Correction:Establishment of a prediction model for prehospital return of spontaneous circulation in out-of-hospital patients with cardiac arrest

This is an erratum to an already published paper named“Establishment of a prediction model for prehospital return of spontaneous circulation in out-ofhospital patients with cardiac arrest”.We found errors in the affiliated institution of the authors.We apologize for our unintentional mistake.Please note,these changes do not affect our results.

Epidemiological and clinical features,treatment status,and economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in China:a hospital-based retrospective study

Traumatic spinal cord injury is potentially catastrophic and can lead to permanent disability or even death.China has the largest population of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.Previous studies of traumatic spinal cord injury in China have mostly been regional in scope;national-level studies have been rare.To the best of our knowledge,no national-level study of treatment status and economic burden has been performed.This retrospective study aimed to examine the epidemiological and clinical features,treatment status,and economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in China at the national level.We included 13,465 traumatic spinal cord injury patients who were injured between January 2013 and December 2018 and treated in 30 hospitals in 11 provinces/municipalities representing all geographical divisions of China.Patient epidemiological and clinical features,treatment status,and total and daily costs were recorded.Trends in the percentage of traumatic spinal cord injuries among all hospitalized patients and among patients hospitalized in the orthopedic department and cost of care were assessed by annual percentage change using the Joinpoint Regression Program.The percentage of traumatic spinal cord injuries among all hospitalized patients and among patients hospitalized in the orthopedic department did not significantly change overall(annual percentage change,-0.5%and 2.1%,respectively).A total of 10,053(74.7%)patients underwent surgery.Only 2.8%of patients who underwent surgery did so within 24 hours of injury.A total of 2005(14.9%)patients were treated with high-dose(≥500 mg)methylprednisolone sodium succinate/methylprednisolone(MPSS/MP);615(4.6%)received it within 8 hours.The total cost for acute traumatic spinal cord injury decreased over the study period(-4.7%),while daily cost did not significantly change(1.0%increase).Our findings indicate that public health initiatives should aim at improving hospitals’ability to complete early surgery within 24 hours,which is associated with improved sensorimotor recovery,increasing the awareness rate of clinical guidelines related to high-dose MPSS/MP to reduce the use of the treatment with insufficient evidence.

Establishment of a prediction model for prehospital return of spontaneous circulation in out-of-hospital patients with cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest(OHCA)is a leading cause of death worldwide.AIM To explore factors influencing prehospital return of spontaneous circulation(P-ROSC)in patients with OHCA and develop a nomogram prediction model.METHODS Clinical data of patients with OHCA in Shenzhen,China,from January 2012 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression and multivariate logistic regression were applied to select the optimal factors predicting P-ROSC in patients with OHCA.A nomogram prediction model was established based on these influencing factors.Discrimination and calibration were assessed using receiver operating charac-teristic(ROC)and calibration curves.Decision curve analysis(DCA)was used to evaluate the model’s clinical utility.RESULTS Among the included 2685 patients with OHCA,the P-ROSC incidence was 5.8%.LASSO and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age,bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR),initial rhythm,CPR duration,ventilation mode,and pathogenesis were independent factors influencing P-ROSC in these patients.The area under the ROC was 0.963.The calibration plot demonstrated that the predicted P-ROSC model was concordant with the actual P-ROSC.The good clinical usability of the prediction model was confirmed using DCA.CONCLUSION The nomogram prediction model could effectively predict the probability of P-ROSC in patients with OHCA.

Lactoferrin modification of berberine nanoliposomes enhances the neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Previous studies have shown that berberine has neuroprotective effects against Alzheimer’s disease,including antagonizing tau phosphorylation,and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity and neural cell apoptosis.However,its low bioavailability and adverse reactions with conventional administration limit its clinical application.In this study,we prepared berberine nanoliposomes using liposomes characterized by low toxicity,high entrapment efficiency,and biodegradability,and modified them with lactoferrin.Lactoferrin-modified berberine nanoliposomes had uniform particle size and high entrapment efficiency.We used the lactoferrin-modified berberine nanoliposomes to treat a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease established by injection of amyloid-beta 1-42 into the lateral ventricle.Lactoferrin-modified berberine nanoliposomes inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity and apoptosis in the hippocampus,reduced tau over-phosphorylation in the cerebral cortex,and improved mouse behavior.These findings suggest that modification with lactoferrin can enhance the neuroprotective effects of berberine nanoliposomes in Alzheimer’s disease.

New discoveries in the field of metabolism by applying single-cell and spatial omics

Single-cell multi-Omics(SCM-Omics)and spatial multi-Omics(SM-Omics)technologies provide state-of-the-art methods for exploring the composition and function of cell types in tissues/organs.Since its emergence in 2009,single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)has yielded many groundbreaking new discoveries.The combination of this method with the emergence and development of SM-Omics techniques has been a pioneering strategy in neuroscience,developmental biology,and cancer research,especially for assessing tumor heterogeneity and T-cell infiltration.In recent years,the application of these methods in the study of metabolic diseases has also increased.The emerging SCM-Omics and SM-Omics approaches allow the molecular and spatial analysis of cells to explore regulatory states and determine cell fate,and thus provide promising tools for unraveling heterogeneous metabolic processes and making them amenable to intervention.Here,we review the evolution of SCM-Omics and SM-Omics technologies,and describe the progress in the application of SCM-Omics and SM-Omics in metabolism-related diseases,including obesity,diabetes,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and cardiovascular disease(CVD).We also conclude that the application of SCM-Omics and SM-Omics approaches can help resolve the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases in the body and facilitate therapeutic measures for metabolism-related diseases.This review concludes with an overview of the current status of this emerging field and the outlook for its future.

Inhibition of histone methyltransferase PRMT5 attenuates cisplatininduced hearing loss through the PI3K/Akt-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of inhibiting protein arginine methyltransferase 5(PRMT5)in cisplatin-induced hearing loss.The effects of PRMT5 inhibition on cisplatin-induced auditory injury were determined using immunohistochemistry,apoptosis assays,and auditory brainstem response.The mechanism of PRMT5 inhibition on hair cell survival was assessed using RNA-seq and Cleavage Under Targets and Tagment-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(CUT&Tag-qPCR)analyses in the HEI-OC1 cell line.Pharmacological inhibition of PRMT5 significantly alleviated cisplatin-induced damage to hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons in the cochlea and decreased apoptosis by protecting mitochondrial function and preventing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species.CUT&Tag-qPCR analysis demonstrated that inhibition of PRMT5 in HEI-OC1 cells reduced the accumulation of H4R3me2s/H3R8me2s marks at the promoter region of the Pik3ca gene,thus activating the expression of Pik3ca.These findings suggest that PRMT5 inhibitors have strong potential as agents against cisplatininduced ototoxicity and can lay the foundation for further research on treatment strategies of hearing loss.

Image-based visualization of stents in mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke:Preliminary findings from a series of cases

BACKGROUND Mechanical thrombectomy is the most effective treatment for great cerebral artery embolization within a set time window.Typically,an arteriogram does not show the localization of the stent after release and whether a thrombus is captured or not.Thus,improving the visualization of a stent in interventional therapy will be helpful for clinicians.AIM To analyze stent imaging findings to enhance clinicians’understanding of a special circumstance,wherein a Solitaire AB retrievable stent was visible during the imaging of a thrombus capture that improved the success rate of stent-based mechanical thrombectomy.METHODS This was a retrospective study with four acute ischemic stroke(AIS)patients who underwent stent-based mechanical thrombectomy.RESULTS Patient 1 was a 64-year-old man admitted after 5 h of confusion;angiography revealed basilar artery occlusion.We inserted a stent into the left posterior cerebral artery-P2 segment and visualized the expanded stent that successfully captured a thrombus.Patient 2 was a 74-year-old man admitted with confusion,which lasted approximately 3 h.Angiography revealed a left middle cerebral artery(MCA)-M1 segment occlusion.A stent was deployed in the distal M2 segment,and we could visualize the stent by capturing the thrombus.Patient 3 was a 74-year-old woman admitted after experiencing left hemiplegia for 3 h.We deployed a stent at the distal right MCAM2 segment,and the developing stent captured a large thrombus.Patient 4 was an 82-year-old man who presented with confusion for 3 h.A developing stent was placed in the distal left MCA-M1 segment,which captured a large thrombus and several fragmented thrombi.CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge,this is the first report of stent imaging in patients with AIS.We demonstrated the usefulness and substantial potential of stent imaging in stent-based mechanical thrombectomy for AIS.

Intravascular ultrasonography assisted carotid artery stenting for treatment of carotid stenosis: Two case reports

BACKGROUND Digital subtraction angiography(DSA),the gold standard of cerebrovascular disease diagnosis,is limited in its diagnostic ability to evaluate arterial diameter.Intravascular ultrasonography(IVUS)has advantages in assessing stenosis and plaque nature and improves the evaluation and effectiveness of carotid artery sten-ting(CAS).CASE SUMMARY Case 1:A 65-year-old man presented with a five-year history of bilateral lower limb weakness due to stroke.Physical examination showed decreased strength(5-/5)in both lower limbs.Carotid artery ultrasound,magnetic resonance angiography,and computed tomography angiography(CTA)showed a right proximal internal carotid artery(ICA)stenosis(70%-99%),acute cerebral infarction,and severe right ICA stenosis,respectively.We performed IVUS-assisted CAS to measure the stenosis and detected a low-risk plaque at the site of stenosis prior to stent implantation.Post-stent balloon dilatation was performed and postoperative IVUS demonstrated successful expansion and adherence.CTA six months postoperatively showed no significant increase in in-stent stenosis.Case 2:A 36-year-old man was admitted with a right common carotid artery(CCA)dissection detected by ultrasound.Physical examination showed no positive neurological signs.Carotid ultrasound and CTA showed lumen dilation in the proximal CCA with an intima-like structure and bulging in the proximal segment of the right CCA with strip-like low-density shadow(dissection or carotid web).IVUS-assisted DSA confirmed right CCA dissection.CAS was performed and intraoperative IVUS suggested a large residual false lumen.Post-stent balloon dilatation was performed reducing the false lumen.DSA three months postoperatively indicated good stent expansion with mild stenosis.CONCLUSION IVUS aids decision-making during CAS by accurately assessing carotid artery wall lesions and plaque nature preoperatively,dissection and stenosis morphology intraoperatively,and visualizing and confirming CAS postoperatively.

Investigating the relationship between intracranial atherosclerotic plaque remodelling and diabetes using high-resolution vessel wall imaging

BACKGROUND Intracranial atherosclerosis,a leading cause of stroke,involves arterial plaque formation.This study explores the link between plaque remodelling patterns and diabetes using high-resolution vessel wall imaging(HR-VWI).AIM To investigate the factors of intracranial atherosclerotic remodelling patterns and the relationship between intracranial atherosclerotic remodelling and diabetes mellitus using HR-VWI.METHODS Ninety-four patients diagnosed with middle cerebral artery or basilar artery INTRODUCTION Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is one of the main causes of ischaemic stroke in the world,accounting for approx-imately 10%of transient ischaemic attacks and 30%-50%of ischaemic strokes[1].It is the most common factor among Asian people[2].The adaptive changes in the structure and function of blood vessels that can adapt to changes in the internal and external environment are called vascular remodelling,which is a common and important pathological mechanism in atherosclerotic diseases,and the remodelling mode of atherosclerotic plaques is closely related to the occurrence of stroke.Positive remodelling(PR)is an outwards compensatory remodelling where the arterial wall grows outwards in an attempt to maintain a constant lumen diameter.For a long time,it was believed that the degree of stenosis can accurately reflect the risk of ischaemic stroke[3-5].Previous studies have revealed that lesions without significant luminal stenosis can also lead to acute events[6,7],as summarized in a recent meta-analysis study in which approximately 50%of acute/subacute ischaemic events were due to this type of lesion[6].Research[8,9]has pointed out that the PR of plaques is more dangerous and more likely to cause acute ischaemic stroke.Previous studies[10-13]have found that there are specific vascular remodelling phenomena in the coronary and carotid arteries of diabetic patients.However,due to the deep location and small lumen of intracranial arteries and limitations of imaging techniques,the relationship between intracranial arterial remodelling and diabetes is still unclear.In recent years,with the development of magnetic resonance technology and the emergence of high-resolution(HR)vascular wall imaging,a clear and multidimensional display of the intracranial vascular wall has been achieved.Therefore,in this study,HR wall imaging(HR-VWI)was used to display the remodelling characteristics of bilateral middle cerebral arteries and basilar arteries and to explore the factors of intracranial vascular remodelling and its relationship with diabetes.

Chaihu-Shugan-San exerts an antidepressive effect by downregulating miR-124 and releasing inhibition of the MAPK14 and Gria3 signaling pathways

Dysregulation of mi R-124 has been reported to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Chaihu-Shugan-San, a traditional Chinese medicine, has antidepressive activity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, to generate a rodent model of depression, rats were subjected to a combination of solitary confinement and chronic unpredictable mild stress for 28 days. Rats were intragastrically administered Chaihu-Shugan-San（2.835 m L/kg/d） for 4 weeks, once a day. Real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, mi RNA microarray, western blot assay and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that ChaihuShugan-San downregulated mi R-124 expression and upregulated the m RNA and protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase 14（MAPK14） and glutamate receptor subunit 3（Gria3）. Chaihu-Shugan-San also promoted synapse formation in the hippocampus. The open field test, sucrose consumption test and forced swimming test were used to assess depression-like behavior. After intragastric administration of Chaihu-Shugan-San, sucrose consumption increased, while the depressive behaviors were substantially reduced. Together, these findings suggest that Chaihu-Shugan-San exerts an antidepressant-like effect by downregulating mi R-124 expression and by releasing the inhibition of the MAPK14 and Gria3 signaling pathways.

Screening of differentially expressed microRNA in ulcerative colitis related colorectal cancer

Objective:To investigate the differential expression of microRNA(miRNA)in colon between ulcerative colitis(UC)and ulcerative colitis related colorectal cancer(UCRCC).Methods:An UC mouse model was built by dextran sodium sulfate,and an UCRCC mouse model by dextran sodium sulfate and 1,2-diformylhydrazine.RNAs were extracted from the colon,purified and hybridized with fluorescence-labeled miRNA oligonucleotide gene chip.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to verity the expression variation of miRNA.SAM was employed for the data analysis.Results:The up-regulated miRNA in colon cancer included has-miR-194,hasmiR-215,has-miR-93,has-miR-192,has-miR-92a,has-miR-29b,and has-miR-20a(median false discovery rate<5%),while the down-regulated miRNAs were has-miR-1231,has-miR-195,has-miR-143,and has-miR-145(median false discovery rate<5%).Conclusions:Significant differential expression of miRNA was found between the UC mouse and UCRCC mouse,which may be related to the onset,erosion and transfer of colorectal cancer.

Role of hydrogen sulfide in portal hypertension and esophagogastric junction vascular disease

AIM:To investigate the association between endogenous hydrogen sulfide(H2S)and portal hypertension as well as its effect on vascular smooth muscle cells.METHODS:Portal hypertension patients were categorized by Child-Pugh score based on bilirubin and albumin levels,prothrombin time,ascites and hepatic encephalopathy.Plasma H2S concentrations and portal vein diameters(PVDs)were compared between portal hypertension patients and control participants,as well as between portal hypertension patients with varying degrees of severity.In addition,we established a rabbit hepatic schistosomiasis portal hypertension(SPH)model and analyzed liver morphology,fibrosis grade,plasma and liver tissue H2S concentrations,as well as cystathionineγ-lyase(CSE)activity and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(pERK)1/2,B cell lymphoma(Bcl)-2 and Bcl-XL expression in portal vein smooth muscle cells,in addition to their H2S-induced apoptosis rates.RESULTS:In portal hypertension patients,endogenous H2S levels were significantly lower than those in healthy controls.The more severe the disease was,the lower were the H2S plasma levels,which were inversely correlated with PVD and Child-Pugh score.Liver tissue H2S concentrations and CSE expression were significantly lower in the SPH rabbit livers compared with the control animals,starting at 3 wk,whereas pERK 1/2expressions gradually increased 12-20 wk after SPH model establishment.In portal vein smooth muscle cells,increasing H2S levels led to increased apoptosis,while Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL expression decreased.CONCLUSION:H2S prevents vascular restructuring caused by excessive proliferation of smooth muscle cells via apoptosis induction,which helps to maintain normal vascular structures.

Generation of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene knockout pigs by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene targeting

Unbalanced brain serotonin(5-HT) levels have implications in various behavioral abnormalities and neuropsychiatric disorders. The biosynthesis of neuronal 5-HT is regulated by the rate-limiting enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase-2(TPH2). In the present study, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated(Cas) system was used to target the Tph2 gene in Bama mini pig fetal fibroblasts. It was found that CRISPR/Cas9 targeting efficiency could be as high as 61.5%, and the biallelic mutation efficiency reached at38.5%. The biallelic modified colonies were used as donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) and 10 Tph2 targeted piglets were successfully generated. These Tph2 KO piglets were viable and appeared normal at the birth.However, their central 5-HT levels were dramatically reduced, and their survival and growth rates were impaired before weaning. These Tph2 KO pigs are valuable large-animal models for studies of 5-HT deficiency induced behavior abnomality.

Application of the Trivex system in the treatment of primary severe superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of the Trivex system in the treatment of primary severe superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity and compare Trivex to the point-form-stripping combined with foam sclerotherapy(FS).Methods:A total of 64 patients(35 females,29 males;mean age,57?11 years[range,29–79 years])with primary severe superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity involving 64 legs were included between October 2015 and July 2019.The maximum diameter of the vein branches was>20 mm,which appeared to be cystic dilatation and forms large-scale in the crus or the thigh.All patients underwent high ligation and endovenous laser ablation or stripping of the trunk under general anesthesia.The surgical time,pain/phlebitis,number of incisions,amount of bleeding,recurrence of varicose vein,incidence of surgical site infections(SSIs),satisfaction score,and improvement in clinical symptoms were evaluated respectively with the patients in two groups:Group A,with patients who underwent treatment with the Trivex system,and Group B,patients who underwent treatment by point-form-stripping combined with FS.Results:All procedures were performed successfully.The average operative time in Group A was 56?11 min,whereas that of Group B was 90?33 min,which was a significant difference(p<0.05).Group A patients felt little pain after surgery,whereas in Group B the level of pain peaked on postoperative day 30,mostly due to thrombophlebitis after FS.There was no recurrence of varicose vein was observed in any patient,however,there were some residual effects in Group B,including the amount of bleeding volume,in-hospital stays,pain/phlebitis,and number of incisions(P<0.05).There were no significant differences with respect to SSIs,improvement in clinical symptoms,and satisfaction scores observed(p>0.05).Conclusions:This study shows that patients benefited from both treatment options.However,primary severe superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity treated with the Trivex system suffered less pain with fewer incisions than severe branches treated with the point-form-stripping combined with foam sclerotherapy(FS).In summary,the Trivex system is a suitable treatment prior to point-form-stripping combined with foam sclerotherapy(FS)for those who demand a high level of appearance,and especially for young patients,the Trivex system is recommended.

Protective effects of organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla against hydrogen peroxide-induced cvtotoxicitv in PC12 cells

Alpinia oxyphylla,a traditional herb,is widely used for its neuroprotective,antioxidant and memory-improving effects.However,the neuroprotective mechanisms of action of its active ingredients are unclear.In this study,we investigated the neuroprotective effects of various organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla on PC12 cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative injury in vitro.Alpinia oxyphylla was extracted three times with 95%ethanol(representing extracts 1–3).The third 95%ethanol extract was dried and resuspended in water,and then extracted successively with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate and n-butanol(representing extracts 4–6).The cell counting kit-8 assay and microscopy were used to evaluate cell viability and observe the morphology of PC12 cells.The protective effect of the three ethanol extracts(at tested concentrations of 50,100 and 200μg/mL)against cytotoxicity to PC12 cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner.The ethyl acetate,petroleum ether and n-butanol extracts(each tested at 100,150 and 200μg/mL)had neuroprotective effects as well.The optimum effective concentration ranged from 50–200μg/mL,and the protective effect of the ethyl acetate extract was comparatively robust.These results demonstrate that organic extracts of Alpinia oxyphylla protect PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide.Our findings should help identify the bioactive neuroprotective components in Alpinia oxyphylla.

Antigenicity of tissues and organs from GGTA1/CMAH/β4GalNT2 triple gene knockout pigs

Clinical xenotransplantations have been hampered by human preformed antibody-mediated damage of the xenografts.To overcome biological incompatibility between pigs and humans,one strategy is to remove the major antigens[Gal,Neu5 Gc,and Sd(a)]present on pig cells and tissues.Triple gene(GGTAI,CMAH,and β4 GalNT2)knockout(TKO)pigs were produced in our laboratory by CRISPR-Cas9 targeting.To investigate the antigenicity reduction in the TKO pigs,the expression levels of these three xenoantigens in the cornea,heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney,and pancreas tissues were examined.The level of human IgG/IgM binding to those tissues was also investigated,with wildtype pig tissues as control.The results showed that aGal,Neu5 Gc,and Sd(a)were markedly positive in all the examined tissues in wildtype pigs but barely detected in TKO pigs.Compared to wildtype pigs,the liver,spleen,and pancreas of TKO pigs showed comparable levels of human IgG and IgM binding,whereas corneas,heart,lung,and kidney of TKO pigs exhibited significantly reduced human IgG and IgM binding.These results indicate that the antigenicity of TKO pig is significantly reduced and the remaining xenoantigens on porcine tissues can be eliminated via a gene targeting approach.

Computed tomography combined with gastroscopy for assessment of pancreatic segmental portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Pancreatic segmental portal hypertension(PSPH) is the only type of portal hypertension that can be completely cured. However, it can easily cause varicose veins in the esophagus and stomach and hemorrhage in the digestive tract.AIM To explore the application of computed tomography(CT) to examine the characteristics of PSPH and assess the risk level.METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of CT images of 22 patients diagnosed with PSPH at our center. Spearman correlation analysis was performed using the range of esophageal and gastric varices(measured by the vertical gastric wall), the ratio of the width of the splenic portal vein to that of the compression site(S/C ratio), the degree of splenomegaly, and the stage determined by gastroscopy. This study examined whether patients experienced gastrointestinal bleeding within 2 wk and combined CT and gastroscopy to explore the connection between bleeding and CT findings.RESULTS The range of esophageal and gastric varices showed the best correlation in the diagnosis of PSPH(P < 0.001), and the S/C ratio(P = 0.007) was correlated with the degree of splenomegaly(P = 0.021) and PSPH(P < 0.05). This study revealed that male patients were more likely than females to progress to grade 2 or grade 3 as determined by gastroscopy. CT demonstrated excellent performance, with an area under the curve of 0.879.CONCLUSION CT can be used to effectively analyze the imaging signs of PSPH, and CT combined with gastroscopy can effectively predict the risk level of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Analysis of hippocampal gene expression profile of Alzheimer's disease model rats using genome chip bioinformatics

In this study, an Alzheimer＇s disease model was established in rats through stereotactic injection of condensed amyloid beta 1-40 into the bilateral hippocampus, and the changes of gene expression profile in the hippocampus of rat models and sham-operated rats were compared by genome expression profiling analysis. Results showed that the expression of 50 genes was significantly up-regulated （fold change 〉 2）, while 21 genes were significantly down-regulated in the hippocampus of Alzheimer＇s disease model rats （fold change 〈 0.5） compared with the sham-operation group. The differentially expressed genes are involved in many functions, such as brain nerve system development, neuronal differentiation and functional regulation, cellular growth, differentiation and apoptosis, synaptogenesis and plasticity, inflammatory and immune responses, ion channels/transporters, signal transduction, cell material/energy metabolism. Our findings indicate that several genes were abnormally expressed in the metabolic and signal transduction pathways in the hippocampus of amyloid beta 1 40-induced rat model of Alzheimer＇s disease, thereby affecting the hippocampal and brain functions.

Spontaneous internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm complicated with ischemic stroke in a young man:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Carotid artery pseudoaneurysm(PSA)is infrequently encountered in clinical settings.Internal carotid artery(ICA)PSA complicated with ischemic stroke is rare.PSAs are typically caused by iatrogenic injury,trauma,or infection.The underlying mechanisms of spontaneous PSA formation are not well characterized.We report a healthy young man who presented with stroke as a complication of spontaneous PSA of the left ICA.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old man working as a ceiling decoration worker was hospitalized due to sudden-onset speech disorder and right lower extremity weakness.Medical history was unremarkable.Brain computed tomography revealed ischemic stroke.Digital subtraction angiography showed a left ICA PSA with mild stenosis.The patient was conservatively managed with oral anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy.He recovered well and was discharged.The patient was in good condition during follow-up.CONCLUSION The occupational history of patient should be taken into consideration while evaluating the etiology of spontaneous ICA PSA in young people with stroke.

Neuroprotective effect of the Chinese medicine Tiantai No.1 and its molecular mechanism in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8

Tiantai No.1, a Chinese medicine predominantly composed of powdered Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Radix Ginseng, and Ginkgo leaf at a ratio of 2：1：2 and dissolved in pure water, is neuroprotective in animal models of various cognitive disorders, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. We administered Tiantai No.1 intragastrically to senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8（SAMP8） mice（a model of Alzheimer＇s disease） at doses of 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg per day for 8 weeks and evaluated their behavior in the Morris water maze and expression of Alzheimer＇s disease-related proteins in the brain. Tiantai No.1 shortened the escape latency in the water maze training trials, and increased swimming time in the target quadrant during the spatial probe test, indicating that Tiantai No.1 improved learning and memory in SAMP8 mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Tiantai No.1 restored the proliferation potential of Ki67-positive cells in the hippocampus. In addition, mice that had received Tiantai No.1 had fewer astrocytes, and less accumulation of amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau. These results suggest that Tiantai No.1 is neuroprotective in the SAMP8 mouse model of Alzheimer＇s disease and acts by restoring neuronal number and proliferation potential in the hippocampus, decreasing astrocyte infiltration, and reducing the accumulation of amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau.