Objective To explore the effect of early screening and psychotherapy on post stroke depression. Methods 80 patients with stroke at first onset were assessed with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17). Patients with depression were divided into control group (n=21) and intervention group (n=21). Both groups received rehabilitation therapy and the intervention group received psychotherapy in addition. They were assessed with HAMD again 2 months after treatment. All of them were evaluated with modified Barthel index (MBI). Results 52.5% patients had post stroke depression. The score of HAMD-17 was lower in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in MBI between 2 groups after treatment (P>0.05). Conclusion Early screening and psychotherapy can facilitate the recovery of patients with depression after stroke.

Objective To study the content of volatile oil from old leaves, tender leaves, fallen leaves and seeds of cinnamomum camphora tree in Hunan, China. To prepare and identify the volatile oil of its β-cycoldextrin inclusion compound. Methods The volatile oil was extracted by water-steam distillation. With inclusion rate as the index, trituration method, saturated water solution method and ultrasound method were compared. The optimum conditions were investigated by the orthogonal test. The inclusion compound was identified by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), ultraviolet visible spectrum (UV-Vis) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results From June to July, the average content of volatile oil extracted from old leaves, tender leaves, fallen leaves and seeds were 1.58%, 1.52%, 0.84% and 1.39%, respectively. The optimum preparation conditions were as follows:the ratio of β-cyclodextrin and volatile oil was 10∶1, the adding water was 4 times and inclusing time was 2 h. Before and after inclusion, the spectrum of TLC and UV-Vis of volatile oil showed no obvious change. The DSC of inclusion compound,β-cycoldextrin, volatile oil and the mixture had significant differences. Conclusion The amount of the volatile oil from old leaves is higher. The optimized condition of inclusion is stable and reasonable.

Objective To investigate the clinical application of multiplex allele-specific PCR assays for simultaneous detection of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555G and C1494T mutations associated with aminoglycoside-induced hearing impairment.Methods Three standard plasmids of different genotypes (wild-type, A1555G mutant and C1494T mutant) were constructed for templates and allele-specific primers aiming directly at wild-type and mutant of mitochondrial DNA nt1555 and nt1494 were designed for developing a multiplex allele-specific PCR technique to detect the A1555G and C1494T mutations.Then the method was applied to clinical screening of 138 non-syndromic hearing loss subjects and confirmed by DNA sequencing.Results Multiplex allele-specific PCR was successfully applied to the detection of A1555G and C1494T mutations in a cohort of 138 Han Chinese genetically unrelated hearing-loss subjects.Finally, 11(7.97%) unrelated affected subjects harbored the A1555G and C1494T mutations in the 12S rRNA gene(10 cases for A1555G and 1 cases for C1494T), which was well consistent with results of DNA sequencing [7.97%(11/138), Kappa=1.000, P＜0.01].Conclusion This study indicates that the multiplex allele-specific PCR assay is useful, convenient and reliable in the detection of the A1555G and C1494T mutations, which could identify the subjects at risk and effectively prevent of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss.

To investigate the mechanism by which Schisandra Chinensis mediates the phenotypic transformation of microglia via microRNA-124 (miR-124)-based regulation of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway, a model was established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of BV2 cells. Cells were treated with different doses of Schisandra Chinensis extract (SCE). MiR-124 inhibitors and negative control sequences (NC inhibitor) were transfected into LPS-induced BV2 cells and treated with SCE. The MTT assay was used for cell activity detection; an NO kit was used to measure NO release; ELISA kits were used to measure the levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Microglia markers, including ionized calcium binding adapter molecule-1 (IBA-1) and arginase-1 (Arg-1), and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were evaluated by immunofluorescent staining. NF-κB p65, IBA-1, Arg-1, TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary factor 88 (MyD88), inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B kinases-α (IKK-α), IL-10, TNF-α were detected by immunoblot. SCE at concentrations ranging from 31.25 to 250 μg·mL^-1 had no significant effect on cell activity. SCE treatment significantly inhibited NO release induced by LPS (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), increased the level of IL-10 (P < 0.05), and decreased the level of TNF-α (P < 0.001). In addition, SCE significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α, IBA-1, TLR4, and MyD88 (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) and elevated the expression of IL-10, Arg-1, NF-κB P65 and IKK-α (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, P < 0.05). SCE treatment could also promote the expression of miR-124 (P < 0.01). However, transfection with the miR-124 inhibitor increased TNF-α (P < 0.001), decreased the level of IL-10 (P < 0.05), increased the mRNA level and the protein expression of TNF-α and IBA-1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001), and decreased the mRNA level and protein expression of IL-10 and Arg-1 (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). In addition, the inhibition of TLR4 and MyD88 was attenuated. In conclusion, SCE appears to inhibit the activation of TLR4 signaling pathway by upregulating miR-124 so as to inhibit microglia M1 polarization and promote microglia M2 polarization.

BACKGROUND:MicroRNAs (miRNA) through regulating specific target gene mRNA expression play important roles in different processes of diseases. OBJECTIVE:To study the interaction of miRNA-21 with its target gene TLR4 in Hela cels. METHODS:The candidate target gene of miRNA-21 was determined according to miRNA analysis databases. The constructed recombinant adenovirus vector carrying pri-miRNA-21 gene was used, which could package and amplify viruses to transfect Hela cels. Then, the expression of fluorescent proteins was detected. Forty-eight hours after transfection of miRNA-21 or control, extracted proteins were used for detection of TLR4 protein using western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Recombinant adenoviruses pAd/pri-miRNA-21 and pAd/neg at 100 MOI could successfuly infect Hela cels. Bioinformatic analysis suggested several possible binding sites between miRNA-21 and TLR4. The experimental results showed that miRNA-21 down-regulated TLR4 at protein levels, indicating that miRNA-21 can interfere with the expression of TLR4 target gene.

Objective:To study the influence of rutin in the morphology of renal tissue of the diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin(STZ), and to clarify the effect of rutin on the kidney tissue damage.Methods:Twelve mice of the total 70 Kunming mice were used as normal group, the other were used to estabish type 1 diabetes mouse models by intraperitoneally injected with STZ (62.5 mg·kg-1), once daily for 5 d.The successfully established model mice were randomly divided into model group,low dose (50 mg·kg-1)of rutin group, high dose (100 mg·kg-1) of rutin group and irbesartan group (45 mg·kg-1).The mice in model group and normal group were given the carboxy methyl cellulose(CMC) and the other mice were given drugs by intragastric administration once daily for 8 weeks accordingly.The weight and blood glucose of the each mouse were determined.Full automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect the levels of serum creatinine (Cre) and blood urine nitrogen (BUN) of the mice , and the kidney index was calculated.The morphology of renal tissue was observed by HE staining, Masson staining and electron microscope.Results:After injection of STZ,the model success rate was up to 98%.Compared with normal group, there was no significant difference in the weight of the mice in other groups before administration(P>0.05).After administration of rutin, the weights of the mice in model group, low dose of rutin group, high dose of rutin group and irbesartan group were significantly decreased (P<0.05).Compared with model group, the levels of blood glucose of the mice in low and high doses of rutin groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05);the levels of Cre and BUN were significantly reduced (P<0.05);the kidney index of the mice in high dose of rutin group was significantly decreased (P<0.05).Compared with normal group,the kidney tissue of the mice in model group was seriously damaged;glomerular was weaked, the kidney tissue fibrosis was serious, glomerular basement membrane was diffusely thickened and foot process was coalesced or overgrow.Compared with model group,the degree of injury of the mice in low and high doses of rutin groups were significantly improved, especially in high dose of rutin group.Conclusion:Rutin can improve the renal function of diabetic mice induced by STZ and reduce the degree of renal tissue damage in the diabetic mice

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

The aim of the present study was to study the effect of β-estradiol (β-E(2)) on the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channel in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The mesenteric arteries were obtained from post-menopause female patients with abdominal surgery, and the SMCs were isolated from the arteries using an enzymatic disassociation. According to the sources, the SMCs were divided into non-hypertension (NH) and essential hypertension (EH) groups. Single channel patch clamp technique was used to investigate the effect of β-E(2) and ICI 182780 (a specific blocker of estrogen receptor) on BK(Ca) in the SMCs. The results showed the opening of BK(Ca) in the SMCs was voltage and calcium dependent, and could be blocked by IbTX. β-E(2) (100 μmol/L) significantly increased open probability (Po) of BK(Ca) in both NH and EH groups. After β-E(2) treatment, NH group showed higher Po of BK(Ca) compared with EH group. ICI 182780 could inhibit the activating effect of β-E(2) on BK(Ca) in no matter NH or EH groups. These results suggest β-E(2) activates BK(Ca) in mesenteric artery SMCs from post-menopause women via estrogen receptor, but hypertension may decline the activating effect of β-E(2) on BK(Ca).
Aged ; Estradiol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; agonists ; metabolism ; physiology ; Mesenteric Arteries ; metabolism ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Postmenopause ; physiology ; Receptors, Estrogen ; antagonists & inhibitors

Purpose To investigate the pathological features and prognostic value of tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) formation in gastric cancer (GC) . Methods HE staining slides were reviewed to evaluate the TLS in 163 specimens from patients with GC in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from 2006 to 2008. The validation cohort contained 63 randomly selected cases and immunohistochemical staining of MECA-79 was used to verify the accuracy of pathological assessment of TLS. Results TLS score and MECA-79 immunohistochemical staining showed significant correlation (P = 0. 002) and agreement (P = 0. 024) . The TLS was not significantly correlated to clinical pathological parameters. The patients with high level of TLS had better prognosis (P = 0. 025) with the mean survival time of 48. 54 months. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, TLS was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0. 031) . Conclusion The pathological evaluation of TLS is accurate. The formation of TLS is an important positive prognostic factor for GC patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of total vertebral column resection combined with anterior mesh cage support in treating severe congenital kyphoscoliosis.

METHODSFrom April 2008 to April 2012,21 patients with severe congenital kyphoscoliosis were treated with total vertebral column resection and internal fixation through posterior approach combined with anterior mesh cage support. There were 8 males and 13 females with an average age of 19.4 years old (ranged from 10 to 35). And 6 cases were thoracic segments deformity,13 cases were thoracolumbar segments and 2 cases were lumbar segments, of them, 2 cases were accompanied with Chairs deformity, 6 cases with diastematomyelia, 4 cases with syringomyelia,and 1 case with neurofibromatosis. According to the Frankel grade system, 3 cases were grade C, 5 cases grade D and 13 cases grade E. Blood loss, operative time, and perioperative complications were recorded. Coronal and sagittal Cobb angle, apical vertebral offset distance, sagittal offset, the relative height of shoulders, razor back deformities were measured and analyzed before and after operation.

RESULTSThe average operative time was 5.2 h (3.5 to 6.5 h) and blood loss was 2,500 ml (1,400 to 4,900 ml). The 2nd day after operation, apical vertebral offset distance, sagittal offset, the relative height of shoulders, razor back deformities had obviously improved than preoperative (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in above items between postoperative on the 2nd day and final follow-up (P > 0.05). The corrective rate of kyphosis and scoliosis were (60.97 +/- 6.30)% and (62.24 +/- 5.82)%, respectively. On the first day after surgery,2 cases of Frankel grade E aggravated to grade D, and obtained recovery at 2 week after conservative treatment. And 1 case palinesthesia later,grade D aggravated to grade C and obtained recovery after revision surgery in time. One case complicated with permanent blindness of left eye, 1 case occurred injury of pleura and 2 cases had cerebrospinal fluid leak during operation. All patients were followed up from 9 to 31 months with an av- erage of 18.6 months. At final follow-up,all patients obtained bone union, Frankel grade D in 4 cases and grade E in 17 cases, no correction loss and internal fixation loosening was found.

CONCLUSIONTotal vertebral column resection combined with anterior mesh cage support can effectively correct kyphosis and scoliosis in severe congenital kyphoscoliosis and can avoid injury of spine cord by spinal crispation, but intraoperative position and neurologic complications should still be considered.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; complications ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; complications ; congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spine ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult