AIM: To establish an apoptotic model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion(MPP~+) in PC12 cell and assess the effect of Semen Cuscuta extracts on protecting PC12 cell from apoptosis induced by MPP~+. METHODS: The cell viability was analyzed by MTT method,the morphological changes were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining assay,and the apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry analysis(FCM).(RESULTS:) Treatment of 0.15 mM MPP~+ for 48 h induced apoptosis in PC12 cells;concentration of 50 mg/L Semen Cuscuta extracts could protect cells from apoptosis induced by MPP~+. CONCLUSION: MPP~+-induced apoptosis in PC12 cell is greatly inhibited by Semen Cuscuta extracts.

Objective: To study the effect of Juglans Mandshuria on tumor cells. Methods : The apoptotic effect on the Hela、PC-3 of tumor cells was observed by agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments. Results : It has directly cytotoxicity on tumor cells, LC 50 is about 9～15?g?mL -1 . Based on this, the inoculating trial on entity tumor in vivo administrated by hypodermic injection on mouse had the same effect as in vitro, the high-dose group (12mg?kg -1 ) can decrease the weight of tumor to 42.21%. Conclusion : Juglans Mandsshurica has the inhibition of tumor.

Objective To examine whether the marginal division of the striatum(MrD)is involved in the associative learning and memory function of human brain with the help of functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)technique.Methods Sixteen right-handed normal volunteers participated in a test of paired-word associative learning and memory,while the fMRI data were recorded.Control tasks were performed for the block-design.Statistcs parameter mapping 99 was used to analyze the data and to obtain the activated brain regions.Results When the threshold was set as P＜0.005.using a one-sample T-test,the left occipital lobe and the superior and middle gyrus of the left frontal lobe were activated remarkably during the encoding process of the paired-word associative learning and memory task,with the maximum intensity T value being 13.87 and 9.36.respectively.The left MrD was also obviously activated during this stage(T value was 5.46).But during the retrieval process,the left parietal lobe was prominently activated(T value was 8.73).Conclusion The resuhs of this study reveal that the subcortical structures such as MrD as well as the cerebral cortex are involved in the associative learning and memory of paired-word in human brain.

Objective To investigate the neural representations of long-term digital memory in human brain by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. Methods 22 right-handed normal volunteers were recruited to participate in a test of long-term digital memory while the fMRI data were recorded. Control tasks were performed for the block-design. SPM 99 was used to analyze the data and to obtain the activated brain regions.Numbers of activated voxels were used to calculate lateralization index (LI). Results When the threshold was set as P＜0. 0001 ,using a one-sample t -test,the middle gyrus of the left frontal lobe(t=9.68) and the right cerebellum ( t = 9.85 ) were activated remarkably during the memory task. The subcortical structures including the thalamus (t=6.72) and the caudate (t=6.58) were also obviously activated during the memory task. LI of the numbers of activated voxels was 0.51. Conclusions The subcortical structures and the cerebellum as well as the cerebral cortex are collaborative to contribute to long-term digital memory function in human brain. The results also reveal that the functional areas of long-term digital memory in human brain are localized with the functional lateralization in the left hemisphere.

BACKGROUND: Earthworms are one of the most important constituents in the ecosystem and become an environmental information carrier between terrestrial organisms and soil ecosystem. They were known as important non-target terrestrial soil organisms for assessing the general impact of pollution on the soil community. Protein content and growth rate in response to organic and heavy metal contaminants in soil are often used to assess the soil ecotoxicity.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of 1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone,one representative of hydroxyanthraquinones, on the earthworm eisenia foetide under laboratory conditions of the growth rate and protein content.DESIGN: Experimental study based on the experimental animals.SETTING: Eco-toxicological laboratory and genetic laboratory in a university.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in the Eco-toxicological Laboratory and the Genetic Laboratory, Dalian University of Technology from February to July 2004. Eisenia foetide, a kind of international standard earthworm, were maintained in a soil mixture before experiments. Earthworms used in this study were healthy adults with 1 -2 month old and 200 - 300 mg mass and the number of the earthworms in each analytical experiment was 10.METHODS: The earthworms were removed from the soil 12 hours before use and stored in Petri dishes on damp filter paper to void gut contents.Then, these earthworms were exposed for various durations to soils contaminated. The earthworm weight and protein content were determined respectively at every 7 days interval.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effects of 1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone on growth rate and protein content of earthworms.RESULTS: No lethal effect of 1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone was observed even at the highest concentration(1.0 g/kg soil) of exposure. The sub-lethal effect, however, was evident at all the concentration scale. 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone caused a significant reduction in the growth rate (maximum -22. 5% ) at the dosage of 1.0 g/kg and 28 days contact time.Additionally a reduction in total soluble protein was observed in all treated worms(maximum- 39.6% ) at the dosage of 0. 8 g/kg and 7 days contact time.CONCLUSION: 1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone was potentially dangerous to the soil ecosystem and more ecological risk assessment of this chemical material should be thoroughly carried out.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has abstracted many scientists' interests with the aging of people in the world, but its mechanisms are still remaining unclear. This review will focus on some of the mediators of oxidative stress occurring in AD pathology and their possible role in the AD pathogenesis. Meanwhile, antioxidant approaches for the prevention and treatment of AD are discussed.
Alzheimer Disease ; enzymology ; metabolism ; therapy ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Humans ; Oxidative Stress

Objective To investigate the infection status and drug suscepetibility of mycoplasma from 6 573 patients with non-gonococcal urethritis ,and to provide the scientific bases for the clinical application of antibiotics .Methods Mycoplasma detection kit was used to detect ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) and mycoplasma hominis(Mh) and the drug susceptibility .All the patients were divided into two groups :Chinese group and foreigner group .Results Among 5 675 Chinese patients ,2 985 patients were infected by mycoplasma(52 .6% ) .The infection rate of Uu was 2 312(40 .7% ) .35 .2% patients were male ,and 61 .4% patients were female .In 898 foreign patients ,440 patients were infected by mycoplasma(49 .0% ) .The infection rate of Uu was 327(36 .4% ) .32 .2% pa-tients were male ,and 59 .5% patients were female .In Chinese patients infected by Uu ,the susceptibility rates to MIN ,DOX ,JOS and CLA were 96 .7% ,96 .2% ,93 .7% ,89 .7% ,respectively .In foreign patients ,the susceptibility rates to MIN ,DOX ,JOS ,and CLA were 98 .9% ,98 .4% ,95 .8% ,92 .1% .Conclusion The mycoplasma infection rate of Chinese patients is higher than foreign patients .In both groups ,Uu infection is the main type .Female patients are more than male patients .The drug sensitivity rate in for-eign group is higher than that in Chinese group .mycoplasma are sensitivity to MIN ,DOX ,JOS .

The pathogenesis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have developed into the frontier with the aging of people in the world. Meanwhile, they are the most difficult steps in the research on this degenerative disease of the nervous system. The over-deposition of beta-amyloid protein in nervous system is the most important feature. The formation and influencing factors of beta-amyloid protein are summarized in this paper. Furthermore, the methods and advance in treatment of AD are reviewed especially.
Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged

Objective To provide an experimental reference for clinic application of Jiazhu vascular ligating clips on ligation effects and the impact on the body in rabbits after laparoscopoic cholecystectomy.Methods 36 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups, normal control group, Jiazhu group and similar product control ( Hem-o-lok) group, 12 rabbits in each group.Except for normal control group, the rabbits were used gallbladder duct and gallbladder artery closed by vascular ligating clips and Hem-o-lok clips in Jiazhu group and similar product control group, respectively.The changes of blood biochemical, electrolytes, hematological parameters, coagulation, ligation effects and organ coefficients were observed at post-operation during 12 months.Results Compared with normal control group, the rabbit weight was reduced in the Jiazhu group at 3 days postoperatively ( P <0.01 ) , ALT level was increased at 1week postoperatively ( P <0.05), CREA and ALB levels were all significant decreased at 1~2 weeks postoperatively (P <0.05, P <0.01), NEUT numbers and TG content were significant increased at 2 weeks postoperatively ( P <0.05 ) , GLU content was significant decreased at 2 weeks and 1 month postoperatively ( P <0.01 ); LYM and RBC numbers were significant decreased at 1 month and 1 week postoperatively (P <0.05), respectively.PLT numbers were significant increased at 1~2 weeks postoperatively ( P <0.01) .While the rabbit weight was reduced in the Hem-o-lok group between 3 days and 1month postoperatively (P <0.05, P <0.01), and ALT level, NEUT and PLT numbers were increased at 1 week postoperatively (P <0.05, P <0.01), ALB and GLU contents were all significant decreased at 2 weeks postoperatively (P <0.01), TC content was significant increased at 1~2 weeks postoperatively (P <0.05).The rabbit weight, blood biochemical and hematological parameters in the Jiazhu group and Hem-o-lok group were all no significant differences with normal control group in the remaining time ( P >0.05 ) , and there were all no significant differences with electrolyte, coagulation and organ coefficients between each group (P >0.05).Conclusion Jiazhu vascular ligating clips are safe and reliable to close gallbladder duct and blood vessels, It shows that there are no differences in the validity and security between Jiazhu vascular ligating clips and Hem-o-lok clips.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein(AD7C-NTP)and olfactory function in the differentiation of three types of dementia,and to evaluate their clinical application value.Methods Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)and Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)were applied to evaluate cognitive function of all subjects with Alzheimer disease(AD),frontotemporal dementia (FTLD),or mixed dementia (MD).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the expression levels of AD7c-NTP in urine.T&T test method was applied to detect the olfactory function.Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the correlation of urine AD7c NTP with MMSE and MoCA scores.Results There was no significant difference in the demographic profile (except age)among three types of dementia of AD,FTLD and MD(F =4.05,P =0.02).Among the three dementia groups,the mean age of the MD group was highest.The statistically significant difference in MMSE scores was found among the three groups(F 3.79,P=0.03),while there was no significant difference inMoCAand NPI scores among the three dementia groups.The levels of the urine AD7c-NTP were different among the three dementia groups,but without statistical significance(H 1.25,P =0.53).Additionally,the FTLD group had the highest urine AD7c NTP level.Spearman rank correlation analysis showed no correlation of AD7c-NTP with MMSE and MoCA(r =0.18,P =0.25;r =0.14,P =0.39,respectively).No differences in olfactory function of the recognition domain(H =3.40,P=0.18)and in the detection domain(H =2.07,P=0.36)were found among three dementia groups of AD,FTLD and MD.Conclusions The level of urine AD7c-NTP is not of clinical significance in differentiating three types of dementia,and it is not correlated with the MMSE and MoCA scores.This study fails to find the clinical value of olfactory function test for distinguishing three types of dementia.