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Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in dogs. However, based on increasing evidence, male animals experience significant pain after castration. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), one of the main bioactive components in A. membranaceus bunge, has been widely used as part of Fu-Zheng therapy to enhance natural defense mechanisms.This study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementing different doses of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS; control, 0 mg/kg; APSL, 400 mg/kg; and APSH, 800 mg/kg) for 8 weeks on the haematology and serum chemistry profiles, immune response, and oxidative stress status in weanling beagle dogs.After adapting to the experimental environment for 1 week, 18 male beagle dogs (Sichuan Institute of Musk Deer Breeding, China; average initial weight, 3.80 ± 0.43 g; age, 3-month-old) were randomly allotted to diets supplemented with three doses of APS (Control, 0 mg/kg; low, 400 mg/kg; and high, 800 mg/kg), referred to as control, APSL, and APSH, respectively; six dogs were assigned to each treatment. The dogs were fed the respective diets twice daily at 08:30 and 16:30 h in sufficient quantity to supply the metabolizable energy requirements for 8 weeks. On day 43 (19 weeks old), the dogs were castrated. On days 42 (prior to castration, 19 weeks old), 50 (day 7 after castration, 20 weeks old), and 57 (day 14 after castration, 21 weeks old) to measure the haematology, blood chemistry, immune response, and oxidative stress status parameters.Based on our findings, the APSH diet decreased weight gain and increased the feed to gain ratio in dogs (P0.05). At 14 days after castration, the wound was almost closed, slightly swollen, dry, and clean in the groups supplemented with APS. In addition, optimal APS supplementation was found to decrease erythrocyte count (RBC), haematocrit (HCT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and cortisol and protein carbonyl (PC) concentrations (P0.05). Moreover, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and platelet (PLT) levels, interleukin 10 (IL-10) and glutathione (GSH) content, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) activities were increased in the APS supplemented groups (P0.05) CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that supplementing weanling beagle dogs with optimum APS could positively affect wound healing by improving their haematological profile (decreased RBC and HCT content, increased MCH and PLT levels), serum biochemical parameters (decreased ALP and ALT content), immune status (decreased CRP, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels; increased IL-10 content), and antioxidant defense (decreased cortisol and PC content; increased GSH content, and SOD1, CAT, and Se-GPx activities). However, the detailed mechanism whereby APS regulates these changes requires further investigation. In addition, the results of this study suggest that 400 mg/kg diet is the optimum APS dose for beagle dogs.

After the global elimination of smallpox, monkeypox has become the most threatening orthopoxvirus to human health. Very few studies have been reported on pregnant women and newborns. In the case of monkeypox infection, the virus can cause serious adverse pregnancy events in women, which can lead to fetal or neonatal death.We made a comprehensive review after an extensive literature search in the PubMed/Medline database and websites concerning smallpox and monkeypox.Two case reports reported a total of nine pregnant women, six of whom had fetal deaths. In the autopsy of a stillbirth, researchers found that the placenta was infected with monkeypox virus, but the mechanism of infection remains unclear. Smallpox vaccine should be administered to acutely exposed pregnant women and newborns. Several novel recombinant vaccinia immunogloblin (rVIG) and human-specific monoclonal antibodies are being developed for the prevention and treatment of monkeypox virus infection. After the fetus was delivered, the newborn should take a bath as soon as possible to remove the amniotic fluid and dirt from the body. The appropriate isolation protocol for the newborn should be selected according to the infection status of the mother. It is not known whether monkeypox virus is present in breast milk, and pasteurized breast milk can be given to newborns when breastfeeding is considered.This review presents an overview of monkeypox in the perinatal period and guides the future research direction.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the hematology, serum biochemistry, immune responses and oxidative damage of growing beagles fed a diet supplemented with housefly (Musca domestica) maggot meal (MM). Weanling beagles (initial body weight 2.69 ± 0.17 kg) were fed a control diet (0% MM) or experimental diet (5% MM) for 42 days. The results indicated that the diet supplemented with 5% MM had no significant effects on the hematology and serum biochemistry of growing beagles (P>0.05). Meanwhile, neither the serum concentrations of lysozyme and C-reactive protein nor the serum antibody responses to canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus were influenced by dietary MM supplementation (P>0.05). However, dogs in the experimental group had lower serum levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl than those in the control group (P

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diversity of peripheral blood T cell receptor (TCR) β chain complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) based on immune repertoire sequencing in neonates with sepsis and the possible pathogenesis of neonatal sepsis. METHODS: A total of 12 neonates with sepsis were enrolled as the case group, and 9 healthy full-term infants, matched for gestational age, birth weight, and age, were enrolled as the control group. Omega nucleic acid purification kit (SQ blood DNA Kit II) was used to extract DNA from peripheral blood samples, TCR β chain CDR3 was amplified by multiplex PCR, and then high-throughput sequencing was performed for the products to analyze the diversity of TCR β chain CDR3 and the difference in expression. RESULTS: The length and type of TCR β chain CDR3 were similar between the case and control groups, and Gaussian distribution was observed in both groups. With D50 and Shannon-Wiener index as the evaluation indices for diversity, the case group had a significantly lower diversity of TCR β chain CDR3 than the control group (P

OBJECTIVE: To study the change in regional oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) of intestinal tissue in preterm infants with hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) by near-infrared spectroscopy, and the clinical significance of the change in intestinal oxygen level in preterm infants with hsPDA. METHODS: The preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) who had gestational age

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible incubator in cranial MRI examination for neonates. METHODS: A total of 120 neonates who were hospitalized in three hospitals and needed to undergo MRI examination were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group, with 60 neonates in each group. The neonates in the experimental group were transferred with MRI-compatible incubator and underwent cranial MRI examination inside the MRI-compatible incubator, and those in the control group were transferred using a conventional neonatal transfer incubator and then underwent MRI examination outside the incubator. The two groups were compared in terms of the primary efficacy index (total examination time), secondary efficacy indices (times of examination, MRI completion rate on the first day of use), and safety indices (incidence rate of adverse events and vital signs). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in total examination time, times of examination, and MRI completion rate on the first day of use between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were also no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rate of adverse events and vital signs such as respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation rate at different time points before and after examination (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of MRI-compatible incubator does not significantly shorten the examination time of cranial MRI, but it does provide a relatively stable environment for examination with acceptable safety. There is a need for further studies with a larger population.

Infantile hydrocephalus (IHC) is commonly related to other central nervous system diseases, which may have adverse effects on prognosis. The causes of IHC are heterogeneous, and the genetic etiologies are not fully understood. This study aimed to analyze the genetic etiologies of an IHC cohort.The data for 110 IHC patients who had received exome sequencing at the Clinical Genetic Center of the Children's Hospital of Fudan University between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. An exome-wide association analysis (EWAS) was performed within this cohort using IHC as the study phenotype.Of the 110 IHC patients, a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant was identified in 16 (15%) patients, spanning 13 genes. The genes were mainly associated with metabolic disorders, brain abnormalities, and genetic syndromes. IHC patients who had unclear clinical etiology were more likely to possess a genetic etiology. Based on previous studies and on our EWAS results, ZEB1, SBF2, and GNAI2 were over-represented among IHC patients and might affect the signaling pathways involved in IHC formation.Our study showed heterogeneous genetic etiologies in an IHC cohort. It is essential to perform genetic testing on IHC patients who have unclear clinical etiology, and genes associated with metabolic disorders, brain abnormalities, and genetic syndromes should be noted. In addition, when aiming to discover IHC susceptibility genes, genes that might influence the signaling pathways involved in IHC formation should be prioritized.

We collected neonatal neurological, clinical, and imaging data to study the neurological manifestations and imaging characteristics of neonates with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).This case-control study included newborns diagnosed with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China from January 2020 to July 2020. All included newborns had complete neurological evaluations and head magnetic resonance imaging. We normalized the extracted T2-weighted imaging data to a standard neonate template space, and segmented them into gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. The comparison of gray matter volume was conducted between the two groups.A total of five neonates with COVID-19 were included in this study. The median reflex scores were 2 points lower in the infected group than in the control group (P = 0.0094), and the median orientation and behavior scores were 2.5 points lower in the infected group than in the control group (P = 0.0008). There were also significant differences between the two groups in the total scale score (P = 0.0426). The caudate nucleus, parahippocampal gyrus, and thalamus had the strongest correlations with the Hammersmith neonatal neurologic examination (HNNE) score, and the absolute correlation coefficients between the gray matter volumes and each part of the HNNE score were all almost greater than 0.5.We first compared the neurological performance of neonates with and without COVID-19 by quantitative neuroimaging and neurological examination methods. Considering the limited numbers of patients, more studies focusing on the structural or functional aspects of the virus in the central nervous system in different age groups will be carried out in the future.

BackgroundTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of erythropoietin (Epo) combined with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).MethodsA total of 78 term infants with HIE were assigned randomly to receive Epo (n = 40) or placebo (n = 38). All infants received TH. Blood samples before TH, after TH and after Epo/placebo were collected for measuring TH associated adverse events, Epo associated factors and potential neural biomarkers. Basal ganglia/ watershed (BG/W) scoring system was used to assess brain injury in MRI. Neurodevelopmental evaluations were performed at 18 months by using BayleyScales of Infant Development II (Bayley II).ResultsEpo-treated group tend to have lower serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration (114 vs 202, P = .04) and higher serum K+, Mg2+ concentration (5.0 vs 4.5, P = .03; 1.0 vs 0.9, P = .02) than control group after intervention. Brain MRI was performed in 65 (83%) neonatal. Totally brain injury score was in even distribution between two groups (median, 0 vs 0, P = .61), but injury region in cortex plus basal nuclei comparing with in basal nuclei solely was less common in the Epo than in the control group (21% vs 31%, P = .046). Only forty patients (40/78, 51%) succeeded in achieving 18-month follow up data. The totally adverse outcomes were trend to decline in the Epo group (35% vs 60%, P = .21). No adverse events were ascribed to Epo treatment.ConclusionsThe combination of Epo and TH is proved to be feasible, safe and potential effective.Trial registration: ChiCTR-TRC-14004532, date of registration: April 18th, 2014.

In order to study the advantages and disadvantages of dry mixed mortar and traditional shotcreting in underground shotcreting operation, and improve the mechanization level of underground shotcreting operation. This paper makes a statistical analysis on the use of dry mixed mortar shotcreting machines in 10 pairs of mines, such as Fucun and Tianchen of Zaokuang group. It is found that the dust content in the feeding point and the shotcreting point is higher, and the rebound is also higher. Six pairs of coal mines, such as Fucun and Tianchen, were selected to compare and analyze the shotcreting efficiency, rebound rate, dust rate and economic and technical indicators between dry mixed mortar and traditional mortar. The results showed that compared with traditional mortar, the shotcreting efficiency of dry mixed mortar was increased by 55.1%, the work efficiency was increased by 97.9%, and the rebound rate was reduced by 4.8%. Based on the above problems existing in dry mixed mortar shotcreting operation, the joint scientific research institute of Zao mining group put forward the schemes of bag feeding of finished dry mixed mortar and centralized feeding of finished dry mixed mortar, as well as the new shotcreting machine JSPB-8LX which can automatically adjust the water cement ratio, laying a foundation for the comprehensive promotion and application of dry mixed mortar under the mine.

To develop a disease model for the human Alstrom Syndrome (AS), we used the episomal reprogramming system and CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line with the compound heterozygous patient mutation (ALMS1 c.3902C > A, c.6436C > T) along with an isogenic gene-corrected control iPSC line. Both iPSC lines showed normal karyotype, expressed pluripotent markers, and differentiated into cells of three embryonic germ layer. These AS mutant and isogenic iPSC control line will be of great use in investigating the disease mechanisms, drug screening and treatment in patients.

Based on the analogy between equations of gas seepage in coal seam and that of thermal conduction, a simulative method on gas seepage in coal seam was proposed through that thermal conduction interpreted as gas seepage. The laws of gas emission from borehole in homogeneous and heterogeneous coal seam were analyzed using this method. It indicates that the simulative results of the gas emission from borehole in homogeneous coal seam were satisfied with the corresponding theoretical results during the early stage of gas seepage, while a tolerance between the numerical results and the theoretical ones was appeared in the later period. This is due to the simplification as solving the theoretical equations. The results of heterogeneous coal seam show that curves of gas emission rate conform to the actual situation. The numerical simulation method on the law of gas emission from borehole in coal seam is feasible.

For questions of the accident investigation of bridge，forensic engineering system of bridge is presented to find out the cause of collapse。New framework is proposed for forensic engineering system of bridge，including conception、principle、 independent investigation、member of investigation group、time limit of investigation and legal status of investigation conclusion.

Outburst cavity formed during coal and gas outburst can be pear shaped, elliptical, or just like an irregularly elongated ellipsoid, its capacity is always smaller than the volume of ejected coal. And the gas emission quantity is almost 4 to 10 times as gas content in ejected coal. These are two different expressions of the same problem. To find the reasons for the decrease of outburst cavity volume and the increase of gas emission quantity per ton, by using the finite element code ANSYS, the damage zone and the failure zone of the outburst cavity were determined based on the static and dynamic combination method. In this paper, the reason for the decrease of the outburst volume was explained.

Based on Fluid Dynamics and Combustion Theory, the model of pipeline was created by the software of CFD, and the spread of gas explosion was simulated in the conditions of pipelines of different lengths. The flame speed was obtained, as well as the the law of pressure changing with time in the pipeline. The results showed that the acceleration of flame speed could be divided into three phases: diffuse transmit, rise rapidly, inertial motion; oscillation pressure affected the turbulence of flame and was the significant reason to the rise of flame speed; when the pipeline got longer, the maximal flame speed would be higher, in addition, the transition distance that flame speed rise to a high value would tend to stable.

Rock is a type of natural material containing microcracks. The evolution of mining-induced fracture field is one of the main problems of gas comprehensive control and rock mass seepage. The distribution of fissures and porosity in overlying strata under the mining influence were studied in this paper. The stratum subsidence was represented quantitatively using elastic thin plate theory and key strata theory. Based on the stratum subsidence, a program calculating porosity in overlying strata was developed based on VB. The results demonstrate that the porosity increase with face advances. The porosity becomes small with the decrease of strata depth, and the bigger separation is located in the strata below the key strata. The amount of the fissures in the middle part of overlying strata is more than that in two ends, and the porosity curves present symmetric arch shape in the initial stage. With face advances, the curves of porosity in the strata located the upper position change symmetric arch shape into saddle shape.

Based on the theory of nonlinear dynamic finite element, the control equation of coal and water jet was acquired in the coal breaking process under a water jet. The calculation model of coal breaking under a water jet was established; the fluid-structure coupling of water jet and coal was implemented by penalty function and convection calculation. The dynamic process of coal breaking under a water jet was simulated and analyzed by combining the united fracture criteria of the maximum tensile strain and the maximal shear strain in the two cases of damage to coal and damage failure to coal.

Neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation are required to replace neurons damaged or lost after hypoxic-ischemic events and recover brain function. Periostin (POSTN), a novel matricellular protein, plays pivotal roles in the survival, migration, and regeneration of various cell types, but its function in NSCs of neonatal rodent brain is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of POSTN in NSCs following hypoxia-ischemia (HI). We found that POSTN mRNA levels significantly increased in differentiating NSCs. The proliferation and differentiation of NSCs in the hippocampus is compromised in POSTN knockout mice. Moreover, NSC proliferation and differentiation into neurons and astrocytes significantly increased in cultured NSCs treated with recombinant POSTN. Consistently, injection of POSTN into neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rat brains stimulated NSC proliferation and differentiation in the subventricular and subgranular zones after 7 and 14 days of brain injury. Lastly, POSTN treatment significantly improved the spatial learning deficits of rats subjected to HI. These results suggest that POSTN significantly enhances NSC proliferation and differentiation after HI, and provides new insights into therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a common ischemic brain injury in premature infants for which there is no effective treatment. The objective of this study was to determine whether transplanted mouse oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) have neuroprotective effects in a rat model of PVL. Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) was induced in 3-day-old rat pups by left carotid artery ligation, followed by exposure to 6% oxygen for 2.5 h. Animals were assigned to OPC transplantation or sham control groups and injected with OPCs or PBS, respectively, and sacrificed up to 6 weeks later for immunohistochemical analysis to investigate the survival and differentiation of transplanted OPCs. Apoptosis was evaluated by double immunolabeling of brain sections for caspase-3 and neuronal nuclei (NeuN), while proliferation was assessed using a combination of anti-Nestin and -bromodeoxyuridine antibodies. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Bcl-2 was examined 7 days after OPC transplantation. The Morris water maze was used to test spatial learning and memory. The results showed that transplanted OPCs survived and formed a myelin sheath, and stimulated BDNF and Bcl-2 expression and the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC), while inhibiting HI-induced neuronal apoptosis relative to control animals. Moreover, deficits in spatial learning and memory resulting from HI were improved by OPC transplantation. These results demonstrate an important neuroprotective role for OPCs that can potentially be exploited in cell-based therapeutic approaches to minimize HI-induced brain injury.

The dynamic buckling of an elastic-plastic column subjected to an axial impact by a rigid body was discussed by using the energy law. The traveling process of elastic-plastic waves under impact action was analyzed by characteristics method. The equation of lateral disturbance used to analyze the problem was developed by taking into account the effect of elastic-plastic stress wave. The power series solution of this problem has been the power series approach. The buckling criterion of this problem was proposed by analyzing the characteristics of the solution. The relationship among critical velocity and impact mass, critical buckling length, hardening modulus was given by using theoretical analysis and numerical computation.

Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of mild hypothermia in the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which can reduce mortality or the incidence of severe neurological sequelae. Mild hypothermia has been used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as a routine treatment method for neonatal HIE in many developed countries, and it is increasingly applied in some NICUs in China. However, 40%-50% of the neonates treated with mild hypothermia die or develop severe neurological disability. Thus, to achieve the best neuroprotective effect, issues such as selection of patients with indications for mild hypothermia, cooling method, optimal time for mild hypothermia, duration of mild hypothermia, optimal target temperature, and the safety and long-term effects of mild hypothermia combined with other therapies, need to be further discussed. This article reviews the latest progress in clinical research on these issues.

To study the effect of selective moderate head cooling therapy on maximum length sequences brainstem auditory evoked potential (MLS-BAEP) in newborn piglets with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.Sixteen newborn piglets aged 5-7 day old were randomly divided into three groups: normothermic control (n=4), HI (n=6) and mild hypothermia-treated (n=6). HI was induced through temporary occlusion of both carotid arteries, followed by mechanical ventilation with low concentration of oxygen (FiO2=0.06) for 30 minutes. Mild hypothermia was induced by equipment via circulating water. MLS-BAER was recorded before HI and at 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 60 hours, 72 hours, 4 days, 7 days, 10 days, 13 days and 15 days after HI.Compared with the normothermic control group, all latencies and intervals tended to increase significantly at 72 hours in the HI group and reached peak values on day 7. From day 10, all latencies and intervals tended to decrease, but apart from wave I latency, still differed significantly from those of the normothermic control group. MLS-BAER variables did not reach normal values until day 15. Ⅲ latency, Ⅰ-Ⅲ interval and Ⅰ-Ⅴ interval were significantly reduced in the hypothermia-treated group between 60 and 7 days after HI compared with the HI group (P0.05). V latency and Ⅲ-Ⅴ interval in the hypothermia-treated group were also reduced compared with the HI group between 72 hours and 7 days after HI (P0.05).Both peripheral and central auditory systems are disturbed by HI, which shows as a significant increase in MLS-BAER variables (all latencies and intervals) in newborn piglets. Involvement in central brainstem auditory system reaches a peak on day 7 after injury. MLS-BAER variables still cannot reach to normal values until day 15. Selective moderate head cooling therapy can significantly reduce brainstem damage induced by HI.

To summarize and review the clinical characteristics including clinical features, prenatal characteristics, diagnosis, treatments and short-term outcomes of the twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) to improve the recognition of the disease.The clinical data of one case with twin anemia-polycythemia sequence and the reports of 15 cases seen in the past 5 years were reviewed and analyzed.There was an increasing number of reports of cases with TAPS. Prenatal manifestation: among the 16 cases, TAPS occurred in 13 cases naturally and in 3 cases occurred after laser treatment. Amniotic fluid volume showed no significant difference in 16 cases. Middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV)1.5 multiples of the median (MoM) in the donor were 11/16 cases and 3/16 cases were not tested. MCA-PSV1.0 MoM in the recipient were seen in 10/16 cases and in 3/16 cases MCA-PSV was not tested. Hydrops fetalis was found in 6/16 cases. Intrauterine intervention: intrauterine blood transfusion was performed in 4/16 cases, fetoscopic laser occlusion of chorioangiopagus vessels was performed in 4/16 cases, umbilical cord occlusion selective feticide was done in 2/16 cases and intrauterine hemodilution in the recipient was performed in 1/16 case. Postnatal manifestation: average hemoglobin concentration in the anemic neonate was 95 g/L and in the polycythemic one was 208 g/L, intertwin Hb difference was80 g/L in 10/16 cases and80 g/L in 2/16 cases (after intrauterine laser treatment). Intertwin reticulocyte count ratio was1.7 in 5/16 cases and1.7 in 1/16 case (after intrauterine laser treatment). Postnatal treatment: 9/16 cases of donor had anemia, among them, 6/16 cases were given blood transfusions, 6/16 cases of recipient with hyperviscosity underwent partial exchange transfusions. Neurodevelopmental follow-up during neonatal period was normal in 11/16 cases, in our case, neurodevelopmental follow-up at the corrected gestational age 3 months was normal.TAPS is a new atypical form of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) that presents as a large intertwin hemoglobin difference with one twin developing anemia and the other developing polycythemia, without oligohydramnios-polyhydramnios sequence that is required for the diagnosis of TTTS. We suggest that routine doppler studies and MCA-PSV measurements should be performed during each follow-up visit in all uncomplicated monochorionic twin pregnancies, in order to find out the cases required intrauterine intervention to decrease neonatal mortality rates and improve the prognosis.

To study the characteristics of amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in preterm infants and changes of maturation with gestational age.aEEG monitoring was done within 3 days of age with domestically produced digital aEEG set (CFM3000). Duration of each recording was at least 4 hours. The continuity, sleep-wake cycle, voltage and bandwidth of all aEEG tracing were analyzed.The percent of continuity background increased from 30% of 28 weeks to 85.7% of 36 weeks (χ(2) = 28.2, P = 0.026); the percent of mature sleep-wake cycle increased from 10% of 28 weeks to 100% of 36 weeks (χ(2) = 192.4, P0.01). Low bound voltage increased with gestational age, from (6.8 ± 1.7) µV (28 w) to 9.7 - 10.1 µV (35 - 36 w) (F = 11.4, P0.01). Bandwidth of the narrow band decreases gradually with gestational age, from 1.45 cm (28 w) to (0.86 ± 0.24) cm (36 w) (F = 8.731, P0.01). The correlation coefficient for continuity, sleep-wake cycle, low bound voltage and bandwidth of narrow band, and total scores were 0.32, 0.81, 0.38, 0.55 and 0.78 respectively (P0.05).The older the gestational age of infants at birth, the more mature the aEEG pattern, manifested as increased continuity and sleep-wake cycle, the higher low bound voltage and more narrowed bandwidth with increased gestational age.

The mechanism of rearrangement of 1-(substituted phenyl)-1,3-dimethoxy-2-propanones to give substituted benzylglyoxal dimethyl acetals ( 5 ) was studied by kinetic measurements, by the effects of acid catalysis, by rearangements in the absence of acid and in the presence of base, by solvent effects, by effects of temperature, and by mass spectroscopy. It is concluded that the title ketones rearrange by a sigmatropic rather than an S n 1′ allylic shift.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an uncommon autoimmune disease passively transmitted from the mother in which there is transplacental passage of maternal antibodies. It is often misdiagnosed as intrauterine infection or sepsis. The main purpose of this retrospective study was to improve the understanding of pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of NLE.Clinical manifestations, results of the tests for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB and anti-dsDNA antibodies in both infants with NLE (8 cases) and their mothers and head ultrasound and CT scans of the infants were analyzed. Follow-up was performed until one and ahalf years of age or all the abnormalities had been resolved.Totally 8 cases (3 males and 5 females) matched the criteria for diagnosis of NLE from September 2003 to February 2006, among whom 4 were small for gestational age and one was born prematurely. Mean gestational age was 38.1 +/- 1.9 weeks, mean birth weight 2 605 +/- 420 grams, mean admission age 22.4 +/- 27.7 days (2 hours-72 days) and mean age of onset 9.4 +/- 12.1 days (0 - 28 days). The common clinical manifestations included cutaneous lupus lesions (8 infants), neural system abnormalities (2 infants) and congenital heart block (2 infants). The skin of the infants exhibited annular, erythematous or desquamative lesions. They all disappeared before 6 months of age. One patient presented with grade III atrioventricular block and was delivered by cesarean section because of "fetal distress". He did not recover at one and a half years follow-up. One infant was hypotonic with delayed neuro-motor development initially and during follow-up with both abnormal neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) and image findings. CT showed generalized low density involving periventricular area and deep white matter at one week of age. At the age of one and a half years, he presented with normal mental development index determined by CDCC infant intelligence mensuration. Other abnormal clinical findings included hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, thrombocytopenia, cholestasis and elevated liver enzymes, which were all resolved before 6 months of age. Only 3 mothers of the NLE infants were diagnosed as lupus erythematosus before parturition and only one received partial therapy. At least anti-Ro/SSA antibody or anti-La/SSB antibody or ANA was found in the affected patients. Seven cases had circulating anti-Ro and/or anti-La antibodies in the mothers and in the newborns, while ANA was positive in 7 newborns and in all mothers. All the clinical symptoms except congenital heart block disappeared before 18 months of age. No special intervention was applied.Serum auto-antibodies should be investigated to rule out NLE when there is congenital heart block or rashes or thrombocytopenia presented in a neonate, despite there is no maternal history. Central nervous system abnormalities in NLE are likely to be transient and whether it will cause long term sequelae is uncertain.

A large body of experimental and clinical observations indicates that disturbances in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation are important in the pathogenesis of germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), the 2 most important forms of brain injury in pretmature infants. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used recently to estimate CBF in human newborns. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the correlation of NIRS estimations and cerebral blood flow in newborn piglets, which in turn may help provide the ideal NIRS estimation reflecting the changes of cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular autoregulation.Ten newborn piglets, aged 1 - 3 days, were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: normal control group (n = 6) and hypotension group (n = 4). Hypotension was induced by withdrawing blood from an arterial catheter. We NIRS was used to determine quantitative changes in cerebral concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (DeltaHbO(2)) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (DeltaHHb), then calculated NIRS estimations DeltatHb (DeltaHbO(2)+DeltaHHb) and DeltaHbD (DeltaHbO(2)-DeltaHHb). Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was determined by colored microspheres, and mean artery blood pressure (MABP) measured by arterial catheter pressure transducer was recorded simultaneously. Linear regression methods were used to analyze the relationships between NIRS estimations, CBF measured by micropheres, and MABP.The correlation of NIRS estimations and CBF was quantitated by calculating coherence scores. A coherence of 1.0 indicates perfect correlation, a coherence of 0 indicates a complete lack of correlation. In the norm group, the experimental study showed strong correlations beween DeltaHbD, DeltatHb and changes in global CBF (GCBF), cerebral cortex CBF (CBFc), coherence scores r(1a) = 0.409, r(1b) = 0.440, r(2a) = 0.394 and r(2b) = 0.400, respectively, P0.05. In the hypotension group, the decrease of CBF was significant when the MABP dropped to 35 mm Hg (P0.05). With the decreasing MABP, there was a notable increase of DeltaHHb (P0.01), a modest increase (P0.05) at the beginning and then a marked fall (P0.01) of DeltaHbO(2) and DeltatHb was noted when the MABP dropped to 35 mm Hg. DeltaHbD decreased in parallel with the decline in CBF determined by colored microspheres, DeltaHbD varied with CBF during hypotensive episodes. Notably, there was a very strong correlations between DeltaHbD and changes in CBF (coherence scores GCBF r(3a) = 0.890, CBFc r(3b) = 0.887, P0.01); Importantly, decreases in DeltatHb did not correlate significantly with decreases in CBF during hypotension (coherence scores GCBF r(4a) = 0.395, CBFc r(4b) = 0.375, P0.05). Concordant changes (correlation coefficient0.5) in DeltaHbD, CBF and MABP, consistent with impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation, were observed in newborn piglets when MABP was less than 35 mm Hg. When MABP was more than 35 mm Hg, newborn piglets with intact cerebrovascular autoregulation in which CBF are maintained constant despite alternations in MABP have shown inconsistent changes in DeltaHbD, CBF and MABP (correlation coefficient0.5).DeltaHbD signal is more sensitive to changes in CBF than DeltatHb signal, in terms of cerebral hemodynamic changes both in normal and hypotensive conditions, while DeltatHb in normal condition. The lower limit of CBF autoregulation in newborn piglets aged 1 - 3 days was 35 mm Hg, and correlation between NIRS estimation (DeltaHbD) and MABP could be used to identify cerebrovascular autoregulation in newborn piglets.

To study the change in regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolism rate (CMR) during selective head cooling (SHC) in newborn piglets.Sixteen newborn piglets, aged 5 approximately 7 days, were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: SHC in normal piglets (n = 4), SHC after hypoxia-ischemia HI (n = 6) and normal temperature after HI (n = 6). Nasopharyngeal temperature was respectively reduced to 35 degrees C and then 32 degrees C in SHC group. HI was induced by using temporary occlusion of the bilateral carotid arteries and mechanical ventilation with low concentration of oxygen (6%) for 30 minutes. CBF was measured with color microspheres method. Mixed venous blood and arterial sample were collected at the same time from superior sagittal sinus and forelimb artery respectively for blood gas analysis, blood glucose and lactate measurement. Cerebral oxygenation metabolism rate (CMRO(2)), cerebral glucose metabolism rate (CMR(Glu)) and cerebral lactate production (CLP) were calculated.In normal piglets, CBF, CMRO(2) and CMR(Glu) were significantly decreased at 35 degrees C and 32 degrees C respectively, while CLP did not change. When nasopharyngeal temperature decreased to 35 degrees C, The ratios of CBF/CMRO(2), CBF/CMR(Glu) and CBF/CLP did not significantly change, coupling of CBF and CMR was maintained. While nasopharyngeal temperature decreased to 32 degrees C, the ratios of CBF/CMR(Glu) and CBF/CLP significantly decreased. Maintained newborn piglets normal temperature after HI, the CBF and CMRO(2) were significantly reduced, while CMR(Glu) and CLP were markedly increased. The ratio of CBF/CMRO(2) increased, CBF/CMR(Glu) and CBF/CLP decreased. Uncoupling of CBF and CMR was observed. During SHC after HI, the same decrease was observed in CBF and CMR(Glu) and CLP was markedly reduced. The ratio of CBF/CMRO(2), CBF/CMR(Glu) and CBF/CLP were restored at 35 degrees C and 32 degrees C as compared to the same time point in normal temperature, respectively.CBF and CMR decreased in normal piglets during SHC and coupling of CBF and CMR was maintained. After HI, CBF was reduced and the disturbance of cerebral oxygenation metabolism occurred. CBF and CMR was uncoupled. SHC after HI can improve CMR and correct uncoupling of CBF and CMR.

We report a case of cardiac tamponade due to air leak and fatal pneumopericardium that occurred after commercial flight transportation of a premature infant with chronic lung disease without respiratory distress. We review and discuss aspects of flight pathophysiology, and conclude that careful preparation before, and close monitoring during, commercial flight transportation is necessary for premature infants.

To explore the inducing effect of human mutant p27 gene on the apoptosis of the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 and its associated mechanisms.The recombinant adenovirus Ad-p27mt was constructed to infect the human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45. Using flow cytometry, TUNEL assay and DNA fragment analysis, we measured the apoptotic effect of Ad-p27mt on the human gastric cancer cells.Ad-p27mt was successfully constructed and the infection efficiency reached 100%. After 18 h of infection, we observed an apoptotic hypodiploid peak on the flow cytometer before G1-S and apoptotic characteristic bands in the DNA electrophoresis. The apoptotic rate detected by TUNEL method was significantly higher in the Ad-p27mt group (89.4+/-3.12%) compared to the control group (3.12+/-0.13%, P0.01).Human mutant p27 can induce apoptosis of the human gastric cancer cells in vitro.

Background The tumor suppressor gene Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is highly expressed in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and plays an important role in development of the central nervous system. As a dual-specificity phosphatase, the loss of PTEN phosphatase activity has been linked to various diseases. Results Here we report that the protein phosphatase activity of Pten is critical for regulating differentiation of neural progenitor cells. First we found that deletion of Pten promotes neuronal differentiation. To determine whether the protein or lipid phosphatase activity is required for regulating neuronal differentiation, we generated phosphatase domain-specific Pten mutations. Interestingly, only expression of protein phosphatase-deficient mutant Y138L could mimic the effect of knocking down Pten, suggesting the protein phosphatase of Pten is critical for regulating NPC differentiation. Importantly, we showed that the wild-type and lipid phosphatase mutant (G129E) forms of Pten are able to rescue neuronal differentiation in Pten knockout NPCs, but mutants containing protein phosphatase mutant cannot. We further found that Pten-dependent dephosphorylation of CREB is critical for neuronal differentiation. Conclusion Our data indicate that the protein phosphatase activity of PTEN is critical for regulating differentiation of NSCs during cortical development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-015-0114-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.