Induction of bystander effects by UVA,UVB, and UVC radiation in human fibroblasts and the implication of reactive oxygen species

Radiation-induced bystander effects are various types of responses displayed by nonirradiated cells induced by signals transmitted from neighboring irradiated cells. This phenomenon has been well studied after ionizing radiation, but data on bystander effects after UV radiation are limited and so far have been reported mainly after UVA and UVB radiation. The studies described here were aimed at comparing the responses of human dermal fibroblasts exposed directly to UV (A, B, or C wavelength range) and searching for bystander effects induced in unexposed cells using a transwell co-incubation system. Cell survival and apoptosis were used as a measure of radiation effects. Additionally, induction of senescence in UV-exposed and bystander cells was evaluated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide radical anions, and nitric oxide inside the cells and secretion of interleukins 6 and 8 (IL-6 and IL-8) into the medium were assayed and evaluated as potential mediators of bystander effects. All three regions of ultraviolet radiation induced bystander effects in unexposed cells, as shown by a diminution of survival and an increase in apoptosis, but the pattern of response to direct exposure and the bystander effects differed depending on the UV spectrum. Although UVA and UVB were more effective than UVC in generation of apoptosis in bystander cells, UVC induced senescence both in irradiated cells and in neighbors. The level of cellular ROS increased significantly shortly after UVA and UVB exposure, suggesting that the bystander effects may be mediated by ROS generated in cells by UV radiation. Interestingly, UVC was more effective at generation of ROS in bystanders than in directly exposed cells and induced a high yield of superoxide in exposed and bystander cells, which, however, was only weakly associated with impairment of mitochondrial membrane potential. Increasing concentration of IL-6 but not IL-8 after exposure to each of the three bands of UV points to its role as a mediator in the bystander effect. Nitric oxide appeared to play a minor role as a mediator of bystander effects in our experiments. The results demonstrating an increase in intracellular oxidation, not only in directly UV-exposed but also in neighboring cells, and generation of proinflammatory cytokines, processes entailing cell damage (decreased viability, apoptosis, senescence), suggest that all bands of UV radiation carry a potential hazard for human health, not only due to direct mechanisms, but also due to bystander effects.     

Ensembles of endothelial and mural cells promote angiogenesis in prenatal human brain

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Anticoagulation for the Acute Management of Ischemic Stroke

Few prospective studies support the use of anticoagulation during the acute phase of ischemic stroke, though observational data suggest a role in certain populations. Depending on the mechanism of stroke, systemic anticoagulation may prevent recurrent cerebral infarction, but concomitantly carries a risk of hemorrhagic transformation. In this article, we describe a case where anticoagulation shows promise for ischemic stroke and review the evidence that has discredited its use in some circumstances while showing its potential in others.     

Cytogenetic abnormalities in Tunisian women with premature ovarian failure

To identify the distribution of chromosome abnormalities among Tunisian women with premature ovarian failure (POF) referred to the department of Cytogenetic at the Pasteur Institute of Tunis (Tunisia), standard cytogenetic analysis was carried out in a total of 100 women younger than 40 affected with premature ovarian failure. We identified 18 chromosomal abnormalities, including seven X-numerical anomalies in mosaic and non-mosaic state (45,X; 47,XXX), four sex reversal, three X-structural abnormalities (terminal deletion and isochromosomes), one autosomal translocation and one supernumerary marker. The overall prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities was 18% in our cohort. X chromosome aneuploidy was the most frequent aberration. This finding confirms the essential role of X chromosome in ovarian function and underlies the importance of cytogenetic investigations in the routine management of POF.     

Evolution of ASPM coding variation in apes and associations with brain structure in chimpanzees

Studying genetic mechanisms underlying primate brain morphology can provide insight into the evolution of human brain structure and cognition. In humans, loss‐of‐function mutations in the gene coding for ASPM (Abnormal Spindle Microtubule Assembly) have been associated with primary microcephaly, which is defined by a significantly reduced brain volume, intellectual disability and delayed development. However, less is known about the effects of common ASPM variation in humans and other primates. In this study, we characterized the degree of coding variation at ASPM in a large sample of chimpanzees (N = 241), and examined potential associations between genotype and various measures of brain morphology. We identified and genotyped five non‐synonymous polymorphisms in exons 3 (V588G), 18 (Q2772K, K2796E, C2811Y) and 27 (I3427V). Using T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging of brains, we measured total brain volume, cerebral gray and white matter volume, cerebral ventricular volume, and cortical surface area in the same chimpanzees. We found a potential association between ASPM V588G genotype and cerebral ventricular volume but not with the other measures. Additionally, we found that chimpanzee, bonobo, and human lineages each independently show a signature of accelerated ASPM protein evolution. Overall, our results suggest the potential effects of ASPM variation on cerebral cortical development, and emphasize the need for further functional studies. These results are the first evidence suggesting ASPM variation might play a role in shaping natural variation in brain structure in nonhuman primates.     

呼吸窘迫综合征早产儿血清VA、PCT、TNF-α及CRP水平的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨呼吸窘迫综合征(RDS)早产儿血清维生素A(VA)、降钙素原(PCT)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)及C反应蛋白(CRP)水平的表达及临床意义。方法:选取2015年2月～2018年5月期间青岛市妇女儿童医院收治的90例RDS早产儿纳入观察组,根据RDS分级将观察组分为轻度组48例,中重度组42例。另选取同期于本院出生的非RDS早产儿35例作为对照组。根据血清VA水平将125例早产儿分为VA缺乏组(n=72),亚临床VA缺乏组(n=36),正常组(n=17)。比较观察组与对照组、轻度组与中重度组早产儿血清VA、PCT、TNF-α及CRP水平,比较不同血清VA水平早产儿的RDS发病情况,分析观察组早产儿血清VA与PCT、TNF-α及CRP水平的相关性。结果:观察组早产儿血清VA水平明显低于对照组(P0.05),而观察组早产儿血清PCT、TNF-α、CRP明显高于对照组(P0.05)。中重度组早产儿血清VA水平与轻度组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),而中重度组早产儿血清PCT、TNF-α、CRP水平明显高于轻度组(P0.05)。随着血清VA水平的升高,RDS发病率逐渐降低,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析显示,观察组早产儿血清VA与PCT、TNF-α及CRP水平无显著相关性(P0.05)。结论:RDS早产儿血清VA与PCT、TNF-α及CRP水平均存在明显异常,但四者无明显相关性,血清VA相对较低者更易发生RDS,临床可通过及时干预VA水平以降低RDS的发生风险。     

孕妇生殖道B族链球菌感染与胎膜早破的关系及其对母婴预后和新生儿听力筛查的影响

目的:探讨孕妇生殖道B族链球菌(GBS)感染与胎膜早破(PROM)的关系及其对母婴预后和新生儿听力筛查的影响。方法:选取2017年1月到2019年1月期间在我院接受治疗的PROM患者100例作为PROM组,另选取同期住院的正常妊娠孕妇100例作为对照组,PROM组患者根据是否合并GBS感染分为GBS阳性组和GBS阴性组。比较PROM组和对照组的GBS阳性率,比较GBS阳性组和GBS阴性组早产、胎儿窘迫、新生儿窒息、新生儿肺炎、产褥感染的发生率及新生儿听力筛查的通过率。结果:PROM组的GBS阳性率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。GBS阳性组早产、胎儿窘迫、新生儿窒息、新生儿肺炎、产褥感染的发生率均明显高于GBS阴性组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),GBS阳性组在初筛和复筛时听力筛查通过率均低于GBS阴性组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:孕妇生殖道GBS感染与PROM密切相关,并可增加不良妊娠结局发生的风险,在一定程度上影响了新生儿的听力功能,对母婴预后造成不良影响。     

T-piece复苏器在产房中对早产儿复苏中的应用效果评价*

目的:探讨T-piece复苏器在产房中对早产儿复苏中的应用效果。方法:选择2011年1月至2016年12月在本院产科出生的早产儿(胎龄28～37周)62例,随机分为对照组与观察组,各31例,对照组患儿给予自动充气式复苏囊正压人工通气,观察组患儿给予T组合复苏器正压人工通气,比较两组患儿1、5、10 min Apgar评分、肺气漏发生率,以及缺氧缺血性脑病、支气管肺发育不良、坏死性小肠结肠炎、动脉导管未闭、高胆红素血症率。结果:两组患儿胎龄、性别、分娩方式、出生体重、出生后1、5、10 min Apgar评分等方面差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,观察组气漏发生率降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患儿缺氧缺血性脑病、支气管肺发育不良、坏死性小肠结肠炎、动脉导管未闭、高胆红素血症率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:T-piece复苏器在产房中早产儿窒息复苏中的应用效果显著,具有操作简单、效率高等优点,两组复苏成功率差别不大,但T-piece复苏器能可有效减少肺气漏的发生,进而降低新生儿的病死率。