Search

Introduction: We sought to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and evaluate the internal consistency and validity of the Chinese version of the 15-Item Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life (MG-QOL15).Methods: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the MG-QOL15 were performed. We used Cronbach's α to test internal consistency, one-way analysis of variance to test construct validity, and Pearson or Spearman correlations to test discriminant and concurrent validity.Results: We enrolled 168 outpatients. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.928). The MG-QOL15 discriminated MG severity as stratified by the MG Composite (MGC; P < 0.001) and Osserman class (P = 0.01). Concurrent validity was low to moderate with the subscales of the 36-item Short Form (-0.31 to ∼-0.59), MGC (r = 0.46), and Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living profile (r = 0.54).Discussion: The Chinese MG-QOL15 showed comparable construct, discriminant and concurrent validity, and internal consistency with to the original version. Muscle Nerve 59:95-99, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The left temporal lobe and adjacent regions showed cortical changes in the W-NP group. • White matter tracts started from ROIs showed decreased MD and RD in the W-NP group. • MD and RD decreased in extensive white matter skeleton in the W-NP group. • Over time, lower mean reduction rates of LGI of ROIs was found in the W-NP group. • Different longitudinal changes related to NP was found in the extensive white matter. Neuropathic pain (NP) is a highly disturbing sensory experience in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). However, the brain changes in NMOSD patients with NP have rarely been studied. The aim of the cross-sectional and follow-up longitudinal study was to investigate the brain changes in NMOSD patients with NP. In the cross-sectional study, comparisons were performed between groups with NP (W-NP) and without NP (Wo-NP), and age, sex and years of education were adjusted. We compared the voxel-wise whole-brain gray matter (GM) volume, cortical thickness (CT), cortical surface area (CSA) and local gyrification index (LGI). Probabilistic tractography started from regions with significant between-group differences in GM volume, CT, CSA and LGI. We also compared fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD) of the white matter (WM) skeleton using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS). In the longitudinal study, the patients were followed for 2.0±0.0 years and underwent the same imaging scanning as the cross-sectional study. Changes of the CT, CSA, LGI and WM were obtained. Patients in the W-NP group were older than those in the Wo-NP group and showed significantly reduced LGI of the left temporal lobe and adjacent regions(regions of interest, ROIs), which participated in neuropathic pain processing, possibly by emotion and attention control. Probabilistic tractography started from ROIs, and the generated WM tracts showed decreased MD and RD in the W-NP group compared to the Wo-NP group. Using TBSS, both MD and RD decreased in extensive WM skeleton in the right hemisphere of the patients in the W-NP group. Additionally, in the follow-up longitudinal study, compared with patients in the Wo-NP group, patients in the W-NP group showed lower mean reduction rates of LGI of ROIs, and less increase of FA and more increases of MD, AD and RD in the extensive WM skeleton. These findings support the hypothesis that brain changes might correlate with NP in NMOSD patients and predict the changes related to NP over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Currently, no data are available regarding the expression levels of CD40L on CD4+ T cells in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). The percentage of circulating CD40L+CD4+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry in 23 NMOSD patients and 10 healthy controls. The ratio of CD40L+CD4+ to CD4+ T cells in patients at acute phase (18.28 ± 15.56%) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (7.23 ± 5.94%, P =.032) and was positively correlated with disease severity (r = 0.532, P =.041). Thus, our results suggest an important role of this molecule in acute attacks of NMOSD. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • We have determined that CD40L on CD4+ T cells is elevated in patients with NMOSD. • The ratio of CD40L+CD4+ to CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in acute patients. • CD40L level on CD4+ T cells was correlated with disease severity in acute patients. • Our study suggested a key role of CD40L on CD4+ T cells in acute attacks of NMOSD. • The modulation of CD40L signaling may be a novel therapeutic approach to NMOSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ischemia-reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke, mitophagy, which can remove damaged mitochondria, reduce cytotoxic damage, and enhance neurological recovery, is crucial. Jionoside A1 is a substance found in the traditional Chinese herb Rehmannia glutinosa, which may have neuroprotective effects. The fundamental objective of this work was to find out Jionoside A1's contribution to ischemia/reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke. The oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD-Rep) model and the right transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model were established. Jionoside A1 was used for treatment. We utilized a tiny interfering RNA (siRNA) to lower Nix expression. The results suggest that Jionoside A1 may reduce ischemic stroke. By lowering the consequences of ischemia/reperfusion injury, Rehmannia glutinosa can be utilized to treat ischemic stroke. These discoveries provide fresh experimental information for the investigation of ischemic stroke ischemia/reperfusion injury and provide some theoretical justification for their application.

Objective: To investigate the effect of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) on the migration of the induced and differentiated mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for raising the efficacy of intravenous transplantation of BMSCs., Methods: The BMSCs were cultured with the method of differential adhesion and density gradient centrifugation of C57/BL10 mice, and were identified by alkaline phosphatase Gomori modified staining after osteogenic inducing. At the 3rd passage, the BMSCs were induced to the myoblasts with 5-azacytidine (5-Aza). The chemotaxis of MCP-1 in the induced and differentiated BMSCs in vitro at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ng/mL was observed through the migration test, by counting the number of the migrated cells. The expression of the chemokine receptor 2 (CKR-2) in the induced and differentiated BMSCs was detected with the flow cytometry., Results: The cells could be cultured with the methods of differential adhesion and density gradient centrifugation and still had higher proliferative and differentiative potency; the induced cells at the 3rd passage could differentiate to the osteoblasts, confirming that the cells were BMSCs; the myogenic induced BMSCs possessed the sarcotubule structure. The number of the migrating BMSCs at MCP-1 concentrations of 25-400 ng/mL were respectively 35.066 7 +/- 6.584 2, 43.200 0 +/- 6.460 8, 44.466 7 +/- 4.823 5, 45.600 0 +/- 8.650 3, and 50.733 3 +/- 7.582 5; showing significant difference when compared with control group (28.333 3 +/- 8.917 6, P < 0.05), and presenting significant difference among 25, 50, 400 ng/mL groups compared with each other (P < 0.05). The expression of CKR-2 in the mouse BMSCs (48.0%) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those of blank control (0.6%) and negative control (17.0%)., Conclusion: The results indicate that the MCP-1 can induce the migration of mouse BMSCs by MCP-1/CKR-2 pathway.