Objective To examine the neural basis of item memory and source memory with fMRI approach.Methods Eight male and eight female healthy fight-handed native Chinese speakers were involved in this study.The item memory and source memory task were conducted with 504 highly frequent Chinese double-character words in the Block-designed experiment.Participants underwent such a double- round procedure as fMRI scanning following study.The fMRI data collected from a GE 1.5T MRI system were analyzed to generate corresponding activation maps for females and males respectively(P20)using statistical parametric mapping software(SPM).Results For females,item memory task activated the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(BA6,the number of activated voxel clusters was 62 or 11 in the left and the right,respectively),source memory more activated the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(BA6/46,the number was 59).For males,item memory activated the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(BA6/46,the number was 64),source memory activated the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(BA6,9 and 40 in the left and the right).Conclusion On the neural basis of item or source memory,there exists dissociation,which is that right dorsolateral prefrontal areas are more activated by item memory while left dorsolateral prefrontal areas by source memory.For the difference of gender,it is suggested that left dorsolateral prefrontal areas(BA6/46)are more activated in females while right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(BA6/46)more in males.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between the disturbance of nitric oxide/endothelin-I (NO/ET-1) and the hepatic injury following limb ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats as well as the regulation of NO/ET-1 system by limb ischemia preconditioning (IPC).

METHODSUsing limb ischemia/reperfusion injury model rats, animals were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): control group, I/R group and IPC group. The contents of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the plasma as well as nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide/endothelin-1 (NO/ET-1) in the plasma and the liver were measured. The levels of total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) in the liver were determined. The expression of iNOS and endothelial NOS (eNOS) were detected by the immunohistochemical method. The morphologic changes stained with hematoxylineosin were observed under microscope.

RESULTSIt was found that the levels of NO, ET-1 in the plasma and the liver tissue all increased after reperfusion, while the values of ALT, AST, NO/ET-1 decreased. Liver pathology revealed that after limb I/R there were edema, villous microvascular congestion, infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), cell degeneration in part cells of the liver. The hepatic damage was deteriorated. While the expression of iNOS elevated, cNOS (mainly eNOS) reduced and total NOS increased. The protection of the limb IPC attenuated the disturbance of NO/ET-1.

CONCLUSIONThe hepatic injury following limb I/R is related to the disturbance of NO/ ET-1. The protection of the limb IPC might be conducted by its regulation of NO/ET-1 system. The elevation of endothelial NOS and the reduction of non-endothelial NOS generated the NO in this situation.

Animals ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical value of 64-slice spiral 3-phase CT enhanced scanning for preoperative TNM staging assessment of gastric carcinoma.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed to review the 64-slice spiral 3-phase CT enhanced scanning of 120 patients with gastric cancer diagnosed by biopsy prior to operation and postoperative pathological reports. All the findings were reviewed by two senior radiologic diagnosticians separately and compared with pathological findings.

RESULTSThe accuracy of 64-slice spiral CT enhanced scan was 79.2%(95/120) for T staging, 66.7%(10/15) for T1, 66.7%(14/21) for T2, 84.0%(42/50) for T3, and 85.3%(29/34) for T4. For gastric wall with single layer and multiple layers, the accuracy of CT enhanced scanning was 59.4%(19/32) and 81.8%(72/88) for T staging, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The accuracy of 64-slice spiral CT enhanced scan was 73.9%(85/115) for N staging, 75.5%(37/49) for N0, 70.3%(26/37) for N1, 75.9%(22/29) for N2. The accuracy of 64-slice spiral CT enhanced scanning was 89.2% for M staging.

CONCLUSION64-slice spiral CT 3-phase enhanced scanning can monitor the invasion, lymphatic metastasis, and distant metastasis of gastric cancer dynamically, which may become an important examination item for the preoperative evaluation of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12) for treatment of peptic ulcer.

METHODSTwo hundred and seventy-six cases enrolled were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a control group, 138 cases in the acupuncture group were treated with deep needling at Zhongwan (CV 12) with a long needle, and 138 cases in the control group were treated with climetidine. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by clinical symptoms and gastroscopy. They were investigated for 6 weeks.

RESULTSThe acupuncture group was better than the control group in rapid alleviation of stomachache and improvement of appetite (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 90.6% in the acupuncture group and 88.4% in the control group with no significant difference (P > 0.05). The symptoms improved significantly in the two groups (P < 0.01), but with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the therapeutic effect of gastroscopy (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12) has a reliable therapeutic effect on peptic ulcer.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer ; therapy

AIMStudies on synthesis and antibacterial activity of new heterocycles.

METHODSThe cyclocondensation of [(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl] thio acetic acid with various aroyl hydrazines in the presence of POCl3 and xylene gave the corresponding titled compounds, and the in vitro antibacterial activity was primarily evaluated by the method of cupplate diffusion solution.

RESULTSSixteen novel titled compounds were synthesized, their structures were confirmed by IR, 1HNMR, MS and elemental analysis. Biological screening results demonstrated that most of the compounds prepared displayed potential antibacterial activity.

CONCLUSIONOxadiazoles incorporting pyridyl oxadiazole ring may be usefully antibacterial candidate drugs.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Oxadiazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Proteus vulgaris ; drug effects ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate causes and treatment of complications of tracheoesophageal puncture for Blom-Singer voice restoration after total laryngectomy.

METHODSFrom 1986 to 2004, one hundred and fifty one cases with Blom-Singer technique after total laryngectomy for voice restoration were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAll cases were followed up from 6 months to 15 years. Among 151 cases, 138 cases got successful phonation and the total success rate of voice restoration was 91.4%. Of the 151 cases, 15 cases occurred complications. The rate of complications was 9.9%. The common complications included fistula granulations, infection, and leakage. Twelve cases got successful treatment accordingly, and the other 3 cases failed in phonation.

CONCLUSIONSThe procedure of tracheoesophageal puncture for voice restoration is relatively simple and has low complications. this method had high phonation success and good phonation quality, which is one of the best way to make laryngectomee to speak.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; adverse effects ; rehabilitation ; Larynx, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDCartilage repair is a challenging research area because of the limited healing capacity of adult articular cartilage. We had previously developed a natural, human cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived scaffold for in vivo cartilage tissue engineering in nude mice. However, before these scaffolds can be used in clinical applications in vivo, the in vitro effects should be further explored.

METHODSWe produced cartilage in vitro using a natural cartilage ECM-derived scaffold. The scaffolds were fabricated by combining a decellularization procedure with a freeze-drying technique and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histological staining, cytotoxicity assay, biochemical and biomechanical analysis. After being chondrogenically induced, the induction results of BMSCs were analyzed by histology and Immunohisto-chemistry. The attachment and viability assessment of the cells on scaffolds were analyzed using SEM and LIVE/DEAD staining. Cell-scaffold constructs cultured in vitro for 1 week and 3 weeks were analyzed using histological and immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTSSEM and micro-CT revealed a 3-D interconnected porous structure. The majority of the cartilage ECM was found in the scaffold following the removal of cellular debris, and stained positive for safranin O and collagen II. Viability staining indicated no cytotoxic effects of the scaffold. Biochemical analysis showed that collagen content was (708.2-44.7) µg/mg, with GAG (254.7 ± 25.9) µg/mg. Mechanical testing showed the compression moduli (E) were (1.226 ± 0.288) and (0.052 ± 0.007) MPa in dry and wet conditions, respectively. Isolated canine bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) were induced down a chondrogenic pathway, labeled with PKH26, and seeded onto the scaffold. Immunofluorescent staining of the cell-scaffold constructs indicated that chondrocyte-like cells were derived from seeded BMSCs and excreted ECM. The cell-scaffold constructs contained pink, smooth and translucent cartilage-like tissue after 3 weeks of culture. We observed evenly distributed cartilage ECM proteoglycans and collagen type II around seeded BMSCs on the surface and inside the pores throughout the scaffold.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggests that a cartilage ECM scaffold holds much promise for in vitro cartilage tissue engineering.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cartilage ; cytology ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Dogs ; Extracellular Matrix ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds

BACKGROUNDOsteochondral lesion repair is a challenging area of orthopedic surgery. Here we aimed to develop an extracellular matrix-derived, integrated, biphasic scaffold and to investigate the regeneration potential of the scaffold loaded with chondrogenically-induced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the repair of a large, high-load-bearing, osteochondral defect in a canine model.

METHODSThe biphasic scaffolds were fabricated by combining a decellularization procedure with a freeze-drying technique and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Osteochondral constructs were fabricated in vitro using chondrogenically-induced BMSCs and a biphasic scaffold, then assessed by SEM for cell attachment. Osteochondral defects (4.2 mm (diameter) × 6 mm (depth)) were created in canine femoral condyles and treated with a construct of the biphasic scaffold/chondrogenically-induced BMSCs or with a cell-free scaffold (control group). The repaired defects were evaluated for gross morphology and by histological, biochemical, biomechanical and micro-CT analyses at 3 and 6 months post-implantation.

RESULTSThe osteochondral defects of the experimental group showed better repair than those of the control group. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the macroscopic and histologic grading scores of the experimental group were always higher than those of the control group, and that the scores for the experimental group at 6 months were significantly higher than those at 3 months. The cartilage stiffness in the experimental group (6 months) was (6.95 ± 0.79) N/mm, 70.77% of normal cartilage; osteochondral bone stiffness in the experimental group was (158.16± 24.30) N/mm, 74.95% of normal tissue; glycosaminoglycan content of tissue-engineered neocartilage was (218 ± 21.6) µg/mg (dry weight), 84.82% of native cartilage. Micro-CT analysis of the subchondral bone showed mature trabecular bone regularly formed at 3 and 6 months, with no significant difference between the experimental and control groups.

CONCLUSIONThe extracellular matrix-derived, integrated, biphasic scaffold shows potential for the repair of large, high-load-bearing osteochondral defects.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Regeneration ; physiology ; Cartilage, Articular ; surgery ; Dogs ; Extracellular Matrix ; chemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry ; X-Ray Microtomography

OBJECTIVEDuring the process of tissue remodeling in human tumor transplantation models, the roles of the inoculated tumor cells and host tissue in tumor progression is still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships and interactions between these two sides using GFP-RFP double fluorescence tracing technique.

METHODSRed fluorescence protein (RFP) gene was stably transfected into glioma stem cell line SU3, then SU3-RFP cells were transplanted into the brain of athymic nude mice with green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression. After the intracerebral tumors were formed, the relationship and interaction between GFP cells and RFP cells were analyzed. Highly proliferative GFP cells were screened out, and monocloned with micro-pipetting. DNA content assay, chromosome banding and carcinogenicity test of the GFP cells were performed to observe the GFP cells' cancerous phenotype in nude mice.

RESULTSIn the transplantable tumor tissue, besides a great quantity of RFP cells, there were still a proportion of GFP cells and GFP/RFP fusion cells. The proportion of RFP cells, GFP cells and GFP/RFP cells were (88.99 ± 1.46)%, (5.59 ± 1.00)%, and (4.11 ± 1.020)%, respectively. Two monoclonal host GFP cells (H1 and H9) were cloned, which demonstrated the properties of immortality, loss of contact inhibition, and ultra-tetraploid when cultured in vitro. Both H1 and H9 cells expressed CNP, a specific marker of oligodendrocytes. The GFP cells also demonstrated 100% tumorigenic rate and high invasive properties in vivo.

CONCLUSIONSIn this glioma transplantation model, the transplanted tumor tissues contained not only transplanted glioma stem cells but also cancerous host GFP cells. Our findings offer important clues to further research on the relationships among different members in the tumor microenvironment.

2',3'-Cyclic Nucleotide 3'-Phosphodiesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Communication ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Luminescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; Neuroglia ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Microenvironment

BACKGROUNDEpidemiologic studies have shown an independent and definite association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension. This study aimed to define the association between daytime blood pressure and severity of OSA in Chinese population in mainland of China.

METHODSTwenty university hospital sleep centers in mainland of China were invited by the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) to participate in this epidemiologic study and 2297 consecutive patients (aged 18 - 85 years; 1981 males and 316 females) referred to these twenty sleep centers for evaluation of OSA between January 2004 and April 2006 were prospectively enrolled. Nocturnal polysomnography was performed in each patient, and disease severity was assessed based on the apneahypopnea index (AHI). These patients were classfied into four groups: nonapneic control (control, n = 257) with AHI < or = 5 episodes/hour; mild sleep apnea (mild, n = 402) with AHI > 5 and < or = 15 episodes/hour; moderate sleep apnea (moderate, n = 460) with AHI > 15 and < or = 30 episodes/hour and severe sleep apnea (severe, n = 1178) with AHI > 30 episodes/hour. Daytime blood pressure measurements were performed under standardized conditions in each patient at 10 a.m. in office on the day of referring to sleep centers for getting average value. All the patients were requested to quit medications related to blood pressure for three days before the day of assessing.

RESULTSBoth daytime systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly related to AHI positively (r = 0.201 and 0.276, respectively; both P values < 0.001) and to nadir nocturnal oxygen saturation negatively (r = -0.215 and -0.277, respectively; both P values < 0.001), which were the parameters of OSA severity. In two special designed mean plots, means of daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased gradually with increasing AHI. Beyond AHI of 61 - 65, this increasing trend reached a plateau.

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that OSA severity was associated with daytime blood pressure until AHI of 61 - 65, providing evidence for early OSA management, especially in OSA patients with concomitant hypertension.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; pathology ; Young Adult