPA axis, promoting neuroprotection, enhancing neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and elevating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This review may be helpful for the application of PF in the treatment of depression.

High glucose induces Nox4 expression and podocyte apoptosis through the Smad3/ezrin/PKA pathway.

Podocytes are the major target in proteinuric kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy. The underlying molecular mechanisms by which high glucose (HG) results in podocyte damage remain unclear. This study investigated the regulatory role of Smad3, ezrin, and protein kinase A (PKA) in NADPH oxidase (Nox4) expression, reactive oxidative species (ROS) production, and apoptosis in HG-treated podocytes. A human podocyte cell line was cultured and differentiated, then treated with 30 mM HG. Apoptosis and intracellular ROS levels were assessed using TUNEL and DCF assays, respectively. Expressions of Nox4, phospho-Smad3Ser423/425, phospho-PKAThr197, and phospho-ezrinThr567 were evaluated using western blotting. ELISA was used to quantify intracellular cAMP concentration and PKA activity. Knockdown assay was used to inhibit the expressions of Smad3, Nox4, and ezrin by lentiviral shRNA. In HG-treated podocytes, the level of phospho-Smad3Ser423/425 and phospho-ezrinThr567 was increased significantly, which was accompanied by the reduction of cAMP and phospho-PKAThr197. HG-induced apoptosis was significantly prevented by the Smad3-inhibitor SIS3 or shRNA-Smad3. In podocytes expressing shRNA-ezrin or shRNA-Nox4, apoptosis was remarkably mitigated following HG treatment. HG-induced upregulation of phospho-ezrinThr567 and downregulation of phospho-PKAThr197 was significantly prevented by SIS3, shRNA-ezrin or shRNA-Smad3. Forskolin, a PKA activator, significantly inhibited HG-mediated upregulation of Nox4 expression, ROS generation, and apoptosis. Additionally, an increase in the ROS level was prohibited in HG-treated podocytes with the knockdown of Nox4, Smad3, or ezrin. Taken together, our findings provided evidence that Smad3-mediated ezrin activation upregulates Nox4 expression and ROS production, by suppressing PKA activity, which may at least in part contribute to HG-induced podocyte apoptosis.

Effect of Early Life Stress on the Epigenetic Profiles in Depression.

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders and has caused an overwhelming burden on world health. Abundant studies have suggested that early life stress may grant depressive-like phenotypes in adults. Childhood adversities that occurred in the developmental period amplified stress events in adulthood. Epigenetic-environment interaction helps to explain the role of early life stress on adulthood depression. Early life stress shaped the epigenetic profiles of the HPA axis, monoamine, and neuropeptides. In the context of early adversities increasing the risk of depression, early life stress decreased the activity of the glucocorticoid receptors, halted the circulation and production of serotonin, and reduced the molecules involved in modulating the neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Generally, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and the regulation of non-coding RNAs programmed the epigenetic profiles to react to early life stress. However, genetic precondition, subtypes of early life stress, the timing of epigenetic status evaluated, demographic characteristics in humans, and strain traits in animals favored epigenetic outcomes. More research is needed to investigate the direct evidence for how early life stress-induced epigenetic changes contribute to the vulnerability of depression.

Grifola frondosa polysaccharides induce breast cancer cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway.

Grifola frondosa, a type of food and medical fungus, has been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities, including anticancer effects. As the most typical cancer diagnosed among female patients, breast cancer remains a huge concern threatening human health globally. In the present study, the anti-breast cancer effects of Grifola frondosa polysaccharides (GFPs) and the underlying mechanisms were investigated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, as well as in nude mice bearing MCF-7 tumor xenografts. GFPs exerted cytotoxic effects on the cells, as indicated by a decrease in cell viability, and an increase in the apoptototic rate, lactate dehydrogenase release and reactive oxygen species accumulation, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. The increased expression of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8, and the reduced levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-extra large (Bcl­xL) were observed in the cells incubated with GFPs and in the tumor tissues of the mice treated with GFPs. Moreover, the GFPs significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of AKT/glycogen synthase kinase-3ß and extracellular signal-regulated kinases in a time-dependent manner. Finally, the inhibition of MCF-7 tumor xenograft growth further confirmed the anti-breast cancer effects of GFPs. All these findings revealed that GFPs induced human breast cancer cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway, and provide experimental evidence to support the use of Grifola frondosa as a potential treatment for breast cancer.

Calcium channels contribute to albiflorin-mediated antinociceptive effects in mouse model.

Albiflorin (AF), one of important bioactive constituents of Paeonia lactiflora Radix, possesses neuro-protective effect. The present study aims to investigate the antinociceptive activities of AF and possible mechanisms. AF suppressed acetic acid-caused writhing, lengthened the latency period of mouse in hot plate test, and reduced the licking and biting response time of the injected mouse paw during phase I and phase II, and it suggested that AF exerted the antinociceptive activity mainly through central nervous system. Nimodipine, a commonly used calcium channels blocker, strongly lengthened AF-enhanced latency period of mouse in hot plate test. Compared with control group, AF reduced the levels of euronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and enhanced the levels of serotonin (5-HT) in serum and/or hypothalamus before and after 30-s thermal stimuli. The reduced activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in hypothalamus was observed in AF-treated mice. Collectively, AF-mediated antinociceptive activities were, at least partially, related to calcium channels.