Objective: We examined the cause、level of pathology、onset of symptoms、time taken to treatment and outcome of 14 patients with cauda equina syndrome(CES) to determine how these factors influenced the eventual outcome.Methods:14 patients with CES treated at our hospital between 1991 and 1997 underwent laminectomy followed by bilateral decompression.The mean time of followup was 35 months(range 22～48months).Logistical regression analysis was used to manage the data.Results:Out of 14 patients,11 had satisfactory recovery at 2 years postdecompression;3 patients were left with some residual dysfunction.Conclusion:There was a clear correlation between delayed decompression and the poor overall outcome,as well as the presence of perineal anaesthesia and significant sphicter dysfuncation.

The cyclic voltammetric behaviors of sodium selenite on the gold electrode modified by L-cysteine self-assembled monolayer (L-Syc,Au/SAMs) has been investigated in 0.05 mol/L H_2SO_4 solutions with sodium selenite. Sensitive anodic stripping current of selenium (Se) with the peak potential at 0.99 V (vs. SCE) has been observed. In comparison with the electrochemical properties of sodium selenite on the modified electrode with those on the naked gold electrode, it was found that selenite was reduced to selenium by the redox interaction with sulfur on the monolayer and the monolayer catalytically oxidizes Se as the electrode was positively scanned. According to the electrochemical properties of sodium selenite both on the naked and modified gold electrode, the Se deposition mechanism and catalytic mechanism as well as bionic membrane model were proposed for the bio-utilization of selenite through nano scale selenium.

BACKGROUND:The degradable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) biliary-enteric composite stent has been developed. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the solubility and biocompatibility of the degradable PLLA biliary-enteric composite stent. METHODS:Solubility:the PLLA composite stent was implanted into artificial gastric acid to detect the dissolution rate within 12 weeks. Pyrogen test:the PLLA composite stent extracts were injected into the rabbits via ear vein to detect the changes of body temperature. Hemolysis test:the PLLA composite stent extracts, normal saline and distil ed water were added into the rabbit anticoagulant, respectively, to detect the hemolysis ratio. Cytocompatibility test:Caco-2 cel s were respectively cultured in the DMEM medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum, rubber material extracts and the PLLA composite stent extracts, and the cel proliferation was detected at 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours;the lactic dehydrogenase release was detected at 2 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The PLLA composite stent showed a long stability in vivo, and approximately 80%was dissolved at about 20 weeks. No reactions of pyrogen and henolysis were observed in the pyrogen and hemolysis tests. The PLLA composite stent made no effects on the Caco-2 cel proliferation and lactic dehydrogenase release. In conclusion, the PLLA composite material holds a good solubility and cytocompatibility.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and the clinical significance of diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKα) and protein kinase C (PKC) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsDGKα and PKC expressions in the samples from 60 pathologically confirmed HCC patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between DGKo expression and clinical pathology factors was analyzed.ResultsThe expression positive rates of DGKo and PKC were highest in normal liver tissues [90.0％ (9/10) and 100.0％ (10/10)].The positive rates were 81.7 ％ (49/60) and 71.7 ％ (43/60) in HCC tissues,respectively,and were 58.3 ％ (35/60) and 61.7 ％ (37/60) in carcinoma adjacent tissues,respectively.In three liver tissues,the positive rates of DGKα and PKC were significantly different (P ＜0.05).The location of both kinases in hepatocytes translocated from cytoplasm/nucleus to membrane.The expressions of DGKα and PKC were positively correlation(r =0.495, P ＜ 0.05), The DGKα expression was correlated to differentiation type,portal venous tumor thrombus and TNM staging(all P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionDGKa is expressed with high activity in advanced stage and poorly differentiated HCC. It may be promote the pathological process of HCC.

Objective To explore the value of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy(SRS) in evaluating the immune activity of orbital inflammatory pseudotumor associated with systemic vasculitis.Methods Twenty-five patients with orbital inflammatory pseudotumor associated with systemic vasculitis (10 males,15 females,average age:(51.2± 14.2) years) underwent SRS.The uptake ratio (UR) of orbital inflammatory pseudotumor was obtained.(1) Patients were divided into group A (with immune activity) and group B (without immune activity) according to Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS).The difference of UR between the 2 groups was compared by two-sample t test.The difference of UR before and after treatment in 12 patients was also compared.(2) Based on the results by BVAS,ROC curve was used to obtain the cut-off value of UR,as well as the diagnostic efficiency and Youden index.The consistency between SRS and BVAS was calculated.(3)Patients were divided into two groups according to the cut-off value of UR and the prognosis difference between them was compared by Fisher exact test.(4)The expression of SSTR2 and SSTR5 was observed by immunohistochemistry.Results (1) UR in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (2.09±0.44 vs 1.32±0.46,t =5.94,P＜0.01).After glucocorticoids treatment,the UR in group A reduced significantly (t=4.07,P＜0.01),but not in group B (t=1.76,P＞0.05).(2)ROC curve analysis identified UR cut-off value as 1.66,with the sensitivity of 87.5％,specificity of 95.7％,positive predictive value of 95.2％,negative predictive value of 88.0％,accuracy of 91.3％ and Youden index of 83.2％.The consistency between SRS and BVAS was strong (Kappa =0.840).(3) The prognosis was significantly different between patients with UR≥ 1.66 and UR＜1.66 (P＜0.05).(4) The immunohistochemical results revealed high expression of SSTR2 and SSTR5 in inflammatory cells in patients with immune activity.Conclusion SRS has potential value in evaluating the immune activity of orbital inflammatory pseudotumor associated with systemic vasculitis.

Objective:To supply good information integration,knowledge representation,text mining,intellectual education and data sharing services by setting up neuroinformatics ontology.Methods:By analyzing the structures and contents of current ontologies in the biomedical field,such as UMLS,Gene Ontology,Cancer Ontology,Anatomy Ontology,Disease Ontology and Drug Ontology,the concepts and their relationships of neuroinformatics were discussed and the design principles,standards and norms,building methods and basic procedures of multi-level concept semantic networks-based neuroinformatics ontology constructed by Prot?g?-OWL tool were presented in this article.Results:A multi-level concept semantic network-based OWL(web ontology language) neuroinformatics ontology was built.Conclusion:The neuroinformatics ontology can bring about explicit definitions of concepts and their relationships in the field of neuroinformatics from different formal models,build clear theoretical framework for neuroinforma-tics,achieve a common understanding of related field knowledge and supply good services of information integration,knowledge representation,text mining,intelligent education and data sharing.

Objective To investigate the expression and distribution of Diacylglycerol Kinase α (DGKα) mRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),and to explore the function of DGKα in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods Tissues from 30 cases of HCC and 5 normal liver tissues were collected immediately after surgical resection.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression levels and distribution of DGKα mRNA,respectively.Results Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the expression level of DGKα mRNA in HCC (0.798±0.317) and normal tissues (0.908±0.425) was significantly higher than those in carcinoma adjacent tissue with cirrhosis (0.205±0.102,P<0.05).In situ hybridization demonstrated that the number of DGKα mRNA positive hepatocytes in HCC [(57.6±6.3)/mm2] and normal tissues [69.8±8.7)/mm2] was significantly higher than those in carcinoma adjacent tissue with cirrhosis [(26.3±4.9)/mm2,P<0.05]; DGKα mRNA was expressed in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes in HCC and carcinoma adjacent tissue with cirrhosis,and in the nuclear of hepatocytes in normal tissues.Conclusion The present study suggests that DGKa may play important roles in carcinogenesis and progressing of HCC.

Objective To study the influence of 4-aminopyridine(4-AP)on proliferation,production,and apoptosis through inhibiting voltage-gated K+channel(Kv)in ovarian luteinized granulosa cells.nethods Ovarian luteinized granulosa cells were recovered from 25 women with regular menses who underwent in vitro fertilization programme.The cultured granulosa cells were divided into 4 groups:blank group,4-AP treated group,human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG)-induced group and hCG+4-AP cotreated group.The final concentrations of hCG and 4-AP were 1250 U/L and 5 nmol/L respectively.The progesterone production WaS detected by the chemoluminescence method.The expression of Kv mRNA on human ovarian luteinized granulosa cell was detected by RT.PCR The influence on the early apoptosis of gTanulosa cells bv 4-AP was observed by flow eytometry.Cellular caSpage-3 activities were observed with colorimetric method and the inhibition of the cell proliferation was studied using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)method.Results(1)Kv mRNA wag expressed in granulosa cell.(2)The progesterone production64),(206±32),(1991±172)and(763±79)nmol/L,respectively after24 hours culture.Exposure of the(3)The flow cytometry analysis and the cellular caapase-3 A405 showed that 4-AP increased the percentage ofearly phase apoptosis(P<0.01):4-AP treated group VS blank group[(40±5)%and 0.049 ±0.009]VS[(17±4)% and 0.029±0.008],hCG+4-AP CO-treated group VS hCG-induced group[(25±4)%and0.039 ±0.0081 VS[(15±3)%and 0.022 ±0.007].(4)24 hours after treated with 4-AP and hCG,theinhibitory rate of cultured granulosa cells of 4-AP treated group was higher than the blank group(19.7%VS0).and that of hCG+4-AP co-treated group was obviously higher than hCG-induced group(34.6% VS O,P<0.01).Conclusions The voltage-gated K+ channels expressed by ovarian luteinized granulosa cellplay an important role in cell proliferation,production,and apoptosis.4-AP may inhibit differentiation ofprogesterone in granulosa ceHs through the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of dextran sulfate on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation in rats.Method A total of 32 male Wistar rats were subjected to unilateral left lung orthotopic transplantation.They were randomly divided two groups (n =16 each):DXS group [DXS (10 mg/kg) was given prior to the reperfusion],and the control group (the same volume of normal saline was given).After animals were sacrificed,the lung graft was harvested 2 h after reperfusion.Oxygenation indexes,wet/dry ratio (W/D),myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity,malondialdehyde (MDA) and endothelin 1 (ET-1) in the transplanted lung,and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in serum were measured.The lung injury scores were evaluated and complement deposition was observed.Result After 2-h reperfusion,compared to the control group,oxygenation indexes were improved significantly in DXS group (P＜0.05),but there were no significant differences in W/D between two groups.In DXS group,the activity of MPO was significantly reduced,and the contents of MDA and ET-1 in the lung tissue were significantly reduced as compared with the control group.DXS reduced the level of TNF-α and IL-8 markedly in serum (P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in lung injury score between two groups (4.53 ± 0.46 vs.5.28 ±0.49,P＞0.05).Compared to the control group,DXS reduced the deposition of C3c (0.8 ±0.2vs1.5±0.3) andC6 (1.2±0.4vs.2.4±0.5) (P＜0.05).Conclusion Administration of DXS attenuated ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation by inhibiting complement deposition,and improved the oxygenation of the transplanted lung.This protection was associated with inhibition of inflammation and oxidation and endothelial cytoprotection.

Objective To investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in reduction of hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury by CO2 preconditioning in rats.Methods Forty-eight male Wistar rats,aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 230-270 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =16 each):hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury group (group HIRI),CO2 preconditioning group (group P),and c helerythrine (CHE,a specific inhibitor of PKC) group (group CHE).The portal vein,hepatic artery and bile duct of the left lateral and median lobes of the liver were occluded for 1 h,followed by 4 h reperfusion in anesthetized rats.The rats inhaled 50％ O2-50％ N2 for 1 h during mechanical ventilation in group HIRI.In P group,the rats inhaled 50％ O2-45％ N2-5％ CO2 for 1 h during mechanical ventilation and then inhaled 50％ O2-50％ N2 and the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury was performed 15 min later.In group CHE,CHE 5 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 10 min before mechanical ventilation,and the other procedures were similar to those previously described in P group.Before mechanical ventilation,immediately before ischemia,and at 0,1,2,3 and 4 h of reperfusion,mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded and arterial blood samples were obtained for blood gas analysis.At 4 h of reperfusion,the serum aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino-transferase (ALT) activities and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentration (by ELISA) were determined and hepatic specimens were obtained for detection of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (by spectrophotometry),and the expression of activated caspase-3 (by immuno-histochemistry) and PKC (by Western blot) in hepatic tissues.Apoptosis index was calculated by using TUNEL.Results Compared with group HIRI,MAP,PaO2 and PaCO2were significantly increased immediately before ischemia and during reperfusion in group P,MAP and PaCO2 were increased during reperfusion and PaO2 was increased immediately before ischemia and during reperfusion in group CHE,the serum ALT and AST activities,TNF-α concentrations,MDA content and apoptosis index were decreased,and the expression of activated caspase-3 was down-regulated in P and CHE groups,and the SOD activity was increased,and the expression of PKC was up-regulated in group P (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01),and no significant changes were found in the SOD activity and PKC expression in CHE group (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group P,MAP was significantly increased immediately after onset of reperfusion,while decreased at 1-4 h of reperfusion,PaO2 was decreased immediately before ischemia and during reperfusion,PaCO2 was decreased at 3 h of reperfusion,the serum ALT and AST activities,TNF-α concentrations,MDA content and apoptosis index were increased,and the expression of activated caspase-3 was up-regulated,and the expression of PKC was downregulated in group CHE (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PKC is involved in reduction of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by CO2 preconditioning in rats.