An experimental study of the management of severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca with autologous reduced-sized submandibular gland transplantation

We have evaluated transplantation of reduced submandibular glands for the treatment of severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Thirty-four rabbits were allocated into three groups: dry eye (controls, n=10), transplantation of whole submandibular glands (n=12), and transplantation of reduced submandibular glands (n=12). Outcome measures included the results of Schirmer's test and the Rose Bengal test, and histological examination of the cornea and the transplanted gland. Volume of tears significantly increased after transplantation of the whole gland, but did not change after transplantation of the reduced gland compared with dry eyes induced preoperatively. Neither transplantion group had keratoconjunctivitis sicca postoperatively. There were no histological abnormalities in the transplanted tissues. The results that the surgical technique of using reduced submandibular glands for transplantation was feasible, and that the secretion from the reduced gland was similar to that from a normal lacrimal gland. In conclusion, transplantation of a reduced submandibular glands is feasible in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.     

The migration of acetochlor from feed to milk

Acetochlor has been widely used globally for its effective weed control, but the dietary intake of associated residues by people has become a major concern nowadays. Milk is regarded as the best solvent to dissolve pesticides due to its fat-rich characteristic. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the transfer of acetochlor from feed to raw milk. Twenty lactating Australian Holstein cows were randomly chosen and divided into 1 control group and 3 treatment groups, feeding acetochlor at the dosages of 0, 0.45, 1.35 and 4.05 g per day during the treatment period. The concentration of acetochlor residues in raw milk was detected by QuEChERS together with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. The results showed that the highest concentrations of acetochlor residues in raw milk for the three treatment groups had a positive correlation with the dosage levels and the transfer efficiency of the low dose group was only 0.080%, higher than those of the other two groups. Besides, the national estimated daily intake (NEDI) of acetochlor from milk is 1.67 × 10⁻⁵ mg kg⁻¹, which is 0.08% of the ADI. Overall, we concluded that the risk of acetochlor residues in milk was low, but high-dose acetochlor had a larger impact on milk quality and low-dose acetochlor had potential risks.

Acetochlor has been widely used globally for its effective weed control, but the dietary intake of associated residues by people has become a major concern nowadays.     

Effects of ticagrelor pretreatment on electrophysiological properties of stellate ganglion neurons following myocardial infarction

Higher sympathetic activity predisposes to malignant ventricular arrhythmias in the context of myocardial infarction (MI). This is, in part, mediated by the electrical activity of the stellate ganglion (SG). The aim of this study is to examine the effects of ticagrelor pretreatment on the electrophysiological properties of SG neurons following MI in rabbits. MI was induced by isoproterenol (ISO) of 150 mg kg^-1 d^-1 (twice at an interval of 24 hours). Ticagrelor pretreatment was administered at low- (10 mg kg^-1 d^-1) or high-dose (20 mg kg^-1 d^-1). Protein and RNA expression were determined by immunohistochemical analysis and real-time PCR, respectively. The activity of sodium channel current (I_Na), delayed rectifier potassium current (I_KDR), M-type potassium current (I_KM) as well as action potentials (APs) from SG neurons were measured by whole-cell patch-clamp. Intracellular calcium concentrations were measured by confocal microscopy. Compared with the control group, the MI group exhibited a greater amplitude of I_Na, I_KDR and I_KM, significantly altered activation and inactivation characteristics of I_Na, no significant alterations in protein or mRNA expression of sodium and M-type potassium channels, along with higher AP amplitude and frequency and intracellular calcium concentrations. Most of these abnormalities were prevented by pretreatment with low- or high-dose ticagrelor. Our data suggest that ticagrelor exerts cardioprotective effects, potentially through modulating the activity of different ion channels in SG neurons.     

miR-124靶向STAT3改善脑恶性胶质瘤细胞辐射敏感性

目的 研究miR-124在放射敏感及耐受的脑恶性胶质瘤细胞LN229和LN229R中的表达以及miR-124对细胞放射敏感性的影响,并深入探讨miR-124调控LN229R细胞放射敏感性的作用机制。方法 将miR-124模拟物（miR-124）及阴性对照（miR-NC）,STAT3过表达质粒（STAT3）及pcDNA3.1质粒（pcDNA）单独或共转染到放射抵抗的胶质瘤细胞LN229R中。qRT-PCR检测LN229和LN229R细胞中miR-124的表达;克隆形成实验分析不同放射剂量下LN229R细胞的生存率以及敏感性相关参数值;流式细胞术分析LN229R细胞的凋亡情况;生物信息学预测miR-124和STAT3的靶向关系,并利用双荧光素酶报告分析加以验证;Western blot分析STAT3的蛋白表达水平。结果 与LN229组（1.02±0.09）相比,miR-124在LN229R细胞中的表达水平（0.32±0.03）显著降低,差异有统计学意义（t=12.780,P<0.05）;与miR-NC组（0.95±0.06）相比,转染miR-124模拟物可促进LN229R细胞中miR-124的表达（4.02±0.39）（t=13.476,P<0.05）;8 Gy照射条件下,miR-124过表达组癌细胞的生存率（0.003±0.000 4）显著低于miR-NC组（0.033±0.005 0）（t=5.655,P<0.05）,细胞凋亡率（22.34±2.42）%显著高于miR-NC组（4.69±0.51）%（t=12.361,P<0.05）;STAT3是miR-124的靶基因;外源回补STAT3可逆转miR-124对LN229R细胞生存的抑制作用。结论 miR-124通过靶向STAT3改善LN229R细胞的放射敏感性。     

Hypermetabolism associated with worse prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Journal of Neurology - Exploration of hypermetabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with different ethnicities is needed to understand its metabolic implications for clinical management....     

Basilar artery on computed tomography angiography score and clinical outcomes in acute basilar artery occlusion

Journal of Neurology - This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) based on the baseline Basilar...     

Comparing characteristics and outcomes of in-hospital stroke and community-onset stroke

Journal of Neurology - In-hospital strokes account for 4–17% of all strokes and usually lead to urgent and severe conditions. However, features of in-hospital strokes have been scarcely...