Objective To observe the expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in the hippocampi of rats stressed by restraint,and adjustments to 11β-HSD1 expression in response to electroacupuncture.The mechanisms of adjustment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPA) to electroacupuncture were also studied.Methods Rats were randomly divided into a control group,a group stressed by restraint and an electroacupuncture group.The rats in the control group received no treatment. The rats in the strssd group were put into a small columnar cage and their hind legs tied outside the cage. The electroacupuncture group, in addition to being restrained,received electroacupuncture at the Zusanli acupoints on both sides of their bodies. The rats were then sacrificed and their hippocampi were isolated and lysed. The expression of 11β-HSD1 in each hippocampus were observed using the Western blotting technique. Results The leves of expression of 11β-HSD1 in the hippocampi of the restrained group were significantly higher than those in the control group.After electroacupuncture,11β-HSD1 expression in the hippocampus increased further and lasted 3 h. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at the Zusanli acupoints (ST36) can increase 11β-HSD1 expression in the hippocampus of stressed rats, and this adjustment may be related to the HPA axis' negative feedback function.

Objective To investigate the effect of intra-dialytic exercises on micro-inflammatory state in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods Sixty clinically stable MHD patients from the Hemodialysis Center were enrolled in the study . The patients were divided into exercise group and control group with 27 cases in each group by using the random digit number table. The patients in the exercise group underwent a 6-month intra-dialytic exercise, in which the patients conducted physical exercises supinely on a cycle ergometer each for 50 minutes, 3 times a week. The patients in the control group were treated without any exercise intervention. Serum interleukin-6(IL-6), C-reactive protein(CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were determined after the study for 0 and 6 months. Results After the 6-month intradialytic exercise program, serum IL-6, CRP and TNF-α were all decreased in the exercise group (P < 0.05). These indices were unchanged in the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion The intra-dialytic exercises can alleviate micro-inflamatory state in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Stem cell is one of the hot spot in the research area of biomedical engineering. Special attentions are drawn to the research and application of neural stem cells. Neural stem cells exist widely in central nervous system, which has the capacity of self-renewal and the potential to differentiate into other cells. The so-called engineered neural stem cell is constructed by using the technique of genetic engineering to make it be able to express various neural growth factors with high-performance and stability. The engineered neural stem cells have a great potential in the therapy of diseases of central nervous system, especially the spinal cord injury. This article reviews the research development of engineered neural stem cells, the problems confronted with it, and the trend for research in the future.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and classification of diabetic patients with unprovoked ketoacidosis.Methods According to body mass index(BMI),56 patients were divided into 3 groups: low body weight group(LBW,BMI25 kg/m2,n=20).Clinical characteristics,including age,gender,the course of the disease,positive rate of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody(GAD-Ab) and the function of islet beta-cell,were compared between these three group.Results There were no significant differences in some clinical features(glycemia,and ketosis status) at beginning of disease between 3 groups.The level of serum TG and Insulin was higher in OBW group than that in other groups.Only 3 patients were found GAD-Ab positive in LBW group.Conclusion The clinical and immunological characteristics of OBW and LBW patients were quite different,some of the obese patients should be classified into type2 diabetes,and some into idiopathic type1 diabetes.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play a critical role in the control of HIV-1 infection and replication. HIV-1 evades CTL mediated pressure through viral escape mutations within targeted CTLs epitopes or flanking regions, but this process is usually associated with a viral fitness cost. The mutated epitopes may weaken the level of the original CTL responses, however, the immune system holds potential to mount denovo responses towards those newly emerged epitopes. This article briefly summarizes recent research progress regarding the competition between HIV-1's escape mutations and host CTL responses.
Animals ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Mutation ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; virology

BACKGROUND:A number of in vitro experiments have confirmed that the tricalcium silicate not only can be closely integrated with the dentin through self-curing process, but also can induce dentin remineralization in the physiological environment, thereby effectively blocking the dentinal tubules.
OBJECTIVE:To further verify the effects of tricalcium silicate solution on the occlusion of dentinal tubules.
METHODS:Thirty-six dentinal discs were made of free first premolars from orthodontic patients, and divided into three pretreatment groups randomly. The teeth were soaked in pretreatment solution for 2 minutes, namely 0.29 mol/L ethylene diamine tetraacetie acid, 6%citric acid, and rinsed ultrasonical y with deionized water 20 minutes, respectively. Every above-mentioned group was randomly assigned into experimental group (tricalcium silicate), control group (sodium fluoride) and blank group, and corresponding materials in each group were used to coat the outer dentinal tubules (2 minutes/time). Then, the dentinal discs were saved in artificial saliva in a 37 observed using scanning electron microscope. Diameter and area of open dentinal tubules were calculated.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After pretreatment, the dentinal tubules were at open state;except for the blank control group to maintain the original state, acid etching and ethylene diamine tetraacetie acid pretreatment solutions had a stronger capacity of demineralization, which led to the dentinal tubules open. After the dentinal tubules were treated with sodium fluoride and tricalcium silicate, there were varying degrees of sediments, and open dentinal tubule area and average diameter in the sodium fluoride and tricalcium silicate groups were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The dentinal tubule treated with tricalcium silicate was almost entirely closed homogeneously, and occasional y, a single open dentinal tubule was seen. Open dentinal tubule area and average diameter in the tricalcium silicate group were significantly lower than those in the sodium fluoride group (P<0.05). The findings verify that dentin occlusion using tricalcium silicate is superior to that using sodium fluoride;and dentin tubule pretreatment with acid etching or ethylene diamine tetraacetie acid is beneficial to desensitization effects.

Objective To investigate the effects of normobaric hyperoxia intervention on learning and memory abilities of valproic acid(VPA) autism model rats and the morphology of pyramidal cells in hippocampus CA1 area.Methods Animal model groups of autism were obtained in male offspring of the Wistar rats that received intraperitoneal injection of 600 mg/kg VPA at the 12.5 day after pregnancy.According to the eye opening time,behavior,weaning weight and the learning and memory abilities which were evaluated by the Y electricity maze test at the 28th day after birth,40 male VPA autism model rats were randomly selected 20 only and divided into normobaric hyperoxia model group (group A,n =10),atmospheric air model group (group B,n =10).Normal control groups were obtained in male offspring of Wistar rats that received intraperitoneal injection of equivalent physiological saline at the same period pregnancy.(group C,n =10).Rats in group A were treated with oxygen for 1 h per day and lasted 1 week;group B and C were treated with normal air.The learning and memory abilities of three groups were assessed at the 35th day after birth.The immunohistochemistry methods and image analysis were used to observe the pyramidal cells of autism model rats in hippocampal CA1 region.The effect of normobaric hyperoxia therapy on pyramidal cell of autism model rats in hippocampal CA1 region were evaluated by HE staining technique.Results The trying times of group A after treatment were less than those before treatment (31.15 ± 0.99 vs 31.54 ± 0.97,t =2.739,P =0.018).The memory times were more than those before treatment (3.00± 0.58 vs 2.69 ± 0.48,t =-2.309,P =0.040).The trying times of group A after treatment were less than those in group B after treatment (P =0.016).The memory times of group A were not different from that in group B after treatment(P=0.810).The morphology of pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 region showed that the pyramidal cells of the autism model rats had apoptosised.The number of apoptotic cells reduced and the number of normal form cells increased after the normobaric hyperoxia intervention compared with the autism model rats.Conclusion Normobaric hyperoxia intervention can improve the learning and memory abilities of the autism model rats.The apoptosis of the pyramidal neurons in hippocampal CA1 might be reduced after the normobaric hyperoxia intervention.

Objective To summarize the clinical features of pituitary carcinoma and discuss the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis.Methods Clinical manifestations,imaging,pathologic features of one case of pituitary carcinoma were analyzed and literatures about diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of pituitary carcinoma were reviewed.Results The patient manifested polyuria onset,headache and anterior pituitary dysfunction and MRI showed pituitary lesions.He had been undergone two transsphenoidal surgery in our hospital,pathologic examinations were respectively non-functioning adenomas and atypical pituitary adenoma and tumor proliferation index (Ki-67) both were more than 30％.He was recommended radiation therapy but refused.Five months later,he was diagnosed as primary pituitary gland cancer due to the tumor widespread intracranial metastasis and no other malignant lesions in body.Conclusions Primary pituitary carcinoma is a very rare tumor,mostly transformed from the invasive pituitary adenoma.It helps predict tumor proliferation and prognosis to test the level of Ki-67 index.Primary pituitary adenocarcinoma needs comprehensive treatment and the prognosis is related to the treatment response.

Objective To investigate the effects of berberine on basolateral calcium-activated potassium current I_K(Ca)and cAMP-activated potassium current I_K(cAMP)and its mechanism in treatment of secretory diarrhea.Methods The intact colonic crypt cells were isolated with EDTA solution.The effects of berberine(50,100,500?mol/L)on I_K(Ca)and I_K(cAMP)were detected by patch clamp technique under the conventional whole cell patch clamp mode.The solution of PSS was served as control.Results Berberine could significantly inhibite I_K(Ca)and I_K(cAMP)of rat colonic crypt cells(both P

BAcKGROUND:In recent years,the pedicle screws fixation technique,which is used in fixation for atlantoaxial instability associated with trauma,severe degeneration and tumorectomy,has been developed.However,this kind of technique easily causes several complications,including malpositional screws,vascular injuries,and even vertebral artery injury.Based on the biomechanical characteristics of memory alloy and determination of atlantoaxial data,a neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook was designed to treat atlantoaxial instability.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanieal characteristics of the neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook for atlantoaxial instability.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Repeated measurement analysis of variance test was performed in the Laboratory of Clinical Anatomy and Medical Biomechanics,Southern Medical University between March and April 2008.MATERIALS:Eight fresh adult craniocervical specimens(C0-C4)were provided by Department of Clinical Anatomy,Southern Medical University.Atlantoaxial neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook(50.8%-51.8%nickel and the remaining part was titanium)was fabricated by Shanghai Xinchang Memory Alloy Co.,Ltd.METHODS:The included eight C0-C4 specimens were used to test three-dimension ranges of motion(ROM)by fixation and neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook fixation.Then,the positions of spine varying from no loading to the maximum loading status were scanned and analyzed using image processing software to determine the three-dimensional ROM under different statuses.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Three-dimensional ROM of tested specimens.RESULTS:Neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook fixation and Germany AESCULAP SSE hanger fixation had similar flexion-extension range of motion(P=0.595).Lateral bending three-dimensional ROM was greater in the neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook fixation group than in the Germany AESCULAP AAE hanger fixation(P< 0.05).The rotatory three-dimensional ROM was smaller in the neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook fixation group than in the Germany AESCULAP AAE hanger fixation(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook fixation had comparative post-surgery immediate stability with the Germany AESCULAP AAE hanger fixation.Neotype shape memory alloy cervical hook fixation produced a little worse biomechanical lateral bending stability and a little better biomechanical rotatory stability than Germany AESCULAP AAE hanger fixation.