Effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in epileptic rats

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been considered as a treatment option for depression and anxiety. However, its role in epilepsy comorbid with depression and anxiety is unclear. Therefore, we evaluated whether low-frequency rTMS can alleviate depression- and anxiety-like behavior in epileptic rats. Forty-eight adult rats were allocated at random to four groups: Control, Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), PTZ-rTMS and PTZ-Sham. The control group received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline, while the other groups received intraperitoneal injections of pentylenetetrazol (35 mg/kg/d) once a day for 15 days. Low-frequency rTMS or sham stimulation were administered to the PTZ-rTMS and PTZ-Sham group, respectively, over the two-week period. The open-field test (OFT), elevated plus-maze test (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST) were carried out before the experiment, on the 8th and 15th day to assess depression- and anxiety-like behavior in the rats. Two weeks of low-frequency rTMS treatment could not impair the increases of seizure severity in epileptic rats. However, relative to the PTZ and PTZ-Sham group, the two-week low-frequency rTMS treatment significantly reduced the immobility time in the forced swimming test and attenuated the progressive decrease in total distance traveled, frequency of rearing, velocity in the open-field test, number of entries in the open arms (%) and the time spent in the open arms (%) in the elevated plus-maze test of the PTZ-rTMS group. We proposed that low-frequency rTMS can benefit epileptic rats via amelioration of comorbid depression and anxiety, but it can not alleviate the seizure severity.

Tianzhi granule improves cognition and BPSD of vascular dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Background and purpose

Tianzhi granule (TZ) is usually used for patients with vascular dementia (VaD) in China. The aim was to assess the effect of TZ by a randomized clinical trial (RCT).

Methods

A 24-week RCT was conducted in 16 centres. Participants were grouped into TZ, donepezil or placebo. The co-primary outcomes were the Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (VADAS-cog) and Clinician’s Interview-based Impression of Change-plus caregiver information (CIBIC-plus).

Results

A total of 543 patients with mild to moderate VaD were enrolled, of whom 242 took TZ granules, 241 took donepezil, and 60 took placebo. The least-squares mean changes from baseline and 95% CI were 6.20 (5.31, 7.09) (TZ group), 6.53 (5.63, 7.42) (donepezil group) and 3.47 (1.76, 5.19) (placebo group), both TZ and donepezil showed small but significantly improvement compared with placebo group. The percent of improvement on the global impression which was measured by CIBIC-plus was 73.71% in TZ and 58.18% in placebo, there was significant different between TZ and placebo group (P = 0.004). No significant differences were observed between TZ and donepezil. No significant differences of adverse events were found.

Conclusions

TZ and donepezil could bring symptomatic benefit for mild to moderate VaD.

Trial registration The protocol had retrospectively registered at clinical trial.gov, Unique identifier: NCT02453932, date of registration: May 27, 2015; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02453932?term=NCT02453932&rank=1

Small GTPase RHOE/RND3, a new critical regulator of NF-κB signalling in glioblastoma multiforme?

Objectives

Abnormal activation of NF‐κB signalling is a major mechanism of apoptosis resistance in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Therefore, better understanding of the regulation of NF‐κB signalling has a significant impact for GBM therapy. Here, we uncovered a critical role of the small GTPase RND3 in regulating the p65 subunit of NF‐κB and NF‐κB signalling in GBM.

Materials and methods

Human GBM samples, GBM cells and a human orthotopic GBM‐xenografted animal model were used. The mechanisms of RND3 in regulation of NF‐κB signalling and GBM cell apoptosis were examined by luciferase assay, quantitative PCR, immunostaining, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, coimmunoprecipitation, TUNEL staining, JC‐1 analysis and flow cytometry.

Results

Overexpression of RND3 led to reduced p65 activity in GBM‐cultured cells and a GBM animal model, indicating that the NF‐κB pathway is negatively regulated by RND3 in GBM. Mechanistically, we found that RND3 bound p65 and promoted p65 ubiquitination, leading to decreased p65 protein levels. Furthermore, RND3 enhanced cleaved caspase 3 levels and promoted apoptosis in GBM cells, and RND3 expression was positively correlated with cleaved caspase 3 and IL‐8 in human GBM samples. The effect of RND3 on promoting apoptosis disappeared when p65 ubiquitination was blocked by protease inhibitor carfilzomib or upon co‐expression of ectopic p65.

Conclusions

RND3 binds p65 protein and promotes its ubiquitination, resulting in reduced p65 protein expression and inhibition of NF‐κB signalling to induce GBM cell apoptosis.

miR-25 Mediates Retinal Degeneration Via Inhibiting ITGAV and PEDF in Rat

BACKGROUND

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly. Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is deemed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AMD. miR-25 functions as an essential modulator in response to oxidative-stress in several cell types, but its function in RPE cells is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the roles of miR-25 in RPE cells and in the development of AMD.

METHODS

A rat model of retinal degeneration was induced by sodium iodate (SI). Subretinal injection of antagomiR-25 was performed for the intervention while the scramble as control. Visual responses were recorded with Electroretinogram (ERG). TUNEL assay was performed to detect apoptosis. Phagosome quantification in vivo was performed to evaluate RPE cell function. Oxygen-glucose deprivation treatment was performed to mimic in vitro oxidative stress. Gene expression at mRNA level and protein level were performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western Blot, respectively. The pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) level in the cultured medium was measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The interaction between miR-25 and integrin αV (IGTAV) / PEDF 3'UTR was examined by dual luciferase assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was performed to examine its transcriptional regulation of miR-25.

RESULTS

Oxidative stress up-regulated miR-25 in RPE cells in very early stage, accompanied by decreased phagocytosis and reduced growth factor secretion in those cells. Such changes preceded RPE cell apoptosis and visual impairment in the SItreated rats. Furthermore, antagomiR-25 intervention effectively rescued RPE cells from degeneration in such model. The increased miR-25 was confirmed to mediate RPE degeneration through direct targeting IGTAV and PEDF. On the other hand, upstream, miR-25 was found to be up-regulated by STAT3 signaling under oxidative stress in both in vivo and in vitro models.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that, in SI-treated rats, oxidative stress activates STAT3 signaling which up-regulates miR-25 expression, in a very early stage. The increased miR-25 then inhibits ITGAV and PEDF expressions, resulting in RPE phagocytosis dysfunction and then RPE apoptosis and visual impairment as observed in patients with AMD. These findings lead us to a better understanding of AMD pathogenesis, and suggest that miR-25 could be a potential therapeutic target for oxidative stress related RPE diseases, like AMD.

Epidemiology of paediatric gastrointestinal colonisation by extended spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in north-west Cambodia

Background

Extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance (ESC-R) in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae is a healthcare threat; high gastrointestinal carriage rates are reported from South-east Asia. Colonisation prevalence data in Cambodia are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine gastrointestinal colonisation prevalence of ESC-resistant E. coli (ESC-R-EC) and K. pneumoniae (ESC-R-KP) in Cambodian children/adolescents and associated socio-demographic risk factors; and to characterise relevant resistance genes, their genetic contexts, and the genetic relatedness of ESC-R strains using whole genome sequencing (WGS).

Results

Faeces and questionnaire data were obtained from individuals < 16 years in north-western Cambodia, 2012. WGS of cultured ESC-R-EC/KP was performed (Illumina). Maximum likelihood phylogenies were used to characterise relatedness of isolates; ESC-R-associated resistance genes and their genetic contexts were identified from de novo assemblies using BLASTn and automated/manual annotation. 82/148 (55%) of children/adolescents were ESC-R-EC/KP colonised; 12/148 (8%) were co-colonised with both species. Independent risk factors for colonisation were hospitalisation (OR: 3.12, 95% CI [1.52–6.38]) and intestinal parasites (OR: 3.11 [1.29–7.51]); school attendance conferred decreased risk (OR: 0.44 [0.21–0.92]. ESC-R strains were diverse; the commonest ESC-R mechanisms were bla_CTX-M 1 and 9 sub-family variants. Structures flanking these genes were highly variable, and for bla_{CTX-M-15, − 55 and − 27} frequently involved IS26. Chromosomal bla_CTX-M integration was common in E. coli.

Conclusions

Gastrointestinal ESC-R-EC/KP colonisation is widespread in Cambodian children/adolescents; hospital admission and intestinal parasites are independent risk factors. The genetic contexts of bla_CTX-M are highly mosaic, consistent with rapid horizontal exchange. Chromosomal integration of bla_CTX-M may result in stable propagation in these community-associated pathogens.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-019-1431-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Imaging features of combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma compared with those of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma in a Chinese population

AIM

To determine the enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) in Chinese patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with histopathologically proven cHCC-CC (n=54) were compared with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n=41) and cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC; n=41) patients. Clinical information was measured in all patients. Tumour size, tumour margins, signs of cirrhosis, pseudocapsule, capsular retraction, rim enhancement, intrahepatic biliary dilatation, portal vein thrombosis, upper abdominal lymphadenopathy, were assessed on CT and/or MRI. The dynamic pattern of enhancement was also assessed.

RESULTS

The majority (81.5%) of cHCC-CC patients had positive hepatitis B serology. The presence of cirrhosis and tumour blood vessels was comparable in cHCC-CC and HCC, but significantly lower in CCC (p>0.05). The presence of ill-defined margin and regional lymphadenopathy was comparable in cHCC-CC and CCC, but significantly lower in HCC (p>0.05). The pseudocapsule, capsular retraction, biliary dilatation, rim enhancement, and abnormal perfusion were significantly different between the three types of lesions, with cHCC-CC being intermediate between HCC and CCC. Nearly half of the cHCC-CC tumours (25; 46.3%) showed the wash-in and wash-out enhancement pattern; the gradual, persistent, and mixed patterns were seen in 12 (22.2%), 5 (9.3%), and 12 (22.2%) tumours, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The majority of cHCC-CC tumours occur against a background of positive hepatitis B serology and cirrhosis. Imaging findings vary widely between cHCC-CC tumours. In the present series, the enhancement pattern of cHCC-CC tumours was HCC-like in most cases.

Evacuation of chronic and subacute subdural hematoma via transcranial neuroendoscopic approach

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of neuroendoscopic surgery for chronic or subacute subdural hematoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between September 2016 and September 2018, neuroendoscopic surgery was performed on 25 patients with chronic and subacute subdural hematoma. Hematoma evacuation was performed with a 0°, 4 mm diameter rigid neuroendoscope via a transcranial neuroendoscopic approach.

RESULTS

All patients successfully underwent neuroendoscopic surgery, and no surgical complications or rebleeding was observed. Postoperative computed tomography scans showed that the hematoma was successfully evacuated. All patients had recovered well at discharge, the observed 30-day mortality rate was 0%, and no patients suffered recurrence for 2-26 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Neuroendoscopic surgery was a safe and effective approach for the treatment of chronic and subacute subdural hematoma. This approach has the advantages of decent visualization and minimal invasiveness and could reduce recurrence and the mortality rate.

Association between depression and the subsequent risk of Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Observational studies, including recent large cohort studies, have reported an association between depression and the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD); however, conclusions were inconsistent. Clarifying this relation might improve the understanding of risk factors for and the disease mechanisms in PD. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to examine whether depression is associated with an increased risk of PD.

METHODS

A literature search in the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases was undertaken through March 2018, looking for observational studies evaluating the association between depression and the risk of PD. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

A random-effects meta-analysis of 5 cohort studies and 6 case-control studies demonstrated a significant positive association between depression and a subsequent risk of PD (RR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.87-2.58), and it was consistent across subgroups. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the results; visual examination of funnel plots and Begg's and Egger's tests showed no evidence of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis demonstrated that persons with depression exhibited an increased risk of a subsequent PD diagnosis. The pathophysiological and psychological mechanisms underlying this association are still unclear and warrant further research.

Association between Ca/Mg/P status and suppurative tonsillitis in children

Suppurative tonsillitis (ST) is a common respiratory disease in children. This study aims to investigate the association between calcium (Ca)/magnesium (Mg)/phosphorus (P) and the risk of onset of suppuration in tonsillitis in children. Seventy children with ST and 61 age- and sex-matched children with non-ST were enrolled in this study. The association between Ca/Mg/P and suppuration risk in tonsillitis was investigated. The relationship between Ca/Mg/P and the potential risk factors for ST were also studied. White blood cell (WBC), platelet (PLT), c-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were significantly higher in the ST group than those in the non-ST group (p less than 0.05). Mg and P levels were significantly lower in the ST group than those in the non-ST group (p less than 0.05). There was no obvious difference in Ca level between the ST group and the non-ST group (p=0.762). A significantly negative association between P and PCT was noted (r=-0.236, p=0.035). The results indicated that Mg/P disorder may be associated with the susceptibility to suppuration in children with tonsillitis, inflammatory indexes may reflect this risk.

Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression on improving insomnia and quality of life in Chinese women with breast cancer: results of a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial

PURPOSE

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression had been found to be effective in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in breast cancer survivors. It is not known whether CBT for depression would also improve insomnia and quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to investigate whether CBT for depression would improve insomnia and QOL in a randomized controlled multicenter trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, breast cancer survivors (n=392) were randomly allocated to the following three groups: CBT (n=98), self-care management (SCM, n=98), and usual care (UC, n=196) in a ratio of 1:1:2. CBT and SCM received a series of nine sessions for 12 weeks, whereas UC received UC only. Insomnia and QOL were evaluated using Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire at baseline, 4, 12, and 24 weeks.

RESULTS

There was a significant intergroup difference in AIS and FACT-B scores (both P<0.01). CBT showed less insomnia problems and better overall QOL compared with those in SCM and UC (both P<0.01). No significant differences were found between SCM and UC in insomnia problems and overall QOL. Moreover, the effects of CBT on insomnia and QOL were maintained during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

CBT for depression can be effective in improving insomnia problems and QOL in the Chinese breast cancer survivors.

Intraruminal infusion of oligofructose alters ruminal microbiota and induces acute laminitis in sheep

The objectives of this study were to examine the clinical response, changes in ruminal bacterial microbiota, and inflammatory response in lamellar tissues during oligofructose-induced laminitis. Ten fistulated sheep were randomly assigned into a control group ( = 5) and a treatment group ( = 5). The treatment group was infused with oligofructose (21 g/kg BW) by rumen cannula, and the control group was sham-treated with saline. Results showed that all 5 sheep treated with oligofructose developed anorexia and diarrhea 8 to 12 h after the administration of oligofructose. By 12 to 24 h after treatment, the treatment group developed lameness and roach back. Compared with the control group, oligofructose administration decreased ( < 0.001) the rumen pH and concentrations of total VFA and increased ( < 0.001) the level of lactic acid in the rumen. Microbial data analysis revealed that oligofructose infusion increased the abundance of ( = 0.009) and ( = 0.008) and decreased the percentage of unclassified Christensenellaceae ( = 0.028), unclassified Ruminococcaceae ( = 0.009), ( = 0.016), unclassified Lachnospiraceae ( = 0.009), and ( = 0.009) compared with the control group. Oligofructose infusion decreased the ACE ( = 0.047) and Shannon ( = 0.009) indices compared with the control group. The histomorphology analysis revealed that oligofructose overload resulted in damage to the dermoepidermal junction in the lamellar tissue of sheep. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of membrane-type metalloproteinase-1 ( = 0.049) was downregulated whereas the expression of proinflammatory IL-6 ( = 0.004) and matrix metalloprotease-9 ( = 0.037) was upregulated in the lamellar tissues of the oligofructose treatment group. In general, the present study provides the foundation for a sheep model of oligofructose-overload-induced acute laminitis that could be used in later experiments. Our findings suggest that intraruminal infusion of oligofructose altered ruminal microbiota and resulted in acute laminitis and that the inflammatory damage to the lamellae tissue may be related to the upregulation of matrix metalloprotease-9. The information generated will provide more insight into the systemic effects of lameness caused by oligofructose overload in sheep.

Genetic deletion of Rnd3 in neural stem cells promotes proliferation via upregulation of Notch signaling

Rnd3, a Rho GTPase, is involved in the inhibition of actin cytoskeleton dynamics through the Rho kinase-dependent signaling pathway. We previously demonstrated that mice with genetic deletion of Rnd3 developed a markedly larger brain compared with wild-type mice. Here, we demonstrate that Rnd3 knockout mice developed an enlarged subventricular zone, and we identify a novel role for Rnd3 as an inhibitor of Notch signaling in neural stem cells. Rnd3 deficiency, both in vivo and in vitro, resulted in increased levels of Notch intracellular domain protein. This led to enhanced Notch signaling and promotion of aberrant neural stem cell growth, thereby resulting in a larger subventricular zone and a markedly larger brain. Inhibition of Notch activity abrogated this aberrant neural stem cell growth.

Starter feeding altered ruminal epithelial bacterial communities and some key immune-related genes' expression before weaning in lambs

To characterize changes in ruminal epithelial bacterial communities and immune-related gene expression during concentrate starter feeding before weaning in lambs, 6 pairs of 10-d-old Hu lamb twins were selected: 1 kid received milk (M, = 6), and the other received milk plus starter (M+S, = 6). All lambs received hay and water ad libitum and were slaughtered at 56-d-old. Their rumen fluid was collected to determine ruminal pH and VFA levels; rumen epithelia were collected to characterize their bacterial communities using Illumina MiSeq sequencing and to determine mRNA expression of immune-related genes using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results showed that starter feeding caused a decreased ruminal pH ( = 0.004) and increased concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total VFA ( < 0.001). Principal coordinate analysis and analysis of molecular variance revealed that starter feeding affected ruminal epithelial bacterial communities in the lambs ( = 0.001), with higher relative abundance of dominant taxa , unclassified BS11 gut group, , unclassified Synergistaceae, , , , , and ( < 0.05) but lesser relative abundance of , unclassified Bacteroidales, unclassified Candidate, unclassified RF9, and ( < 0.05). Additionally, a phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states analysis indicated that starter feeding markedly increased relative abundance values of dominant ruminal epithelial bacterial-inferred genes related to other ion-coupled transporters, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, glycosyltransferases, other glycan degradation, AA metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, biotin metabolism, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis-globo series, and lysosome ( < 0.05) but decreased relative abundance values of genes related to carbon fixation pathways in prokaryotes and energy metabolism ( < 0.05) in the lambs. The qRT-PCR results showed that starter feeding decreased the relative mRNA expression of IL-6 ( = 0.003), IL-10 ( = 0.013), and interferon γ ( = 0.003). Collectively, this study showed that starter feeding could alter ruminal epithelial bacterial communities and some key immune-related genes' expression in preweaned lambs. All these responses of ruminal epithelial bacteria and the immune system would be beneficial for starter-fed lambs to be weaned.

[Expression and regulation of CD36 mRNA in granulosa cells and its relation with clinical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of CD36 mRNA in granulosa cells (GCs) of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the impact of testosterone, insulin and PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone on GCs.

METHODS

The expression of CD36 mRNA inGCs of patients with PCOS and normal controls were assayed byreal-time PCR.The level of CD36 mRNA after treatment with testosterone, insulin, and rosiglitazone in GCs ofnormal controls were also tested by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

(1) The expression of CD36mRNA in the GCs of PCOS was significantly higher than that of the controls (P<0.05). (2) When testosterone concentration was 1 nmol/L, CD36 mRNA increased in the GCs, but there was no significantdifference compared to the blank control, (P>0.05). When testosterone concentration was 10 nmol/L, the expression of CD36 mRNA in the GCs was higher than that in the blank control with significant difference (P<0.05). When insulin concentration was 10 nmol/L, the expression of CD36 mRNA increased but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). When insulin concentration was 100 nmol/L, the expression of CD36mRNA in the GCswas higher than that in the blank control (P=0.05). When rosiglitazone concentration was 1nmol/L, the expression of PPARγ mRNA in GCs were significantly increased compared with the blank control (P<0.05). The expression of CD36 mRNA atrosiglitazone concentrationof 10 nmol/Lwere significantly increased compared to the concentration of 1 nmol/L (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

High testosterone and insulin induced the expression of CD36 mRNA.Rosiglitazone increased CD36 mRNA in a dose-related manner in GCs.Increased CD36 mRNA in the GCs of PCOS may be related to the clinical characteristics of PCOS.