Objective To investigate the effects of chondroitinase ABC injection on motor and acetylcholinestarase (AchE) expressed inthe motor end-plate of gastrocnemius in adult rats with spinal cord injury. Methods The spinal cords in T10 of 40 male Wistar rats (10 weeksold) were exposed and the right sites were semi-transected. The left sites were considered as the control (group A), the transected sites wereas the injured group (group B) and chondroitinase ABC-treated group (group C). The rats were assessed with Basso, Beattie & Bresnahan(BBB) score for ethological test, and sacrificed 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d after operation. The AchE expressed in gastrocnemius was detectedwith zymochemistry staining. Results BBB score in group C was significant higher than that in group B 14~28 d after operation, while theAchE activity in group B and C was lower than that in group A (P<0.05), and lower in group B than in group C (P<0.05). Conclusion ChondroitinaseABC injection can enhance AchE activity and promote the locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury in adult rats.

Objective To analyze the CT manifestations of mesenteric panniculitis,so that to improve CT diagnosis of mesenteric panniculitis.Methods Seven patients with mesenteric panniculitis,which were diagnosed according to the CT criteria,were analyzed.Results The fatty masses with defined margins and around the root of the jejunum were found in all patients at CT scan,and there were no enhancement after administration of contrast medium.The masses were sharply defined with abdominal and retroperitoneal fat.There were pseudo-capsule in 7, "arcus adiposus sign" in 5. Enlargement of lymph nodes in the masses and retroperitoneum in 2 cases were seen,respectively.4 patients had abdominal operations,one patient was in combination with carcinoma of head of pancrease.Conclusion Certain features of the CT manifestations of mesenteric panniculitis can be found,CT is effective for the diagnosis of mesenteric panniculitis.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of 18 F?FDG PET/CT in untreated small cell lung cancer ( SCLC) . Methods A total of 49 SCLC patients( 35 males, 14 females, median age 61 years) with pathologically confirmed SCLC had underwent 18 F?FDG PET/CT scan before treatment from January 2008 to December 2013 and were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Clinical staging were mainly deter?mined by 18 F?FDG PET/CT scan. Performance status ( PS) was acquired according to the clinical symptoms before PET examination. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months and the survival interval was recor?ded. Two?sample t test, Kaplan?Merier, log?rank and Cox regression analysis were used for statistical analy?sis. Results (1)Among 49 patients, 20 died during the follow?up, 1 patient was lost to follow?up, and 45 patients(91.84%) had metastasis. Patients with limited disease (LD) and extensive disease (ED) were 27 and 22 respectively according to 18F?FDG PET/CT imaging. (2)The median OS was 23.68 months and me?dian PFS was 19.93 months. LD patients had significantly longer OS and PFS than ED patients (35.30 months vs 12.57 months, 28.87 months vs 11.30 months;χ2=18.810, 13.647, both P<0.05). (3)SUVmax of primary tumor ranged from 1.97 to 21.50. The SUVmax of primary foci had no difference between LD(8.27± 3.14) and ED(9.68±5.36)patients(P>0.05). SUVmax of primary tumor showed no significant correlation with OS and PFS (both P>0.05).There were no significant differences in OS and PFS between low SUVmax group and high SUVmax group in both LD and ED patients (χ2=0.001-0.565, all P>0.05). (4) Staging based on 18 F?FDG PET/CT results and PS score were independent prognostic factors ( hazard ratios:3.93, 5?00, both P<0.05) , while SUVmax showed no significant prognostic value. Conclusions PS score before PET scan and imaging staging based on 18 F?FDG PET/CT results are independent prognostic factors. The predictive value of primary foci SUVmax needs further investigation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of methylprednisolone （MP） on the proliferation and expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astrocytes after spinal cord injury in rats. MethodsThe spinal cords in T8～T10 in 48 male Wistar rats (10 weeks old) were exposed and the right site were semi-transected. 24 rats were administrated MP through tail vein as experiment group, and the other rats were injected equal volumes of normal saline as the control group. They were assessed with Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score for ethological test every 4 d, and were sacrificed, perfused 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d after operation. The spinal cords were removed and postfixed, The expression of GFAP was observed with immunohistochemical staining and gray values determination. The GFAP positive cells were also counted. ResultsThere was no significant difference in BBB score between these groups until 21 d after operation; but the MP group rats showed significantly better functional recovery than the control group 25 d after operation. The number of positive astrocytes was less in the MP group than in the control group 3 and 7 d after operation, but there was no significant difference 14 d after operation. The GFAP expression in glial scar was significantly lower in the MP group than in the control in the first 21 d after operation, but no significant difference 28 d after operation. ConclusionThe large dose methylprednisolone administration can decrease the number of active AS, attenuate the formation of glial scars, and improve the functional recovery of the hind limbs after acute spinal cord injury.

To explore a new method for analyzing biological molecules that have already been sequenced, an experimental study on an auditory method was carried out. The auditory method for analyzing biological molecules includes audible representation of sequence data. Audible representation of sequence data was implemented by using a multimedia computer. Each mononucleotide in a DNA sequence was matched with a corresponding sound, i.e., a DNA sequence was "dubbed" in a sound sequence. When the sound sequence is played, a special cadence can be heard. In the audible representation experiment, special cadences of different exons can be clearly heard. The results show that audible representation of DNA sequence data can be implemented by using a multimedia technique. After a 5-time auditory training, subjects both in internal testing and external testing can obtain 93%-100% of judgment accuracy rate for the difference between two sound sequences of two different exons, thus providing an experimental basis for the practicability of this method. Auditory method for analyzing DNA segments might be beneficial for the research in comparative genomics and functional genomics. This new technology must be robust and be carefully evaluated and improved in a high-throughput environment before its implementation in an application setting.
Computational Biology ; methods ; Decision Making, Computer-Assisted ; Genome ; Humans ; Multimedia ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; methods ; Sound

ObjectiveTo know about the correlation analysis of the physical and mental status of organ transplanted patients' family members during the patients' rehabilitation period and the long term survival of the transplanted organs.MethodsA total of 600 organ transplanted patients' family members were investigated by Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and simple coping style questionnaire.The results underwent subsequent analysis.ResultsAnxious state of organ transplanted patients' family members was more severe than that of domestic norm (P<0.01).There were some differences in terms of anxious state of family members with different genders,education backgrounds,income and the resource of medical expenditure (P<0.05).Family members most took positive coping styles,whereas fewer adopted negative coping styles (P<0.01).Positive coping styles were negatively correlated with the anxiety of family members (P<0.01) and positively correlated with long term survival of transplanted organ(P<0.05).However,negative coping styles of family members were significantly positively correlated with their anxiety (P<0.05) and were negatively correlated with long term survival of transplanted organ.ConclusionsThe anxiety generally exists in organ transplanted patients' family members.There are differences in terms of anxious state among family members of different genders,different education backgrounds,income or with the resource of medical expenditure.The more they adopt positive coping styles,the lower anxiety level they show and the longer the transplanted organ survive.Conversely,the more they adopt negative coping styles,the higher anxious level they show and the shorter the transplanted organ survive.

OBJECTIVETo study toxic effects of 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) on pathology and lipid peroxidation in mouse retina.

METHODSForty-eight mice were randomly divided into blank control group (12 mice), negative control group exposed to normal solution (12 mice) and group exposed to 2,5-HD for 2. 4 and 8 weeks, respectively (24 mice) by intraperitoneal injection (2.5% 2,5-HD) at the dose of 400 mg/kg. The pathological changes of mouse retina were examined under light microscope. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in mouse retina were detected.

RESULTSThe retinal structure in the blank and negative control groups was normal. In mice exposed to 2,5-HD for 8 weeks, the swelling of outer and inner segments and disorder arrangement of the segments without clear boundary were found. The staining of outer plexiform layers was uneven and the irregular loose structure appeared. The hyperchromatic pyknotic and necrosis nuclei were presented in ganglion cells layer. Compared with the control and blank groups, the activities of SOD gradually and significantly reduced and the concentrations of MDA increased in group exposed to 2,5-HD (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION2,5-HD can induce the injury of retina tissues of mice, which may be associated with the lipid peroxidation.

Animals ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Retina ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo further investigate and discuss the cause of species endangerment, the status and present problem of conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine in China.

METHODPrevious relevant investigations and literatures were summed up in the field. The present situation of conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine was analyzed.

RESULTThe status of endangered resources, cause of species endangerment, the conserving status and conserving measures etc were elaborated. The classification was made and suggestion of species conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine were put forward.

CONCLUSIONThe endangered species conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine was carried out by building protective area of endangered species resources and plant garden, setting up germplasm bank, developing the domestication and cultivation of Tibetan medicinal herbs most in use, strengthening the investigation and study of endangered species, launching exchange and cooperation of conservation techniques on endangered species, enhancing the protective awareness of endangered species traditional Tibetan medicine etc. By so doing we can facilitate the sustainable development of traditional Tibetan medicine in China.

Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; Tibet

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of testa triticum tricum purif for the treatment of functional constipatiofi(FC) in the late middle-aged and elderly patients.Methods This study was designed as a multicenter randomized controlled trial.Patients who met Rome Ⅲ diagnostic criteria of FC were enrolled,with age between 55-85 years old.Those with organic diseases were excluded.The patients were randomly allocated to receive testa triticum tricum purif (3.5 g bid) or polyethylene glycol 4000 powder (PEG4000,10g bid) for 8 weeks,followed by single dose of maintenance therapy for 4 weeks.Follow-up visits were at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation.The independent investigators in each center evaluated the constipation symptoms scores.The primary endpoints included rates of significant improvement,improvement and overall improvement at the end of 2,4 and 8 weeks of therapy,which were calculated by the reduction of symptom scores ≥ 75 ％,50％-74％,≥ 25 ％ respectively.Results A total of 127 FC subjects were enrolled from 3 centers,and 122 cases valid for final analysis.The mean age was (69.4 ± 6.9) years old,including 62 cases in testa triticum tricum purif group and 60 cases in PEG4000 group.The demographic data,constipated symptoms scores and proportion of FC subtypes at baseline were comparable.The rates of significant improvement,improvement and overall improvement in testa triticum tricum purif and PEG4000 groups at the end of 2,4 and 8 weeks were 37.70％ (23/61) vs 59.32％(35/59) (P=0.018),57.38％ (35/61)vs74.14％ (43/58) (P=0.054),and64.41％ (38/59)vs 79.31％ (46/58) (P =0.073) respectively.Testa triticum tricum purif therapy significantly improved the proportion of spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) ≥ 3 times/week from 43.55％ (27/62) to 80.33％ (49/61),83.61％ (51/61) and 93.22％ (55/59) at 2,4,and 8 weeks respectively (all P＜0.01),which were comparable with PEG4000 group (all P ＞ 0.05).The proportion of normalized stool forms in study group was significant higher than that of control group at the end of 8 weeks [86.44％ (51/59) vs 67.24％ (39/58),P =0.014].Only one patient complained mild abdominal distension during testa triticum tricum purif therapy.Conclusions The efficacy of testa triticum tricum purif for the treatment of FC in late middle-aged and older patients is comparable with osmotic laxatives PEG4000,which has significant effect on normalization of fecal forms and reliable safety.

Objective To explore the current prevalence of human echinococcosis in Qinghai Province and to lay the basis for establishing the preventing and controlling strategies.Methods Clustered random sampling was performed in selected survey spots.The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and ultrasound techniques were used for detecting human echinococcosis.Results 95 out of 5274 hydatid cases were found from 6 counties of Qinghai Province,with a prevalence of 1.80%.The immunological postitive rates examined by ELISA were 12.01%(198/1649)and 16.37%(383/2340)in male and female,respectively.The positive rate in female was significantly higher than that in male(χ2=14.78,P＜0.01).The infection and prevalence 1evels were generally increased among Tibetan[18.54%(446/2405),2.54%(78/3070)],herders[24.97%(239/957),4.78%(50/1046)]and people aged 60～＜70 years old[15.8l%(34/215),6.52%(18/276)],and were higher in Gonghe County[24.44%(240/982),3.95%(41/1037)]and Yushu County[20.59%(161/782),2.99%(32/1070)].Conclusions Echinococcosis was found in any surveyed area in Qinghai Province.The echinococcosis was severe in the pastoral areas such as the south plateau of Qinghai and places around Qinghai-lake. It is suggested that a strengthened control program should be conducted in the pastoral areas in Qinghai Province,targeting at females,Tibetan and herders people.