The aberrant deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) is closely linked to the pathogenesis and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). MiR-16 was abnormally downregulated and may be related to the development of AD. However, the functional role and molecular mechanism of miR-16 in AD pathogenesis are still not well elucidated. The expressions of miR-16 and β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) mRNA and protein levels in AD brain tissues and Aβ-treated PC12 cellular AD model were examined by qRT-PCR and western blot analyses. Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the potential target of miR-16. The cell viability, apoptosis, and caspase-3 activity in PC12 cells were determined by the MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis, and caspase-3 activity assay, respectively. Downregulation of miR-16 and upregulation of BACE1 existed in AD tissues and the cellular AD model of PC12. In addition, miR-16 directly suppressed BACE1 expression. Moreover, miR-16 overexpression and BACE1 knockdown facilitated Aβ-induced cell toxicity, apoptosis, and caspase-3 activity in N2a cells, which was partially eliminated by overexpression of BACE1. In contrast, BACE1 knockdown reversed the miR-16 inhibition-mediated inhibitory effect on Aβ-induced cell toxicity, apoptosis, and caspase-3 activity in PC12 cells. Collectively, miR-16 attenuated Aβ-induced neurotoxicity through targeting BACE1 in an Aβ insult cellular AD model, providing a potential therapeutic target for AD treatment.

BackgroundGelsemium elegans (G. elegans) is a toxic plant indigenous to Southeast Asia. It is highly poisonous due to its strong respiratory depressive effect. However, G. elegans poisoning cases have not been summarized comprehensively and are rarely reported in English journals. Furthermore, none of the present reports present prognosis in detail.Case presentationA 26-year-old female was found comatose at home and brought to the hospital with deep coma, hypoxia, and acidosis. After mechanical ventilation for hours, the patient recovered from coma with sequelae of impaired short-term memory, disorientation, and childish behaviors. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral hippocampus and basal ganglia damage due to hypoxia. During 8 months of follow-up, both her symptoms and brain MRI scan improved significantly.ConclusionG. elegans is highly toxic. Although patients may die within 30 min due to its strong respiratory depressive effect, they can survive with timely respiratory support and enjoy gradual improvement without delayed postanoxic encephalopathy.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is a critical maternal complication in preeclampsia or eclampsia during pregnancy. However, studies regarding the clinicoradiological and outcome differences between RPLS and non-RPLS pregnancies are scarce. We aimed to explore the incidence of RPLS, and summarize the clinicoradiological characteristics and pregnancy outcomes. We consecutively collected a total of 100 patients who were diagnosed with preeclampsia or eclampsia, and examined via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among 21 872 women between 2013 and 2016. All patients were grouped into RPLS (n=49) and non-RPLS (n=51) groups according to their MRI results. Information about clinicoradiological features and pregnancy outcomes was collected retrospectively to explore the differences between the groups. The incidence of RPLS in pregnant women was 0.22% (49/21 872). The frequency of clinical symptoms, such as headache, vision change, seizure and consciousness disorders, and blood pressure conditions, such as severely elevated hypertension, systolic and diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure levels, was increased in the RPLS group compared with that in the non-RPLS group (P<0.05). The occipital lobe was the most frequently affected area (93.88%) in RPLS patients. The cesarean section rate in RPLS group was higher than the non-RPLS group (P<0.05), whereas the 1 min Apgar score was lower (P<0.05). These results suggest that the incidence of RPLS was high. Information about clinical symptoms and blood pressure was useful in predicting RPLS. In addition, RPLS was significantly associated with the delivery mode and pregnancy outcomes. The most frequently affected area was the occipital lobe.

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