Objective To establish mild cognitive dysfunction (MCI) models in elderly rats,and to investigate the pathophysiological features.Methods Totally 40 SD rats (14 to 18-month-old) were randomly divided into 2 groups:the model group (n=20) and the sham operation group (n=20).Bilateral carotid artery stenosis was prepared in the model group while bilateral carotid artery was seperated with no bilateral narrowing in the sham operation group.30 days after the operation,Morris water maze test was performed,pathomorphological and electron microscopic observations of the cerebral tissue were examined and the expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2(GRK2) in hippocampus tissue w detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blottin.Results The mortality in model group was only 10％.Pathological morphology and ultrastructure showed that hippocampal tissue structure was almost normal in sham operated group,but in model group group,hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were in ischemic demyelination,arranged loose,and part of the cells showed nucleus pyknosis,deeply stained; there was no obvious infarct in white matter,part of the white matter fiher hecame thinner and disorder,nucleolus became smaller and steped aside,cytoplasmic electron density increased,lipofuscin appeared occasionally.Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi were expanded,cytosolic free ribosomes increased,part of mitochondria became swelled,vacuolated.Morris water maze test results showed that the average escape latency in model group was longer than in sham group (P＜0.05).In spatial probe test,the average time of crossing the first original platform in model rats was significantly longer than the sham operated group [(36.80±7.68) s vs.(20.87±6.16)s,P＜0.05].The average number of crossing the original platform in 60 seconds in model group was significantly less than in sham group(1.43±0.51 vs.3.10±1.45,P＜0.05).The expressiones of GRK2 mRNA and protein in the hippocampus were significantly increased in model group rats than in sham group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The model of severe CCA stenosis in elderly rats can be applied for MCI animal models with good stability and repeatability.Compared with sham group,the cells morphology and ultrastructure in model group appeare more obvious pathological changes and mild impairments in cognitive function.GRK2 may play an important role in the development of MCI.

Objective To study the role of hematopoietic growth factor(HGF)of placenta chorionic villus in fetal hematopoiesis during embryo ontogeny by observation of the appearance time and the content changes with the fetal growth, which was compared with HGF in cord blood. Methods Thirty embryo villus (2 g each) and 30 cord blood (2 mL each) were collected separately from early pregnant stage(6- 8 weeks), middle pregnant stage(16-22 weeks)and late pregnant stage (37-42 weeks). The levels of HGF were detected by enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay. Results HGF were produced on the early pregnant stage and the content of FL-T3,IL-3 increased gradually.There were significantly differences at different stages(P

12E7 Antigen ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Heart Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Mesothelioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Mucin-1 ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Pericardiectomy ; Pericardium ; pathology ; Sarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Translocation, Genetic ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To study the conventional MRI and dittusion weighted imaging(DWI) features of Japanese encephalitis(JE)in children.Methods Sixteen patients with JE were included. Conventional MRI and DWI sequences were performed in all patients.Seven patients received MRI within 10 days of onset and 9 after 10 days.The appearances on DWI and T_2 WI were recorded.The ADC values of lesions were calculated,and then were correlated with the corresponding time interval between onset of neurological symptoms and MRI scanning.Results The lesions of JE mainly showed long T_1 and long T_2 signal intensity on MRI.The thalami were the most frequently involved areas,and 15 out of 16 showed thalamic involvement and 6 patients only showed thalamic abnormalities without other lesions.Seven patients within 10 days of onset showed lesions with high signal intensity on both DWI and T_2WI,but whole or partial lesions showed clearer on DWI than on T_2WI,and 2 patients showed extra lesions that were invisible on T_2WI.As for the other 9 patients after 10 days of onset,the lesions showed clearer on T_2WI than on DWI. There was a direct correlations between thalamic ADC values and the disease duration (r=0.84,P

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal arteriovenous anastamoses between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. These fistulas may be classified by cause (spontaneous or traumatic), flow velocity (high or low), or pathogenesis (direct or indirect). The most commonly adopted classification is that described by Barrow based on arterial supply. Traumatic CCFs are almost always direct shunts between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cavernous sinus. General features of CCFs, which may be apparent with any lesion, including bruit, headache, loss of vision, altered mental status and neurological deficits. Some fistulae may present primarily with hemorrhage before any evaluation can be performed. However, hemiparesis has been rarely observed. Only a literature review of Murata et al reported a case of hemiparesis caused by posttraumatic CCF, in which the fistula resulted in venous hypertension and subsequent brainstem congestion. While in our case, cerebral infarction was caused by total steal of the blood flow. The patient recovered after occlusion of the fistula with a detachable balloon.
Adult ; Balloon Occlusion ; methods ; Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Cerebral Angiography ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; complications ; diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Paresis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Recovery of Function ; Risk Assessment ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; complications

OBJECTIVETo develop a technology for production of recombinant SAG1 of Toxoplasma gondii (T.g) in batches.

METHODSThe rSAG1 of T.g was expressed in E.coli by high-density fermentation and purified by Sephadex G-75 column chromatography after Ni-NTA agarose at native condition. The activity of rSAG1 and its efficacy in T.g diagnosis were identified by Western blotting and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTSThe optical density (OD) of the bacteria reached 20.21 after induction, and 300 g bacteria were harvested from 11.5 L broth. The rSAG1 was highly expressed in E.coli as a fusion protein, accounting for about 25.82% of the total bacterial protein. The purity of rSAG1 reached 98.54% after purification by Ni-NTA combined with Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. Western blotting revealed a distinct band reacting with the sera of rabbits vaccinated by T.g. Twenty-four of the 25 sera of mice infected with T.g and 36 of the 38 sera of human subjects with IgG antibody against T.g were detected by rSAG1-ELISA.

CONCLUSIONA large-scale production of immunoreactive SAG1 of T.g is developed by high-density fermentation and purification with Ni-NTA combined with Sephadex G-75 column chromatography.

Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Antigens, Surface ; immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Protozoan Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Toxoplasma ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate synergistic killing effect of anti-human DR5 (death receptor 5 of TRAIL) monoclonal antibody (mDRA-6) and adriamycin(Adr) on HL-60 cells.

METHODSmDRA-6 was prepared by immunizing BALB/c mice with DR5 protein. DR5 expression on Adr-treated HL-60 cells was detected by flow cytometry. Morphologic changes of HL-60 cells were observed under fluorescence microscope. Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of mDRA-6 and Adr on HL-60 cells were measured by MTT analysis. DNA fragmentation was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTSAdr induce DR5 expression on HL-60 cells. Cell budding, chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation were observed in HL-60 cells treated by mDRA-6 and Adr. Death and apoptosis of these cells and DNA ladder were exhibited on agarose gel electrophoresis.

CONCLUSIONmDRA-6 and Adr have synergistic killing effect on HL-60 cells.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; immunology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; immunology

Authors raised that staging based strategies and practice of integrative medicine (IM) by combining syndrome typing and disease identification, and choosing suitable measures in accordance with different persons and seasonal conditions after more than ten years' clinical practice and researches. Radical operation as prior (as evil eliminating) and strengthening vital qi in perioerative period are best strategy for promoting rapid rehabilitation of early stage prostate cancer patients. Strengthening body resistance to eliminate evil was used in treating advanced prostate cancer patients. For example, a comprehensive treatment program for hormone-dependent patients was combined with endocrinotherapy and Chinese herbs for synergisic efficacy-enhancing actions. In this way, these patients' quality of life (QOL) were improved and time to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) was delayed, even some patients were clinically cured. There are lack of effective medicines and methods for CRPC patients. Greatly tonifying original qi is mainly used for improving their clinical symptoms and prolonging survivals. Practice has proved staging based strategies and practice of IM has favorable advantages in treating prostate cancer, especially showing prospect in prolonging survival and postponing progression of advanced prostate cancer patients. Besides, it also could provide beneficial considerations and inspiration for combination of syndrome typing and disease identification.
Disease Progression ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; diagnosis ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo study the alkaloids of Macleaya cordata and their anti-tumor activities.

METHODAlcohol and liquid-liquid extraction were used methods were used to extract the alkaloids constituents, and silica gel, reverse-phase octadecylsilyl (ODS), sephadex LH-20 chromatographic methods and HPLC were applied to isolate and purify compounds. MS, NMR spectroscopic methods were used to determine their structures. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these chemical components for MCF-7 and SF-268 cell lines was measured by MTT method.

RESULTTwelve alkaloids were isolated from the fruits of M. cordata, and their structures were identified as: maclekarpine E (1), 6-acetonyldihyrochelerythrine (2), cavidilinine (3), 6-acetonyldihyrosanguinnarine (4), O-methylzanthoxyline (5), 6-methoxy-dihydrosanguinarine (6), spallidamine (7), 6-hydroxyldihydrochelerythrine (8), arnotianamida (9), dihydrosanguinarine (10), protopine (11), and cryptopine (12).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1, 3, 7-9 were isolated from M. cordata for the first time, and compound 5 is a new natural product. The results of cytotoxic assay indicated that compound 6 showed strong cytotoxicity against MCF-7 and SF-268 cell lines with IC50 values of 0.61 μmol · L(-1) and 0.54 μmol · L(-1), respectively.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on the serum level of S100 calcium-binding protein beta (S100beta) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in patients undergoing craniocerebral tumor operation.

METHODSA total of 32 patients, who would go through craniocerebral tumor resection under general anesthesia, were randomly assigned to two groups, 16 in each group. Patients in the electroacupuncture (EA) group received electroacupuncture on Fengfu acupoint (Du16) and Fengchi acupoint (GB20) for 30 min, 2 h before operation. The stimulus is 1-4 mA with a density wave frequency of 2/15 Hz. Patients in the control group received no pretreatment. Anesthesia was maintained with remifentanil at the dose of 4-8 mg/kg per hour, pumped intravenous drip of vecuronium at 1.0-2.0 microg/kg each hour, and discontinuous intravenous dripped with vecuronium bromide at 0.5-1 mg. The serum levels of S100beta and NSE were measured with ELISA before operation, before skin incision, after tumor removal, at the end of operation, and at 24 h after operation.

RESULTSThe serum level of S100beta and NSE did not change before skin incision. The serum level of NSE increased significantly and the level of S100beta increased insignificantly after the tumor resection. The serum levels of S100beta and NSE in the EA group and the control group were 1.16+/-0.28 microg/L vs 1.47+/- 0.33 microg/L, 24.7+/-13.3 microg/L vs 31.4+/-14.1 microg/L at the end of the operation, respectively. Twenty-four h after operation, the correspondence indices were 1.18+/-0.31 microg/L vs 1.55+/-0.26 microg/L, and 25.5+/-12.4 microg/L vs 32.4+/- 11.7 microg/L. The two indices at these two time points were significantly increased than those before operation, respectively (P<0.05). At the end of the operation and 24 h post-operation, the serum levels of S100beta and NSE in the EA group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture Fengchi and Fengfu for 30 min before craniocerbral tumor operation could decrease the serum level of S100beta and NSE, thus may have potential protective effect on brain damage, which needs to be further studied.

Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; blood ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Demography ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; S100 Proteins ; blood ; Time Factors