Functional connection between the stereotyped behavior and the motor front area in children with autism.

OBJECT: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is characterized by stereotyped behavior, attention deficit and/or impaired sensory perception to external stimuli. Its neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study we examined the resting-state functional connectivity of the premotor area and investigated its correlation with behavioral variables to determine whether connectivity alterations can distinguish ASD from healthy controls. METHODS: 39 children with ASD and 42 healthy children with matched age, sex and intelligence were recruited. All the 81 subjects had behavioral index evaluation and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. After MRI data preprocessing, the left and right premotor areas were selected as region of interest (ROI) seeds to perform functional connectivity. Groups were compared, and the correlation between functional connectivity and behavioral indicators was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, ASD children showed significantly increased functional connectivity between the left premotor area and the posterior cingulate gyrus or anterior lobe of wedge, but functional connectivity between the left premotor area and the left insular lobe was decreased (p < 0.05, FDR correction). In addition, the connectivity between the left premotor area and the left insular lobe was negatively correlated with the behavioral scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Imbalanced premotor functional connectivity may be one possible mechanism of stereotyped behavior in ASD.

[Suitability of four stomatal conductance models in agro-pastoral ecotone in North China: A case study for potato and oil sunflower.] / 气孔导度模型在北方农牧交错带的适用性评价­­ä»¥é©¬é“ƒè–¯å’Œæ²¹è‘µä¸ºä¾‹.

The suitability of four popular empirical and semi-empirical stomatal conductance models (Jarvis model, Ball-Berry model, Leuning model and Medlyn model) was evaluated based on para-llel observation data of leaf stomatal conductance, leaf net photosynthetic rate and meteorological factors during the vigorous growing period of potato and oil sunflower at Wuchuan experimental station in agro-pastoral ecotone in North China. It was found that there was a significant linear relationship between leaf stomatal conductance and leaf net photosynthetic rate for potato, whereas the linear relationship appeared weaker for oil sunflower. The results of model evaluation showed that Ball-Berry model performed best in simulating leaf stomatal conductance of potato, followed by Leuning model and Medlyn model, while Jarvis model was the last in the performance rating. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) was 0.0331, 0.0371, 0.0456 and 0.0794 mol·m-2·s-1, the normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) was 26.8%, 30.0%, 36.9% and 64.3%, and R-squared (R2) was 0.96, 0.61, 0.91 and 0.88 between simulated and observed leaf stomatal conductance of potato for Ball-Berry model, Leuning model, Medlyn model and Jarvis model, respectively. For leaf stomatal conductance of oil sunflower, Jarvis model performed slightly better than Leuning model, Ball-Berry model and Medlyn model. RMSE was 0.2221, 0.2534, 0.2547 and 0.2758 mol·m-2·s-1, NRMSE was 40.3%, 46.0%, 46.2% and 50.1%, and R2 was 0.38, 0.22, 0.23 and 0.20 between simulated and observed leaf stomatal conductance of oil sunflower for Jarvis model, Leuning model, Ball-Berry model and Medlyn model, respectively. The path analysis was conducted to identify effects of specific meteorological factors on leaf stomatal conductance. The diurnal variation of leaf stomatal conductance was principally affected by vapour pressure saturation deficit for both potato and oil sunflower. The model evaluation suggested that the stomatal conductance models for oil sunflower are to be improved in further research.

Children with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung CT diagnosis.

In this study, we aim to investigate the imaging appearances of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung, and to enhance the understanding of this disease. A total of 11 cases with CCAM of the lung were confirmed by surgery and pathology. Preoperative chest computed tomography (CT) scan was performed in all patients, and high resolution CT scan was performed in lesion areas of 7 cases. Our results showed that there were 3 cases involving left and right lung, 5 cases involving right lung and 3 cases involving left lung. CT scan showed 6 cases with single or multiple air-filled cavities (> 2 cm in diameter) and 5 cases with multiple honeycomb-like cysts (< 1 cm in diameter). The cysts of CCAM contained air in 9 cases and a small amount of liquid in 2 cases. The complications of CCAM included different degree of emphysema in 7 patients, mediastinal hernia in 5 cases and congenital pulmonary sequestration in 1 case. All lesions have certain space-occupying effect. In conclusion, CT manifestation of CCAM of lung has certain characteristics and can provide reliable information for diagnosis of the disease.

The expression profile and promoter analysis of ultraspiracle gene in the silkworm Bombyx mori.

The nuclear receptor, ultraspiracle protein (USP), is a transcription factor and an essential component of a heterodimeric receptor complex with ecdysone receptor. However, the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of USP in silkworm are unknown. In this study, using dual-spike-in qPCR method, we examined the expression of Bombyx ultraspiracle gene (BmUSP) in various tissues of silkworm as well as expression changes after stimulation with ecdysone. The results showed that the expression levels of BmUSP gene varied in different tissues and were increased 2 h after exposure to ecdysone. To identify the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of USP gene expression in silkworm Bombyx mori, promoter truncation analyses were performed using the luciferase reporter assay and Bac-to-Bac expression system in several tissues of B. mori. BmUSP gene promoter with 5' end serial deletions showed different levels of activity in various tissues, higher in fat body and Malpighian tubule. Deletion of the region from -485 to -445 and -307 to -281 upstream of BmUSP gene abolished and increased its promoter activity, respectively. This region contains AP-1, Dfd transcription factor binding sites. These results indicate that BmUSP are expressed at different levels in different tissues of the silkworm, but all are subjected to the regulation by ecdysone. This study would provide an important foundation for investigating the mechanism underlying the transcriptional regulation of BmUSP in the silkworm.

The expression profile and promoter analysis of ß-N-acetylglucosaminidases in the silkworm Bombyx mori.

ß-N-acetylglucosaminidase (GlcNAcase) is a key enzyme in the chitin decomposition process. In this study, we investigated the gene expression profile of GlcNAcases and the regulation mechanism for one of these genes, BmGlcNAcase1, in the silkworm. We performed sequence analysis of GlcNAcase. Using dual-spike-in qPCR method, we examined the expression of Bombyx ß-N-acetylglucosaminidases (BmGlcNAcases) in various tissues of silkworm as well as expression changes after stimulation with ecdysone. Using Bac-to-Bac system and luciferase reporter vectors, we further analyzed the promoter sequence of BmGlcNAcase1. The results showed that these proteins have a highly conserved catalytic domain. The expression levels of the BmGlcNAcase genes varied in different tissues, and were increased 48 h after exposure to ecdysone. BmGlcNAcase1 gene promoter with 5'-end serial deletions showed different levels of activity in various tissues, higher in the blood, skin and fat body. Deletion of the region from -347 to -223 upstream of BmGlcNAcase-1 gene abolished its promoter activity. This region contains the binding sites for key transcription factors including Hb, BR-C Z, the HSF and the typical TATA-box element. These results indicate that BmGlcNAcases are expressed at different levels in different tissues of the silkworm, but all are subjected to the regulation by ecdysone. BmGlcNAcase1 promoter analysis has paved a foundation for further study of the gene expression patterns.

Expression analysis and RNA interference of BmCarE-10 gene from Bombyx mori.

Carboxylesterase (CarE) is a multifunctional superfamily, and it plays important roles in xenobiotic detoxification, pheromone degradation, neurogenesis and regulating development. In this research, firstly, we measured the rutin-induced transcriptional level of BmCarE-10 gene by using real-time quantitative RT-PCR method, and dual spike-in strategy. Several possible physiological functions were certified preliminarily by RNAi experiments in silkworm. Promoter truncation analysis using a dual-luciferase reporter assay in Bombyx mori ovary cells (BmN) showed that the region -705 to -625 for BmCarE-10 gene was essential for basal and rutin-induced transcriptional activity. Sequence analysis of this region revealed several potential transcriptional regulatory elements such as Croc and Dfd. The activities of the BmCarE-10 promoter in various tissues of silkworm were also measured by firefly luciferase activity and normalized by the Renilla luciferase activity. Results showed that the activity of the BmCarE-10 promoter were highest in the Malpighian tubule, followed by fat body, silk gland, midgut, epidermis, and hemocyte. The essential region for basal and rutin-induced transcriptional activity was also -894 to -502 in Malpighian tubule and fat body of silkworm. The potential core promoters of BmCarE-10 gene in B. mori are reported for the first time in this research. Further identification of cis- and trans-elements and their role in upregulation of BmCarE-10 gene may be useful for elucidating the contribution of CarE protein to the response mechanism to rutin.

[Application of hemoperfusion in children with acute tetramine poisoning].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of hemoperfusion treatment in children with acute tetramine poisoning. METHODS: Thirty-two children aged from 1 to 8 years ( mean 4.6+/-2.4 years) with acute tetramine poisoning received hemoperfusion treatment. Serum tetramine concentrations were measured by gas chromatography before hemoperfusion, 1 and 2 hrs after hemoperfusion initiation and 12 and 24 hrs by the end of hemoperfusion. The median time for full recovery of consciousness and the time to seizure control were observed. RESULTS: Seventeen children received hemoperfusion treatment for one time, 12 for twice, 2 for 4 times and 1 for 3 times. Twenty- seven (84%) cases recovered, 2 (7%) cases improved and 3 (9%) cases died of multi-organ failure. The serum tetramine concentrations 1 and 2 hrs after hrmoperfusion initiation were significantly lower than those before hemoperfusion (P<0.01). The serum tetramine concentrations 12 and 24 hrs by the end of hemoperfusion were also significantly lower than those before hemoperfusion (P<0.01). The median time for full recovery of consciousness and the time to seizure control were 5.4+/-4.2 and 10.1+/-7.3 hrs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hemoperfusion treatment is effective for acute tetramine poisoning in children.