Objective We characterized the clinical features of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(sCJD)in or?der to diagnose it at the early stage. Methods Seventeen patients with sCJD were enrolled in the study. The clinical data, symptoms at the early stage, result of auxiliary examinations and survival time were analyzed. Results The ratio of male to female was 1:1.83 and the average age of onset was 60 ± 8.8 years old. Most of them presented with walking unstable (82.4%)and hypomnesia (64.7%) as the initial symptom. The occurrence rate was 82.4%, 76.5%and 58.8%for myoclo?nus, colored-ribbon-shaped high signals in cerebral cortex and high signals in basal ganglia of MRI. Periodic synchro?nous discharge (PSD) of electroencephalography(EEG) was seen in 82.4% cases, while cerebrospinal fluid analysis re?vealed positive results for 14-3-3 protein in 70%cases. Twelve patients had been dead in our study. The median surviv?al time was 12±7.7 months. Conclusions sCJD is more frequently occurred in mid-aged and older without specific symp?toms in early stage and positive rate of high signals in cerebral cortex of MRI and PSD of EEG is high.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the gene polymorphism of the inducible costimulatory molecules (ICOS),CD_(28),CD_(24) and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis(MS). Methods 83 patients with MS and 110 controls selected from healthy individuals and hospital staff in Chinese Han people with non-autoimmune diseases were studied by detecting genotype of the 3 genes using PCR-RFLP method. Results The frequency of ICOS-2394 TT genotypes was significantly higher in MS patients than in controls (MS 33.7%vs controls 10.9%, P

Objective To observe the effect of extract of Coprinus comatus on small intestinal propulsion and gastric emptying function in mice.Methods Effect of extract of Coprinus comatus at different doses on small intestinal propulsion and gastric emptying function was observed in normal mice,neostigmine-load mice and epinephrine-load mice by charcoal powder method and by modified phenol red method respectively.Results The small intestinal propulsion of normal mice was promoted by the extract of Coprinus comatus at the doses of 3.0,6.0,9.0 and 12.0 g/kg,and the gastric emptying function of normal mice was promoted by the extract of Coprinus comatus at the doses of 1.5,3.0,6.0,9.0 and 12.0 g/kg,the difference being significant as compared with the normal group (P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral prednisone in patients with relapsing neuromyeli?tis optica. Methods Seventeen patients with relapsing neuromyelitis optica receiving long-term oral prednisone had been followed. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and annualized relapse rates were used to evaluate curative effect. Results During long-term oral prednisone treatment, patients had a significant reduction in the EDSS [(3.09 ± 0.85) vs. (4.06 ± 0.80), P<0.05] and the median annualized relapse rate was significant reduced [(0.34 ± 0.31) vs. (1.51 ± 0.57), P<0.005]. But the effect of different dosage of prednisone on annualized relapse rates was not different. No severe adverse re?actions were observed. Conclusions Treatment with long-term oral prednisone in patients with NMO significantly reduces relapse rates, improves neurological function and the treatment was well-tolerated.

Objective Androgen receptor ( AR) is extensively expressed in breast cancer and influences the proliferation of the malignant cells.Our study aimed to investigate the effect of AR on estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Methods ER-positive MCF-7 breast cells were exposed to various concentrations of agonist dihydrotestosterone ( DHT) or antagonist bicalutamide or left untreated .Then the proliferation and apoptosis of the cells were determined by MTT assay , cell counting , and flow cytometry , and the expressions of the proteins related to cell cycle regulation were detected by Western blot . Results The relative gray value of AR was significantly increased in the DHT group (1.055 ±0.020) but decreased in the bicalutamide group (0.705 ±0.010) as com-pared with the blank control (0.795 ±0.020) (both P<0.05).Flow cytometry showed that the early apoptosis rate of the breast cancer cells was markedly higher in the DHT group ([51.20 ±0.312]%) but lower in the bicalutamide group ([2.410 ±0.367]%) than in the blank control ([3.540 ±0.375]%) (both P<0 .01). In comparison with the control group , the expressions of the p53, p73 and p21 proteins in the MCF-7 cells were remarkably up-regulated in the DHT group but down-regulated in the bicalutamide group ( both P<0.05). Conclusion AR inhibits the proliferation of ER-posi-tive breast cancer cells , which suggests that it may be a potential ther-apeutic target for ER-positive breast cancer .

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) has been widely used on clinic; however, there are still few reports addressing rhBMP-2-induced osteogenesis in intervertebral disc.OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect of rhBMP-2 to induce interbody fusion in rabbits.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized controlled animal study and multi-level evaluation, which was performed in Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University from February to July 2007.MATERIALS: 24 adult New-Zealand rabbits weighing 3.5-4.5 kg were used to expose L4-5 and L5-6 intervertebral disc; rhBMP-2 (1 mg/ampoule, purity≥95%) was provided by Beijing Bailingke Biological Products Co., Ltd.METHODS: 24 rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group with 12 rabbits for each. In the experimental group, saline (20 μL, containing 200 μg rhBMP-2) was injected into nucleus pulposus of L4-5 intervertebral disc; equivalent saline was inserted into nucleus pulposus of L5-6 intervertebral disc as controls. Rabbits in the control group were injected with saline (20 μL) into nucleus pulposus of L4-5 intervertebral disc.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological changes of injected segments were observed by hand-feeling check together with histological and imaging tests at 10, 30, 60, and 90 days postoperatively.RESULTS: 24 rabbits were included in the final analysis. ①In the experimental group, the motion range of L4-5 segment was not limited at 10 days postoperatively, and lightly limited at 30 days, but severely limited at 60 days postoperatively; L4-5 segment was fixed tightly at 90 days postoperatively. Moreover, motion range of L5-6,segment and articular motion range in the control group were not changed remarkably. ② L4-5 interbedy space was narrowed at 10 days or even disappeared at 90 days postoperatively, and then osteogenesis fusion was formed. Transmittance of intervertebral space in the L5-6 segment and in the control group was not changed obviously. ③ Nucleus pulposus was gradually shrunk at 10 days postoperatively; partial cartilage endplate transformed into mature woven bone, and collagen fiber structure of annulus fibrosus gradually disappeared at 90 days postoperatively. A lot of mesenchymal cells were aggregated surrounding annulus fibrosus at 10 and 30 days postoperatively. Moreover, mature woven bone was formed in annulus fibrosus near to cartilage endplate at 90 days postoperatively. However, histological and morphological changes were not found in the control group at those four time points.CONCLUSION: rhBMP-2 can induce intervertebral disc osteogenesis so as to achieve interbody fusion.

Objective To characterize the imaging features of cerebral vascular fenestrations and the clinical features of patients with cerebral infarction.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the magnetic resonance or CT imaging data of 135 cases of cerebral vascular fenestrations from January 2015 to July 2017 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University.The location,morphology and the other associated vascular diseases were described.The patients who had cerebral infarction were also analyzed.Results One hundred and thirty-five fenestrations were noted at our institution,129 in arteries,and six in veins,the detection rate being 1.1％ (135/12 232).Basilar arteries were most common,which accounted for 53.3％ (72/129) of the fenestrations.Twenty-eight (20.7％) of these patients had other vascular malformations,with a total of 15 aneurysms,two moyamoya diseases,five venous malformations,two arteriovenous fistulas,and four cavernous hemangiomas.Nine patients had cerebral infarctions,of which five patients had fenestration-relevant cerebral infarctions,and no risk factors for cerebral infarctions were found except fenestration in one patient who was diagnosed with cryptogenic stroke.No acute cerebral infarctions or transient ischemic attack occurred in patients with fenestration-relevant cerebral infarctions who had long-term antiplatelet and statin therapy during follow-up.Conclusions Cerebral vascular fenestrations occur most frequently in the basilar artery and may combine with other malformations.Long-term antiplatelet and statin therapy can be used for cerebral infarctions patients with cerebral vascular fenestrations.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of varicella zoster virus myelitis. Methods The clinical data of 7 varicella zoster virus myelitis patients were retrospectively analyzed and clinical follow-up was conducted. Results Seven patients had characteristic skin rash and symptoms of spinal cord injury. The initial symptoms including rash in 5 cases and spinal cord damage symptoms in 2 cases. The affected skin sections were consistent with the spinal cord segment in 4 cases, and below the level of spinal cord injury in 3 cases. All 7 cases were confirmed by spinal MRI with segmental spinal cord lesions as evidenced by long T1and long T2signals in the affected spinal cord including enhancing lesion in 2 cases. Lesions located in thoracic cord in 5 cases and in cervical cord in two cases.All patients received steroid hormone treatment.Among them,5 patients received additional antiviral treatment. After 12~36 months follow-up, 5 cases were cured, 1 case left with sphincter dysfunction and 1 case with slight numbness of hands. Conclusion Varicella zoster virus myelitis is characterized by characteristic rash and spinal cord symptoms.Antiviral drugs and corticosteroid therapy can yield better prognosis.

Objective: To describe the baseline characteristics of School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program(SCVBH) in Beijing. Methods: Children and adolescents were selected in 30 schools (8 primary schools, 21 middle schools and one 12-year education school) from Dongcheng, Tongzhou, Fangshan and Miyun districts of Beijing by using a stratified cluster sampling method. 15 391 students in grade 1 to 4 from primary schools, grade 1 from junior and senior high schools were enrolled in the investigation with an exclusion of students who were not able to participate due to trauma or other uncomfortable physical conditions. The baseline survey including a questionnaire survey, physical examination and blood biochemical test was conducted from September 2017 to January 2018. Obesity, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid, bone density and grip were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia (impaired fasting glucose and diabetes), dyslipidemia, lower bone density were 22.3%(3 394), 14.8%(2 248), 10.4%(1 490), 20.3%(2 919) and 2.1%(316) in total respectively, and 27.2%(2 081), 16.3%(1 244), 12.8%(922), 22.2%(1 595) and 1.2%(94) for boys, 17.3%(1 313), 13.3% (1 004), 7.9%(568), 18.4%(1 324) and 2.9%(229) for girls. Boys had higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia and lower prevalence of low bone density than girls (all P values <0.05) The mean of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and grip of boys were significantly higher than that of girls (all P values <0.05).The mean of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and grip of boys were significantly higher than that of girls (all P values <0.05), the mean of fat mass percentage, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol of boys were significantly lower than those of girls (all P values <0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of risk factors of chronic cardiovascular disease was high and the low bone density was appearing in children and adolescents in this study. The promotion of cardiovascular and bone health should be implemented in children and adolescents.