Objective To explore the change of growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) in children with idiopathic short stature(ISS).Methods Thirty children with ISS from the pediatric department in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University and 30 age-and sex-matched normal-stature children were selected from Sep.2006 to Jun.2008.The concentration of GHBP was measured by enzyme linked immunosordent assay.Results Serum GHBP levels in ISS subjects was (3 261.0?646.3) ?g/L,while the serum GHBP levels in normal control group was (2 026.0?497.2) ?g/L,and there was statistically significant difference between both groups(t=-20.67 P

Trachoma, a contagious keratoconjunctivitis ( KC ) , caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection, is rife in 57 countries in the world at present. The World Health Organization ( WHO) listed the global alliance to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2020 as one of top priorities of its blindness prevention in 1998. A simplified classification system for identifying and naming trachoma, designated by WHO, and the SAFE strategy based on community intervention were extended continuously in the world in 10 years since then. The trachoma prevalence trend has showed a change compared with that in the past. China has launched the blindness prevention action, aimed to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2016. In this paper, we reviews progress in diagnosis, treatment and epidemic of trachoma since the extension of the SAFE strategy.

Objective:To compare the Alzheimer's disease model in two species of mice by intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid peptide 25-35(Aβ_(25～35)).Method:The step down test and Morris water-maze were used to investigate the influence of the mice's learning and memorizing ability after intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid.Results:Normal Kunming mice and BALB/c mice had no significant difference in step down test, but the space cognitive ability of Kunming mice was better than that of BALB/c mice. The learning response in step-down test and Morris water-maze is no influence in male, female BALB/c mice and female Kunming mice. Marked differences were observed in male Kunming mice in acquisition, performance and reversal of a place learning response in a Morris water-maze.Conclusion:The male Kunming mice is much better than female Kunming mice and male, female BALB/c mice in preparing Alzheimer's disease animal model by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ_(25～35), and is the most suitable animal in this experiment.

AIMTo establish the method of long-term potentiation (LTP) recording in hippocampus in anaesthetized mice in vivo.

METHODSMouse was anaesthetized and then placed in the stereotaxic apparatus. The recording electrode was located at the cell body layer of dentate granule cells and the stimulating electrode at the perforant path according to stereotaxic parameters. Then the LTP was evoked and recorded.

RESULTSAfter optimizing of experimental factor, the LTP in PP-DG path in anaesthetized Balb/c mice was successfully recorded. The changes of synaptic plasticity were also observed in SAMP8 and SAMRI by using the optimized method. The results were coincident with the behavioral tests and LTP in hippocampal slices that we reported before.

CONCLUSIONThe method of LTP recording in vivo in hippocampus in anaesthetized mice was successfully established and could be used to evaluate the synaptic plasticity in vivo.

Anesthesia ; Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrodes ; Evoked Potentials ; physiology ; Hippocampus ; physiology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neuronal Plasticity ; physiology ; Stereotaxic Techniques ; Synaptic Transmission ; physiology

AIM AND METHODSWhole-cell recording technique was used to observe the changes of voltage-dependent ion channels and NMDA receptor currents of rat hippocampal neurons during primary culture.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of voltage-dependent Na+ current (I(Na)) at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d in culture. It's the same for delayed rectifier K+ current (Ik). However, voltage-dependent Ca2+ current (I(Ca)) and its density were continuously and markedly increased. Further studies showed that the increase of I(Ca) was resulted from the increase of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (L-VDCC). NMDA receptor current was also significantly increased with time of culture.

CONCLUSIONCa2+ influx through VDCC and NMIDA receptor is the fatal factor in the aging and death of hippocampal neurons.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; metabolism ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cellular Senescence ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Ion Channels ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Objective To study the relationship between coronary arteriographic and fluorescence fundus angiographic characteristics in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease.Methods The study was carried out by the analysis of the data from coronary arteriography and fluorescence fundus angiography in 203 type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease in different groups divided according to age or total cholesterol level. Logisitic regression analysis was applied to explore various risk factors to angiographic characteristics.Results With advancing age,there were more involvement of 3 coronary vessels or the left main branch along with stageⅢretinopathy,but less single vessel diseases in the coronary arteries and less stageⅠretinopathy.The difference in coronary angiographic and fluorescence fundus angiographic characteristics between groups with different total cholesterol levels was not significant.Logistic regression analysis suggested that coronary artery diaease was related to age,sex and blood glucose and triglyceride levels while diabetic retinopathy was related to blood glucose level and age.Conclusion There is great difference in coronary arteriography and fluorescence fundus angiography among different age groups.Aging may aggravate the lesions both in the coronary arteries and fundal vessels in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart diseease.

Objective To explore the activated brain region of acute epilepsy in cat model induced by pentylenetetrazol(FFZ)with manganese enhanced-functional MR imaging(ME-fMRI),and evaluate the application of ME-fMRI on localization of the activated brain.Methods Forty cats were divided into 4 groups by random number table method as epileptic A and B groups as well as control A and B groups. Cats of epileptic groups were injected with PTZ(55 mg/kg)intramuscularly,and those of control groups were injected with the saline at same dose.The behavior change in the epileptic and control group A was observed and electroencephalogram(EEG)was also undertaken.Cats of epileptic and control group B were performed ME-fMRI,and the percentage of the enhanced signal intensity was then calculated.Results After injection with PTZ(55 mg/kg)intramuscularly,epileptic seizure was all evoked,and then EEG recording showed spike-wave and polyspike-wave complexes.The neocortex of cats of epileptic group B was diffusely phanero-enhanced on ME-fMRI.The percent enhancement of signal intensity in cortex of frontal lobe,parietal lobe and occipital lobe was(34.6?5.7)% and that in cortex of temporal lobe with(22.9? 6.5)%,whereas those of control group B with(14.9?4.5)% and(11.6?3.2)% respectively.And there was significant difference between the above different localization of the brain in the two groups (t=-10.43,-5.46 respectively,P

Objective To analyze the classification,MR manifestations,and the pathological basis of solitary necrotic nodule of the liver(SNN)in order to evaluate MRI as a diagnosing tool Methods The MR appearances of 9 cases with pathologically proved SNN were analyzed and correlated with the classification and pathological appearances.Relevant literature was reviewed.Results(1)Simple coagulative necrosis type(5 cases):The signal of lesions was hypo-intense or iso-intense on both T_1-and T_2- weighted images.After Gd-DTPA administration,the internal part of the lesions showed no enhancement,while the thin capsule of the lesions demonstrated mild or moderate delayed enhancement. These lesions,proved by pathology,were composed of central coagulative necrotic core and a peripheral hyaline fibrosis capsule.(2)Coagulative necrosis aceompanied by liquefactive necrosis type(1 case):On T_1-weighted images,the signal of hypo-intensity was found within these lesions and even lower signal intensity was found in the central area of larger lesions.On T_2-weighted images,the lesions had a bright core and a peripheral hypointensive or isointensive area.After Gd-DTPA administration,the internal part of the lesions showed no enhancement,while the thin capsule of the lesions demonstrated mild or moderate delayed enhancement.These lesions had a central coagulative necrosis core interleaved by slit- like liquefactive necrosis foci,and peripherally a thin capsule of hyaline fibrosis proved by pathology.(3)Multi-nodular fusion type,(3cases):On T_1-weighted images,the lesions were of hypointensive or isointensive signal and had multiple septa of isointensive signal.On T_2-weighted images,the lesions were of hypointensive or isointensive signal and had multiple septa of hyperintensive or isointensive signal.After Gd-DTPA administration,No enhancement was found except mild or moderate delayed enhancement found in the thin capsule and septa.These lesions were composed of central coagulative necrosis area and a peripheral hyaline fibrosis capsule with multiple internal septa proved by pathology.Conclusion MRI apperances can reflect the classification and pathological features of solitary necrotic nodule of the liver.

The present study investigated the relationship between DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines. The dose-survival relationship for NPC cell lines, CNE1 and CNE2, was analyzed using clonogenic formation assay, the activity of DNA-PK of the two cell lines was measured using the Signa TECT DNA-PK assay kit, and the localization and expression of Kus (a heterodimer) and DNA-PKcs protein in CNE1 and CNE2 before irradiation and 15 min, 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h after 4 Gy irradiation were analyzed by immunofluorescence, laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) and Western blot. The results showed that the surviving fraction of CNE1 was higher than that of CNE2 at each dose. The DNA-PK activity of CNE1 was also significantly higher than that of CNE2 before and after irradiation (P<0.05), while the expression of total Ku70/Ku80 in CNE1 and CNE2 had no significant difference. Increasing translocation of Ku70 and Ku80 from the cytoplasm to the nuclei in the two cell lines was observed with increase of irradiation time as detected by Western blot, and the immunofluorescence of the DNA-PK complex subunits showed greater nuclear translocation in CNE1 than CNE2 after irradiation. The results suggest that the relatively higher radio-resistance of CNE1 correlates with the higher activity of DNA-PK as compared to that of more radiosensitive CNE2 (or lower radio-resistance) before and after irradiation. Thus, DNA-PK activity may be a useful predictor of radiosensitivity of NPC.
Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; enzymology ; radiation effects ; DNA-Activated Protein Kinase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; Radiation Tolerance

BACKGROUNDTissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has provided an objective means to quantify global and regional left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function with improved accuracy and greater reproducibility than conventional echocardiography. This study was conducted to assess RV myocardial systolic activation by TDI in subjects with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

METHODSA total of 30 patients with PAH and 30 healthy volunteers, all comparable in age and sex, underwent standard Doppler echo and TDI. Using pulsed Doppler echocardiography combined with TDI, the following regional parameters were evaluated in three different myocardial segments (RV basal lateral wall, basal septal, and LV basal lateral) on apical 4-chamber view: systolic (Sm), early- and late-diastolic (Em and Am) peak velocities. RV myocardial systolic activation delay was defined as the difference in time to peak TDI systolic velocities between the RV basal lateral wall and basal septal. In addition, RV end-diastolic and end-systolic areas were measured to calculate RV fractional area change from the same apical 4-chamber view.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, patients with PAH showed increased RA and RV end-diastolic diameter (RA: (4.5 +/- 1.2) cm vs (3.0 +/- 0.8) cm, P < 0.05 and RV: (4.8 +/- 1.9) cm vs (3.4 +/- 0.5) cm, P < 0.05) and reduced RV fractional area change; (35 +/- 14)% vs (56 +/- 9)%, P < 0.05. These PAH patients showed lower myocardial peak velocities and a significant activation delay compared with controls (P < 0.05). Moreover, a strong correlation between RV myocardial systolic activation delay and RV fractional area change was shown in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (r = -0.82).

CONCLUSIONSIn PAH, RV myocardial systolic activation was markedly delayed, which was directly related to the RV fractional area change. RV myocardial systolic activation delay assessed by TDI could offer a unique approach to predict RV dysfunction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diastole ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Systole ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right ; etiology ; Ventricular Function, Right