Protective effects of trehalose against Mn‐induced α‐synuclein oligomerization in mice: Involvement of oxidative stress and autophagy

Overexposure to manganese (Mn) is widely known to induce alpha‐synuclein (α‐Syn) oligomerization, which has been attributed to the oxidative damage of α‐Syn protein. Trehalose has been shown to induce autophagy and serve as a chemical chaperone, but little information has been reported about its effect on Mn‐induced α‐Syn oligomerization. In this study, we investigate whether trehalose can effectively interfere with Mn‐induced α‐Syn oligomerization, using different concentrations of trehalose (2% and 4% (g/vol [mL])) in a mouse model of manganism. After 6 weeks of exposure to Mn, both oxidative stress and autophagy were activated and resulted in α‐Syn oligomerization and neuronal cell damage in the mouse brain tissue. Our results also revealed that pretreatment with trehalose significantly reduced the oxidative damage to α‐Syn protein and increased autophagy activation. These findings clearly demonstrated that trehalose can relieve Mn‐induced α‐Syn oligomerization and neuronal cell damage through its anti‐oxidative and autophagy‐inducing effects.     

A comparison of standard PCNL and staged retrograde FURS in pelvis stones over 2 cm in diameter: a prospective randomized study

The aim of the study was to compare percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and staged retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) methods used in the treatment of kidney stones of 2 cm or more in diameter. The study comprised a total of 60 patients with a diagnosis of kidney pelvic stones more than 2 cm in diameter, for whom surgery was planned between January 2013 and January 2014. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups as staged retrograde FURS (Group A) and PCNL (Group B). Comparison of the groups was made with respect to operating time, number of procedures, total treatment time, length of hospital stay, stone-free rates and complications according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. In Group A, the total operating time of multiple sessions was 114.46 min. In Group B, a single session of PCNL was applied to all patients and the mean operating time was 86.8 min (p = 0.014). Mean total treatment time was 2.01 weeks in Group A and 1 week in Group B (p < 0.01). The mean total hospitalization time was 3.66 days in Group A and 3.13 days in Group B (p = 0.037). At the end of the sessions, clinically insignificant residual fragments were observed in ten patients of Group A and one patient of Group B (p = 0.03). No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of stone-free rates or complications. Although current technology with FURS is effective on large kidney stones, it has no superiority to PCNL due to the need for multiple sessions and long treatment time.     

Cytomegalovirus colitis in a patient with Behcet’s disease receiving tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitory treatment

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha （TNF-α） inhibitors are effective in the treatment of various inflammatory rheumatic conditions. Increased risks of serious infections are the major issues concerning the long-term safety of these agents. We present a case of a young male Behcet’s patient whose disease was complicated by cytomegalovirus （CMV） colitis. Colitis started 10 d after the third Infliximab dose and responded to the cessation of TNF blocking treatment and administration of ganciclovir. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma act at several levels in combating viral infections.CMV infections should be kept in mind and included in the differential diagnosis of severe gastrointestinal symptoms in patients receiving anti-TNF agents.     

原发性高血压患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度与hsCRP Hcy及血压变异性相关性研究

目的：研究原发性高血压患者血浆中同型半胱氨酸( Hcy)及超敏C反应蛋白( hsCRP)的含量,探讨其与原发性高血压患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度( IMT)和动态血压变异性( BPV)之间的关系。方法对180例原发性高血压患者行颈动脉彩超测定IMT,按IMT厚度分为,IMT正常组、IMT增厚组、IMT斑块组;并检测24 h动态血压、血Hcy、血清hsCRP。结果原发性高血压患者颈动脉IMT增厚组、颈动脉IMT斑块组血清hsCRP、Hcy及BPV明显高于颈动脉IMT正常组,差异有统计学意义(均P<0．05)。结论原发性高血压患者血清Hcy、hsCRP、以及血压变异性与颈动脉粥样硬化之间密切相关。     

脊髓损伤后早期小鼠肠道功能的变化

目的探讨脊髓损伤后短期内小鼠肠道功能的变化。方法将105只昆明种小鼠随机分为正常组(A组,n=30)、假手术组(B组,n=30)和模型组(C组,n=45)。A组不作处理,B组仅暴露脊髓,不夹持。C组采用动脉瘤夹夹持T10处脊髓,复制脊髓损伤模型。分别于术后12 h、24 h、48 h测定小鼠回肠肌电慢波及平滑肌收缩力,并做回肠HE染色。结果脊髓损伤后12 h、24h、48 h,C组小鼠肌电频率和振幅低于A组和B组(P0.05),收缩力振幅低于A组和B组(P0.05),但24 h、48 h后收缩力频率高于A组和B组(P0.05)。C组各时间点肠黏膜评分均较A组和B组高(P0.05)。结论小鼠脊髓损伤后早期,肠道平滑肌肌电活动减弱,收缩力减小,肠黏膜轻度损伤。