AIMTo study the relationship of neurotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and the function of glutamate transporter.

METHODSUsing in vivo microdialysis together with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect the alteration of glutamate in the striatum and extracellular fluid of the PC12 cell. The rate of apoptosis and the activity of PC12 cells are read in a flow cytometer and a photometer for enzyme-labeled assays. The function of glutamate transporter is decided by detecting the ability of L-[3H]-glutamate uptake.

RESULTS6-OHDA was shown to induce apoptosis and decrease the activity of PC12 cells. Increased release of glutamate was also found in PC12 cells and the injured striatum of the PD rats. But glutamate uptake in PC12 cells and rat striatum synaptosomes are inhibited obviously.

CONCLUSIONThe neurotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine is associated with declined function of glutamate transporters, which may be one important pathogenesis mechanisms of Parkinson's disease.

Amino Acid Transport System X-AG ; drug effects ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; PC12 Cells ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the effects of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) combined with total flavonoids from epimedium (TFE) on testicular dysfunction in natural aging rats; To discuss its mechanism of action. Methods Thirty 18-month old male SD rats were randomly divided into natural aging group, PNS combined with TFE low and high dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 2-month old rats were set as young control group. PNS combined with TFE low and high dose groups were given gastric gavage of 10 mg/kg PNS combined with 10 mg/kg TFE, and 20 mg/kg PNS combined with 20 mg/kg TFE, respectively. Rats in young control group and natural aging group were given saline for 6 d each week, lasting for 4 months. Then, rats were sacrificed, and the testes were obtained to calculate the testicular weight and the testicular index. The testicular tissue morphology was observed by using HE staining. Testicular germ cell apoptosis was detected by using TUNEL method. The levels of Bcl-2, Bax and γ-H2 AX protein expression in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with natural aging group, low and high dose of PNS combined with TFE significantly elevated the testicular weight and testicular index, improved the histological changes of testicular seminiferous tubule, significantly reduced number of apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in the testis, upregulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein in the testis, downregulated the expression of Bax and γ-H2 AX protein, and decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Conclusion PNS combined with TFE can improve testicular dysfunction in natural aging rats by inhibiting apoptosis and DNA damage of germ cells.

Objective To investigate the prognostic sequelae in neontes with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and ven-tricnlar dilatation.Methods Seventy-six full term newborns infants with HIE were followed up at the age from 3 to 19 months after therapy. Twenty-five infants among them were followed up by telephone in the epidemic period of SARS.Results Among 76 infants of 88 newborn infants with HIE(84.6%), 73 infants were normal (96.1% ). 1 infant had cerebral palsy (1.3%), 2 infants died (2.6 %).Among 39 cases with mild HIE, none of them had cerebral sequelae; among moderate HIE. 1 infant had cerebral palsy (2.9%) 1 infant died (2. 9 %), interlenkin-4 among severe HIE 50 % died (P00.5 The poor outcome of HIE in those infants were related to intrauterine growth retardation,severe birth asphyxia;and inadequate treatment.Cranial ultra-sonography of 49 infants were done on follow-up,and 12 of them (24.5 % ) had ventricular dilatations, which appeared after birth with 6 infants. Others occurred on follow-up with 1 infant had cerobral palsy,all ventricular dilatations recovered to normal at 12- 19 months except the cerebral palsy.Conclusions The poor outcome of HIE depends on the infants with intranterine growth relarda-tion,severe birth asphyxia and inadequate treatment.The prognosis of transient ventrealar ddatation are good except cerebral palsy.J Appl Clin pediatr,2004,19(12) : 1045- 1047

Compared to all the risk factors for osteoarthritis, the systemic metabolic factors have long been neglected. Recently, the role of metabolic disorders, including obesity, metabolic syndrome and hormone abnormalities, in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis is becoming increasingly explicit. Furthermore, these facts have promoted the concept of “metabolic osteoarthritis”, which is helping to clarify the significance of metabolic factors as the evidence of phenotype of osteoarthritis and potential therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis.

Hip fracture is one of the major causes of death and injuries of the elderly, and its occurrence rate is increasing with the progress of aging population, which becomes a heavy economic burden on the family and society. The main treatment for proximal femoral fractures includes fracture fixation and hip arthroplasty. This review is focused on the relationship between anatomical structure and load transfer mechanism of the proximal femur, mechanical distributions on cortical and cancellous bone in the proximal femur, and the latest progress in biomechanical research on risk prediction of hip fracture both in China and abroad, which will contribute to understand hip fracture from a biomechanical perspective, improve the accuracy of risk prediction of hip fracture in the elderly, as well as treatment of hip fracture, the correct selection and application of othopaedic implants.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase gene 1298A-->C (MTHFR 1298A-->C) and its susceptibility of esophageal cancer (EC).

METHODSWe conducted a case-control study with 141 cases of EC and 228 population-based controls in Huaian city of Jiangsu province, China. Epidemiological data were collected, and DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes was obtained from all of the subjects. MTHFR genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS(1) The frequency of MTHFR 1298AA, AC and CC genotype were 63.8%, 34.0% and 2.1% in EC and 71.9%, 28.1% and 0.0% in controls, respectively (chi(2)(MH) = 6.69, P = 0.035). The frequency of the MTHFR 1298C allele was 0.19 for EC and 0.14 for controls. (2) Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele and smoking habit were at a significantly higher risk of developing EC (adjusted OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.57 - 7.71) compared with those who having AA genotype but no smoking habit. Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele and habit of frequent alcohol drinking were at an increased risk of developing EC (adjusted OR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.20 - 7.08) compared with those with AA genotype and low consumption of alcohol. Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele but no habit of tea drinking had a 3.52-fold (95% CI: 1.64 - 7.54) increased risk of developing EC compared with tea drinkers with AA genotype. As compared with subjects having AA genotype, low consumption of alcohol, no smoking habit but having habit of drinking tea, the individuals having 1298C allele, habits of frequent alcohol drinking, smoking but no habit of tea drinking had a 12.64-folds (95% CI: 1.39 - 114.65) increased risk of developing EC.

CONCLUSIONResults in the present study suggested that there was a coordinated effect between MTHFR 1298 genotypes and habits of smoking, alcohol drinking and tea consumption in the development of EC.

Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Smoking

Objective To evaluate the impact of alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (ADH2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) polymorphisms on the susceptibility of esophageal cancer. Methods A case-control study including 221 cases of esophageal cancer and 191 controls was carried out in Taixing city of Jiangsu province. ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes were tested by PCR and denaturing high -- performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Results (1) Compared with ALDH2 G/G carriers, ALDH2 A/A (OR=5.69, 95%CI: 2.51-12.18) and ALDH2 G/A (OR=1.70, 95%CI: 1.08-2.68) carriers showed a significantly elevated risk of developing esophageal cancer, especially among alcohol drinkers with ALDH2 A/A (OR=8.63,95% CI: 2.07-35.95). (2) Statistical relation was not found between ADH2 genotypes and the risk of esophageal cancer, with regard to the status of alcohol consumption. (3) Whether subjects with whatever ADH2 genotype, ALDH2 G/A or A/A carriers was found to have significantly increased the risk of developing esophageal cancer, with ALDH2 A/A carriers appeared having higher esophageal cancer risk than those ALDH2 G/A carriers. (4)Compared those non-drinkers with both ALDH2 G/G and ADH2 A/A , drinkers with ALDH2 G/A or A/A and ADH2 C,/A or G/G genotypes showed a significantly elevated risk of developing esophageal cancer (OR=8.36, 95% CI: 2.98-23.46). Conclusion These results revealed that it was not ADH2 but ALDH2 polymorphisms and drinking alcohol had a significant interaction with the development of esophageal cancer, suggesting that in order to help lowering the risk of esophageal cancer, individuals who are carrying ALDH2 A/A or G/A genotypes should be encouraged to reduce their consumption of alcohols.

Objective To investigate the associations between normal serum uric acid (UA) levels and knee symptoms and structural changes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods A total of 205 patients with knee OA were enrolled. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 122 patients with OA were included in the study. The general condition of patients were investingated. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was used to assess severity of the knee joint symptoms. The Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading system was used to assess radiological severity of the knee joint. Osirix software was used to assess changes of knee structure in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Peroxidase method was used to measure the serum levels of uric acid. Patients with normal range of uric acid were included in the study.Results The patients with lower levels of UA (split at the median level, 263 μmol/L) had a higher proportion of women, lower height, weight and lower proportions of K-L grade≥2. After adjustment for sex, age and body mass index, serum UA was negatively associated with total WOMAC scores (β=-16.15, P=0.018), WOMAC pain (β=-3.15, P=0.037), and WOMAC stiffness (β=-1.65, P=0.025). However, there were no significant associations between serum UA levels and knee joint structure changes.Conclusions In OA patients with normal serum UA, serum UA is negatively associated with the severity of joint symptoms, suggesting that UA within normal range may play a protective role in OA symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical characteristic and surgical treatment of cervicothoracic spine fracture complicated with spine cord injury.

METHODSThirty-eight patients with cervicothoracic fracture and spine cord injury were retrospectively analyzed from January 1998 to January 2007. There were 29 males and 9 females with an average age of 36.4 years ranging from 18 to 58 years. All patient suffered from pain and limitation of motion on cervicothoracic junction. According to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades, 4 cases were in grade A, 13 cases in grade B, 10 cases in grade C, 7 cases in grade D and 4 cases in grade E. All patients were treated with anterior decompressed, bone graft and Zephir plate fixation in cervicothoracic spine.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 1 to 10 years, the mean followed up time was 4.5 years. And all patients got complete bone fusion within 4 to 6 months postoperatively. There were no pull-out and breakage of screws or plates. Spinal cord functional recovery improved on average 3.8 degree according AISA standard. Two patients appeared transient hoarse voice after surgery, the symptoms were alleviated from 3 to 6 months after operation. Seven patients were complicated with Horner syndrome preoperatively, and the symptoms were disappeared after operation.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical situation of cervicothoracic spine fracture with spine cord injury is complicated. And anterior decompressed, bone graft and internal fixation performed on cervicothoracic spine fracture can achieve an efficient and safe clinical outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; complications ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVEA study on the value of antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) and its subtypes anti-M2, anti-M4, and anti-M9 in diagnosing primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

METHODSAntimitochondrial antibody was detected by indirect immunofluorescence and anti-M2, anti-M4 and anti-M9 by Western blotting. AMA and anti-M2 of 78 PBC patients, of 35 non-PBC hepato-biliary disease patients and 20 healthy controls were studied and anti-M2, anti-M4 and anti-M9 were studied in 30 of the 78 PBC patients.

RESULTS96.2% (75/78) of PBC patients were AMA positive and 94.9% (74/78) of PBC patients were anti-M2 positive. Only three among the 35 non-PBC patients were positive for AMA (one with very low titre). None of the 35 non-PBC patients was anti-M2 positive. AMA and anti-M2 were negative in all the healthy controls. Among the 30 anti-M2 positive patients, 16 patients were anti-M4 positive (16/30, 53.3%) and 4 patients were anti-M9 positive (4/30, 13.3%).

CONCLUSIONAMA and its subtypes (special anti-M2) are important sero-immunological markers for the diagnosis of PBC.

Autoantibodies ; blood ; classification ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Male ; Mitochondria, Liver ; immunology