The neurotransmitter plays an important role in the neurologic functional recovery of animals and patients with spinal cord injury. This article reviews the neurotransmitters in spinal cord injured of rats and the effect of some therapy on them.

Objective:To improve the quality standard for Kangshiming mixtures. Methods:The identification of Angelicae Sinen-sis Radix, Astragali Radix and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex was carried out by TLC. The contents of puerarin and paeoniflorin in the preparations were determined by HPLC. Results:The spots displayed in TLC were clear without interference from the negative control. The linear range for puerarin was 1. 64-49. 20μg·ml-1(r=0. 999 9) and 4. 22-63. 30μg·ml-1(r=0. 999 6) for paeoniflorin. The average recovery was 99. 63%(RSD=2. 14%,n=9) and 99. 05%(RSD=2. 70%,n=9) for puerarin and paeoniflorin, respectively. Conclusion:The method is accurate, reliable and specific, and can be used in the quality control of Kangshiming mixtures.

Objective To explore neural plasticity around an injured region of the spinal cord and the effects of step training on functional recovery after incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats ( n = 24) were induced with spinal cord contusion at T10 and divided into a step training group and a control group ( 12 rats in each). Training started from the 7th day post-injury and lasted for (20 ± 10)min per day, 5 days per week, for 9 weeks. Treadmill speeds were 3 m/min at the beginning, and adjusted daily according to each rat's tolerance up to 11 m/min or more. The functional recovery was measured weekly with the open-field locomotor rating scale of Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB score). The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament protein (NF) and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in the spinal cord around the injured region were detected. Results After 70 days of step training, the average BBB score of the step training group reached ( 12.86 ± 0.94 ), significantly higher than that of the control group ( 10.71 ± 0.95 ). The expression of NF and GAP-43 around the injured region increased significantly more in the step training group than among the controls. Conclusions Step training can promote functional recovery and neural plasticity in rats after incomplete SCI.

Objective:To evaluate effects of different medication forms of dexmedetomidine on perioperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing radical operation of gastric carcinoma, and Ramsay sedation score.Methods:A total of 150 patients aged 65 years and 75 years scheduled for elective radical operation of gastric carcinoma from December 2018 to December 2019 in Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital were enrolled, and they were divided into 3 groups according to random number table method: different medication forms of dexmedetomidine groups (group A, group B) and the control group (group C), 50 cases in each group. The patients in group A and group B continued to pump dexmedetomidine at a rate of 0.5 μg·kg -1·h -1 and 0.3 μg·kg -1·h -1 respectively for 15 min before induction of anesthesia. And the patients in group C were given intravenous pumping of an equal volume of 0.9% NaCl for 15 min. Subsequently, patients in group A and group B received continuous intravenous infusion of 0.3 μg·kg -1·h -1 for 30 min before the end of operation, the patients in group C received 0.9% NaCl infusion of equal volume until the end of operation. The cognitive function of the patients was measured by using the Monterey cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) the day before surgery and on day 1,3 and 7 after surgery, and the incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) was counted. Ramsay sedation score at 30 min, 24 h and 48 h after surgery was compared among the three groups. Results:There were 3 patients in group A and 3 patients in group C were excluded because they were transferred to ICU due to serious postoperative complications. There were significant differences in MoCA score among the three groups on day 1, 3, 7 after operation (all P < 0.01); MOCA score of group A, B and C on day 7 after operation was (26.9±0.7) scores, (26.6±1.0) scores, (26.3±1.2) scores, respectively, and the difference between group A and group C was statistically significant ( P < 0.01). The incidence of PND among the three groups on day 1, 3, 7 after surgery had statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05), and the incidence of PND in group A was lower than that in group B and C (all P < 0.05). Ramsay sedation score among the three groups at 30 min and 24 h, 48 h after operation showed statistically significant differences (all P < 0.01), and that in group C was lower than that in group A and group B, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Ramsay sedation score at 24 h after operation in group A was high than that in group B and group C (all P < 0.01). Conclusions:Dexmedetomidine assisted with anesthesia can reduce the incidence of PND in elderly patients undergoing radical operation of gastric carcinoma and enhance the sedative effect. What's more, the most obvious effect is the infusion of 0.5 μg·kg -1·h -1 before anesthesia induction.

Objective To explore the effect of olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation combined with walking training on neurofunction recovery in rats after spinal cord contusion. Methods Forty adult female rats aged (75 ± 1 ) days were subjected to experimental spinal cord contusion at the T10 level using a New York University impactor at a height of 25 mm. They were then divided into 4 groups: ( 1 ) an OEC transplantation combined with walking training (OEC-walking training) group, (2) an OEC transplantation (OEC) group, (3) a walking training combined with Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium injection (DMEM) (walking training-DMEM) group, and (4) aDMEM injection (SCI-DMEM) group. The OEC transplants and DMEM injections were performed 2 weeks post-injury. Walking training began at the 7th day post-injury and consisted of daily sessions (once daily, 5 days a week for 10 weeks) of quadrupedal treadmill training, starting from 15 min and gradually increasing to 30 min daily, at speeds starting from 3 m/min and gradually increasing in accordance to the condition of the rats. Locomotor function recovery of the rats' hindlimbs was evaluated weekly using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale.The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase ( TH ) was detected in the injured region of the lumbar spinal cord. Results The BBB scores of rats in the OEC-walking training group and the walking training-DMEM group improved significantly from the 4th week post-injury compared to the SCI-DMEM injection group. Rats in the OEC transplantation group had a significant improvement in BBB scores at the 5th to 8th weeks post-injury. At the end of the 11th week post-injury, the average BBB scores were 13.14 ± 0.24 in the OEC-walking training group, 11. 64 ± 0.56 in the OEC transplantation group, 12.29 ±0.64 in the walking training-DMEM group and 11.07 ± 0.84 in the SCI-DMEM group.The OEC-walking training group scored significantly higher than the other 3 groups. Although the number of TH-positive neurons in the lumbar spinal cord was not significantly different among the groups, the morphology of TH-positiveneurons in the OEC-walking training group and the walking training-DMEM group was different from those in the OEC transplantation group and the SCI-DMEM group. Conclusions OEC transplantation combined with walking training can effectively promote the functional recovery of the hindlimb. The plasticity of the descending TH system and of motoneurons of the ventral horn of the lumbar spinal cord might mediate the changes.

To study the protective effect of astragalus saponin extracts (AS) on kidneys of diabetic rats. Totally 32 diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) were divided into AS high and low dose groups, the positive control group and the model group (DM group) and orally administered with 50 mg x- kg(-1) x d(-1) AS 200, 25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) valsartan, 10 mL x kg(-1) x d(1) physiological saline, respectively. Another 8 healthy rats were collected in the normal control group (NC group, physiological saline 10 mL x kg(-1). d(-1)). All rats were treated for consecutively 6 weeks. After the administration, the body weight was measured every week, the concentration of blood glucose was monitored on week 2, 4 and 6. The total urine and total urinary protein (U-TP) in 24 h were measured by the metabolic cage method on week 6; At the end of week 6, blood samples were collected from hearts to detect blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), uric acid (UA) , total cholesterol (CH) triglyceride (TG) by biochemical methods. Kidneys were collect to calculate the kidney hypertrophy index and observe the pathological sections. The laboratory results show that in the DM group, the blood glucose, metabolic cost in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly higher than that in the NC group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) , with significant pathological changes; After the intervention with AS, the metabolic value in 24 h, kidney hypertrophy index, U-TP, BUN, Scr, UA, TG were significantly lower in the high dose group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the kidney hypertrophy index, BUN, Scr, UA, TG in the low dose group were also significantly lower (P < 0.05), with slight reduction in renal pathological changes in both groups. In conclusion, Astragalus saponin extracts have a certain protective effect on kidneys of diabetic rats.
Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; administration & dosage ; Uric Acid ; metabolism

Aim To clone apoptosis-related genes from human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and to analyze the character of the method used in the process. Methods A poptotic cell model of MCF-7 cells was established with the apoptotic tumor cells induced by the all-trans-retinoic acid. The apoptotic gene was cloned from the model by improved PCR-based subtractive hybridization. Results 5 clones were identified to be related to apoptosis by reverse dot blot, 4 of them were known genes, and 3 were related to apoptosis. A novel gene， named apmcf-1, coded for 47 amino acid was identified. This gene was accepted by Genbank, the accession number was AF141882. Conclusion This improved PCR-based subtractive hybridization may be an efficient way in cloning differential expression gene.

Objective To evaluate the stability and biodistribution of a novel SPECT-MRI bi-functional agem 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG in tumor-bearing nude mice. Methods DTPA-DG was synthesized and then conjugated with Gd2O3 to generate Gd-DTPA-DG. The tumor-bearing nude mice were scanned by MRI to evaluate the tumor targeting ability of Gd-DTPA-DG. The orthogonal experiment was applied to optimize pH value of reaction medium and reaction temperature. The radiolabeling efficiency was measured by thin layer chromatography. The distribution of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG in nude mice was evaluated by scintigrapy in vivo. The % ID/g was measured at different time after intravenous injection of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPA-DG. Results The tumor was significantly enhanced by Gd-DTPA-DG with MRI. The radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-Gd-DTPADG was about 98.5% and remained 96.2% at room temperature for 6 h. The tumor was well visualized by 99TcmGd-DTPA-DG SPECT at 2 h after injection. The tumor uptake was (1.48 ±0.12) %ID/g, and the rumor to muscle radioactivity ratio was 2.91. Conclusions MRI contrast of Gd-DTPA-DG may enhance tumor detection. 99Tcm-labeled Gd-DTPA-DG may be useful for tumor imaging and might have a potential role as a SPECT-MRI bi-functional agent.

Objective To evaluate the effect and mechanism of bone morrow MSCs transplantation in swine with AMI by cell biology and molecular imaging methods including PET/CT, SPECT, and MRI. Methods Twenty?four Chinese mini?swine ( ( 25 ± 5 ) kg ) were randomly divided into 2 groups: MSCs group ( n=12) and control group ( n=12) . Myocardial infarction was induced in swine hearts by occlusion of the LAD. Thirty minutes later, the MSCs group received autologous MSCs transplantation through in?tramyocardial injection into the peri?infarcted areas (2×107,2 ml) and the control group was subjected to cell culture medium in the same way. At the 1st and 4th weeks after MSCs transplantation, myocardial glu?cose metabolism, myocardial perfusion and cardiac function were evaluated in the two groups through PET/CT, SPECT and MRI. The minimum FDG mean signal intensity ( MSI ) , summed MSI, SRS, SRS%, LVEF, ESV, stroke volume ( SV) and cardiac output ( CO) were calculated. On the 4th week, HE and Masson′s Trichrome stains were performed. Mann?Whitney u test and non?parametric Wilcoxon test were used. Results (1) As evaluated by PET in the 1st week, the MSI and summed MSI in MSCs group were less than those in control group ( 22. 10 ± 3. 18 vs 35. 70 ± 3. 02, z=-2. 65; 1 013. 50 ± 29. 37 vs 1 084. 00 ± 21?15, z=-1.97;both P<0.05) . Compared to the minimum MSI and summed MSI in the 1st week, those in MSCs group increased significantly (34.00±4.25, z=-2.81;1 075.50±28.30, z=-2.80;both P<0?01) in the 4th week. SRS and SRS% decreased in the 4th week compared to those in the 1st week (20.20±2.24 vs 23.80±1.58, (29.80±3.31)% vs (35.10±2.34)%;both z=-2.08, both P<0.05). The averaged MSI in left ventricular infarction area (MSI<70) also increased (56.25±3.54 vs 48.14±2.71;z=-2.80, P<0.01). The a?bove?mentioned parameters had no statistically significant differences in the 4th week compared to those in the 1st week in the control group (all P>0.05). (2) In the 1st week, the perfusion variables had no signifi?cant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05) . There was no significant difference in any perfusion vari?ables between the 1st and 4th weeks in the two groups, respectively (P>0.05). (3) As evaluated by MRI, the cardiac functional parameters had no significant differences between the two groups at the 1st week. In the MSCs groups, LVEF increased significantly ((54.41±2.62)% vs (47.54±2.43)%;z=-2.60, P<0.01) and ESV reduced significantly ((22.85±1.91) vs (27.07±1.67) ml;z=-2.70, P<0.01) in the 4th week com?pared to those in the 1st week; SV and cardiac CO in the 4th week also increased significantly ((29.35± 1?84) vs (26.52±1.46) ml, (2.23±0.14) vs (1.96±0.13) L/min;z=-2.09 and -1.99, both P<0?05). In the control group, there were no significant differences in the cardiac functional parameters between the 1st and 4th weeks ( all P>0.05) . Conclusions Four weeks after MSCs transplantation for AMI, cardiac func?tion and myocardial glucose metabolism improved significantly but without significant myocardial perfusion improvement. Therefore, the cardiac function improvement might be associated with increased myocardial glucose metabolism.

Objective To establish a dynamic model of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu Province, analyze the epidemic of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu, predict the trend of this disease and simulate the effect of EV71 vaccination on the control of hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71. Methods A compartmental model of hand foot and mouth disease was constructed.A group of differential equations was established. The incidence data of hand foot and mouth disease was used to fit the model and calculate the basic reproduction number of this disease in Jiangsu. Then, vaccination was added to the model and the incidence of hand foot and mouth disease under different vaccination coverage rates was simulated. Results The basic reproduction numbers of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu between 2013 and 2016 were 1.31 (IQR:0.99-1.48), 1.37 (IQR:0.97-1.52), 1.34 (IQR:1.00-1.61) and 1.38 (IQR:1.00-1.76) , respectively. With the increase of immunization coverage of EV71 vaccine, the cases of hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71 decreased accordingly. When the annual immunization rate of EV71 vaccine was maintained at a high level (75%), the annual incidence of hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71 after 5 years reduced to 10% of that in the same year when there was no vaccination. Conclusions The epidemic trend of hand foot and mouth disease in Jiangsu is stable from 2013 to 2016. Vaccination plays an important role in controlling hand foot and mouth disease caused by EV71.