[Liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry analysis of 300 illegally added drugs and their analogues in functional milk powder for the elderly].

Various types of milk powder purportedly providing diverse health functions have emerged with the growth of the country's elderly population. Some manufacturers illegally add chemical drugs to their products to achieve their reported benefits, which poses a threat to consumer health. The existing standard methods are inapplicable to such complex sample matrices and require testing based on functional claims and classification.

Global survey of dioxin- and thyroid hormone-like activities in consumer products and toys.

Background: Children and consumers are exposed to increasingly complex mixtures of known and as-yet-unknown toxic chemicals from toys and products. However traditional chemical analysis methods only evaluate a small number of chemicals at a time thereby restricting consumer awareness of the full range of potentially harmful chemicals in products.

Methods: We used high-throughput effect-based non-animal methods to investigate exposures to complex chemical mixtures of several kinds of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) for their dioxin- and thyroid hormone-like activities in various kinds of consumer products and toys from 26 different countries, on four continents (Africa, America, Asia and Europe) in combination with chemical analysis of various polybrominated flame retardants (BFRs) and their impurities (such as polyhalogenated PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs).

TPX2 enhances the transcription factor activation of PXR and enhances the resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to antitumor drugs.

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is an important regulator of hepatocellular carcinoma cellular resistance to antitumor drugs. Activation of PXR was modulated by the co-regulators. The target protein for the Xenopus plus end-directed kinesin-like protein (Xklp2) known as TPX2 that was previously considered as a tubulin regulator, also functions as the regulator of some transcription factors and pro-oncogenes in human malignances.

A Single Nucleotide Mixture Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Molecular-Targeted Drugs Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

New strategies for molecular-targeted drug therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ignore the contribution of the nutritional status of patients and nutritional support to improve physical status and immunity. We aimed to elucidate the role of a single nucleotide mixture (SNM) in the anti-tumor therapy of HCC, and to explore the importance of a SNM as adjuvant therapy for HCC. Compared with a lipid emulsion (commonly used nutritional supplement for HCC patients), the SNM could not induce metabolic abnormalities in HCC cells (Warburg effect), and did not affect expression of metabolic abnormality-related factors in HCC cells.

[Vasovagal syncope or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in children with neurological symptoms at disease onset: a clinical analysis of 88 cases].

Objective: To study the clinical features of vasovagal syncope (VVS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in children with neurological symptoms at disease onset.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 88 children with the initial symptoms of the nervous system, such as transient loss of consciousness, dizziness, headache, and convulsion, who were finally diagnosed with VVS or POTS.

Results: Of the 88 children, there were 35 boys (40%) and 53 girls (60%), with an age of 4-15 years.

A rare case of pediatric moyamoya disease with reversible white matter lesions in a 3-year-old Chinese girl.

Moyamoya disease is a chronic cerebral vascular disease characterized by progressive occlusion of the cerebral arteries and resulting in the development of abnormal collateral circulation. We report a case of moyamoya disease in a 3-year-old Chinese girl with partly reversible white matter lesions. This case indicates that, in pediatric moyamoya disease, white matter lesions may be associated with cerebral ischemia, and they may be reversible after treatment.

Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required for amyloid pathology in brain endothelial cells induced by Glycoprotein 120, methamphetamine and nicotine.

One of the most challenging issues in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) caused by HIV-1 virotoxins and drug abuse is the lack of understanding the underlying mechanisms that are commonly associated with disorders of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which mainly consists of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC). Here, we hypothesized that Glycoprotein 120 (gp120), methamphetamine (METH) and nicotine (NT) can enhance amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation in BMEC through Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). Both in vitro (human BMEC) (HBMEC) and in vivo (mice) models of BBB were used to dissect the role of α7 nAChR in up-regulation of Aβ induced by gp120, METH and NT.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA attenuates post-seizure hippocampal microglia TLR4/MYD88 signaling and inhibits TLR4 gene expression via histone acetylation.

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Seizure-induced TLR4/MYD88 signaling plays a critical role in activating microglia and triggering neuron apoptosis. SAHA is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that regulates gene expression by increasing chromatin histone acetylation.

Research Progress on the Role of ABC Transporters in the Drug Resistance Mechanism of Intractable Epilepsy.

The pathogenesis of intractable epilepsy is not fully clear. In recent years, both animal and clinical trials have shown that the expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is increased in patients with intractable epilepsy; additionally, epileptic seizures can lead to an increase in the number of sites that express ABC transporters. These findings suggest that ABC transporters play an important role in the drug resistance mechanism of epilepsy.

Puerarin Suppress Apoptosis of Human Osteoblasts via ERK Signaling Pathway.

Puerarin, the main isoflavone glycoside extracted from Radix Puerariae, is an isoflavone traditional Chinese herb. Previous studies have demonstrated that puerarin could regulate osteoblast proliferation and differentiation to promote bone formation. However, the effect of puerarin on the process of human osteoblasts (hOBs) apoptosis is still unclear.

MiR-133a modulates osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Arterial calcification is a key pathologic component of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease. A hallmark of this pathological process is the phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to osteoblast-like cells. Several studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate osteoblast differentiation, but it is unclear whether miRNAs also regulate VSMC-mediated arterial calcification.

MicroRNA-204 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell calcification in vitro and in vivo.

Aims: Medial artery calcification is a common macroangiopathy that initiates from a cell-regulated process similar to osteogenesis. Although the mechanisms governing this process remain unclear, epigenomic regulation by specific microRNAs might play a role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether miR-204 participates in the regulation of VSMC calcification.

[Investigation on the behavior problems of children aged 3 to 5 years in Changsha and comparison of the norm of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire in Chinese and American urban children].

Objective: To investigate the behavior problems of children aged 3 to 5 years in Changsha and to compare the differences of the results detected by the norm of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) in Chinese and American urban children.

Methods: A total of 854 children aged 3 to 5 years were randomly sampled from 5 districts in Changsha City and their parents completed the Conners PSQ.

Results: The assessment by the norm of PSQ in American urban children demonstrated that the average prevalence of behavior problems was 20.

Enterovirus 71 2C protein inhibits TNF-α-mediated activation of NF-κB by suppressing IκB kinase β phosphorylation.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71), a single, positive-stranded RNA virus, has been regarded as the most important neurotropic enterovirus after the eradication of the poliovirus. EV71 infection can cause hand, foot, and mouth disease or herpangina. Cytokine storm with elevated levels of proinflammatory and inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, has been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of EV71-induced disease.

Apelin suppresses apoptosis of human vascular smooth muscle cells via APJ/PI3-K/Akt signaling pathways.

Apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in regulating vascular remodeling during cardiovascular diseases. Apelin is the endogenous ligand for the G-protein-coupled receptor APJ and plays an important role in the cardiovascular system. However, the mechanisms of apelin on apoptosis of VSMCs have not been elucidated.

[Effect of magnesium-free on glucocorticoid receptor expression in primary cultured cortical neurons of fetal rats in vitro].

Objective: To study the changes of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in embryonic rat cortical neurons exposed to transient Mg(2+)-free treatment.

Methods: Six days after rat cortical neuronal cultures, two groups were created based on the medium to which were transiently exposed. The control group was exposed to a physiological solution (PS), and the Mg(2+)-free group was exposed to the same medium as the control group except for the removal of magnesium.

[Effects of neonatal recurrent seizures on glucocorticoid receptor expression in the rat brain].

Objective: To investigate the effets of flurothyl-induced neonatal recurrent seizures on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in the rat brain.

Methods: Forty-eight seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and seizure. Seizures were induced by inhalant flurothyl daily for six consecutive days.

[Short-term effects of recurrent neonatal seizures on gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor alpha1 and beta2 subunit expression in the rat brain].

Objective: To investigate the short-term effects of flurothyl-induced neonatal recurrent seizures on gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) alpha1 and beta2 subunit expression in the rat brain, and to study the relationship between the alterations of GABAAR subunits in the developing brain and seizure-induced brain injury.

Methods: Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and seizure. Seizures were induced by inhalant flurothyl daily for six consecutive days.

[Long-term effects of recurrent seizures in neonate period on gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor alpha1 and beta2 subunits expression in adult brain: experiment with rats].

Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of recurrent seizures in neonate period on the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) alpha1 and beta2 subunits in brain and spatial memory and seizure susceptibility in adult period.

Methods: Thirty-two 7-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: seizure group, inhaling flurothyl to induce seizure daily for 6 days, and control group. On days 61 - 65 after birth Morris water maze test was used to record the escape latency.

[Long-term effects of neonatal recurrent seizures on gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor alpha1 and gamma2 subunit expressions in the rat brain].

Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of flurothyl-induced neonatal recurrent seizures on GABA A receptor (GABA(A)R) alpha1 and gamma2 subunit expressions in adult rat brain, and discuss the relationship between these alterations of GABA(A)R subunits in mature brain and the changes of spatial memory and seizure susceptibility in adult rats.

Methods: Thirty-two of 7-day-old (P7) Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into two groups: the control group and the seizure group. Seizures were induced by inhalant flurothyl daily for six consecutive days.

[Effects of neonatal recurrent seizures on gamma-aminobutyric acid B1 receptor expression in the rat brain].

Objective: This study investigated the effects of flurothyl-induced neonatal recurrent seizures on gamma-aminobutyric acid B1 receptor (GABAB1R) expression in neonatal and adult rat brain, and explored the possible relationship between the alterations of GABAB1R in mature brain and the changes of spatial memory and seizure susceptibility in adult rats.

Methods: Forty-eight postnatal day (P) 7 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into two groups: Control and Seizure group (n=24 each). Seizures were induced by inhalant flurothyl daily for six consecutive days in rat pups from the Seizure group.

Transcription of the putative tumor suppressor gene HCCS1 requires binding of ETS-2 to its consensus near the transcription start site.

The hepatocellular carcinoma suppressor 1 (HCCS1) gene was identified by both positional cloning from a predominant region of loss of heterozygosity (17p13.3) in liver cancer and by functional screening for genes affecting cell proliferation in large-scale transfection assays. Its overexpression results in inhibition of cell proliferation in cell culture and tumor growth in nude mice.

[Role of caspase-1 and cytokines activated by caspase-1 in brain injury of the developing rats following recurrent seizures].

Objective: The expressions of caspase-1 and cytokines activated by caspase-1 are associated with the pathophysiology of many diseases for its proinflammatory and proapototic peculiarity. However its relationship to brain injury of developing rats following recurrent seizures has not yet been identified. This study aimed to investigate the role of caspase-1 and cytokines activated by caspase-1 in brain injury of developing rats following recurrent seizures.