Objective To detect the salivary levels of IgA,alpha-amylase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and saliva flow rates of IgA in normal controls versus Parkinson disease (PD) patients,and to analyze the correlation of these salivary biochemical indexes with disease duration,H&Y rating scale,SCOPA-AUT score,sialorrhea score,dry mouth score and the use of levodopa.Methods Thirty-eight PD patients including twenty-two patients treated with levodopa,and twenty-one normal controls were selected in our study.About 3 ml saliva was collected from each subject.Salivary IgA was detected by immunoturbidimetry.Alpha-amylase and AChE were tested by enzymatic colorimetry.The protein concentration was analyzed by BCA kit to normalize ACHE.The salivary flow rate and IgA flow rate were also calculated.Results Salivary flow rate (ml/min) was (0.39±0.22) in normal controls,and (0.35±0.28) in PD groups;the level of IgA (mg/L) was (148.3±86.1) in normal controls,and (183.7±126.3) in PD groups;IgA flow rate (μg/min) was (47.8±25.9) in normal controls,and (46.9±27.1) in PD groups;the level of alpha-amylase (U/L) was (1.63 ± 1.21) × 105 in normal control,and (1.35 ± 9.87) × 105 U/L in PD group;and the level of AChE (U/mg) was (0.12±0.08) in normal controls,and (0.09±0.05) in PD group.No statistically significant differences in above indexes were found between PD group and controls.There were negative correlations between salivary flow rate and dry mouth score (r =-0.445,P =0.005) and between alpha-amylase concentration and sialorrhea score (r=-0.327,P=0.045).The positive associations were found between IgA concentration and the SCOPA-AUT score (r =0.438,P =0.006),and between IgA flow rate and sialorrhea score (r =0.411,P =0.01).Conclusions Salivary flow rate and level of alpha-amylases tend to be decreased in PD patients,while IgA concentration has an upward tendency.Salivary alpha-amylases concentration and IgA flow rate are correlated with the symptom of sialorrhea,while IgA concentration correlates with the degree of autonomic symptoms.These measurements can be used as indexes for evaluating the lesions of the autonomic nervous system.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of rotatory hinge prosthesis replacement for treatment of giant cell tumors around knee joint. Methods Thirty-one patients with giant cell tumors of bone around the knee from January 2001 to January 2008 in our hospital were reviewed. There were 13 males and 18 females. Their ages ranged from 19 to 56 and the mean age was 33.5. The anatomic site for the lesions were the distal femur (20 cases) and proximal tibia (11 cases). Using Companacci’s staging system: 7 patients were classified as grade Ⅱ and 24 as grade Ⅲ. The patients were grouped as follows: the tumor breaking through the cortex with an extraosseous mass in 2 patients,having pathologic fracture in 3,representing more biologically-aggressive lesions in 5,and having one or more local recurrences in 21. All patients had been treated with en block excision and reconstruction with rotatory hinge prosthesis. Results According to the follow-up for 12 to 96 months,all patients had no local recurrence or metastasis. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 24.0?2.5,with an excellent limb function in 23 patients,good in 6 patients,and fair in 2 patients. The overall excellent and good function was obtained in 93.5% of the patients. Conclusion Rotatory hinge prosthesis replacement is an effective method to treat giant cell tumors of bone around the knee joint. It also can reduce the local recurrence and obtain better the outcomes.

Objective To investigate the distribution of TCM Syndromes of Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods The 125 PD patients were graded according to Hoehn-Yahr(H&Y) criteria for assessment.The assigned TCM physician investigated TCM syndromes of these patients with the structured questionnaire which was based on literature and experience of experts.Results Of 125 cases,96 ones(76.8%) presented a single syndrome,and 29 ones(23.2%) presented complex syndrome.The positive rate of main syndrome was in an order of deficiency of both the Spleen and Kidney(22.4%),yin deficiency of the Liver and Kidney(18.4%),yang deficiency of the Spleen and Kidney(16%),qi deficiency of both qi and yin(15.2%),phlegm-heat stirring up the wind(12.8%),qi deficiency with blood stasis(4.8%),deficiency of both yin and yang(4%),damp abundance due to the Spleen deficiency(3.2%),endoretention of damp heat(1.6%),stagnation of the Liver qi with deficiency of the Spleen and Liver fire flaring(0.8%).There existed a significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndromes in H&Y 1.0~1.5 and H&Y 2.0~3.0(P

Objective To study factors that may increase the expression of human ? synuclein gene in prokaryotic cells. Methods proEXNACP vector was transferred into competence cells. Factors such as IPTG levels, initial concentration of cells, type and pH of media, time and temperature of induction were studied in relation to the production of ? synuclein. Results IPTG concentration and pH change does not have a significance impact on ? synuclein production. But the time and temperature of induction, media and initial concentration of cells significantly affected the expression.Conclusion The best condition for the production of ? synuclein includes factors such as LB media with an initial concentration of cells of 0 5\|0 8 A at 37℃ culture with oxygen of 180?rpm/min for 1 2?hours.

Axial symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as gait disturbance and postural instability, do not respond well to anti-Parkinson drugs or deep brain stimulation.It has been reported that spinal cord stimulation can improve these symptoms, but the effects are not consistent.This article reviews animal experiments and clinical trials on spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, in order to explore the mechanisms of action of spinal cord stimulation and give some suggestions for future research and clinical application.

Objective To determine the interleukin(IL)-17 concentrations in serum and synovi-al fluid from patients with knee osteoarthritis(OA),and evaluate their correlation with disease severity. Methods Serum and synovial fluid were collected from 100 patients with primary knee OA;age-and sex-matched 50 healthy subjects provided serum samples as controls.OA severity and grade were assessed u-sing the Lequesne index and Kellgren and Lawrence(K-L)grading system,respectively.The expression of IL-17 was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Serum IL-17 concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in controls(P <0.05).In the patient group,patients with K-L grade 3 and 4 had higher synovial IL-17 levels than those with K-L grade 2(P <0.05).At the same time,com-pared with K-L grade 3,there was a higher IL-17 level in K-L grade 4 patients(P <0.05).Synovial fluid IL-17 concentration was positively correlated with Lequesne index(r =0.6232,P <0.05).There was no correlation between serum IL-17 concentrations and Lequesne index,however.Conclusion The expres-sion of IL-17 was significantly increased in serum and synovial fluid of knee from patients with knee OA. There was a positive correlation between synovial fluid IL-17 concentrations and OA severity.It suggests that the imbalance of IL-17 expression plays a certain role in the pathogenesis of OA.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effects of human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-engineered rat neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation in rat model of Parkinson's disease ( PD) . Methods SD rats received a single injection of 24 μg of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) at two sites in right striatum. Then 10 days after surgery, the successful animal models of PD were divided into 3 groups: PD model group ( 2 μl transplantation media was injected in right striatum), NSC group (transplanted were 2×10~5 NSCs infected by bare lentivirus) and GDNF group (transplanted were 2×10~5 GDNF-engineered NSCs). The rotation scores were assessed 5 weeks, 7 weeks and 9 weeks after transplantation. The dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra ( SN ) were analyzed quantitatively using immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and the dopamine and its metabolites, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were analyzed 9 weeks after transplantation by high performance liquid chromatography ( HPLC) . Results GDNF-engineered NSC transplantation could effectively improve the behavioral performance in rats. At the 5th week after cell transplantation, the rotation turns within 90 min were (993. 9±159. 1) turns, (956. 7±136. 3) turns and (433. 6±100. 9) turns in PD model group, NSC group and GDNF group respectively (F=95. 694, P = 0. 000). At the 7th week, the rotation turns within 90 min were (964. 2 ± 152.0) turns, (909. 2 ± 136. 3) turns and (399. 4±84. 4) turns in PD model group, NSC group and GDNF group respectively (F = 106. 134, P=0. 000). At the 9th week, the rotation turns within 90 min were (909. 5±152. 2) turns, (865. 5± 129. 1) turns and (312. 2±63. 7) turns in PD model group, NSC group and GDNF group respectively (F= 151. 100, P = 0.000). GDNF-engineered NSC transplantation could significantly increase the levels of dopamine and its metabolites in injured striatum. The concentrations of dopamine in injured striatum was higher in GDNF group than that in PD model group and NSC group C(7. 5±0. 8) ng/mg vs. (3.3±0.3) ng/mg and (3. 7±1. 3) ng/mg, F=59. 543, P = 0. 0003. The level of DOPAC was higher in GDNF group than that in PD model group and NSC group C(0. 9±0. 1) ng/mg vs. (0. 5± 0. 1) ng/mg and (0. 6±0. 2) ng/mg, F= 17. 293, P=0. 000]. The concentration of HVA in injured striatum was higher in GDNF group than that in PD model group and NSC group [(0. 9±0. 1) ng/mg vs. (0.5±0. 1) ng/mg and (0. 6±0. 2) ng/mg, F=35.175, P = 0.000]. Conclusions engineered NSC transplantation improves the function of dopamine system in SN and striatum, and GDNF gene therapy has potential clinical value.

Objective To identify the cell death type and investigate the potential mechanism of ionizing radiation-induced neural cell death in the neonatal rat cerebral cortex.Methods The neonatal Wistar rats were given a single dose of 2.0 Gy γ-irradiation.The cell death type and characterization in cerebral cortex were identified using DNA electrophoresis,TUNEL and HE staining.The P53-and iNOS-positive cells were analyzed quantitatively using immunohistochemistry.Results The DNA and morphological characterization of death cells indicated that 2.0 Gy γ-irradiation induced apoptosis of the neural cells in neonatal rat cerebral cortex.The apoptosis indices in different cortex regions were significantly increased 4 h after irradiation,and reached the peak value at 12 h post-irradiation.The apoptosis index of neoconex was much higher than that of hippocampus(archicortex)and paleocortex,while paleocortex had lower apoptosis index than hippocampus.The quantitative immunohistoehemistry suggested that the numbers of P53 and iNOS-positive cells were not different between these three cortex regions at the same time-point after irradiation.Conclusion 2.0 Gy γ-rays induced apoptosis of the neural cells in neonatal rat cerebral codex.The response of cells to the damage effects of ionizing radiation was similar in different cortex regions;however,the apoptosis indices were different significantly.These findings imply that the developing phase or type of neural cells may play a pivotal role in the apoptosis process induced by ionizing radiation.

BACKGROUND: Levodopa substitutive therapy is essential and effective method for PD for a long time, but it can not delay the course of PD. Side effect is more and more and severe, for taking levodopa long term. It is benefit to patients to postpone the usage of levodopa or decrease the dosage of it.OBJECTIVE: To systematically investigate the curative effect of the selfmade Bushenpingchan formula combined with madopar on pathogenetic condition of PD patients after onset.DESIGN: Randomized controlled observation.SETTING: Senile Disease Research Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences.PARTICIPANTS: Seventy patients diagnosed as having PD were recruited from the Xiyuan Hospital of Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine between December 1999 and May 2002. Inclusive criteria: The patients must be diagnosed as PD finally; ②be at 1.5-4 grade of modified Hoehn & Yahr measuring scale; ③less than 80 years old; ④The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis was deficiency of liver and kidney. Exclusive criteria: ①secondary PD; ②accompanying with other sever central nervous system diseases. ③patients with severe diseases of heart,lung, kidney or multi-viscera-failure; ④mental sickness patients; ⑤drug and alcohol abuse; ⑥severe adverse effect.METHODS: Totally 70 patients were divided into two groups based on the proportion of one to one: There were 35 patients in treatment group containing 22 males and 13 females. The average age was (67.9±16.5)years. There were 35 patients in control group including 25 males and 10females. The average age was (65.5±16.5) years. There was no significant difference in their general condition. Patients in the control group received 62.5-500 mg madopar (250 mg in each pill), 2-4 times a day (to change the dose according to patients' condition). The patients in the treatment group were given with 62.5-500 mg madopar (250 mg in each pill), 2-4times a day orally and 200 mL self-made Bushenpingchan formula (twice a day) in addition, which was composed of 20 g tuber fleeceflower root, 1 g hairy deerhorn, 10 g tall gastrodia tuber, 15 g gambirplant, 12 g Chinese thorowax root, 15 g twolobed officinal magnolia bark, twice a day. The course of medication was 3 month in patients of the two groups. The patients were determined with unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS) before treatment and at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 after treatment, respectively. The symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine after treatment were measured. The dose of madopar before and after medication as well as the adverse effect were observed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Score of UPDRS before treatment and at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 after treatment in patients of the treatment group and control group; the dose of madopar before and after treatment and the adverse effect after treatment.RESULTS: Total effective rate was 69% and 51% in the treatment group and control group, respectively after treatment. There was no significant difference in therapeutic efficacy (x2=0.86, P=0.222 3). ①The score of UPDRS reduced significantly 8 weeks after treatment in the treatment group as compared with that before treatment (t=2.18 ,P ＜ 0.05). ②The daily dosage decreased in the patients of the treatment group after treatment as compared with that before treatment, which had significant difference (t =2.862 8,P ＜ 0.01 ). The daily dosage in the patients of control group had insignificant difference with that before treatment (t=2.320 3,P ＜ 0.01 ). ③There were 2 cases with lightly dry mouth, nausea, dizziness,which could relieve two weeks later in the treatment group; 5 patients with nausea and 2 patients with light dizziness in control group, which could relieve. The blood pressure had no significant change in the two groups before and after treatment.CONCLUSION: The Chinese medicine Bushenpingchan formula combined with western medicine can decrease the UPDRS score in PD patients,can improve the syndromes in Chinese medicine.