Objective To investigate the clinical manifestation, biochemically detected data, and radiographic features of a pedigree with suspected mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome, and to explore the correlations between the clinical features and the mutant heteroplasmy levels of mitochondrial genome. Methods The personal details, histories of stroke-like episodes and seizures within the proband and 11 members in the maternal lineage of the family were collected. Routine blood examinations and plasma lactate levels before and after movements of these family members were detected, followed by cephalic MRI examinations. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing were used to detect and validate the A3243G point mutation in mitochondrial genome, and real-time PCR were used to quantify the mutation proportion of A3243G. Results Typical symptoms of MELAS such as seizures, stroke-like episodes and hyperlactacidemia and atypical symptoms such as growth failure, exercise intolerance, fevers and migraines were observed on several members in the pedigree. Cephalic MRI findings performed during episode periods were in accord with the typical radiographic features of MELAS and cerebellar atrophy was commonly observed. Family members on the maternal side all harbored the point mutation on 3243 site in mitochondrial genome. Meanwhile, patients with higher heteroplasmy levels relatively manifested more typically and severely according to the clinical observation. Conclusions The pedigree is diagnosed with maternal inheritance of MELAS syndrome. The main cause can be attributed to a mitochonorial A3243G mutation.The mutant heteroplasmy levels of hemocytes in peripheral blood are positively associated with genetic relationship, seizure anticipation, plasma lactate data and other clinical features.

Objective To study the effect of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus Decoction on defecating function of constipated mice.Methods Constipation mice models were induced by Compound Diphenoxylate.Defecating effects of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus on normal and constipation mice were observed.Results Middle and high dose of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus decoction could increase impelling rate of small intestine,shorten the time for the first dark stools(P<0.05 or P<0.01).and add the amount of dark stools within 6 hours(P<0.01).Conclusion Fructus Aurantii Immaturus has the functions of loosening bowel to relieve constipation.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor nimesulide lone and combined with cisplatin on tumor growth,and Ki67 and Caspase-3 expression in lung cancer xenografts in nude mice. Methods The mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:the control group,the nimesulide group,the cisplatin group and the nimesulide combined with cisplatin group. A549 cells were injected into BALB/c nude mice subcutaneously.On the 21st day after treatment tumor tissues were collected,and the xenografts growth were observed. The expression of Ki67 and Caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemical method.ResultsNimesulide combined with cisplatin could significantly inhibited the xenografts growth compared with nimesulide or cisplatin.The tumor inhibition rate was 44.33％ in the nimesulide group,53.61％ in the cisplatin group and 80.41％ in the nimesulide combined with cisplatin group (P ＜ 0.05).Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression rates of Caspase-3 was significantly increased in the nimesulide combined with cisplatin group (67.43 ± 23.57 ) ％,the cisplatin group (48.40 ± 20.37 ) ％,and the nimesulide group (38.65 ± 15.37)％,compared with the control group (27.63 ± 13.03)％ (P ＜ 0.05).The expression rate of Caspase-3 was significantly increased in the nimesulide combined with cisplatin group compared with the nimesulide group or the cisplatin group (P ＜ 0.05 ).The expression rate of Ki67 was significantly decreased in the nimesulide group combined with cisplatin group (24.34 ± 15.90)％,the cisplatin group (40.85 ± 22.47)％ and the nimesulide group (53.33 ± 19.67)％ compared with the control group ( 80.43 ± 16.88 ) ％ ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The expression of Ki67 was significantly decreased in the nimesulide combined with cisplatin group compared with the nimesulide group or the cisplatin group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Nimesulide can inhibit human lung cancer A549 cells xenografts in nude mice growth,Nimesulide enhanced the inhibitory effects of cisplatin.The mechanism may be related to inhibition of tumor cell Ki-67 expression,increased expression of Caspase-3,inhibition of tumor cell proliferation,and inducing tumor cell apoptosis.

p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is a member of a family of serine/threonine kinase.PAK4plays an important role in a variety of cellular functions including cell cycle,cell proliferation,apoptosis,and cytoskeletal reorganization.Recently,PAK4 has been shown to overexpress in a variety of malignancies,and contribute to cancer cell migration and invasion through multiple signalling pathways.

As the largest protective barrier of the body,gastrointestinal tract helps the organism resist the invasion and attacks of harmful substances from the outside world.There are three kinds of protective barriers:mechanical barrier,biotical barrier,and immune barrier.In recent years,increasing researches indicate the importance of gastrointestinal immune barrier and the important immunologic mechanism of enteral nutrition in improving the clinical outcome.This article reviews the effect of gut immunity in the improvement of clinical outcome by enteral nutrition.

Objective To investigate the biological effect of GM-CSF on splenic dentritic cells (DCs)when used to treat severe sepsis and the influence on the prognosis.Methods All 160 male Kunming mice were randomly(random number)divided into four groups:control group(n =50),the mice didnt receive special treatment; CLP group(n =42),the mice underwent cecal ligation and puncture;conventional treatment group(n =34),the mice received intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg ceftriaxone at 12,24,36,48,60,72 and 84 h after surgery; GM-CSF treatment group(n =34),the mice received hypodermic injection of 20 μg/kg GM-CSF besides ceftriaxone at 12,36,60,and 84 h after surgery.The mice were sacrificed at 0,12,24,48 and 72 h after CLP by cervical dislocation.The amount of splenic DCs and apoptosis rate were measured by flow cytometry,and the serum concentrations of IL-12 were detected by ELISA in each group.Meanwhile the survival prognosis was observed at 96 h.Results At every time point,the apoptosis of splenic DCs increased and the amount markedly reduced in severe sepsis(P ＜0.05),the serum concentration of IL-12 increased on an one-way curve type(P ＜0.05).The treatment of cephalosporin exacerbated the loss of DCs(P ＜ 0.05),while hadnt any effect on IL-12(P ＞ 0.05).GMCSF treatment increased the amount of DCs(P ＜ 0.05),and decreased IL-12 concentrations(P ＜ 0.05).The OR of GM-CSF was 0.079 computed by Logist regression analysis.Conclusions GM-CSF treatment severe sepsis can increase the amount of splenic DCs,decrease serum levels of IL-12,and improve prognosis.

Objective To explore the effect of individual nursing care on persistent headache in patients with intracranial aneurysm who accepted interventional embolization. Methods 100 patients with intracranial aneurysms were divided into observation group (n=50) and control group (n=50). The routine headache nursing care was taken in the control group and the individual nursing care was applied in the observation group. They were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results The score of VAS reduced more in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05), and the headache endurance and the satisfaction for nursing care were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The individual nursing may relieve the pain, and improve the endurance of headache and the satisfaction for nursing care.

ObjectiveTo determine the change of coagulation in acute brain infarction.MethodsBlood samples were taken intravenously from 57 patients with acute brain infarctions (within 24hr) and the thrombin time(TT), prothrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), fibrinogen(FIB) levels were detected serially at the time of instant admission, 1st day ,3rd day and 7th day after routine therapy, including 21 patients whose thrombin antithrombin III complex(TAT) levels were detected at the same time.ResultsTAT levels were significant increased in acute brain infarctions, especially in acute progress stroke, but TT, PT, APTT were not significantly different before and after routine treatment. FIB levels were higher at 7th day than pre-treatment. ConclusionTAT levels can be served as a marker of progress stroke.

To serve as carriers of cells and bioactive molecules, three-dimensional scaffolds play a key role in bone defect repair. The chemical component and microstructure of the scaffold can affect the mechanical properties and seed cells. A variety of fabrication techniques have been used in producing scaffolds, some made random porous structure, some created well-designed structure using rapid prototyping methods, and others prepared bio-derived materials as scaffolds. However, scaffolds may vary in their inner structure, mechanical properties and repairing efficiency as well because of different manufacturing methods. In this review, we overview the main achievements concerning the effects of material and microstructure on the mechanical performance, seed cells and defect repair of bone scaffolds.
Biocompatible Materials ; Bone and Bones ; Porosity ; Tissue Scaffolds

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Hoarseness ; therapy ; Humans ; Hysteria ; therapy ; Male