Alzhelmer's disease (AD) is an important neurodegenerative disease. Recent evidence has indicated that the production and loss of the myelin,sheath are associated with AD because the particular vulnerability of oligodendrocytes produced in the late stage makes the loss of the myelin sheath take a core position in the changes of the earliest stage of AD. The loss of the myelin sheath disrupts synchronization of impulses on which normal brain functions highly depend, and ultimately results in the function disruption of cortical association regions and subsequent neuronal loss. Meanwfiile, there are diverse mechanisms that make oligodendrocytes degeneration exist in the brains of AD. Therefore, elucidating its specific mechanism may help better understanding of AD, and thus provide some help for its treatment.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; metabolism ; Adenosine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; Diketopiperazines ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Pyrimidinones ; therapeutic use ; Quinazolines ; therapeutic use ; Signal Transduction ; Triazines ; therapeutic use ; Wnt Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the ex pr ession of nm23-H1 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in huma n glioma cells. Methods Expression of nm23-H1 and PCNA in 53 br ain gliomas were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The immunohistochemistry staini ng of nm23-H1 protein in low-grade astrocytomas (grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ) was significantly higher than that in high-grade astrocytomas (grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ). The immunohistochemistry staining of PCNA in high-grade astrocytomas was s ignificantly higher than that in low-grade astrocytomas. Conclusion The lower expression of nm23-H1 protein and the higher expression of PCNA are correlated with the pathological grade of glioma cells. The expression of nm23-H1 may be used as a hopeful marker for predicting the metastastic potential of gliomas.

This paper introduced the latest healthcare management and the service delivery system including health resources in Macao,highlighting the developed legal system,government financing policies for health sector,the well-developed medical service referral system,favorable development supports for private medical institutions,and remuneration incentive policies for health workers in Macao.These may serve as the useful implications and recommendations for health reform and development in mainland of China.

Objective To explore the impact of total parathyroidectomy(tPTX)on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity(cfPWV)in hemodialysis patients. Methods A total of 35 patients undergoing hemodialysis with refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism and treated with tPTX were studied. Before tPTX and 1 year after the oper-ation,cfPWVwas measured and hepatic and renal function,serum calcium,serum phosphorus,intact parathyroid hormone and hemoglobin were measured. The impact of tPTX on cfPWV in hemodialysis patients was analyzed. Results Serum calcium,serum phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone decreased(P < 0.01),while hemo-globin and serum albumin increased(P < 0.01)and cfPWV decreased 1 year after the operation,which showed statistical significance(P<0.01). The cfPWV of the patients with tPTX was still higher than that of healthy indi-viduals(P<0.01). Conclusion tPTX can effectively reduce cfPWV in hemodialysis patients with refractory sec-ondary hyperparathyroidism.

ObjectiveTo explore the relationships among atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cerebral vasospasm (CVS) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and hyponatremia.MethodsPlasma ANP levels and serum natrium and blood flow rate of intracal major arterial were assessed at different times (1 to 3 days, 7 days and 14 days after SAH) in 42 patients with SAH. Correlation analysis was carried out among plasma ANP, blood sodium level and blood flow rate of intracal major arterial.Results28 patients had CVS. Plasma ANP levels in CVS patients significantly elevated compared with non-CVS and control subjects (P<0.05). Hyponatremia in CVS patients also significantly elevated compared with non-CVS subjects (P<0.05). Plasma ANP level had significant negative relationship with serum natrium level at the 7th day and 14th day (r2=-0.778,r3=-0.653;P<0.01,P<0.05) in SAH patients. Plasma ANP level had significant positive correlation with middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity on the 7th day (r3=0.702,P<0.05) in SAH patients. Middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity had significant negative relationship with serum natrium level on the 7th day and 14th day (r2=-0.693,r3=-0.653 , both P<0.05) in SAH patients.ConclusionANP might cause hyponatremia following SAH and play an important role in pathogenesis of earlier period CVS.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of rhein on reducing starvation-induced autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells.

METHODHank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) was used to induce NRK-52E cells to be in the state of starvation. After the intervention of HBSS for 0, 0.5,1, 2 and 6 hours, firstly, the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3 I/II), which is a key protein in autophagy, was detected. Secondly, the protein expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated-mTOR Ser2448 (p-mTOR S2448) were examined. And then, after the co-treatment of rhein (5 mg x L(-1)) and HBSS (1 mL) without or with mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (100 nmol x L(-1)), the protein expressions of LC3 I/II, mTOR and p-mTOR S2448 were tested, respectively.

RESULTHBSS could induce the up-regulation of LC3 II and the down-regulation of p-mTOR S2448 at protein expression level in NRK-52E cells. The co-treatment of rhein and HBSS could reversely regulate the protein expressions of LC3 II and p-mTOR S2448 in NRK-52E cells significantly. The co-treatment of rapamycin, rhein and HBSS could recover the level of LC3 II protein expression in HBSS-intervened NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONHBSS induces autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway activation. Rhein reduces the autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway activation, which is the possible effects and molecular mechanisms.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of fast track surgery in laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: All patients received elective gastric cancer resection, and were divided into three groups: group Ⅰ (open gastrecomy, n = 30) , group Ⅱ (open gastrecomy with fast track surgery, n = 30) , and group Ⅲ (laparoscopic gastrecomy with fast track surger-y ,n =30) . Clinical data and gut function were assessed in three groups. Results: There were no significant differences in postoperative complication and the number of lymph node harvest between 3 groups. Blood loss was less in group Ⅲ than group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ (P <0.01) ,but its operative time was longer and its cost was more than other two open surgery groups (P < 0. 01). Recovery of bowel function in group Ⅲ was faster,and postoperative hospital stay was shorter than group Ⅰ (P<0.01). However, recovery of bowel function and postoperative hospital stay in group Ⅲ was not different from group Ⅱ (P > 0. 05). Conclusion: Postoperative hospital stay can be shorter and recovery of bowel function can be faster in laparoscopic gastrectomy with fast track surgery plan compared to traditional care group. But when using fast track surgery plan, laparoscopic gastrectomy was not superior to open surgery.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanisms of cordycepin,an effective component of cordyceps militaris, on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and its related eIF2α/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

METHODFirstly, 15 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups,the control group (Group A), the model group (Group B) and the cordycepin-treated group (Group C). After renal interstitial fibrotic model was successfully established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), the mice in Group C were intraperitoneally administrated with cordycepin(5 mg x kg(-1) d(-1)) and the ones in Group A and B were administrated with physiological saline for 5 days. At the end of the study, the obstructed kidneys were collected and detected for the pathological changes of RIF, and the mRNA expressions of collagen type I (Col I) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the kidney by Northern blot. Secondly, after renal tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cells cultured in vitro were exposed to transforming growth factor (TGF) -β with or without cordycepin, the mRNA expressions of Col I and collagen type IV( Col IV) by Northern blot, and the protein expressions of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), phosphorylated eIF2α ( p-eIF2α), Smad2/3 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) were tested by Western blot.

RESULTIn vivo, cordycepin alleviated RIF in model mice, including improving fibrotic pathological characteristics and mRNA expressions of Col I and α-SMA. In vitro, cordycepin induced the high expression of p-elF2α, and inhibited the expressions of p-Smad2/3, Col I and Col IV induced by TGF-β in NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONCordycepin attenuates RIF in vivo and in vitro, probably by inducing the phosphorylation of eIF2α, suppressing the expression of p-Smad2/3, a key signaling molecule in TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, and reducing the expressions of collagens and α-SMA in the kidney.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Deoxyadenosines ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad Proteins ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

AIM:To study the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of fusion vaccine on DCs and C6 glioma cells.METHODS: PEG was used to fuse DCs with C6 glioma cells.Immunofluorescence with GFAP-FITC was used to identify the DC/C6 fusion cells.Rat brain glioma models were made by stereotactic technique.After 5 days of inoculation of C6,107 fusion cells were injected through tail vein in group A.The same number of DCs and the same volume of PBS were used in group B and group C.The survival time of rats in these three groups was analyzed by Log-rank survival analysis.Tumor samples were checked by HE staining and immunohistochemical staining with CD8Mcab.RESULTS: Positive result of GFAP-FITC immunofluorescence was observed in DC/C6 fusion cells.The Log-rank survival analysis showed that statistically significant difference in group A was observed compared to that in group B and group C(P