Distinct patterns of neuronal inputs and outputs of the juxtaparaventricular and suprafornical regions of the lateral hypothalamic area in the male rat

We have analyzed at high resolution the neuroanatomical connections of the juxtaparaventricular region of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHAjp); as a control and in comparison to this, we also performed a preliminary analysis of a nearby LHA region that is dorsal to the fornix, namely the LHA suprafornical region (LHAs). The connections of these LHA regions were revealed with a coinjection tract-tracing technique involving a retrograde (cholera toxin B subunit) and anterograde (Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin) tracer. The LHAjp and LHAs together connect with almost every major division of the cerebrum and cerebrospinal trunk, but their connection profiles are markedly different and distinct. In simple terms, the connections of the LHAjp indicate a possible primary role in the modulation of defensive behavior; for the LHAs, a role in the modulation of ingestive behavior is suggested. However, the relation of the LHAjp and LHAs to potential modulation of these behaviors, as indicated by their neuroanatomical connections, appears to be highly integrative as it includes each of the major functional divisions of the nervous system that together determine behavior, i.e., cognitive, state, sensory, and motor. Furthermore, although a primary role is indicated for each region with respect to a particular mode of behavior, intermode modulation of behavior is also indicated. In summary, the extrinsic connections of the LHAjp and LHAs (so far as we have described them) suggest that these regions have a profoundly integrative role in which they may participate in the orchestrated modulation of elaborate behavioral repertoires.     

Up-regulation of the transient A – type K+ current (IA) in the differentiation of neural stem cells of the early postnatal rat hippocampus

Background Neural stem cells (NSCs) not only are essential to cell replacement therapy and transplantation in clinical settings, but also provide a unique model for the research into neurogenesis and epigenesis. However, little attention has been paid to the electrophysiological characterization of NSC development. This work aimed to identify that whether the morphological neuronal differentiation process in NSCs included changes in the electrophysiological properties of transient A-type K+ currents (IA). Methods NSCs were isolated from early postnatal rat hippocampus and were multiplied in basic serum-free medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor. Potassium currents were investigated using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Results Compared to NSC-derived neurons, cNSCs (cloned NSCs) had a more positive resting membrane potential, a higher input resistance, and a lower membrane capacitance. Part of cNSCs and NSC-derived neurons possessed both delayed-rectifier K+ currents (IDR) and IA, Steady-state activation of IA in cNSCs (half-maximal activation at 21.34±4.37 mV) occurred at a more positive voltage than in NSC-derived neurons at 0–6 days in vitro (half-maximal activation at 12.85±4.19 mV). Conclusions Our research revealed a developmental up-regulation of the IA component during differentiation of postnatal NSCs. Together with the marked developmental up-regulation of IDR in vitro neuronal differentiation we have previously found, suggest that the voltage-gated potassium channels may participate in neuronal maturation process.     

Variation in DRD2 dopamine gene predicts Extraverted personality

Quantitative geneticists estimate the heritability of Extraverted personality to be around 40–60%. Theory and research which links Extraversion with variation in dopaminergic function suggests that dopaminergic genes should be a start-point for molecular genetic investigations of this trait. Recent endeavours in this area have met with some encouragement but also setbacks. In this study, we investigate the relationship between Extraversion and the DRD2 TaqIA/ANKK1 polymorphism in 224 university students. Presence of at least one copy of the A1 allele was associated with significantly higher Extraversion. The robustness of this finding was confirmed through bootstrap analysis. Findings are discussed in relation to the broader literature, in particular, methodological issues which may have obscured this finding in previous research.     

T and B cells target identical regions of the non-collagenous domain 1 of type VII collagen in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a severe immunobullous disease and is caused by IgG against type VII collagen (Col VII) of anchoring fibrils. In this study, utilizing ELISA and immunoblot, 13/15 EBA sera but 0/20 bullous pemphigoid sera and 0/30 healthy control sera showed IgG reactivity with distinct recombinant subregions of the non-collagenous domain 1 (NC1) of Col VII. In two EBA patients, IgG titers against Col VII-NC1 were grossly correlated to clinical disease activity. Moreover, Col VII-reactive T cells were identified in a representative EBA patient which recognized identical subdomains of Col VII-NC1. These findings strongly suggest that (1) the Col VII-NC1 ELISA is a powerful tool for making the diagnosis of EBA, (2) Col VII-specific IgG grossly relates to disease activity and (3) IgG reactivity is associated with T cell recognition of identical subdomains of Col VII-NC1.     

异穿心莲内酯固体脂质纳米粒的制备及体外释放研究

目的 采用星点设计-效应面法优化异穿心莲内酯固体脂质纳米粒(IA-SLN)处方工艺,并考察其体外释放特性.方法 采用薄膜-超声分散法制备IA-SLN,以包封率、粒径、Zeta电位为评价指标,考察载体比例、投药量、聚山梨酯80质量分数3因素对制备工艺的影响,并对结果进行方程拟合,用效应面法预测最佳工艺条件;采片用透析法研究IA-SLN体外释放机制.结果 包封率、平均粒径、Zeta电位都以二项式拟合最优,复相关系数R2分别为0.985 6、0.913 6、0.933 4,根据优化方案制备的IA-SLN包封率96.62％、平均粒径162.4 nm、Zeta电位-31.6 mV.IA-SLN体外释放符合non-Fick's扩散机制,药物扩散和脂质骨架溶蚀具有协同作用.结论 星点设计-效应面法可用于IA-SLN的工艺优化,所建立的数学模型预测性良好.     

Removable prosthodontic treatment needs: a survey

Population data on complete and removable partial prosthodontics in Iowa indicated the following. Denture wearers tend to be persons in the older age groups. The percentage of edentulous persons was lower than that reported nationally in 1971. Of every 1,000 persons, 156 were wearing dentures in one or both arches. Of every 1,000 persons, 53 needed a repair, reline, or replacement of an existing denture. Of every 1,000 persons, 70 needed a denture but were not wearing one. Persons of lower income and education were less likely to seek dental care but had the greatest need for treatment. Persons of lower income and education were at higher risk of having some form of mucosal lesions. The public will be unlikely to make use of dental services to prevent or treat lesions or to service a prosthesis unless they are specifically educated to do so.     

Is surgical restaging indicated in apparent stage IA pure ovarian dysgerminoma? The MITO group retrospective experience

Objective

Conservative surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy is considered the standard approach for pure ovarian dysgerminoma (POD), except for correctly staged IA patients. The aim of study was to evaluate the outcome of IA POD patients with incomplete surgical staging in order to define the proper management.

Methods

Data concerning primary treatment and recurrence were reviewed for 26 patients with stage IA POD treated in MITO (Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer) centers.

Results

Median age was 22.5 years. Primary surgery was fertility sparing for 17 patients (65.4%) and radical surgery was performed in 9 patients due to older age or gonadal dysgenesis. Only five patients (19.2%) had complete surgical staging; 38.5% had lymph node dissection, 46.2% had peritoneal biopsies and/or omentectomy and 65.4% had peritoneal washing. Seven patients received adjuvant chemotherapy.Overall recurrence rate was 11.5%: all recurrences occurred in the group submitted to incomplete staging procedure. No patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy relapsed. One patient had pelvic recurrence, one patient relapsed in the abdomino-pelvic peritoneum and lymph nodes and the third patient showed a peritoneum, lymph nodal and residual ovary relapse. All patients with recurrence were cured by salvage therapy: 2 patients were treated with surgery plus chemotherapy and one only with chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 100 months all patients are alive without evidence of disease. Six patients opted for conception and delivered healthy infants, two with IVF with donor oocyte.

Conclusions

IA POD prognosis is excellent. Conservative surgery with a complete surgical staging is the gold standard. Patients with incomplete staging could undergo surgical restaging or surveillance. Chemotherapy should be reserved to relapse with excellent chances of therapeutic success.     

Disease-associated autoantibodies during pregnancy and at birth in families affected by type 1 diabetes.

We studied the pattern of type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibodies during pregnancy and the transplacental transfer of these autoantibodies to the fetal circulation and searched for possible signs of prenatal induction of beta-cell autoimmunity in newborn infants. The population comprised 208 mothers and their newborn infants. Seventy-four of the mothers (36%) had type 1 diabetes and 134 (64%) of the infants had an affected father or sibling. Blood samples were obtained from the mother at the end of the first trimester and at delivery, and from the cord blood of the newborn infant. Close to 40% of the mothers with type 1 diabetes had antibodies to islet cells (ICA), 55% to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) and 54% to the IA-2 protein (IA-2A) in early pregnancy, whereas the corresponding frequencies in the nonaffected mothers were 5.2%, 5.2% and 3.0%. No significant changes could be seen in autoantibody levels during pregnancy, and there was a close correlation between the two maternal samples. One third of the infants of mothers with type 1 diabetes tested positive for ICA, 50% for GADA and 51% for IA-2A. Six percent of the infants of nondiabetic mothers had ICA, 2.2% GADA and none had IA-2A. None of the infants of the antibody negative mothers had antibodies in their cord blood. These observations indicate that the immunomodulatory effect of pregnancy on signs of beta-cell autoimmunity is weak, but if diabetes-associated autoantibodies are present in the mother, most of them are transferred to the fetal circulation. Our data do not provide any support for fetal induction of beta-cell autoimmunity.     

北京地区儿童ARI的鼻咽分泌物的病毒免疫荧光检测结果分析

目的 分析1997年3月－1999年3月两年间北京地区儿童急性呼吸道感染（ARI）的鼻咽分泌物病毒免疫荧光学检测结果。方法 选择1997年3月－1999年3月因急性呼吸道感染而在北京市儿童医院住院治疗的患儿,取其鼻咽分泌物做免疫荧光检测筛查七种呼吸道病毒抗原,阳性病例入选,分析其病历资料。结果 所有794例病人送检标本共796份,阳性228份（28．6％）,其中RSV196例（24．6％）、IA20(2．5％）、IB1例（0．12％）、ADV4例（0．5％）、PIV3 2例（0．25％）、RSV和PIV3 2例（0．25％）,RSV和IA3例 （0．38％）。RSV 和IA感染呈季节性分布。RSV组和IA组病人之间喘息症状并无差异。小年龄组病人与大年龄儿相当,呼吸快、更多存在低氧血症和二氧化碳潴留,病情重、吸氧者多。结论 北京地区两年以来儿童呼吸道感染的病毒学病因可能为呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）、流感病毒（IA）、腺病毒（ADV）和副流感病毒3型（PIV3）,以RSV为主。RSV和IA有一定的季节变化。     

CYP27B1基因突变所致维生素D依赖性佝偻病ⅠA型患儿临床特征与基因分析

目的探讨维生素D依赖性佝偻病(VDDR)ⅠA型患儿的临床特征,以及CYP27B1基因突变情况。方法选择2019年3月至12月,于首都儿科研究所附属儿童医院内分泌科确诊为VDDRⅠA型的2例患儿(患儿1、2)为研究对象。采用回顾性研究方法,①分析其临床表现,基因检测、治疗、转归及随访结果等。②对2例患儿检出的新突变,采用MutationTaster、SIFT、PROVEAN、Polyphen-2等蛋白质功能预测软件,预测该基因新突变的致病性。按照2015年美国医学遗传学与基因组学学会(ACMG)制定的《ACMG遗传变异分类标准与指南》,对该基因新突变致病性进行分级。③通过比对8种灵长类及100种脊椎动物CYP27B1基因编码蛋白质序列,判断新突变位点在不同物种中的保守性。④利用Rosetta软件,对CYP27B1基因新突变后编码蛋白质建立同源3D模型,分析突变前、后蛋白质结构。本研究经首都儿科研究所伦理委员会批准(审批文号:首都儿科研究所SHERLL2020003)。结果①一般临床资料:患儿1、2均为男性患儿,年龄分别为5岁7个月和1岁8个月,分别因为"双下肢畸形3年"及"走路始步态不稳8个月",于病例收集医院住院治疗。②入院查体:身高均低于同性别、年龄健康儿童,均存在肋下缘、双膝关节外翻,双下肢呈"X"型。患儿1存在方颅畸形、"鸡胸"、肋骨"串珠"样改变。③入院时实验室及影像学检查:血钙、磷均降低,25-羟维生素D3[25(OH)-D3]稍低(患儿1)或正常(患儿2),碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、甲状旁腺素(PTH)均明显升高。腕、膝关节X射线摄片检查均可见尺、桡骨干骺端先期钙化带不规则,放射冠征、杯口征等佝偻病特征性改变。④基因检测:患儿1存在CYP27B1基因c.1358G>A与c.184C>T复合杂合突变;患儿2存在c.1325_1326insCCCACCC纯合突变,均遗传自其父母,被确诊为VDDRⅠA型。⑤治疗及随访:对2例患儿采取骨化三醇及钙剂口服治疗后分别随访15个月和22个月,佝偻病相应症状、体征好转,出现追赶生长,实验室及影像学指标恢复正常,可见干骺端光整。⑥新突变致病性及其分级:CYP27B1基因c.184C>T在人类基因突变数据库(HGMD)(http://www.hgmd.cf.ac.uk)中尚未收载,为新突变。采用MutationTaster、SIFT、PROVEAN、Polyphen-2蛋白质功能预测软件分析发现,该新突变具有致病性;根据《ACMG遗传变异分类标准与指南》,该新突变被判断为可能致病性突变。⑦新突变位点在不同物种中的保守性分析:对CYP27B1基因该新突变位点编码蛋白质序列,在8种灵长类及100种脊椎动物中的保守性分析发现,该位点高度保守。⑧新突变前、后编码蛋白质三维结构分析:采用Rosetta软件对CYP27B1基因c.184C>T突变前、后编码蛋白质同源3D模型发现,该位点突变后,第62位氨基酸由组氨酸突变成酪氨酸后,增加了与第491位苏氨酸残基的极性相互作用,可能引起编码蛋白质结构变化。结论对于血钙、磷均降低,伴有PTH升高,25(OH)-D3非明显降低患儿,需考虑VDDRⅠA型可能,应采取CYP27B1基因检测确诊。如果CYP27B1基因c.184C>T突变后续被HGMD证明是新突变,则本研究将丰富CYP27B1基因突变类型。