BACKGROUND: D-galactose-induced aging animal model is similar tohuman natural aging. Whether the expression of protein phosphatase-1(PP-1) in the brain of D-galactose-induced aging mice is related to cerebralaging process or not should be researched further. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the APP17 peptide and theliquid extract ofjiunao yizhi capsule on regulating the expression of PP-1 inhippocampal neurons of the aging mice induced by the D-galactose (D-gal). DESIGN: A random controlled study. SETTING: Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital University of Medical Sciences and Beijing Research Laboratory forBrain Aging, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS: The study was completed between July 2003 and July2004 in the Experimental Center of Capital University of Medical Sciences. Forty male Kunming mice (SPF grade) with a body mass fron 28 g to 32 gwere purchased from Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute ofMaterial Medical.METHODS: Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, D-gal group, APP17 peptide treatment group, low dose herb treatment group, and high dose herb treatment group with 8 mice in each group. In Dgal group, APP17 peptide treatment group, low dose herb treatment group and high dose herb treatment group, galactose was injected subcutaneously (50 nmg/kg). Meanwhile, 0.1 mL normal saline containing 0.35 μg of APP17 peptide was injected subcutaneously into the mice in APP17 peptide treatment group, once a day for 3 months; liquid extract of jiunao yizhi capsule (provided by Beijing Chaoyangmen Hospital and Shanxi Quwo Traditional Medical Institute; the main component: dangshen, baizhu, guijia and chuanshanjia, etc.) was perfused by stomach (0.3 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg respectively) in low dose herb treatment group and high dose herb treatment group, once a day. And equivalent normal saline was injected and perfused in the two control groups. After 3 months of survival, the mice were killed and their brains were cut into sections. The immunohistochemical staining of these sections was then performed with PP-1 antibody.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The results of immunohistochemical staining analysis of PP-1.RESULTS: Forty mice entered the final analysis without any loss. PP-1 positive cells in the hippocampus were poorly stained in the D-gal mice. In contrast, PP-1 positive neurons were widely distributed in the hippocampus of those normal mice, the APP17 peptide-treated D-gal mice and the high liquid extract of raw herb-treated D-gal mice. These cells were darkly stained in cytoplasm. The unexpected result was that in the low liquid extract of raw herb-treated D-gal mice the number of PP-1 positive neurons did not increase to normal.CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that the expression of PP-1 decreased in the hippocampus of D-gal mice. The APP17 and low dose liquid extract of raw herbs can regulate the distribution of PP-1 in the brain of D-gal mice and make them recover to normal situation.

BACKGROUND: In brain insulin does its work through the insulin receptor substrate (IRS). Amyloid beta protein precursor 17 (APP17) peptide has the neurotrophic function, which may improve diabetic encephalopathy resulted from insulin deficiency by affecting insulin receptor substrate.OBJECTIVE: The mouse diabetic model was produced to observe the effect of APP17 peptide on the distribution of IRS-1 in brain tissues.DESIGN: Randomized control animal experiment.SETTING: Staff Room of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences,Capital University of Medical Sciences; Beijing Research Laboratory for Brain Aging of Xuanwu Hospital.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Staff Room of Pathology,College of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital University of Medical Sciences and Beijing Research Laboratory for Brain Aging of Xuanwu Hospital from September to October 2003. Totally 18 male kunming mice were employed,and randomly assigned into control group, diabetic group and APP17 peptide treatment group with 6 mice in each group.METHODS: ①The mice were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, Sigma) by 200 mg/kg, and 3 days later, the tail blood was sampled to examine non-fasting blood glucose, and the blood glucose over 15 mmol/L was set as the criteria for successful diabetic model establishment. ②In APP17 + diabetes mellitus group, the mice received subcutaneous injection of 0.35 μg APP17 peptide once daily for 2 weeks. The mice in the normal control group were not interfered. ③Then brain was removed and crystat sections were prepared. Immunohistochemical staining was done for IRS-1 at four weeks after giving streptozotocin.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pattern and distribution of IRS-1 positive cells of mice in each group.RESULTS: Totally 18 mice were involved in the result analysis. ①In the brains of diabetic mice the IRS-1 immunohistochemical positive cells distributed at cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus and so on, while the positive cells distributed only at cortex and hippocampus in the normal control group and APP17 peptide treatment group, lightly stained. ②Numbers of immunohistochemical positive cells of IRS-1 of cerebral hippocampus in the diabetic group, normal control group and APP17 peptide treatment group were (28.7±1.5), (9.2±1.5), (10.1±1.4) piece per 10 power object lens, and that in the diabetic group was higher than that in the other two groups (P ＜ 0. 001 ). CONCLUSION: Neurons in many regions of brains of diabetic mice have plenty of IRS-1 positive cells. APP17 peptide can make part and quantity of IRS-1 positive cells normality so as to ameliorate the degeneration of hippocampal neurons of diabetic mice.

Objective To determine the genotypes and distribution of MSP2 of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Yunnan and Hainan provinces, China.Methods The central polymorphic region of MSP2 allele was amplified by the nested PCR for genotyping of P.falciparum. Results The higher degree of polymorphism of MSP2 of P.falciparum was observed in Yunnan and Hainan. Distribution and allele frequencies differed in both provinces, indicating considerable geographical heterogeneity of parasite populations. The mixed infection of different allele type and multiplicity of infection was more frequent in Hainan than in Yunnan.Conclusion There were obvious differences in the distribution and frequencies of MSP2 alleles between Yunnan and Hainan endemic areas. MSP2 is suitable to be used as a marker gene for the genotyping of P.falciparum infection.

Objective To obtain an antigenic gene of adult Trichinella spiralis. Methods cDNA library of the adult Trichinella spiralis was screened using the sera of immunized and infected rabbits. The gene sequence was analyzed by DNAstar software and GenBank database. Results Nine positive clones were identified by immunoscreening. The clone Ts87 was sequenced and a cDNA with 1 172 bp full length was obtained using 5′ RACE technique, encoding 347 amino acids. Some possible antigen epitopes were predicted. Conclusion A novel antigenic gene of Trichinella spiralis was obtained.

Objective To obtain the recombinant protein of an antigen gene Ts88 of Trichinella spiralis and identify the characteristics of the recombinant protein. Methods Ts88 cDNA obtained by immunoscreening the cDNA library of adult T. spiralis was subcloned into the pET 28c(+) expression vector and expressed in E.coli . Mice were immunized with the fusion protein incorporated into Freund’s adjuvant and the immune sera were collected. The titers of the Ts88 immune sera and the antigenicity of the recombinant protein were detected by ELISA and Western blotting. Immuno fluorescence test was performed in order to confirm the distribution of Ts88 protein in the worm. Results The fragment of Ts88 gene was expressed successfully in E.coli and a highly purified fusion protein was obtained. Immunization with the recombinant protein in mice produced high titers of antibodies, which recognized some components of native antigens of soluble proteins from adult worm of T. spiralis. Western blotting analysis showed that Ts88 recombinant antigen was recognized by all the positive sera, such as the sera from infected or immunized rabbits, from infected swine and from patients of trichinosis. Immuno fluorescence test confirmed that Ts88 protein mainly distributed in the cuticle surface of the worm. Conclusion The Ts88 antigen gene from T. spiralis was successfully expressed. The recombinant protein presented antigenicity.

Objective To analyze the value of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT)in the diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease(CCHD).Methods DSCT angiography and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)were retrospectively assessed in 46 patients who were confirmed by surgery with 107 deformities.Results There were 49 intracardiac deformities and 58 extracardiac deformities.The diagnostic accuracies in detection of intracardiac malformation were 81.63%(40/49)on DSCT and 93.88%(46/49) on TTE,those in detection of extracardiac malformation were 94.83%(55/58)on DSCT and 58.62%(34/58)on TTE,and the overall accuracies of cardiovascular malformations were 88.79%(95/107)on DSCT and 74.77%(80/107)on TTE,respectively,exhibting statistical differences.The diagnostic accuracy of DSCT in combination with TTE in detection of intracardiac and extracardiac malformation was 94.39%(101/107),which was higher than DSCT or TTE with statistical differences.Conclusion The combination of TTE and DSCT is helpful to improve the diagnostic accuracy of CCHD.

Objective To investigate the effect of insulin signaling pathway on neuronal survival and the effect of the peptide App17 on regulating the expression of some apoptosis-related proteins in neurons of the hippocampus through intracerebrorentricular injection of streptozotocin in rats. Methods The rats were injected with App17 peptide subcutaneously three weeks after the model group was established by intracerebrorentricular injection of streptozotocin.After the four-week treament,the expressions of the apoptosis-related proteins,such as Bcl-2,Bax,CytoC in neurons of the hippocampus were tested with immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.Results Bax,CytoC positive neurons were widely distributed in the hippocampus of the model group,and the cytoplasm was darkly stained.In contrast,the positive neurons for Bax,CytoC in hippocampus were poorly stained in the control group and the treated group,and appeared significant difference in cell counting as compared with model group.Bcl-2 positive neurons were widely distributed in the hippocampus in the control group and the treated group,and the cytoplasm was darkly stained while its positive neurons were poorly stained in the model group,and appeared significant difference in cell counting as compared with the model group.From the Western blotting clear bars could be seen in the three groups and there was a significant difference between them.Conclusions The expression of Bax,CytoC increased in the hippocampus in the rats with intracerebrorentricular injection of streptozotocin while the expression of Bcl-2 decreased.The App17 peptide could promote the rehabilitation of the abnormal expression of the three proteins to some extent.The insulin signaling pathway could affect the survival of the neurons in rats' hippocampus.

Objective To investigate the association of serum C peptide concentration with the severity and the outcome of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods The clinical data of 257 inpatients with DFU were collected, including fasting and postprandial 2h C peptide levels and C peptide area under curve (AUCCP ). The patients were followed up on the outcomes of ulcers and death. The associations of serum C peptide concentration with the Wagner degree, infection severity, and healing rate were analyzed. Results The medians of fasting and 2h postprandial serum C peptide as well as AUCCP were 1. 37(0. 02 ~ 9. 00) nmol/ L, 3. 22(0. 02 ~ 29. 61) nmol/ L, and 511. 65 (3. 60 ~ 2 691. 30)nmol·min-1 ·L-1 respectively, which were lower than general levels. The time of follow-up in our study was 2. 8 (1. 0 ~ 5. 1) years. By the end of study, the wound of 75. 88% patients was healed, 3. 5%undergone major amputation, and 23. 74% died. After adjusting for relative factors, there were no significant associations of serum fasting and postprandial C peptide levels and AUCCP with Wagner degree and infection severity (P>0. 05). Cox regression analysis showed that the fasting plasma C peptide and hemoglobin were the independent protective factors for the healing of ulcers; old age, male, higher infection degree, and diabetes family history were their independent risk factors ( all P < 0. 05). Conclusions The lower plasma fasting C peptide concentration in patients with DFU is not correlated with Wagner degree and infection severity, but closely related with healing rate.

Objective To introduce the laboratory and clinical characteristics of acute lymphoblastic leukemia accompanied by the karyotypic abnormality of 5q-.Methods Report the diagnosis and treatment of one case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with 5q- and review the relevant literatures.Results The patient came to the hospital because of bellyache and ostalgia.The blood routine showed a high WBC count and reduced platelets.Bone marrow aspirates examination indicated acute leukemia and by peroxidase staining and flow cytometry test,acute pro-T lymphoblastic leukemia was diagnosed.The karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed 5q-.The hyper-CVAD regimen induced a temporary remission but it did not work anymore after the relapse nor did the MEA regimen.From the literatures ever reported,the kyryotypic abnormality of 5q- was rarely seen in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.In such cases,the minimal deletion region overlaped between marks of D5S410 and D5S436 corresponding to chromosomal location 5q31-33.Conclusion 5q- is rare in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and more features are still to be found about the kind of disorder.

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of phosphorylated Tau protein is a factor of dementia, and scholars abroad find that APP17 peptide may have effect on it.OBJECTIVE: To observe changes of phosphorylated Tau protein Ser202/Thr205 of mice with diabetes mellitus (DM) after injection of APP17 peptide.DESIGN: Randomized control study.SETTING: Department of Pathology, Capital University of Medical Sciences; Department of Brain Aging, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Pathological Department of Capital University of Medical Sciences and Brain Aging Department of Beijing Xuanwu Hospital. A total of 18 male Kunming mice of 8 weeks old and weighing 28-32 g were randomly divided into control group, DM group and APP17 peptide group with 6 in each group.METHODS: DM models were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) through selectively destroying β-islet cells; meanwhile, APP17 peptide was intraperitoneally injected into mice. Four weeks later, brain tissue underwentimmunohistochemical staining with AT-8 (Ser202/Thr205, a special monoclonal antibody).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Morphological observation; ② AT-8 distribution; ③ quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS: Positive AT-8 cells in DM group were distributed in retrosplenial cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, etc.; however, those incontrol and APP17 peptide groups were only distributed in retrosplenial cortex and hippocampus, and poorly stained.CONCLUSION: Positive AT-8 cells may be widely distributed in neurons of brains of DM mice; however, APP17 peptide may normalize the expression of positive AT-8 cells.