Observation revealed the abnormalities (increased CD 4 and Th, decreased Tc) in patients of Graves′ disease, and these abnormalities were not significantly adjusted after 6 weeks of treatment with methimazole (MMI), or with MMI and methotrexate (MTX), though the soluble interleukin-2 receptor and thyroid autoantibodies slightly decreased in both groups. However, the addition of MTX did not show any better effects than MMI alone in the treatment.

Mutagenicity Tests ; methods ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

Objective To identify the model parameters of surface Electromyography (sEMG) by comparison between simulated and recorded signals. Methods A physiological model of sEMG signal was established basing on several logical hypothetical conditions, such as motor unit action potentials (MUAP), motor unit recruitment and firing behavior caused by excitation, architecture of volume conductor and other simulated factors. According to the matched shapes between the simulated and recorded sEMG signals, a group of model parameters was obtained; according to the similar power spectrum variations of real sEMG signals, decreased muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) was applied to simulate the sEMG signals of the fatigued muscle. Results The experimental results showed that the simulated superimposed MUAP shapes could be matched with the recorded MUAPs satisfactorily by adjusting some proper physiological parameters of the model. When the MFCV of each fiber was assumed to decrease, the mean and median frequency (MNF, MDF) of the simulated sEMG signals declined, and this phenomenon was very similar to that of the recorded sEMG signals and could be used to interpret the muscle fatigue process. Conclusion This model provides an effective approach to simulate real sEMG signals, and the simulated signals can also be used to help the analysis of recorded sEMG signals.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of (89)SrCl(2) (Ke xing Inc, Shanghai) as a palliative therapy modality for cancer patients with bone metastasis.

METHODSIn 504 cancer patients with painful limitation of movement due to bony metastasis, a dose of 1.48-2.22 MBq/kg (40-60 uCi/kg) iv infusion of (89)SrCl(2) was given.

RESULTSIn 97 patients (19.2%) there was no improvement in pain and life quality, 298 patients (59.1%) showed mild to moderate improvement (moderately effective), 109 patients (21.6%) became free of pain and were subsequently fully ambulatory (markedly effective). The pain relief appeared from D1-D46 after (89)SrCl(2) administration, most frequently from D5-D14. The palliative effect could last for about 56 days to 13 months. Repeated bone scans of some patients showed that the metastatic foci in the bone became smaller or even disappeared gradually after the administration of (89)SrCl(2). Approximately 55% of patients experienced grade I approximately III bone marrow depression attributable to (89)SrCl(2), which would return to the pre-treatment level within 3 approximately 9 months.

CONCLUSION(89)SrCl(2) is effective and safe for the relief of bone pain and improvement of quality of life in cancer patients with painful bony metastasis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Intractable ; etiology ; radiotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Strontium Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use

Objective: To observe the effects of manganese( Ⅲ ) meso-tetrakis (N, N'-diethylimidazolium-2-yl) porphyrin (MnTDM) in treatment of early Parkinson's disease(PD) mouse model induced by subcutaneous injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP) and to discuss its possible mechanism. Methods:Forty male C57BL/6 mice were evenly randomized into 4 groups: MPTP model group(subcutaneous injection of 25 mg/kg MPTP for 3 days), MnTDM+ MPTP group (15 mg/kg MnTDM was subcutaneously injected 1 h before MPTP injection), MnTDM control group, and normal saline group. Performance of animals in the pole and swimming test was observed 3 days after the last injection. Levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites(3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid [DOPAC] and homovanillic acid [HVA]) in the striatum of animals were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector(HPLC-ECD). Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method was used to examine the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA). Results: Acute injection of MPTP could be used for establishment of PD model. The striatal levels of DA, DOPAC and HVA in MPTP group were significantly lower(P＜0.01)and the striatal level of MDA was significantly higher(P＜0.05) than those of the control group. MPTP had no obvious effect on the behavioral performance of the animals in a short term. MnTDM could partly inhibit the above effects of MPTP. Compared with MPTP group, MnTDM+ MPTP group had significantly higher DA, DOPAC, and HVA levels and significantly lower MDA level(all P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the behavioral indices of animals between the 4 groups. Conclusion:MnTDM can inhibit lipid peroxidation and promote DA production; it has preventive and therapeutic effects on MPTP induced PD.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the frailty and nutritional status of the elderly hospitalized patients.Methods A total of 244 hospitalized patients were enrolled in this investigation. By using comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA),patients answered these questions together with experts (questionnaire assessment by professional instructions). Researchers input the result into computer at same time. Results Compared with normal patients,frailty patients were older (P<0.001),and had lower ability to take care of themselves (P<0.001),in other words,they had more demands from their families and carers in terms of medical care (P<0.01). In addition, frailty patients had higher risks of having depressive symptom (P=0.016),cognitive impairment (P<0.001), living function disability (P<0.001),as well as malnutrition (P<0.001). Regression analysis result showed a negative correlation between frailty and nutrition (P=0.005).Conclusions Malnutrition is closely related to frailty,and malnutrition patients and patients with risks of malnutrition were easily to acquire frailty.

OBJECTIVETo examine the neuroprotective effects of a novel manganese porphyrin, manganese (III) meso-tetrakis (N,N'-diethylimidazolium-2-yl) porphyrin (MnTDM), in the mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD) induced by paraquat (PQ).

METHODSMale C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously injected with either saline or PQ at 2-day intervals for a total of 10 doses, MnTDM was subcutaneously injected with the PQ 2 h before treatment. Performance on the pole and swim test were measured 7 days after the last injection and animals were sacrificed one day later. Levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in the striatum were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD). Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method was used to assay the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), and the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons was estimated using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSPretreatment with MnTDM significantly attenuated PQ-impaired behavioral performance, depleted dopamine content in striata, increased MDA, and dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra.

CONCLUSIONSOxidative stress plays an important role in PQ-induced neurotoxicity which can be potentially prevented by manganese porphyrin. These findings also propose a possible therapeutical strategy for neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress such as PD.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Antiparkinson Agents ; therapeutic use ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Catalysis ; Corpus Striatum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Metalloporphyrins ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Paraquat ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Substantia Nigra ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe radial artery differs from internal mammary artery in its vascular biology and long-term patency after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study was designed to investigate their ultrastructural differences that may have implications in arterial remodeling and graft failure.

METHODSThirty-four radial artery and 11 internal mammary artery samples were obtained from patients underwent CABG, and subjected to routine electron microscopic examination. A semi-quantitative method was used to evaluate secretary endothelial cells, endothelial denudation, synthetic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), matrix accumulation, lipid deposition and medial submicroscopic calcification.

RESULTSCompared with internal mammary arteries, the radial arteries had more secretory endothelial cells (47.1%, 16/34 vs 27.2%, 3/ 11) and synthetic type SMCs in a background (14.4% vs 0.9%) that had more intimal lipid deposition and matrix accumulation (14.7%, 5/34 vs 9.1%, 1/11). Matrix vesicles and calcifications were frequently present in the media of both types of arteries. The calcifications, however, could not be visualized by routine histological stains, and therefore, named as submicroscopic calcification in this study. Fewer endothelial denudations were observed in the radial arteries, but no differences in medial lipid deposition and submicroscopic calcification were observed between these two types of arteries. The ultrastructural features and the arrangement of medial SMCs in radial arteries were similar to those of internal mammary arteries.

CONCLUSIONSRadial arteries have a higher SMC proliferative potential and more actively secretory status of endothelial cells, which may enhance the remodeling process and correlate with a decreased long-term patency. Better preservation of endothelial cells in radial arteries could be attributed to the "no touch" technique utilized in surgical harvesting. The significance of submicroscopic medial calcification during graft remodeling requires further investigations.

Calcinosis ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; methods ; Coronary Disease ; pathology ; surgery ; Endothelial Cells ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Male ; Mammary Arteries ; transplantation ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Radial Artery ; transplantation ; ultrastructure ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; ultrastructure

Objective Cysteinyl leukotrienes are potent inflammatory mediators. Their actions are mediated by specific receptors,the CysLT receptors(CysLT1R and CysLT2R),which have been cloned and characterized. In this stud-y,we investigated the protective effects of the CysLTR antagonist Pranlukast and HAMI 3379 on global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(CI/R)injury in gerbils and its underlying mechanisms. Methods The gerbil model of CI/R was established by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 10 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Then the animals were equally ran-domized into four groups: sham, model, Pranlukast(0.1 mg/kg)and HAMI 3379(0.1 mg/kg)groups. The later two groups were treated with intraperitoneal injection of Pranlukast and HAMI 3379,respectively,once daily for 4 days before carotid artery occlusion,while the former two groups with saline only,all at 10 mL/kg. After 24 h reperfusion,neurologi-cal deficit scores were observed and the behavioral dysfunction was assessed. The neuron morphology of cerebral cortex and CA1 subregion of hippocampus were observed in brain sections stained with cresyl violet. The expression of autophagy-relat-ed proteins beclin-1 and LC3 in the homogenate of cerebral cortex and hippocampus were determined using western blotting analysis. The ultrastructure of autophagosomes in the CA1 subregion of hippocampus was observed by electron microscopy. Results Compared with the model group, Pranlukast and HAMI 3379 attenuated neurological deficits, improved the be-havioral dysfunction,inhibited the neuron injury and loss, decreased the expression of autophagy-related protein beclin-1 and LC3 and the number of autophagosomes. Conclusions cysteinyl Leukotriene receptor antagonist Pranlukast and HAMI 3379 can alleviate global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in gerbils. The protective effects of Pranlukast and HAMI 3379 appear to be associated with the inhibition of autophagy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a fetus suspected for congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finland (CNF). METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral and umbilical cord blood samples derived from both parents and the fetus. Potential variants were detected by using next-generation sequencing. Suspected variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The fetus was found to carry compound heterozygous variants c.1440+1G>A and c.925G>T of the NPHS1 gene, which were respectively inherited from its mother and father. CONCLUSION Identification of the compound heterozygous NPHS1 variants has enabled diagnosis of CNF in the fetus and genetic counseling for the affected family.
Female ; Fetus ; Finland ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; congenital ; diagnosis ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis