Microcephaly type 22 and autism spectrum disorder: A case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a multifaceted etiology. This case report explores the ischemic cryptogenic vascular dissection as a potential underlying cause of ASD. METHODS: A 9-year-old child presented with symptoms of ASD, including social interaction difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive challenges. Despite conventional ASD treatments, significant improvement was only observed after addressing an underlying ischemic cryptogenic vascular dissection identified through DCE-CT. RESULTS: Following a reconstructive treatment approach to the vascular dissection, the patient showed marked improvement in cognitive functions, social abilities, and a reduction in ASD-related symptoms whether during the perioperative period or during approximately 5-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that ischemic cryptogenic vascular dissection may contribute to the symptoms of ASD. Identifying and treating underlying vascular anomalies may offer a new avenue for mitigating ASD symptoms, emphasizing the need for comprehensive diagnostic estimations in ASD management.

An in vitro and in vivo study of the role of long non-coding RNA-HOST2 in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human glioma cells.

Gliomas are the most commonly occurring primary malignant brain tumors in the central nervous system of adults. They are rarely curable and the prognosis for high grade gliomas is generally poor. Recently, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) human ovarian cancer-specific transcript 2 (HOST2) has been reported to be expressed at high levels in human ovarian cancer, involving tumorigenesis. However, little is still known about whether and how HOST2 regulates glioma development and progression. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role of HOST2 in human glioma cells. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the expression of lncRNA HOST2, let-7b, and PBX3 in human glioma cells. Cultured human glioma cells were treated with siRNA (si)-lncRNA HOST2, let-7b mimic, si-lncRNA HOST2 + let-7b inhibitor, and si-PBX3. Parameters including cell viability, colony formation, cell migration, and cell invasion were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, scratch test, and Transwell assay respectively to determine the effects of down-regulated HOST2 on glioma cells. Tumor formation in nude mice was evaluated by subcutaneous tumor formation experiment. Results showed that HOST2 and PBX3 were highly expressed in glioma tissue whereas let-7b was expressed at much lower levels. In response to treatment with si-lncRNA HOST2, si-PBX3, and let-7b mimic, glioma cell lines exhibited decreased cell viability, suppressed cell migration, invasion, and reduced colony formation of glioma cells. This was accompanied by an attenuated tumor formation with smaller volume and weight in nude mice, suggesting that down-regulated HOST2 could inhibit the tumorigenicity of glioma cells. Lastly, we found that lncRNA HOST2 was highly expressed in glioma tissues and its down-regulation could inhibit the growth and invasion of glioma cells. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 71(1):93-104, 2019.

Study on the Synergetic Fire-Retardant Effect of Nano-Sb2O3 in PBT Matrix.

Nano-Sb2O3 has excellent synergistic flame-retardant effects. It can effectively improve the comprehensive physical and mechanical properties of composites, reduce the use of flame retardants, save resources, and protect the environment. In this work, nanocomposites specimens were prepared by the melt-blending method. The thermal stability, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy of a nano-Sb2O3⁻brominated epoxy resin (BEO)⁻poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composite were analyzed, using TGA and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), coupled with EDX analysis, tensile testing, cone calorimeter tests, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and flammability tests (limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL94). SEM observations showed that the nano-Sb2O3 particles were homogeneously distributed within the PBT matrix, and the thermal stability of PBT was improved. Moreover, the degree of crystallinity and the tensile strength were improved, as a result of the superior dispersion and interfacial interactions between nano-Sb2O3 and PBT. At the same time, the limiting oxygen index and flame-retardant grade were increased as the nano-Sb2O3 content increased. The results from the cone calorimeter test showed that the peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release rate (THR), peak carbon dioxide production (PCO2P), and peak carbon monoxide production (PCOP) of the nanocomposites were obviously reduced, compared to those of the neat PBT matrix. Meanwhile, the SEM⁻energy dispersive spectrometry (EDX) analysis of the residues indicated that a higher amount of C element was left, thus the charring layer of the nanocomposites was compact. This showed that nano-Sb2O3 could promote the degradation and charring of the PBT matrix, improving thermal stability and flame retardation.