BackgroundRecent studies showed that diabetic retinal neuropathy is an earlier and more dangerous complication and neurotrophin has a protective effect on retina.ObjectiveThe present study was to observe the changes of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),its receptor TrkB,signal pathway protein phosphatized extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and c-fos in the retina after injection of BDNF into the vitreous in STZ induced Wistar diabetic rats.MethodsWistar rats aged 9 weeks-old were randomly divided into BDNF injection group,diabetes mellitus (DM) control group and normal control group and 20 rats for each group.STZ was intraperitoneally injected in the rats of BDNF injection group and DM control group to create the experimental DM.BDNF was intravitreously injected in the rats of BDNF group 2 weeks after administration of STZ in three-day interval for 5 times,and BSS containing O.1％ bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used at the same way in the DM control group and normal control group.The retina was isolated for hybridization in situ for BDNF,and TrkB,p-ERK1/2 and c-fos.Levels in retina were detected using sandwich method ELISA.ResultsThe number of BDNF positive cells and the gray scale were lower obviously in the rat retina of DM control group than those of BDNF injection group and normal control group,showing significant differences among the 3 groups ( F =102.36,92.55 ;P＜0.05 ).ELISA assay showed that TrkB,p-ERK1/2 and c-fos values in retina were statistically significantly different among the 3 groups ( F =92.54,95.46,94.84,P＜0.05 ).The TrkB level in retina was statistically reduced,but the p-ERK1/2 and c-fos levels in retina were increased statistically in DM control group compared with BDNF injection group and normal control group( P＜0.05 ).No statistical difference was found in TrkB,p-ERK1/2 and c-fos values between the BDNF injection group and normal control group(P＞0.05).ConclusionsThe injection of BDNF into the vitreous cavity can protect retina from downregulating BDNF and TrkB levels and up-regulating the p-ERK1/2 and c-fos protein levels in the early stage of DM.

HIV Infections ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Mutation ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of treating glioma in combination of two kinds of drugs by comparing the size of tumors and the survival time of different groups in rat glioma after targeted blood‐brain barrier (BBB) disruption by focused ultrasound under MRI‐guide. Methods The stereotaxis instruments and the 10 μl gas‐tight syringes were used to inject gliosarcoma cells into the targeted area of the brain in 40 male Sprague‐Dawley rats. The glioma‐bearing rats models were established. Rats were divided into 4 groups to receive different treatment :(1) no treatment (control, n = 8), (2) IV Avastin (Avastin only, n =10), (3) IV liposomal doxorubicin (DOX only, n =10), (4) IV Avastin and liposomal doxorubicin (Avastin+DOX, n =10). The SonoVue microbubbles and DOX or Avastin were injected into the tail vein respectively on the 12th day after implantation. The tumor size was measured by MRI on immediacy, once a week after targeted BBB disruption by focused ultrasound, and the life span in rat glioma was recorded. Results The average survival time of different groups in rat glioma was as follows :no treatment(17 ± 4)d, Avastin(20 ± 4)d, DOX(25 ± 5)d, DOX+ Avastin(40 ± 5)d. The tumor size after post‐treatment of different groups in rat glioma was as follows :no treatment(5 7.0 ± 4 3.0)mm, Avastin(4 3.0 ± 2 5.0)mm, DOX(4 1.2 ± 3 1.0)mm, DOX + Avastin(2. 20 ± 1. 30)mm. There was significant increased in average survival time and decreased in tumor size after a combination treatment DOX+ Avastin compared with other groups( P < 0 0.1). Conclusions The microbubble blasting by MRI‐guided focused ultrasound enhances the local tissue permeability and promotes the drug delivery of chemotherapy and anti‐angiogenesis locally in glioma‐bearing rats. Especially, the combination of two kinds of drugs has a synergism efficacy that may reduce tumor growth and increase survival time significantly after BBB disruption.

Objective To evaluate the short-term and mid-to-long-term clinical effectiveness of endovascular isolation technique with covered-stent in treating Stanford type B aortic dissection. Methods A total of 183 patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection, who were admitted to authors’ hospital during the period from January 2005 to December 2013 to receive endovascular isolation treatment with covered-stent under general anaethesia, were enrolled in this study. The clinical data, including post-operative symptoms, complications, retention time in ICU, hospitalization days, 30-day mortality, etc. were retrospectively analyzed. After discharged from hospital, the patients were followed up to check the situation, position and shape of the stent, the diameter of dissection false lumen, the internal leakage, etc. The survival rate and the quality of life were determined. Results Endovascular isolation procedure with covered-stent was successfully accomplished in all the 183 cases. The retention time in ICU was (3.08 ± 1.93) days, the mean hospitalization time was (3.08 ± 1.93) days, and the 30-day mortality was 1.09%. After discharged from hospital, the patients were followed up regularly, and no collapse or displacement of stent was observed, and the stent remained in its normal shape. No recurrence of dissection, rupture or reversal tear was observed. No long existing internal leakage could be detected. During the follow-up period 4 patients died, among them three died from cerebral infarction and one died of natural death. The 5-year survival rate was 97.82% and the patient’s quality of life did not become apparently worse. Conclusion For the treatment of Stanford type B aortic dissection, endovascular isolation therapy with covered-stent has excellent short-term effect and stable mid-to-long-term result.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Coke ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Risk Factors

Humans ; Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of treating glioma in combination with drugs multiply by comparing the size of tumor and the survival time of different groups in rat glioma after targeted blood-brain barrier (BBB ) disruption by MRI-guided focused ultrasound.Methods The stereotaxis instruments and the 10 μl gas-tight syringes were used to inject gliosarcoma cells into the targeted area of the brain in 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats.The glioma-bearing rat model was established.Each rat received either:(1 )no treatment (control;n =8);(2)single liposomal doxorubicin (DOX;n = 10);(3)multiple DOX (n =10);(4)single Avastin (AVS)and DOX (n =10);(5)multiple AVS and DOX (n =10).The SonoVue microbubble ultrasonic contrast agent and DOX or AVS were injected into the tail vein respectively on day 12 after implantation.The tumor size was measured by MRI on pre-treatment,immediacy and once a week of post-treatment after targeted BBB disruption by focused ultrasound,and the life span in rat glioma was recorded.Results The mediam survival of different groups in rat glioma(The range of the life span 13-90 d):no treatment (7 d);single DOX (12 d);multiple DOX (1 5 d);single AVS + DOX (22 d), multiple AVS+ DOX (30 d).There was significant difference of the groups on mediam survival comparison (P < 0.01 ).The tumor growth pattern after post-treatment of different groups in rat glioma except control:single DOX was noticeable fast and multiple AVS+DOX was visibly delayed comparable to other groups,and finally the tumor size of multiple AVS + DOX even became small.Conclusions The microbubble blasting enhances the local tissue permeability and promotes the drug delivery of chemotherapy and anti-angiogenesis locally in glioma-bearing rats by MRI-guided focused ultrasound.Especially,the combination with drugs multiply has a synergism efficacy that may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy,reduce tumor growth,and even become small of the tumor size,and increase survival time significantly after BBB disruption.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the factors influencing short-term prognosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 137 hospitalized children with TBM between January 2007 and February 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 30 potential factors influencing short-term prognosis of TBM were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSClinical staging showed that of the 137 children 21 cases (15.3%) were in the early stage, 67 cases (48.9%) in the medium stage and 49 cases (35.8%) in the late stage of TBM. The univariate analysis revealed 8 factors associated with a poor short-term prognosis: clinical stage of TBM (late), coma, positive Babinski signs, cranial nerve involvements, paralysis, seizures, obvious abnormalities in brain computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and elevated protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Factors associated with a favourable short-term prognosis for TBM included glucocorticoid steroids therapy, positive reaction of PPD skin test and an increased length of stay in hospital. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed two independent risk factors for a poor short-term prognosis: clinical stage of TBM (late) (OR: 11.168, 95%CI: 3.521-35.426) and positive signs of meningeal irritation (OR: 4.275, 95%CI: 1.043-17.521). An increased length of stay in hospital was shown as a favorable factor (OR: 0.893, 95%CI: 0.825-0.968).

CONCLUSIONSLate-stage TBM and positive signs of meningeal irritation suggest a poor prognosis, while an appropriately longer length of stay in hospital may contribute to a favorable short-term prognosis for children with TBM.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal ; complications ; diagnosis