ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effect of occupational therapy on upper limb function in children with hemiplegic cerebral paralysis. Methods38 cases with hemiplegic cerebral spastic paralysis who were 6～36 months old accepted upper limb occupational therapy. The clinical effects on affected limb were evaluated. ResultsThe function of affected limb, including their hands improved after treatment (P<0.01). The incidence of cure was the most in group aged <12 month, the least in 24～36 month group, and it was different among various age groups (P<0.05). ConclusionOccupational therapy can improve the upper limb function of children with hemiplegic cerebral paralysis, especially in those earlier than 1 year age.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect of natural phenolic compound p-hydroxybenzoic acid(HA) on adjuvant arthritis(AA) induced by the complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA), and to clarify the mechanism of HA preliminary. METHODS Apart from the normal group, all rats received 0.1 mL CFA by plantar subcutaneous injection to induce AA rats model. And rats with AA were randomized to the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose HA group(2.5, 5, and 10 mg·kg-1, respectively), the positive control group(indomethacine, 5 mg·kg-1). The rats in each group were orally treated with the corresponding drugs for therapeutic intervention. The volume and leg thickness of the rats in each group were recorded and an inflated articular score was obtained. Inflammation cytokine expression(TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) was determined by ELISA and qPCR. Radiographs and HE staining were used to observe histopathological and pathological changes in the foot. The expressions of caspase-1 and NF-κB were examined in Western blotting. RESULTS HA could significantly alleviate joint swelling in AA rat(P<0.05), inhibited the production of inflammatory factors(TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) from protein and mRNA levels(P<0.05), and decreased the expression levels of caspase-1 and NF-κB at protein level(P<0.05). HA alleviated ankle injury in rats by X-ray examination, and HE staining showed that HA could significantly inhibit the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the destruction of cartilage surface(P<0.05), and these results were dose-dependent. CONCLUSION HA may relieve rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the NF-κB/casepase-1 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the operation key points and therapeutic effect using the pressure cooker technique (PCT)for embolization of the dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF)at the petrous apex region. Methods The clinical data of 4 patients with DAVF at the petrous apex region admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University from October 2015 to February 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The PCT technique was used to conduct embolization therapy. Results DSA confirmed that 4 patients had DAVF at the petrous apex region with the multi-branch artery blood supply and they were drained via the superior petrosal veins. The patients were embolized by using PCT. DSA confirmed that they were embolized completely after procedure. They were followed up at 3months after surgery and their symptoms were improved. Conclusion For DAVF at the petrous apex region with the multi-branch artery blood supply,the preliminary experience shows that PCT technique may improve the efficiency of embolization,thereby obtaining anatomical cure.

Objective: To observe the effect of aqueous extract from roots of Arctium lappa (AERAL) on vascular remolding in hypertensive rats. Methods: The hypertensive rat model was induced by N-nitro-L-arginine from 50 female Wistar rats, and randomly divided into model control group, positive control group (15 mg/kg), low-, mid-, and high-dose AERAL (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg), groups. After six weeks of continuous gavage administration, rat tail artery systolic pressure, angiotensin II (Ang-II), endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), left ventricular mass index (LVWI), and thickness of thoracic aortic tunica media (TTATM) were detected. Results: Compared with the normal control group, Ang-II, ET-1, TNF-α, LVWI, and TTATM were increased and rat tail artery systolic pressure was elevated in the model control group, with significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05); Compared with the model control group, rat tail artery systolic pressure in each treatment groups declined, serum Ang-II, ET-1, TNF-α, LVWI, and TTATM were all lowered, showing significant differences among them (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AERAL can significantly improve vascular remolding in rats with hypertension.

OBJECTIVETo detect disease-causing mutations in a patient with hereditary elliptocytosis.

METHODSSodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electropheresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to identify the type of erythrocyte membrane protein defect. Potential mutations of the exons and adjacent introns of relevant genes were analyzed by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSSDS-PAGE has failed to detect any difference between the patient and healthy controls. However, Sanger sequencing has detected three mutations in the SPTA1 gene in the patient, which included c.5077A>C (p.Lys1693Gln) missense mutation in exon 36, c.5572C>G (p.Leu1858Val) missense mutation in exon 40, and a IVS45nt-12C>T in intron 45. The father and grandmother of the patient were both heterozygous for c.5077A>C mutation, while her mother was heterozygous for c.5572C>G and IVS45nt-12C>T mutations.

CONCLUSIONThe hereditary elliptocytosis in the patient may be attributed to the synergistic action of c.5077A>C, c.5572C>G and IVS45nt-12C>T mutations of the SPTA1 gene.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the severity of allergic asthma and the levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and to analyze the potential role of ANP signaling in the pathogenesis of asthma.
 METHODS: We recruited 96 subjects, including 23 healthy volunteers, 25 stable allergic asthmatics, 21 mild allergic asthmatics and 27 moderate allergic asthmatics, from the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University. ANP, IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA and protein expressions of natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA), transcription factor T-bet and GATA3 were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot.
 RESULTS: The levels of ANP in serum and the expressions of NPRA mRNA and protein in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) from the mild asthma group or the moderate group were elevated compared with those in the stable asthma group or the mild group, respectively (P<0.05). Consistently, expressions of GATA3 and levels of IL-4 showed the same tendency (P<0.05). In addition, levels of ANP in serum were positively correlated with the severity of asthma, whereas negatively correlated with the ratio of T-bet/GATA3 and IFN-γ/IL-4 (r=-0.85, P<0.05; r=-0.88, P<0.05, respectively).
 CONCLUSION Levels of ANP signaling in serum were significantly increased with the severity of allergic asthma, suggesting a close relation with the pathogenesis of asthma; ANP signaling may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma through inducing the Th2-type immune response.
Asthma ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fetal Proteins ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Interleukin-4 ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; RNA, Messenger ; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Signal Transduction ; T-Box Domain Proteins

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations and imaging features of dural arterio-venous fistula of super petrosal venous drainage and treatment. Methods From May 2013 to September 2014,9 patients with petrosal vein drained dural arteriovenous fistula at the Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University and the Department of Neurosurgery,Beijing Haidian Hospital were enrolled retrospectively. The patients were treated with endovascular embolization or microsurgery,and the MRI and DSA examinations were improved,and the scores of the modified Aminoff&Logue scale (ALS) were performed before and after treatment. Results In the 9 patients,there were 3 females and 6 males. They all had different degrees of limb sensory and motor abnormalities,7 of them also had urination and/or bowel disorders,4 had cranial nerve dysfunction,including hoarseness,bucking,hiccup,and paralysis. Six patients received embolization treatment,3 received microsurgery,and they all achieved anatomic cure. The preoperative ALS score was 6. 0 ± 2. 7,and the score at 3 months after procedure was 2. 8 ± 1. 7. There was significant difference between before and after treatment (t=4. 816,P<0. 05). Conclusions The petrosal vein drained dural arteriovenous fistula is a kind of rare cerebrovascular malformation. The lesion involves a wide range. The clinical manifestations are severe. Both endovascular embolization and microsurgery can achieve a more ideal therapeutic effect. If the vascular condition is permitted,the interventional embolization treatment should be preferred.

Objective To observe the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced acute epilepsy and the dynamic expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in hippocampus. To explore the role of IL-1β in the pathogenesis of epilepsy by regulating AQP4. Methods All rats were randomly divided into control group, IL-1β group, PTZ group, IL-1ra + PTZ group and dexamethasone + PTZ group. Observe the behavior of the rats within 60 minutes after injection and record seizure score in each group. Then immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR were used to detect the expression of AQP4 at at 6 , 12, 24 and 36 h. Results Almost of rats in IL-1β group and PTZ group showed severe degree seizure. The rats in control group and dexamethasone + PTZ group showed no obvious seizure. The seizure of rats were more remarkable serious in PTZ group than that in the IL-1ra + pentylenetetrazole group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR Show: the expression of AQP4 in hippocampus in PTZ group increased gradually after 12 h (P < 0.05), then reached in the peak after 24 h (P < 0.001). The expression of AQP4 in IL-1ra + PTZ group was lower compare with PTZ group in each time (P < 0.05). Although the expression of AQP4 in dexamethasone + PTZ group higher than the control group, it was not significantly different (P < 0.05). Conclusion The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β break the balance of water in brain and increasing the concentration of extracellular excitatory amino acids or ions by upregulate the expression of AQP4 in order to promote the excitatory of neurons.

Objective To discuss the technical essentials of microsurgery using suboccipital muscle stratification for the treatment of complex vertebrobasilar aneurysms via far lateral approach.Methods The clinical data of 8 patients with vertebrobasilar aneurysm underwent suboccipital muscle stratification via far lateral approach at the Department of Neurosurgery,Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University were analyzed retrospectively,including 5 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (Hunt-Hess grade Ⅱ 3 cases;grade Ⅲ 1 case;grade Ⅳ 1 case),and 3 with symptomatic dissecting aneurysm.Six patients underwent occipital artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery and anterior inferior cerebellar artery bypass grafting,and aneurysm trapping,and the aneurysms of the other 2 cases were clipped directly in the operation.The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Results Postoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed that all the bridge vessels were patent.The obtained length of occipital artery in the actual measurement of the operation was 12.5±1.1 cm.The distance between the anastomosis site and the skin incision in 6 cases was 50±6 mm.They were followed up for 4-21 months after procedure.The mRs score in 7 cases was 0-1.Two patients had new-onset hoarseness and recovered completely within 3 months after procedure.Another patient had postoperative cerebellar hemisphere dominant regional cerebral infarction and the mRs score was 4.None of them had poor wound healing,infection and cerebrospinal fluid leakage after procedure.Conclusion Suboccipital muscle stratification via far lateral approach can effectively obtain a longer occipital artery,reduce the occupation effect of muscle and depth of field.It is beneficial to expose lesions and operation of deep anastomosis.It is a more safe and practical technique in neurosurgery for the treatment of vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the content determination of icariin in Kangguzhi zengsheng tablet,and pro-vide a basis for improving the quality standard. METHODS:HPLC was performed on the column of Hypersil ODS2 C18 with mo-bile phase of acetonitrile- water(27∶73,V/V)at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,detection wavelength was 270 nm,column temperature was 25℃,and injection volume was 10μl. RESULTS:The linear range of icariin was 3-60μg/ml(r=0.999 9);limit of quantita-tion was 11.2 μg/ml,limit of detection 4.3 μg/ml;RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 2.0%;re-covery was 99.00%-100.67%(RSD=0.63%,n=6). CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,accurate and reproducible,and can be used for the content determination of icariin in Kangguzhi zengsheng tablet.