Objective To investigate the effects of total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver function in rats with insulin resistance. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group and rosiglitazone group(positive drug control group)(n=10).Models of insulin resistance were established by high glucose and high fat diet in model group,total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group and rosiglitazone group.After treatment for 12 weeks,serum glucose,serum lipids,and parameters of insulin resistance,liver function and anti-oxidation capability were detected in each group,and histologic observations of liver tissues were conducted with adipose staining. Results The serum glucose,insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR),insulin action index(IAI),serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),liver malondialdehyde(MDA) and serum transaminase activity in total flavonoids in Gingko Biloba group were significantly lower than those in model group(P

Objective To investigate the effect of rehabilitation stroke unit on walking in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods 86 patients with walking impairment after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n=43), who accepted conventional treatment, and experimental group (n=43), who were incorporated into the rehabilitation stroke unit. They were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS),10 m Maximum Walking Speed (MWS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and 8 weeks after treatment.Results The scores of BBS, MWS, FMA and MBI improved after treatment in both groups (P<0.01), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Rehabilitation stroke unit is effective on walking ability in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Objective To observe the expression of vimentin (Vim) after silence of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in rats with spinal cord contusion (SCC). Methods The model of SCC was established in 30 Sprague-Dawley rats with Allen's method. The rats were randomized into vector group (n=15) and silence group (n=15), which were injected blank lentivirus vector and vector of IL-1β siRNA, respectively; and divided in three, seven and 28 days subgroups. The relationship between IL-1βand Vim was predicted with GeneMANIA bioinformatics. The expression of Vim protein and mRNA in spinal cord was detected with immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results GeneMANIA bioinformatic analysis indicated that there was some direct and indirect relationship between IL-1β and Vim. The Vim protein and mRNA expressed in the spinal cord, and was less in the silence group than in the vector group (t>2.875, P<0.05). Conclusion Silence of IL-1β can inhibit the expression of Vim in SCC rats, which may promote the recovery of spinal cord function.

The ion channels located on the cell fine structures play an important role in the physiological functions of cell membrane. However, it is impossible to achieve precise positioning on the nanometer scale cellular microstructures by conventional patch-clamp technique, due to the 200 nm resolution limit of optical microscope. To solve this problem, we have established a high-resolution patch-clamp technique, which combined commercial scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and patch-clamp recording through a nanopipette probe, based on SICM feedback control. MDCK cells were used as observation object to test the capability of the technique. Firstly, a feedback controlled SICM nanopipette (approximately 150 MOmega) non-contactly scanned over a selected area of living MDCK cells monolayer to obtain high-resolution topographic images of microvilli and tight-junction microstructures on the MDCK cells monolayer. Secondly, the same nanopipette was non-contactly moved and precisely positioned over the microvilli or tight-junction microstructure under SICM feedback control. Finally, the SICM feedback control was switched off, the nanopipette slowly contacted with the cell membrane to get a patch-clamp giga-ohm sealing in the cell-attached patch-clamp configuration, and then performed ion channel recording as a normal patch-clamp electrode. The ion channel recordings showed that ion channels of microvilli microstructure opened at pipette holding potential of -100, -60, -40, 0, +40, +60, +100 mV (n=11). However, the opening of ion channels of tight-junction microstructure was not detected at pipette holding potential of -100, -40, 0, +40, +100 mV (n=9). These results suggest that our high-resolution patch-clamp technique can achieve accurate nanopipette positioning and nanometer scale high-resolution patch-clamp recording, which may provide a powerful tool to study the spatial distribution and functions of ion channel in the nanometer scale microstructures of living biological samples.
Cell Membrane ; physiology ; Electrodes ; Feedback ; Ion Channels ; physiology ; Microscopy ; methods ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and premature coronary heart disease (PCHD) patients with blood stasis syndrome (BSS).

METHODSrs4343, rs4293, and rs4267385 were selected at SNP from ACE gene. Allele and genotype were detected. Frequencies of allele and genotype were compared by using time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique (TOF-MS).

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group, genotype of rs4293 and rs4267385 in ACE gene were similar, but there was statistical difference in polymorphisms and allele frequencies of rs4343 in the I and II group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The frequency of G allele was higher in the 3 groups than in the healthy control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The relative risk analysis showed that the risk for PCHD occurrence in G allele carriers at rs4343 (GG +AG) was 3. 6 times the risk in non-G allele carriers (95% CI: 1.224-10.585, P = 0.02). There was also statistical difference in sex, age, TC, and TG after adjusted Logistic regression analysis (OR = 3.994, 95% CI: 1.230-12.974, P = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphism at rs4343 (G2350A) might be one of risk factors for PCHD occurrence, but not a predisposing factor for PCHD patients of BSS.

Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Coronary Artery Disease ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

Objective:To evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with cognitive dysfunction.Methods:Ten wild type mice and 20 MRL/lpr mice were applied for the research.MRL/lpr mice were randomly assigned to a MRL/lpr group and a MRL/lpr + dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg) group.Interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in serum and hippocampus were detected.The protein phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (P-PI3K),protein kinase B (P-Akt),NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha (P-IκBa) and nuclear transcription factor kappa-B p65 (P-NF-κB p65) were detected by Western blot,the level of P-NF-κB p65 also was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:Treatment with dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg) alleviated the cognitive dysfunction and decreased the levels of IL-6,IL-1 β and TNF-α in serum and hippocampus,and reduced the levels of P-PI3K,P-Akt,P-IκBa and P-NF-κB p65 in hippocampus in MRL/lpr mice.Conclusion:Dexamethasone may play a protective role in the cognitive function by decreasing the levels of TNF-α and IL-1 β in the hippocampus of MRL/lpr lupus mice.

Objective To study the change and rule of immunological function among the patients with coal arsenic poisoning in order to provide a basis for tumor risk evaluation and monitoring.Methods Seventy patients with coal arsenic poisoning aged from 24 to 71 years old(44 men,26 women,averaging 41 years old)were divided into 4 groups including 23 cases having a course less than 10 years,21 case8 lasting for 10～19 years,20 cages for more than 20 years,6 cases of cancer,and 26 healthy normal controls.Flow cytometer(FCM)was used to analyze the frequency of CD3+(total T cell),CD3+CD4+(inducer/helper T cell),CD3+CD8+(suppressor/cytotoxic T cell),CD19+(B lymphocyte),and CD56+CD16+(natural killer cell)lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of the subjects and the expression rates of lymphocytic membrane surface molecules of human leucocvte antigen (HLA)-DR,CD25,CD38 were also determined by FCM.Results The pmportions of CD3+cells in periDheral blood of less than 10 years,10～19 years,more than 20 years and cancer groups were (63.76±9.32)%。(55.63± 12.97)%,(51.00±12.23)%and(49.83±,9.89)%respectively,which were significantly lower than that in control group[(68.10±8.62)%],and there was a significant difference between different groups(F=12.862,P<0.05). In less than 10 years,10～19 years,more than 20 years and cancer groups,the proportion of CD3+CD4+cells cells was (31.35±6.62)%,(28.38±8,66)%,(24.13±6.46)%and(19.17±4.96)%respectively,which wag significantly lowerthan that in control group[(34.28±7.32)%],and significant in a-group difference was found(F=10.455, P<0.05).The percentages of CD19+cells in more than 20 yeats and cancer groups[(9.00±5.32)%,(9.00± 3.29)%]were lower than that in control group and less than 10 years group[(11.80±3.43)%,(12.35±4.53)%] (P<0.05),while no statistical difference was found between other groups.The expression rates of CD25 and CD38 in lymphocytes of cancer group[(17.96 ±4.98)%,(41.38±8.54)%]were obviously higher than those in control group[(13.10±338)%,(28.60±5.51)%]and there were statistical differences between the experimental groups(P<0.05).The expression rate of HLA-DR in 10～19 years groups[(18.20±6.25)%]was significantly higher than that in control group[(10.72±7.06)%]and less than 10 years group[(11.78±5.13)%],while it was the same in more than 20 years and cancer group[(20.30±8.01)%,(21.82±10.97)%].Conclusions Reduction of cellular immune function caused by coal arsenic poisoning may be an important mechanism of skin cancer.CelMar immune function may be used as a warning signal of skin cancerization of patients with coal arsenic poisoning.

[Summary] Four patients with hyperthyroid-associated exophthalmos, myxedema, acropachy ( EMA ) syndrome, including three male patients and one female patient were diagnosed with Graves′diseases and treated by 131 I therapy. Complaints of thyrotoxicosis were presented at the onset. Tibia myxedema and acropathy appeared, and eye symptoms aggravated in two patients after anti-thyroid drug therapy and 131 I therapy. Four cases were all given clobetasol propionate, miconazole nitrate, neomycin sulfate and urea cream alone or in combination with compound betamethasone local injection treatment, and three cases were given low-dose oral prednisone treatment. Complaints of tibia myxedema and eye symptoms were significantly improved after the treatment. Therefore, we should be wary of the occurrence of hyperthyroid-associated EMA syndrome after 131 I therapy. Corticosteroid might be the effective therapy for myxedema and eye symptoms of EMA syndrome.

Objective To explore the feasibility of exogenous NGF and/or Noggin gene transfecting into the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and observe the differentiation of BMSCs modified by NGF and/or Noggin.Methods BMSCs were isolated from SD rat and purified by adherent method and these cells were identified by their phenotypical properties and their abilities of differentiating into adipocytes.Ad-GFP-NGF and/or Ad-GFP-Noggin were transfected into BMSCs.The protein expressions of NGF and/or Noggin were detected using immunocytochemistry and Western blotting.The differentiations of gene modified BMSCs were observed by immunohistochemistry.Result The cells selected by adherent method had basic phenotypical properties of BMSCs and could differentiate into adipocytes.BMSCs without transfection and those transfected with Ad-GFP expressed low level of NGF without Noggin expression.All gene modified BMSCs could express NGF and/or Noggin.After transfection, BMSCs could differentiate into cells having neuronal morphology and expressing NF (H).The combined transfection group had the highest ratio of NF(H)+ cells among all the groups.Conclusion BMSCs can be isolated and purified from rat bone marrow by adherent method.Ad-GFP-NGF and/or Ad-GFP-Noggin can transfect BMSCs safely and the transfected cells can express those proteins persistently and efficiently.NGF and Noggin can induce BMSCs into neuron-like cells in vitro and when they exist simultaneously,the differentiation is further enhanced.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the advantages and disadvantages among the conventional operative methods with the primary anterior debridement, intercentrum auto grafting, and anterior internal fixation method for the thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis, and to discuss the applying principle. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis were treated by the primary anterior debridement, intercentrum auto grafting, and anterior internal fixation, 8 patients were treated by focus debridement and intercentrum auto grafting operations, and the other 22 patients were treated by focus debridement from Feburary 1998 to July 2003, and we analysed the status of the grafting bone fused, the neural function resumed, the malformation rectified and the whole cure ratio. RESULTS: All patients were cured after the follow-up of 15.2 months averagely. Three thoracic spinal and 1 lumbar spinal tuberculosis patients who suffered local infection were cured by debridement and other managements. The time of beginning active movement postoperatively was shortened, and the degrees of kyphosis correction had increased in the anterior internal fixation group compared with the other two groups (P <0.05). But the cost and the bleeding resulted from operation had increased in the anterior internal fixation group compared with the other two groups (P <0.05). CONCLUSION The conventional and the modern operation methods of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis have respective advantages and disadvantages, so that they can complement rather than replace each other.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Sedimentation ; Debridement ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; surgery