Study on the disinfection effect of chlorine dioxide disinfectant (ClO2) on dental unit waterlines and its in vitro safety evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring the safety of dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) has become a pivotal issue in dental care practices, focusing on the health implications for both patients and healthcare providers. The inherent structure and usage conditions of DUWLs contribute to the risk of biofilm formation and bacterial growth, highlighting the need for effective disinfection solutions.The quest for a disinfection method that is both safe for clinical use and effective against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in DUWLs underscores the urgency of this research. MATERIALS: Chlorine dioxide disinfectants at concentrations of 5, 20, and 80 mg/L were used to treat biofilms of S. aureus and E. coli cultured in DUWLs. The disinfection effectiveness was assessed through bacterial counts and culturing. Simultaneously, human skin fibroblast cells were treated with the disinfectant to observe changes in cell morphology and cytotoxicity. Additionally, the study included corrosion tests on various metals (carbon steel, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). RESULTS: Experimental results showed that chlorine dioxide disinfectants at concentrations of 20 mg/L and 80 mg/L significantly reduced the bacterial count of S. aureus and E. coli, indicating effective disinfection. In terms of cytotoxicity, higher concentrations were more harmful to cellular safety, but even at 80 mg/L, the cytotoxicity of chlorine dioxide remained within controllable limits. Corrosion tests revealed that chlorine dioxide disinfectants had a certain corrosive effect on carbon steel and brass, and the degree of corrosion increased with the concentration of the disinfectant. CONCLUSION: After thorough research, we recommend using chlorine dioxide disinfectant at a concentration of 20 mg/L for significantly reducing bacterial biofilms in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). This concentration also ensures satisfactory cell safety and metal corrosion resistance.

Paediatric atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour of the pineal region mimicking a meningioma: a case report and literature review.

PURPOSE: Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour (AT/RT) is a highly malignant central nervous system tumour of early childhood. According to the latest WHO classification, the diagnosis of AT/RTs needs to be confirmed by the absence of SMARCB1 (INI1) or SMARCA4 (BRG1) protein expression. AT/RT in the pineal region is infrequent and most have not been proven genetically. Here, we report a case of AT/RT in the pineal region, preoperatively misdiagnosed as a meningioma. Immunohistochemistry revealed the absence of INI1 protein expression. METHOD: A 29-month-old boy was admitted to the hospital after 14 days of emotional apathy and a 2-day vomiting history. AT/RT was not considered during the initial diagnosis because this tumour is rare in this region and is often accompanied by cystic degeneration and necrosis on imaging. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgery and the tumour was completely excised. RESULT: The pathological diagnosis was AT/RT. After discharge, the patient continued chemotherapy in other hospitals but died five months after surgery because of disease progression. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the fifth case of paediatric pineal AT/RT confirmed genetically. Although in children AT/RT in the pineal gland is rare, a differential diagnosis of AT/RT should be considered when new pineal masses appear in children. For this highly malignant disease with poor prognosis, it is very important to detect and recognize the disease as soon as possible, and to adopt surgery plus multiple treatment management.

Combined detection of AFP-L3, GP73 and TIP30 enhances diagnostic accuracy for HBV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of combined tests of serum Golgi protein-73, alpha-fetoprotein- L3 and Tat-interacting protein-30 in the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Yuebei People's Hospital, Guangdong, China, from January to October 2017, and comprised hepatitis B patients and healthy controls. Serum Golgi protein-73, alpha-fetoprotein-L3 and Tat-interacting protein-30 levels in both groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Alpha-fetoprotein-L3 was separated and quantified by electrochemiluminescence immunoas says and the percentage of alpha-fetoprotein-L3 to alphafetoprotein was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 721 subjects, 525(%) were patients and 196(%) were healthy controls. Among the patients, 271(%) had chronic hepatitis B, 161(%) had liver cirrhosis and 93(%) had hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum Golgi protein-73, alpha-fetoprotein-L3 and Tat-interacting protein-30 levels were significantly different in the hepatocellular carcinoma patients compared to controls, and those with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis (p<0.01 each). The sensitivity and specificity of the combined detection of the three serum levels for diagnosing cirrhosis were 78.26% and 86.72%. The corresponding values for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma were 86.02% and 92.51%. CONCLUSIONS: Combined detection of Golgi protein-73, alpha fetoprotein-L3 and Tat-interacting protein was found to have the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Investigation and analysis of the current situation of case reporting ethical review and patient informed consent reports in comprehensive journals of clinical medicine in China / 中国医学伦理学

ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze case reporting ethical review and patient informed consent reports published in the comprehensive journals of clinical medicine in China in 2022. MethodsAccording to the data from the 2022 Edition of the Chinese Science and Technology Journal of the Citation Reports （Extended Version），the case reports published in comprehensive journals of clinical medicine in 2022 were selected as the research objects.The information on ethics and patient informed consent was extracted from the case reports that met the selection criteria，and Microsoft Excel 2021 and SPSS 21.0 were used to sort out and analyze the data. ResultsA total of 587 case reporting articles were published in the 42 included journals in 2022，of which 36 （6.13%） reported on science and technology ethics and/or informed consent.Case reports reporting on science and technology ethics and/or informed consent mostly came from the key magazine of China technology （88.89% Vs.65.88%），and the proportion of manuscripts involving science and technology ethics on the official website of the journal was relatively high （86.11% Vs.63.88%），and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe proportion of case reports of science and technology ethics and/or informed consent in journals of comprehensive discipline classification of clinical medicine was relatively low.Currently，most international journals are required to obtain the informed consent of patients or legal guardians before publishing case reports.Compared with this，there are still certain gaps in China，which need to be paid great attention to.

Effect of sleep deprivation on expression of SIRT6 in cerebellum of immature mice / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of sleep deprivation on the expression of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) in the cerebellum of immature mice.Methods:Fifty SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 4 weeks, weighing 14-16 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: control group (Con group) and sleep deprivation group (SD group). The chronic sleep deprivation model was prepared by using the multi-platform water environment method, with 20 h of sleep deprivation per day for 10 consecutive days. After sleep deprivation, a balance beam experiment was performed to test the balance and coordination ability of mice. The mice were sacrificed after anesthesia and cerebellar lobular IV-VI (4-6 cb) tissues were taken for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of the dendritic spine density of cerebellar 4-6cb Purkinje neurons (by Golgi staining), co-expression of SIRT6 and Calbindin D-28k (CbD-28k) and expression of glucose transporter Glut3 of cerebellar 4-6cb (by immunofluorescence staining). Results:Compared with group Con, the duration of passage through the balance beam was significantly prolonged, and the number of posterior foot slips was increased, the synaptic gap of cerebellar 4-6cb neurons was increased, the thickness of postsynaptic density was increased, the density of dendritic spines of Purkinje cells and the number of positive cells co-expressing SIRT6 and CbD-28k were decreased, and the expression of Glut3 was down-regulated in group SD ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sleep deprivation decreases the abilities of balance and coordination is related to down-regulating SIRT6 expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells and decreasing neuronal glucose metabolism, thus damaging the synaptic plasticity of cerebellum in immature mice.

Effect of propofol on parvalbumin neurons in medical prefrontal cortex of rats with social behavior disorders induced by chronic sleep deprivation / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of propofol on parvalbumin (PV) neurons in the medical prefrontal cortex(mPFC)of rats with social behavior disorders induced by chronic sleep deprivation.Methods:Forty-two SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=14 each) using a random number table method: control group (group Con), chronic sleep deprivation plus natural sleep group (group CSD+ NS), and chronic sleep deprivation plus propofol group (group CSD+ Pro). Sleep deprivation model was established by the modified multiple platform method, the rats were placed in the sleep-deprivation tank for 20 h a day (14: 00-10: 00), and allowed to sleep naturally for 4 h (10: 00-14: 00) a day for 28 consecutive days. Propofol 40 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected for 28 consecutive days after sleep deprivation in CSD+ Pro group. While the equal volume of 10% fat emulsion was given in Con and CSD+ NS groups. After the end of sleep deprivation, a three-box social experiment was used to detect the social behavior of rats, and the number of the PV positive cells and density of the perineuronal network (PNN) in the mPFC area were measured by immunofluorescence. Results:Compared with group Con, the pertentage of rapid eye movement sleep and sniffing time preference coefficients for the strange rat 1 in the first stage and for the strange rat 2 in the second stage were significantly decreased, and the number of the PV positive cells and density of PNN in the mPFC area were decreased in group CSD+ NS ( P<0.05). Compared with group CSD+ NS, the sniffing time preference coefficients for the strange rat 1 in the first stage and for the strange rat 2 in the second stage were significantly increased, the number of the PV positive cells and density of PNN in the mPFC area were increased( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the percentage of the rapid eye movement sleep in group CSD+ Pro. Conclusions:Propofol probably increases the number and function of PV neurons in the mPFC and ameliorates sleep deprivation-induced social behavior disorders in sleep-deprived rats.

Research progress on the self-injury behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Self-injury behavior (SIB) is a common problem behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is characterized by a series of harmful reactions made by themselves causing tissue and physical damages.It seriously affects the physical and mental health in children.An early identification of SIB in children with ASD is helpful to relieve symptoms and improve the prognosis.Aiming to enrich the understanding of SIB in children with ASD and to promote early detection and intervention, this article reviews and summarizes the research on clinical characteristics, influencing factors, evaluation, detection and intervention methods of SIB in children with ASD in recent years.

Danggui Sinitang Mitigates Gouty Arthritis in Rats by Regulating Autophagy via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of Danggui Sinitang in mitigating gouty arthritis （GA） in rats by regulating autophagy via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned into normal， model， colchicine （0.3 mg·kg-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Danggui Sinitang （6.54， 13.08， and 26.16 g·kg-1） groups （n=10） and administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage. The rats in the normal group and model group were administrated with equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 7 days. One hour after administration on day 5， the GA model was established by injecting sodium urate suspension （50 g·L-1） into the right ankle joint of rats in other groups except the normal group， and the rats in the normal group were injected with sterile normal saline of the same volume. The swelling and pathological changes of the ankle joint were observed. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1β were determined. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of PI3K， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， mTOR， phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR）， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ （LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ）， autophagy effector Beclin-1， and ubiquitin-binding protein p62 in the synovial tissue. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was employed to determine the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， LC3， Beclin-1 and p62. ResultCompared with the normal control， the model group showed increased joint swelling index （P<0.01）， elevated serum levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β， inflammatory cell infiltration， and fibrous tissue hyperplasia. In addition， the model group showed up-regulated protein levels of PI3K， p-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， mTOR， p-mTOR， and p62 and mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， and p62 in the synovial tissue， while it showed down-regulated protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 and mRNA levels of LC3 and Beclin-1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， medium- and high-dose Danggui Sinitang alleviated the joint swelling （P<0.01）， lowered the serum levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β （P<0.05）， and relieved the inflammatory cell infiltration in the synovial tissue of the ankle joint and the fibrous tissue hyperplasia. Moreover， they down-regulated the protein levels of PI3K， p-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， mTOR， p-mTOR， and p62 and the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， and p62 in the synovial tissue （P<0.05）， while they up-regulated the protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and Beclin-1 and the mRNA levels of LC3 and Beclin-1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionDanggui Sinitang， especially at a high dose， can inhibit PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to improve autophagy in the synovial tissue， thereby mitigating GA.

Role of activation of VGLUT2 neurons in vagal nodose ganglion in dexmedetomidine-caused bradycardia in mice / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of activation of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) neurons in vagal nodose ganglion in dexmedetomidine-caused bradycardia in mice.Methods:Ninety-six SPF healthy male VGLUT2-cre mice, aged 10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 6 groups ( n=16 each) by the random number table method: normal saline control group (NS group), dexmedetomidine group (Dex group), viral control + chemogenetic control + dexmedetomidine group (eGFP-NS+ Dex group), viral transfection + chemogenetic control + dexmedetomidine group (hM4Di-NS+ Dex group), viral control + chemogenetic inhibition + dexmedetomidine group (eGFP-CNO+ Dex group) and viral transfection + chemogenetic inhibition + dexmedetomidine group (hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group). Dexmedetomidine 100 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in Dex group. The equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in NS group. AAV2/9-hSyn-DIO-hM4Di-eGFP was injected in the right nodose ganglion in hM4Di-NS+ Dex group and hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group, and AAV2/9-hSyn-DIO-eGFP was injected in the right nodose ganglion in eGFP-NS+ Dex group and eGFP-CNO+ Dex group, allowing the virus expression for 21 days. On the 22nd day after virus injection, clozapine-n-oxide (CNO) 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group and eGFP-CNO+ Dex group, the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in hM4Di-NS+ Dex group and eGFP-NS+ Dex group, 1 h later the efficacy of CNO reached the peak, and then dexmedetomidine 100 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected. The respiratory rate, heart rate, SpO 2 and discharge frequency of the right vagal nodose ganglion were synchronously measured by multi-channel electrophysiology in vivo. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) and VGLUT2 and co-expression of pERK and VGLUT2 in the right vagal nodose ganglion were detected by immunofluorescence assay. Results:Compared with NS group, the percentage of heart rate variation and neuron firing frequency after administration were significantly increased, and pERK expression was up-regulated in the other five groups ( P<0.05). Compared with Dex group, the percentage of heart rate variation and neuron firing frequency after administration were significantly decreased, and pERK expression was down-regulated in hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group, and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in hM4Di-NS+ Dex group, eGFP-NS+ Dex group and eGFP-CNO+ Dex group ( P>0.05). Compared with hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group, the percentage of heart rate variation and neuron firing frequency after administration were significantly increased, and pERK expression was up-regulated in eGFP-CNO+ Dex group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the percentage of respiratory variation and SpO 2 among the six groups ( P>0.05). The expression of VGLUT2-positive neurons was abundant in nodose ganglia, and the co-expression rate of pERK and VGLUT2 was nearly 90%. The co-expression rate of pERK and VGLUT2 decreased to about 30% after inhibition of VGLUT2 neurons in ganglion. Conclusions:The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine causes bradycardia is associated with activation of VGLUT2 neurons in vagal nodose ganglia in mice.

Effects of combined acupuncture and medication on hyperarousal state and serum copeptin in patients with chronic insomnia / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effect of combined acupuncture and medication on hyperarousal state and serum copeptin(CPT)in patients with chronic insomnia(CI),and to explore its possible mechanism of action.Methods:A total of 70 CI patients meeting the inclusion criteria were divided into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method,with 35 cases in each group.The control group was given estazolam tablets before bedtime,1 mg/time,once a day.The observation group was treated with additional Yi Nao An Shen acupuncture therapy(acupuncture for benefiting the brain and tranquillization)on the basis of the medication treatment,4 times a week.After 4 weeks of treatment,the Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)score,insomnia severity index(ISI)score,pre-sleep arousal scale(PSAS)score,hyperarousal scale(HAS)score,and the change in serum CPT level were compared between the two groups.Results:During the study,there were 2 dropout cases in the observation group and 1 dropout case in the control group.After treatment,the PSQI,ISI,PSAS,and HAS scores and the serum CPT level in both groups decreased compared with the same group before treatment,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).After treatment,changes in each above scale score and the serum CPT level in the observation group were much more significant and were statistically different from those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture plus medication can improve sleep quality,reduce the degree of insomnia,and regulate hyperarousal state in patients with CI,and its mechanism of action may be related to the down-regulation of serum CPT level.

Role and mechanisms of CHI3L1 in coronary artery lesions in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease-like vasculitis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the role and potential mechanisms of chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) in coronary artery lesions in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease (KD)-like vasculitis.@*METHODS@#Four-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group and a model group, with 10 mice in each group. The model group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mL of lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (LCWE) to establish a mouse model of KD-like vasculitis, while the control group mice were injected with an equal volume of normal saline. The general conditions of the mice were observed on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day after injection. Changes in coronary artery tissue pathology were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The level of CHI3L1 in mouse serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression and localization of CHI3L1, von Willebrand factor (vWF), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in coronary artery tissue. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of CHI3L1, vWF, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE cadherin), Caspase-3, B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB) in coronary artery tissue.@*RESULTS@#The serum level of CHI3L1 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the expression of CHI3L1 in the coronary artery tissue was higher, while the expression of vWF was lower in the model group. The relative expression levels of CHI3L1, Bax, Caspase-3, NF-κB, and p-NF-κB were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of vWF, VE cadherin, and Bcl-2 were lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In the LCWE-induced mouse model of KD-like vasculitis, the expression levels of CHI3L1 in serum and coronary arteries increase, and it may play a role in coronary artery lesions through endothelial cell apoptosis mediated by inflammatory reactions.

Molecular cloning and characterization of hemoglobin alpha and beta chains from plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) living at high altitude.

Hemoglobin (Hb) plays an important role in oxygen transfer from lung to tissues. Possession of a Hb with high oxygen affinity helps highland animals to adapt to high altitude, has been studied profoundly. Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae), a native species living at 3,000-5,000 m above sea level on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a typical hypoxia and low temperature tolerant mammal. To investigate the possible mechanisms of plateau pika Hb in adaptation to high altitude, the complete cDNA and amino acid sequences of plateau pika hemoglobin alpha and beta chains have been described. Compared with human Hb, alterations in important regions can be noted: alpha111 Ala-->Asn, beta35 Tyr-->Phe, beta112 Cys-->Val, beta115 Ala-->Ser, and beta125 Pro-->Gln. Phylogenetic analysis of alpha and beta chains shows that plateau pika is closer to rabbit than to other species. This study provides essential information for elucidating the possible roles of hemoglobin in adaptation to extremely high altitude in plateau pika.

Molecular cloning of hemoglobin alpha-chain gene from Pantholops hodgsonii, a hypoxic tolerance species.

To investigate the possible mechanisms of high-altitude native animals in adapting to high altitude, we cloned hemoglobin alpha-chain (alpha-chain Hb) gene from Pantholops hodgsonii, an animal species that indigenously lives at elevations of 3700-5500 m on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, the alpha-chain Hb gene was amplified from total RNA in the liver of the Pantholops hodgsonii. TA cloning technique was used and the PCR product was cloned into pGEM-T vector. The DNA sequence of the gene was highly homologous with sheep (99.1%), goat (98.6%), cattle (95.6%) and human (86.5%). The alpha-chain Hb gene encoded a 142-amino acid protein that could be identified with the homology of alpha-chain Hb protein in sheep (98%), goat (96%), cattle (91%) and human (87%). However, 18 alternations were detected when compared with the alpha-chain Hb gene in human, and 2 in sheep. Moreover, the alterations of á117 GluAsp and alpha 132 AsnSer in important regions were noted in human and sheep, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the structure of alpha-chain Hb was highly similar to that in sheep. This study provided essential information for elucidating the possible roles of hemoglobin in adapting to extremely high altitude in Pantholops hodgsonii.

Determination of oridonin in rat plasma by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

A method for quantitative determination of oridonin in rat plasma using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with UV spectrometry was established and the method was applied to a pharmacokinetics study of oridonin in rats. From a variety of compounds and solvents tested, ticolpidine was selected as the internal standard (IS) and ethyl acetate was found to be the best solvent for extracting oridonin from plasma samples. RP-HPLC analysis of the extracts was performed on an analytical column (DIKMA ODS, 200 mm x 4.6 mm; i.d., 5 microm) equipped with a security guard pre-column system. There was a good linearity over the range 0.05-8.0 microg/mL (r>0.99). The recoveries were about 95.0% in plasma, and the intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were less than 9.0% in all cases. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.025 microg/mL and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.05 microg/mL. The RP-HPLC method was readily applied to quantitate oridonin in rat plasma within 24 h in a pharmacokinetics study where experimental rats received a single dose of oridonin (12.5 mg/kg) and the result was presented.

Research progress of autism spectrum disorder comorbid with obsessive compulsive disorder / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests and activities, and abnormal perception.Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the common comorbid mental diseases of ASD.Accurate identification of the obsessive-compulsive symptoms and OCD comorbidity of ASD and early intervention are essential for the prognosis of patients.However, there are few domestic studies on comorbid OCD in ASD.Based on previous studies abroad, the progress of research on the epidemiology, etiology and neural mechanism, clinical characteristics, evaluation, diagnosis, intervention and treatment of comorbid OCD in ASD was reviewed in this paper.It aims to identify the manifestations of OCD in ASD patients in the early stage and improve the prognosis of patients.

Relationship between thalamocortical glutamate and neuronal activity in mice with sleep disorders induced by neuropathic pain / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between thalamocortical glutamate and neuronal activity in mice with neuropathic pain-induced sleep disorders.Methods:SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 15-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=14 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group) and neuropathic pain group (CCI group). Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constrictive injury (CCI). The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10% chloral hydrate 3 ml/kg.The right sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and thermal paw withdrawal latency on the operated side were measured at 1 day before CCI (T 0) and 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days after CCI (T 1-5). Electroencephalogram recording electrodes were stereotaxically implanted in visual cortex at T 3, and electroencephalogram were monitored for 6 h, the percentages of non-rapid eye movement, rapid eye movement and wakefulness in the total time were calculated.Microwire electrodes were implanted epidurally over the ventral posterior (VP) nucleus of the thalamus and primary somatosensory cortex (S1) using a brain stereotaxic apparatus at T 3, and the data acquisition system was used to record field potentials at T 4, the percentage of power of each wave was calculated, and the coherence of the field potentials of VP and S1 was simultaneously evaluated.The mice were sacrificed at T 4, brain tissues were collected, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the level of neurotransmitter in the thalamus and cortex. Results:Compared with group Sham, the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold was significantly decreased and thermal paw withdrawal latency was shortened at T 1-5, the percentage of non-rapid eye movement time was decreased, the percentage of wakefulness time was increased, the percentage of δ wave power in the VP area was decreased, the percentage of δ wave power in the VP and S1 areas was increased, and the coherence of the field potentials of VP-S1 was increased in the frequency range of δ wave (1-4 Hz) and α wave (8-14 Hz), and the levels of glutamate, glutamine and glutamate-glutamine in the thalamus and cortex were increased in group CCI ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Neuropathic pain-induced sleep disturbance is related to increased thalamocortical glutamate levels, resulting in changes in the electrical activity of thalamocortical neurons of mice.

Substrate Stiffness Modulates the Maturation of Human Pluripotent Stem-Cell-Derived Hepatocytes.

Obtaining functional hepatocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) holds great potential for applications in drug safety testing, as well in the field of regenerative medicine. However, developing functionally mature hPSC-derived hepatocytes (hPSC-Heps) remains a challenge. We hypothesized that the cellular microenvironment plays a vital role in the maturation of immature hepatocytes. In this study, we examined the role of mechanical stiffness, a key component of the cellular microenvironment, in the maturation of hPSC-Heps. We cultured hPSC-Heps on collagen-coated polyacrylamide hydrogels with varying elastic moduli. On softer substrates the hPSC-Heps formed compact colonies while on stiffer substrates they formed a diffuse monolayer. We observed an inverse correlation between albumin production and substrate stiffness. The expression of key cytochrome enzymes, which are expressed at higher levels in the adult liver compared to the fetal liver, also correlated inversely with substrate stiffness, whereas fetal markers such as Cyp3A7 and AFP showed no correlation with stiffness. Culture of hPSC-Heps on soft substrates for 12 days led to 10-30 fold increases in the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes. These results demonstrate that substrate stiffness similar to that of the liver enables aspects of the maturation of hPSC-Heps.

Low-Frequency Magnetic Stimulation of Shenmen Acupoint Reduces Blood Oxygen Levels in the Prefrontal Cortex of Healthy Subjects: A Near-Infrared Brain Functional Imaging Study / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of low-frequency magnetic stimulation at Shenmen (HT 7) acupoint on blood oxygen levels in the prefrontal cortex of healthy subjects.@*METHODS@#Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology was used to collect real-time data of oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in the prefrontal cortex of 16 healthy subjects at resting state and low-frequency magnetic stimulation of Shenmen. The mean and integral values of blood oxygen concentration were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the resting state, the mean and integral values of blood oxygen concentration were decreased during the task period, recovery period, and the whole process in the magnetic stimulation of Shenmen acupoint (P<0.05). In particular, the difference was statistically significant in the recovery period (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The prefrontal cortex was widely activated and produced an immediate effect by reducing the local blood oxygen concentration at low-frequency magnetic stimulation of Shenmen acupoint, which verifies the sedative effect of Shenmen acupoint.

Role of P2X 7 receptor in microglia in medial prefrontal cortex in neuropathic pain in rats: relationship with autophagy / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of P2X 7 receptor in microglia in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in neuropathic pain (NP) and the relationship with autophagy in rats. Methods:Sixty-four healthy SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), NP group, sham operation+ P2X 7 receptor blocking group (SP group), and NP+ P2X 7 receptor blocking group (NP+ P group). The NP model was established by ligation of the sciatic nerve.Fourteen days later a cannula was placed in the mPFC with a brain stereotactic instrument, P2X 7 receptor blocker A-740003 0.5 μg/0.5 μl was injected into bilateral mPFC for 3 consecutive days starting from the 14th day in SP and NP+ P groups, and DMSO 0.5 μl was injected instead of A-740003 in S and NP groups.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 3, 7 and 10 days after establishing the model and 14, 15 and 16 days after administration.Then the rats were sacrificed, and the mPFC was removed for determination of the expression of P2X 7 receptor and mRNA and autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ (by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or by Western blot) and co-expression of P2X 7R and microglia (by immunofluorescence) and the number of autophagosomes in mPFC (with a transmission electron microscope). Results:Compared with group S, MWT was significantly decreased, and TWL was shortened at 3, 7 and 10 days after establishing the model, the expression of P2X 7 receptor and mRNA, Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was up-regulated at 30 min after administration on 16 days after establishing the model, and the number of cells co-expressing P2X 7 receptor and IBA-1 and the number of autophagosomes were increased in NP and NP+ P groups ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the indexes mentioned above in group SP ( P>0.05). Compared with group NP, MWT was significantly increased, and TWL was prolonged at 30 min after administration on 14, 15 and 16 days after establishing the model, the expression of P2X 7 receptor and mRNA, Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ was down-regulated, and the number of cells co-expressing P2X 7 receptor and Iba-1 and the number of autophagosome were decreased in group NP+ P ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Up-regulation of P2X 7 receptor expression in microglia in mPFC is involved in the process of NP in rats, which is associated with the promotion of autophagy.