Effects of Atractylodes Macrocephala on the Cytomembrane Ca^(2+)-activated K^+ Currents in Cells of Human Pregnant Myometrial Smooth Muscles

The study examined the inhibitory effect of Atractylodes macrocephala （AM） on the uterine contraction during premature delivery and explored its electrophysiological mechanism by studying the effects of AM on the Ca^2＋-activated K^＋ currents of pregnant human myometrial smooth muscle cells with or without the treatment with intedeukin-6. Single cells were acutely isolated from pregnant human myometrial smooth muscles. Whole-cell Ca^2＋-activated K^＋ currents were recorded by using an Axopatchl-D amplifier. The cells were divided into three groups： group A in which AM was added into perfusate, group B, in which interleukin-6 was added into perfusate） and group C in which AM was added into perfusate after addition of interleukin-6. IL-6 10 ng/mL inhibited BKca by 36.9%±13.7% as compared with control （P〈0.01）. AM at 2 mg/mL raised BKca by 36.7%±22.6% or 45.2%±13.7% with or without the treatment of IL-6, respectively （P〈0.01）. It is concluded that AM was able to enhance the BKca of pregnant human myometrial smooth muscle cells treated or untreated with interleukin-6 and its effect on the BKca IL-treated cells was stronger that its effect on BKca of untreated cells. Our results suggested that AM can help to maintain the membrane potentials and the resting status of pregnant human myometrial smooth muscle cells.

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 in cultured brain slices after oxygen-glucose deprivation

Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expressed in oligodendrocytes may trigger the repair of neuronal myelin impairment, and play a crucial role in myelin repair. Hypoxia-inducible factor la, a transcription factor, is of great significance in premature infants with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage There is little evidence of direct regulatory effects of hypoxia-inducible factor le on oligodendrocyte lineage gene-l. In this study, brain slices of Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured and subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Then, slices were transfected with hypoxia-inducible factor la or oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor la and oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 were significantly up-regulated in rat brains prior to transfection, as detected by immunohistochemical staining. Eight hours after transfection of slices with hypoxia-inducible factor la, oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expression was upregulated, and reached a peak 24 hours after transfection. Oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 transfection induced no significant differences in hypoxia-inducible factor la levels in rat brain tissues with oxygen-glucose deprivation. These experimental findings indicate that hypoxia-inducible factor la can regulate oligodendrocyte lineage gene-1 expression in hypoxic brain tissue, thus repairing the neural impairment.

Evaluation of the Fetal Neuroprotection Protocol with Magnesium Sulphate in a University Hospital in Burkina Faso

Introduction: Prematurity continues to stand as a major public health issue worldwide and more particularly for low incomes countries like Burkina Faso. Indeed, it is the main cause of high death rate and infant morbidity, neurologic deficiencies being one of them. Objective: From March 1st to September 30th, 2020, evaluate the fetal neuroprotection protocol using sulfate magnesium during births before thirty-three (33) weeks of amenorrhea at the University Health Centers (UHC) of Yalgado Ouedraogo and Bogodogo in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Patients and Methods: It was a prospective cohort survey, exposed or unexposed. The exposed ones are from the UHC of Yalgado Ouedraogo, while the unexposed ones are from the UHC of Bogodogo. Analysis of the results showed 87 newborns from the exposed and 180 from the unexposed. The mortality rate, as well as neonatal neurologic complications, was higher with unexposed than with exposed. Although antenatal exposure to magnesium sulfate was not statistically associated with mortality and morbidity in newborns at a threshold of 0.05%, it has shown an overall good neurological prognosis in newborns exposed. Conclusion: A survey of a large sample of the population would be relevant in order to better assess the determinants of this influence. Proposition: In light of the results, the use of magnesium sulfate for neuroprotective purposes could be considered in our countries.

Hepatoblastoma with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis:Two case reports

We report two children with hepatoblastoma(HB)with a history of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC).Case 1 was diagnosed with HB at 5 months of age.Liver enlargement was found during the NEC operation at 3 months of age and then was clinically diagnosed by imaging.After six chemotherapy courses,a partial hepatectomy was performed.Three months after ceasing the chemotherapy,a chest computed tomography scan suggested that distant metastasis of the tumor should be considered,and the lesion was removed.However,9 months after the operation,alpha-fetoprotein concentrations were increased,and abdominal imaging showed a recurrence of the tumor in situ,resulting in a hepatectomy.Case 2 was diagnosed with NEC shortly after birth and underwent an intestinal resection and anastomosis 1 month later.He was diagnosed with HB at 3 years of age.Hepatectomy was performed after five courses of chemotherapy.Chemotherapy was stopped after 10 courses,and alpha-fetoprotein concentrations were normal.At present,both children have survived and are in a healthy condition.Physicians should be aware of the possibility of HB and a history of NEC in children.Premature birth and low birth weight are common factors leading to the pathogenesis of HB and NEC.The association between these two diseases requires further study。