OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanisms of memory impairment induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled epilepsy in rats and the effects of endogenous histamine.

METHODSRats were injected i. p with a subconvulsive dose of PTZ every 48 h until fully kindled. Memory was tested by shuttle box with passive avoidance. Brain histamine was measured spectrofluorometrically. Neurons of hippocampus were investigated with HE stain.

RESULTPTZ-kindled epilepsy caused memory impairment in rats, i .e. latency of passive avoidance was shortened in shuttle box. Pretreatment of histidine, the precursor of histamine, showed an ameliorating effect on memory impairment induced by epilepsy. Decreased histamine contents in the hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus were observed after fully kindled in rat. In addition, intact neurons of the CA1 and CA3 regions in hippocampus decreased to 72.7 % and 78.9 % compared with those in control group.

CONCLUSIONPTZ-kindled epilepsy causes memory impairment, and it might be due to a decrease of brain histamine and loss of hippocampal neurons induced by epilepsy.

Animals ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; complications ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histamine ; metabolism ; Kindling, Neurologic ; metabolism ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; etiology ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy of marginal and internal fit of the zirconium copings manufactured by two different computer-aided design(CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing(CAM)system on the implant abutment.

METHODSUsing different scanning mode,five Procera(®) zirconium copings and five Lava zirconium copings were fabricated on the same implant abutment, and then compared with five precious metal copings fabricated by traditional method. Fifteen abutment replica were made with die-stone and the copings were randomly cemented on them, then they were sectioned and invested. The marginal, shoulder, occlusal, and axial fit of each sample was measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in marginal and axial fit among the three groups(P>0.05). Significant difference in occlusal fit was found among the three groups(P<0.05): Lava group showed better fit than the others(P<0.05)and Procera(®) group showed better fit than the control(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThese two types of zirconium coping have clinically acceptable marginal and internal fit. The internal fit of zirconium coping may be affected by different manufacturing techniques.

Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Implants ; Oxides ; Zirconium

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the gene transcriptions and expressions of Smad3 and Smad4 in androgen dependent prostate cancer cell line LNCaP, and whether this effect can be suppressed by the androgen receptor inhibitor flutamide.

METHODSThe androgen dependent prostate cancer cell line LNCaP was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and treated with different concentrations of DHT(2, 10, 50 nmol/L) and flutamide (100 nmol/L). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNAs of Smad3 and Smad4. The expressions of Smad3 and Smad4 protein were detected by Western blot assay.

RESULTSCompared with the control group without any DHT or flutamide, higher concentration(10, 50 nmol/L) of DHT enhanced the transcription of Smad3 mRNA (P <0.05). Serial concentrations of DHT increased the expression of Smad3 protein(P < 0.05). Flutamide inhibited the up-regulation of both Smad3 mRNA transcription and expression significantly (P <0.05). 10 nmol/L DHT significantly suppressed the transcription of Smad4 (P <0.05). There was considerable suppressions of Smad4 expression at the presence of DHT in different concentrations (P < 0.05). And the degree of this suppression was more significant than that of DHT on Smad4 mRNA transcription. Flutamide inhibited the suppressive effects of DHT on both Smad4 mRNA transcription and expression.

CONCLUSIONDHT can enhance the transcription and expression of Smad3, while it decreases the transcription and expression of Smad4 in LNCaP cell line. There is a possible crosstalk between the AR signal and TGF-beta signal passways at the level of Smads.

Androgens ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Flutamide ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad3 Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Smad4 Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic

Background Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a monogenic inheritance and blinding disease of fundus oculi.There is not an effective therapeutic method now.Objective This work was to identify the mutations of RP1 gene in Chinese RP patients in Ningxia area and to explore the potential interactions in the pathogenesis of RP.Methods The periphery blood of 3-5 ml was collected from 110 individuals with RP(35 ADRP and 75SRP)and 100 normal controls in Ningxia area.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing were used to screening the sequence alterations in the entire coding region and splice sites of RP1 gene.Multivariate analysis and two web-based programs( PolyPhen and SIFT) were used to analyze the results.Results Eleven mutation locus were detected in the exon 4 of RP1 gene including two novel sequence variants:p.Lys1152Lys without a higher mutation rate in comparison with normal control group(x2 =9.12 P＜0.01 ),but c.* 247A＞C with a higher mutation rate in comparison with normal control group(x2 =12.77,P＜0.01 ) and c.* 247A＞C mutation was thought to be correlated with RP( r=1.11,P＜0.05 ).The other ten mutation locus were reported as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).The mutation rate of p.Gln1725Gln was found to be higher in the RP patients than the normal controls (x2 =42.09,P＜0.01 ),but no the significant correlation was seen between the pathogenesis of RP and mutation of p.Gln1725Gln(r=1.74,P＞0.05).p.Lys1152Lys mutation was found in only 1 patient.Three SNPs( p.Arg872His,Ala1670Thr,Ser1691Pro) were always occurred in the same 83 RP patient and the relevance ratio was higher than controls ( P＜0.01 ).The age of night blindness on patients with concurrent three mutations was (30.54± 13.68 ) years,and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.50 ± 0.38.The age of night blindness on patients without concurrent three mutations was(21.06± 16.24) years,and the BCVA was 0.40 ±0.33 and were higher than controls ( t =2.11,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions In this study,the prevalence of RP1 mutations among the RP patients in Ningxia population was lower than other populations (＜ 1％ ).The alliance of SNPs (p.Arg872His、p.Ala1670Thr、p.Ser1691Pro) may play a protective role on RP patients and reduce the frequency of mutatiaon in RP1 gene.

Objective To study the inhibitory effect of ursolic acid on the proliferation of human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line TPC-1 in vitro. Method TPC-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of ursolic acid (control group:0μM, experimental group:3μM , 6μM, 12μM);MTT assay was used to observe the effect of the growth of TPC-1 cells on different concentrations of ursolic acid at the same time;Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution of TPC-1 cells were treated with ursolic acid by flow cytometry;The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-9 mRNA in TPC-1 cells were treated with ursolic acid by QRT-PCR;The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-9 protein in TPC-1 cells were treated with ursolic acid by Western blot. Results MTT assay showed that ursolic acid inhibited the proliferation of TPC-1 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner, and the IC50 at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h was 14.21 μM, 10.56 μM, 10.39 μM; Flow cytometry showed that ursolic acid inhibited the apoptosis of TPC-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and the growth of TPC-1 cells was arrested in S phase;QRT-PCR showed that Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-9 mRNA were expressed in the control and experimental groups, ursolic acid inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in a concentration-dependent manner and up-regulated the expression of Bax and Caspase-9 mRNA;Western blot results showed that Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-9 were expressed in the control and experimental groups, ursolic acid inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 protein in a concentration-dependent manner and up-regulated the expression of Bax protein and Caspase-9 protein. Conclusion Ursolic acid can significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of human papillary thyroid TPC-1 cells, providing some ideas for the treatment of thyroid cancer.

Objective To explore the characteristics and components of recurrent papillary thyroid cancer in patients with metabolic syndrome .Methods We retrospectively reviewed the information of the patients with recurrent papillary thyroid cancer after initial surgery during January 1st ,2010 and December 31st ,2015 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University .We compared tumor size ,lymph node metastasis ,recurrence time and postoperative invasion rate in metabolic syndrome and non-metabolic syndrome groups . Results Totally 82 patients were included with 34 men and 48 women .There was no significant difference between patients with and those without metabolic syndrome grouped by the classic diagnosis approach .However ,the lymph node metastasis grade of recurrent papillary thyroid cancer patients who also suffered from at least two metabolic disorders ,was lower ,especially in women (P=0 .002) .Moreover ,patients with metabolic disorders had shorter recurrence time (Pdiabetes=0 .034 , Pdyslipidemia =0 .037 , PBMI =0 .004 , PMetS2 =0 .036) .Conclusion Papillary thyroid cancer patients with metabolic disorder ,especially with two or more components of metabolic syndrome and overweight and/or obesity ,may have an increasing risk of recurrence .

BACKGROUNDCalcified coronary lesions carry the risk of suboptimal stent expansion, subsequently leading to restenosis. The effectiveness of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) for the treatment of calcified lesion has not been fully investigated. In the present study, therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of SES implantation for the treatment of calcified coronary lesions.

METHODSA total of 333 consecutive patients with 453 lesions were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups according to whether the lesion treated with SES was calcified or not; no calcification group (n = 264) and calcification group (n = 189). Lesions treated with SES were subjected to quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) immediately and 8 months following stenting.

RESULTSBaseline clinical, demographic or angiographic characteristics were well balanced in both groups. Angiographic follow-up at 8 months, the in-stent restenosis and in-segment restenosis rates were not significantly different between the two groups; in-stent restenosis: 3.8% vs 4.2%; P = 0.081; in-segment restenosis: 8.7% vs 10.6%, P = 0.503. The target lesion revascularization (TLR) was also not significantly different between the two groups; 4.9% vs 6.9%, P = 0.378. In addition, the in-stent late loss was similar in both groups; (0.16 +/- 0.40) mm vs (0.17 +/- 0.33) mm, P > 0.05. Meantime, overall thrombosis rates were also similar in both groups; 1.6% vs 1.6%, P > 0.05.

CONCLUSIONAlthough calcified coronary lesion was hard to stent, successful percutaneous coronary intervention with SES stenting for calcified lesions was conferred by the similar favorable results that were seen when comparing non-calcified and calcified coronary lesions.

Adult ; Aged ; Calcinosis ; therapy ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease ; therapy ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sirolimus ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDIn-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a challenge for interventional cardiologists. Some data suggest that drug-eluting stents (DES) represent a promising new option for the treatment of patients with ISR. Currently, 2 DES platforms are available [sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES)], but the superiority of either approach for treating ISR has not been convincingly demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively compare angiographic and clinical outcomes after treatment of ISR with SES or PES in a series of consecutive patients with ISR.

METHODSA total of 745 consecutive patients were treated with bare metal stents from April 12, 2004 to December 31, 2004 in our center. Of these, clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) was performed in 54 ISR from 54 patients at 7 months. Of the 54 patients with ISR, 36 received SES and 18 received PES. Follow-up included angiography and assessment of clinical outcome, both performed 7 months after DES implantation.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in baseline clinical data (including medication usage and lesion characteristics) between the two groups. Except for overlapping of multiple stents, procedural parameters were also similar in both groups. Seven-month angiographic follow-up showed that the binary restenosis rate was higher in patients treated with PES than that in patients treated with SES (in-stent binary restenosis: 27.8% vs 5.6%, P < 0.023; In-segment binary restenosis: 44.4% vs 13.9%, P < 0.014). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurring during hospitalization or during the follow-up period including thrombosis and TLR was similar in both groups (22.2% vs 8.3%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSResults from this small sample size, retrospective, single-center study showed that SES might be superior to PES in treating ISR because of lower 7-month restenosis rates (both in-stent and in-segment binary restenosis) with no increased incidence of MACE.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Restenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Sirolimus ; administration & dosage ; Stents

BACKGROUNDThe role of plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains controversial. We investigated plasma hs-CRP level at both admission and follow-up in patients with stable angina (SA) after successful coronary stenting in order to clarify the predictive value of hs-CRP for ISR.

METHODSWe summarized 303 consecutive chronic SA patients with coronary drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. The ISR was analyzed by quantitative coronary analysis (QCA) at a mean follow-up of 8 months, and the patients were divided into two groups according to the detected ISR as ISR group (n = 48) and non-ISR group (n = 255). Plasma hs-CRP was examined at both admission and 8-month follow-up in all patients, standard medication continued throughout the investigation period.

RESULTSQCA presented that 48 patients (15.8%) suffered from ISR at follow-up. The basic clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups, while plasma hs-CRP was higher in ISR group than that in non-ISR group at both admission and follow-up, P < 0.001 respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that plasma hs-CRP level at either admission or follow-up could independently predict ISR occurrence (OR = 5.581, 95%CI 2.532-12.302, P < 0.001 and OR = 6.299, 95%CI 2.722-14.577, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSOur data indicate that plasma hs-CRP level may independently predict ISR at both admission and follow-up in SA patients with coronary DES implantation, which implies that a chronic, sustained systemic inflammatory response might be involved in ISR pathogenesis.

Aged ; Angina Pectoris ; therapy ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Coronary Restenosis ; blood ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis

BACKGROUNDSeveral clinical trials have shown that sirolimus-eluting stents significantly reduce the risk of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The FIREBIRD stent (coated with durable polymer) and the EXCEL stent (coated with bioabsorbable polymer) are two different types of sirolimus-eluting stents made in China; both have been approved for clinical use in China by the State Food and Drug Administration. The mid-term (6-month) angiographic and clinical results of both stents have been confirmed exciting perspective outcomes. However, it is unclear whether there are differences in the long-term safety and efficacy between the two types of stents in daily practice.

METHODSAll consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI with EXCEL or FIREBIRD stents between June 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006 at Fu Wai Hospital in Beijing were included. Patients were classified from the index admission according to stent types (EXCEL or FIREBIRD) used. Clinical and procedural risk factors were collected prospectively. With propensity score matching without replacement, the frequency of major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of death, myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization) and stent thrombosis during a 2-year follow-up period were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSA total of 474 patients were treated with EXCEL, and 640 were treated with FIREBIRD. Three hundred and ninety-seven EXCEL patients were matched to 397 FIREBIRD patients, 2-year risk-adjusted MACE rates were 6.1% in EXCEL group and 7.6% in FIREBIRD group (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.50-1.43), whereas the respective rates for mortality, myocardial infarction and target-vessel revascularization were 2.3% vs 2.8% (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.30-0.85), 1.8% vs 1.3% (HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.45-4.43) and 2.5% vs 4.0% (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.28-0.37), respectively. Cumulative incidence of stent thrombosis at 2 years was 1.8% in the EXCEL group vs 1.3% in the FIREBIRD group (P = 0.5610), whereas the rate of very late stent thrombosis was 0.5% vs 1.3% (P = 0.2550).

CONCLUSIONSResults from this long-term, relatively large size, single-center study showed that both of the EXCEL and the FIREBIRD sirolimus-eluting stent had similar and lower incidence of MACE after PCI in daily practice.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; Coronary Restenosis ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome