Objective To investigate the episodic memory monitoring ability in patients with Parkinson' s disease (PD) and explore the mechanism of the episodic memory impairment.Method The feeling-of-knowing (FOK) paradigm were established and subsequently administered in 25 PD patients and 25 healthy control (HC) participants who were matched in age and educational level.Results Compared with healthy control group ( FOK-EM recall 39.67％ ±6.11％ ; recognition 58.42％ ±7.50％ ; FOK accuracy 0.61 ±0.22),the episodic memory and its monitoring ability in PD patients were significantly impaired on the accuracy rate of FOK-EM recall ( 19.33％ ±5.10％,t =-4.833,P ＜0.01 ),recognition (45.93％ ±7.82％,t =-2.497,P ＜0.05) and FOK accuracy( -0.18 ±0.46,t =-5.986,P ＜0.01).Furthermore,the correct judgment and correct recognition of FOK-EM ( 20.47％ ± 10.78％ ) and the correct judgment and false recognition of FOK-EM (29.53％ ±5.62％ ) in the PD group were significantly higher than the HC group ( the correct judgment and correct recognition of FOK-EM:39.47％ ± 9.47％ and the correct judgment and false recognition of FOK-EM:13.90％ ±5.50％ ; t =3.564,P ＜0.05 ; t =2.306,P ＜0.05).Most importantly,the stroop effect was positively correlated with the correct judgment and false recognition of FOK-EM in PD group ( r =0.640,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions In the present study,the PD patients demonstrated an overestimation of their recognition ability of episodic memory,moreover,this impairment of memory monitoring was positively correlated with the deficit of executive function,indicating that this mechanism could be an influential factor of memory disorder in PD.

ObjectiveThis paper reported our experience with thoracoscopic management of isolated atrial fibrillation to define the efficacy and safety of this approach.MethodsThirtytwo patients ( 17 mem,15 women) with isolated atrial fibrillation underwent thoracoscopic surgery.All procedures were finished under 3 port incisions on left posterior chest.Among them 18 cases are paroxysmal and 8 persistent.ResultsThere was no operative death or major perioperative complications.One case was converted to limited thoracotomy because of bleeding.Operation time was 87 - 238 min.Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation occurred in 9 cases in hospital and all the cases were sinus rhythm after discharge.Followup 4 to 20 months,One persistent case was converted paroxysmal.ConclusionPatients with isolated atrial fibrillation can benefited by Videoassisted thoracoscopic left posterior approach with better exposure of left atrial and resection of the left atrial appendage,with decreased operative trauma and better results.

ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical results of totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery for mitral valve diseases.MethodsFrom May 2004 to October 2011,272 patients underwent totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery for mitral valve diseases through three ports.Summarize the indication and contraindication are used and for the operation date.Results There was 1 case in-hospital deaths.The time of operations was 2.1 ～ 3.9 (3.0 ± 1.2 ) h.Time of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp was 76 ～ 158 (98 ± 22) minites and 38 ～ 78 (52 ± 13 ) minites.Time of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay was 5.8 ～ 34.5 ( 11.2 ± 3.6 ) hours and 14 ～ 67 ( 28.2 ± 7.6 ) hours.The volume of drainage was 20 ～ 1200(370 ± 80) ml.The hospital days were 7 ～ 18 ( 10.2 ± 2.1 ) days.The postoperative complications occurred in 14 cases.ConclusionTotally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery for mitral valve diseases is technically feasible and safe with less drainage and shortened hospital stay.

Mimecan belongs to a family of leucine-rich proteoglycans that are secreted into the extracellular matrix. In order to investigate the function of mimecan, the coding region of mimecan was amplifed from a human pituitary cDNA by PCR and the recombinant prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-M was constructed. The vactor was transformed into E.coli BL21(DE3)and the GST-M fusion protein of 38 Kd was ecpressed in the bacteria under induction of IPTG. After purification, the fusion protein was infucted into New Zealand rabbits to prepare polyclonal antibody. The antibody was tested by Western blotting for their specificity and sensitivity. Using the antibody it was found the mimecan was expressed highly in certain types of human pituitary tumor tissues. These results make it possible for studying the biological function of mimecan.

Obj ectiev The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of bone metastasis on survival in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC),Which were treated with gefitinib for more than 6 months,and to identify the prognostic factors of patients with NSCLC presenting bone metastasis .Methods We compared the overall survival(OS), progression-free survival(PFS),1-year2,-year and 3-year survival rates between two cohorts based on bone metastasis ,as well as the prognostic factors in the patients with bone metastasis .Results In total, 76 patients were included in the study ,in which there are44 patients with no bone metastasis and32 patients with bone metastasis.The cohorts were similar in OS (19.000 ±3.317 months vs.26.000 ±2.121 months,P =0.625)as well as PFS (14.000 ±1.843 months vs.16.000 ±1.411 months,P=0.328).The 1-year survival rate was 63.6%in no bone metastasis cohort,but was increased to 96.9%in the other cohort.The survival rates at 2 years(34.1%vs.56.3%,P=0.054)and 3 years(18.2%vs.18.4%,P=0.950)were similar.The univa-riate analysis showed that a worse prognosis was more likely existed in elderly patients ( aged >60 years) and with pulmonary progression ,whereby factors including gender ,pathology s,moking index ,brain metastases ,bone related events and the application of radiotherapy ,bisphosphonates might not be independently associated with the surviv -al late.Analysis of multiple variables indicated a favorable prognosis for patients with no pulmonary progression . Conclusion This retrospective study shows that bone metastasis may not shorten the survival in patients whose pulmonary lesion was controlled by gefitinib .On the contrary ,pulmonary progression may be more likely the cause of death in patients with bone metastasis .Non suggestion is given to discontinue gefitinib when the bone metastasis appears.

Objective To investigate the molecular defects of CYPl7A1 gene in a pedigree with two 46,XY patients suffering from 17α-hydroxylase deficiency (17-OHD) and explore the steroid biosynthetic difference in carriers of 17-OHD before and after adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) test.Methods Clinical data and hormone profiles were collected from the members of the pedigree.CYPl7A1 genotyping was performed in the patients and family members with PCR-direct sequencing.A short ACTH test was evaluated in some cases.Results The CYP17 genes of the patients were proved to hold a homozygous mutation with a base deletion and a base transversion (TAC/AA) in exon 6,which produced a missense mutation of Tyr→ Lvs at codon 329 and changed the open reading frame following this codon.The hormone response of the carriers after ACTH stimulation was abnormal between the patients and normal controls.Conclusion 17-OHD in this family was caused by CYP17A1 mutation (TAC329AA):some hormonal response to ACTH stimulation Was abnormal in carriers.

Objective To explore the impairment of time perception in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).Method Thirty-two individuals with idiopathic PD were compared with 32 matched healthy controls using a time reproduction task.Result Compared with healthy controls for the 3-second duration reproduction task, PD patients in the setting of a delay by 1 s ( (2.78 ±0.31 ) s and (2.15 ±0.34) s,respectively) and a delay by 5 s ( (2.74 ±0.32) s and (2.08 ±0.37) s, respectively) showed impairment in time perception with a significant under-estimation of the duration ( t = - 7.459, - 7.533, both P ＜0.01 ).When compared with healthy controls for the 5-second duration reproduction task, PD patients in the setting of a delay by 1 s ( (3.99 ±0.39) s and (3.11 ±0.52) s) and 5 s ( (4.05 ±0.40) s and (2.96 ±0.54) s) also showed impairment in time perception with a significant under-estimation of the duration (t =-7.609 and - 9.120, both P ＜ 0.01 ).When compared with healthy controls for the 600-millisecond duration reproduction task, PD patients in the setting of delay by 1 s ((0.91 ±0.18) s and (0.90 ±0.18) s, respectively) and by 5 s ( (0.89 ± 0.16) s and (0.91 ± 0.17 ) s, respectively) did not have impaired time perception, and the difference was not significant ( t = 0.347, P = 0.730; t = - 0.519, P =0.606, respectively).Conclusion Our data indicates that time perception is impaired in PD patients.Impaired time perception is mainly an under-estimation of the time interval in seconds rather than milliseconds.

Objective To observe the effect of berberine on glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and to investigate its mechanism. Methods The glucose consumption of the cells was determined by the glucose oxidase method. The glucose transportation rate of the cells was assayed by the uptake of 2-deoxy-〔 3H〕-D-glucose. Protein kinase B (Akt) activity was detected by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. The gene expression of c-Cbl-associated protein (CAP) was detected by Northern blot. Results 0.1～200 ?mol/L berberine significantly increased glucose consumption in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with a dose-dependent effect, which was independent of insulin. The glucose transportation was significantly increased in adipocytes incubated with 0.1～10 ?mol/L berberine; the action began at 2 h and reached a peak value at 12 h. The results of immunoprecipitation and Western blot showed that berberine did not enhance Akt activity. The result of Northern blot indicated that berberine significantly decreased CAP mRNA expression. Conclusion Adipocytes are the important target cells of berberine. Berberine significantly increases glucose transportation and consumption in adipocytes, the action appeares to be independent of insulin signal pathway.

Objective To investigate a Chinese pedigree suffering from Leydig cell hypoplasia ( LCH) based on clinical data and genetic diagnosis. Methods The patient was diagnosed by means of clinical data, hormone profiles, and human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCC) test. The luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor(LHCGR) gene of the patient and family members was amplified and sequenced. Results The patient presented with male pseudohermaphroditism, low level of testosterone, which did not respond to hCG. Genetic analysis of the LHCGR revealed two novel mutations: a missense mutation located in exon 5, resulting in Ile replaced by Thr in the extracellular domain; and a splice site mutation in the 3' terminal of intron 6( IVS6-3 C→A). Proband's sister (46, XX) who lacked clinical manifestations showed the identical genotype with the patient. Conclusions A mutation in the consensus sequence of 3' splice site, in addition to a missense mutation (Ile 152Thr)in the extracellular ligand-binding domain is the cause of inactivation of the LHCGR gene in patient with Leydig cell hypoplasia.

Objective To search the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exons of osteoprotegerin gene, and to analyse the relationship between SNP and bone mineral densities (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Methods Using PCR and direct sequencing to identify SNP and genotypes in 205 postmenopausal women. BMD at lumbar spine (L 2 4 ) and femoral neck (FN) were measured by dual energy X ray absorptiometry. Serum osteocalcin (BGP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteoprotegerin ligand (RANKL) and urinary N telopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen (NTx) were also measured. Results One SNP, G1181C, was found in exon 1 of OPG gene. The frequencies of G1181C genotypes in 205 postmenopausal women were 0.566, 0.346, and 0.088 for the genotypes GG, GC and CC respectively. BMD at lumbar spine (L 2 4 ) of CC genotype was significantly higher than GC and GG genotypes (P