AIMTo study the expression of leptin receptor (OB-R) and neuronal damage following focal ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

METHODS20 adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups randomly: sham-operated 24 h,72 h control group and ischemic/reperfusion 24 h, 72 h experiment group. Focal ischemia/reperfusion model was made with MCAO. Immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscope were used to observe the expression of OB-R of the cortex and neuronal damage.

RESULTSThe positive cells of OB-R were found in pyramidal cells of the parietal cortex, choroid plexus and blood vessel endothelium. Compared with sham-operated group, significant reduction of OB-R positive cells in the pyramidal cells was observed in the ischemia/reperfusion rats 24 hours after cerebral ischemia (P < 0.05). The positive cells of OB-R of sham-operated 72 h group reduced further (P < 0.01). Histochemistry and electron microscope showed neuronal damage in the core area of cerebral ischemia in the late period was more obvious than in the early period.

CONCLUSIONThe early and delayed ischemia/reperfusion neuronal damage were accompanied with reduction of OB-R expression. Thus, it is worth to study the effect of OB-R in cerebral ischemia.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression ; Male ; Neurons ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Leptin ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective: To investigate constitutional and phys ical stamina status in soldiers with different adaption periods in Tibetan areas . Methods: Two hundred and eithty-two male soldiers from a barr acks at an elevation of 3 600 m were divided into 2 groups: the veteran group ( n=143) in Tibet for 1.45±0.22 year, and the recruit group (n=139) in Ti bet for 0.33±0.00 years. The test items included body weight, cirumference, st a nding long jump, chin-up, 100 m dash and 3 000 m jogging, all were evaluated ac cording to the national military standard, which were Comprehensive Evaluation o f Health in Troops, and Examination and Evaluation of the Physical Stamina of So ldiers. Results: The physical stamina indexes of both the vetera ns and the recruits were up to the national military norm on the whole, ranking as moderate. The veteran group showed no significant difference in standing long jump and 100 m dash,（P<0.05), but obvious lower level in chin-up and 3 00 0 m jogging（P<0.01）, compared with the national military norm. The recr ui t group showed significant lower level in chin-up, 100 m dash, 3 000 m jogging as compared with the national military norm（P<0.01）, and also significant lower level in chin-up and 3 000 m jogging （P<0.05 or P<0.01) as compa red with the veteran group. Conclusion: The physical stamina of both the veterans and the recruits meet the basic national military requirements , ranking as moderate. The soldiers who have been in service for over 1 year hav e better explosive force, but they need more tolerance and aerobic exercises. Th e newly recruited need more exercise to raise tolerance to the hypoxic environme nt in plateau areas so as to shorten the adaption time to high altitude.

Objective To elucidate the electrophysiological features of POEMS syndrome. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the electrophysiological findings of 22 patients of POEMS, and compared their results with those of 22 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Results Compared with the CIDP group, the motor nerve conduction velocity was decreased in the POEMS group, but the difference was not significantstatistically (P>0.05); whereas, distal motor latency (DML) was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and terminal latency index (TLI) was significantly increased (P<0.05). The incidence rate of the nerve conduction block in the POEMS group was lower than that in the CIDP group (P<0.05). Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the tibial nerve was decreased significantly in the POEMS group as compared with the CIDP group (P<0.05), whereas CMAP of the median nerve was not significantly different (P>0.05). Abnormal electrophysiology was frequently observed in muscles of lower limbs in the POEMS group, and in comparison of upper limbs, the difference was not significant statistically (P<0.05).Conclusion In POEMS syndrome, slowing of nerve conduction velocity is more predominant in the intermediate segments of the peripheral nerve, and conduction block is rare. Abnormal nerve conduction may be correlated with limbs.

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have demonstrated that the Lenke system is relatively efficient and consistent in classifying scoliosis curves. Basically, fusion should include the main curve and the structural minor curve. The criteria for defining the structural minor curve were established to help guide these decision-making process. The present study was designed to investigate predictors of the structural curve, and see whether it was possible to prevent the formation of the structural curve by interfering with influencing factors to decrease the fusion level.

METHODSAge, gender, Cobb angle, Perdriolle rotation, Risser sign and the number of vertebrae included in the curve, brace treatment, and curve location were recorded in 145 idiopathic scoliosis patients from July 2001 to January 2007. The patients were divided into two groups: structural and non-structural groups. Demographics and baseline characteristics were compared between the two groups as an initial screen. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors affecting the minor curve to become the structural curve.

RESULTSCompared with the non-structural group, the structural group had a higher Cobb angle ((51.34 ± 13.61)° vs. (34.20 ± 7.21)°, P < 0.001), bending angle ((33.94 ± 9.92)° vs. (8.46 ± 5.56)°, P < 0.001) and curve rotation ((23.25 ± 12.86)° vs. (14.21 ± 8.55)°, P < 0.001), and lower flexibility ((33.48 ± 12.53)% vs. (75.50 ± 15.52)%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in other parameters between the two groups. The results of the Logistic regression analysis showed that the Cobb angle (OR: 9.921, P < 0.001) and curve location (OR: 4.119, P = 0.016) were significant predictors of structural curve in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Every 10° change of Cobb angle increased the possibility of turning the minor curve into the structural curve by 10-fold. And thoracic curve showed, on the average, the possibility of becoming the structural curve about 4-fold more often than did the thoracolumbar/lumbar curve.

CONCLUSIONSCurve severity and curve location affect the minor curve's structural features in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Male ; Scoliosis ; pathology ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical outcomes of a group of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients undergoing posterior pedicle screw-only instrumentations.

METHODSBetween April 2002 and July 2006, 121 AIS patients (93 female and 28 male, average age at operation was 15.5 years which ranged from 10 to 20 years) received posterior pedicle screw-only instrumentation and fusion. All the patients were evaluated by the various-parameters measured in X-ray films before and after surgery, including Cobb angle on coronal plane, Cobb angle on sagittal plane, clavicle angle and shoulder height difference, lowest instrumented vertebrae (LIV) angulation, proximal junction kyphotic angle, the distances of central sacral vertical line (CSVL) to the LIV, to the apical vertebra and to the C(7) plumb line respectively. Complications were followed.

RESULTSAn average of (11.0 + or - 1.5) levels was fused. An average coronal correction of proximal thoracic curve was 41.8%, of thoracic curve was 70.8%, of thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was 74.0%. No significant change was found in sagittal alignment. Shoulder balance and apex vertebral to central sacral line were restored well. There were no pseudoarthroses and loss of correction during the follow-ups. One adding-on, 4 proximal thoracic decompensation and 15 proximal junction kyphosis were found during the follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONPosterior pedicle screw-only instrumentation and fusion has excellent radiographic and clinical results with minimal complications in the surgical treatment of AIS.

Adolescent ; Bone Screws ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Migu capsule and Strengthening Spleen prescriptions on the expression of vitamin D receptor on small intestine and calf muscle of the rat, while observing whether the Chinese medicine complex prescriptions of different effect such as invigorating the kidney and strengthening the spleen had selectivity to expression of the VDR mRNA.

METHODSCopy the model of osteoporosis by ovariectomy operation, the rats were randomly divided into four groups, pseudo-resection group, model group, Migu capsule group and strengthening Spleen prescriptions group. Drug delivery 12 weeks later from operation, stomach lavage last for 12 weeks. Then, to observe the effect of medicine on the rats' bone mineral density, uterus weight, calf muscle/weight, and the VDR mRNA in small intestine and calf muscle through RT-PCR.

RESULTSMigu capsule enhanced bone mineral density (P<0.05), raised calf muscle/weight (P<0.05), up-regulated expression of calf muscle VDR mRNA in the small intestine (P<0.01). Strengthening Spleen prescriptions remained bone mineral density (P>0.05), up-regulated expression of calf muscle VDR mRNA (P<0.01), there was no obvious difference in uterus weight in Migu capsule group and Strengthening Spleen prescription group.

CONCLUSIONMigu capsule and Strengthening Spleen prescriptions can cure osteoporosis by improving the expression of calf muscle VDR mRNA in the small intestine.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Intestine, Small ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Ovariectomy ; Prescriptions ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spleen ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the dried roots of Zanthoxylum dimorphophyllumr. spinifolium and to find out the active constituents of the plant.

METHODModern chromatography was used to purify chemical constituents, and their structures were identified by various spectral methods.

RESULTFour compounds were isolated and identified as isopimpinellin (I), xanthoxyletin (II), 6-(2', 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-butyl)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (III), 6-(2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy, 3'-dihydroxy-3'-methybutyl)-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (IV).

CONCLUSIONAll of the above compounds were isolated from the above mentioned plant for the first time.

Coumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Furocoumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the E-CD and Snail expressions in colorectal cancer and their relationship with colorectal cancer invasion, metastasis and prognosis.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining (EnVision) was used to detect the E-CD and Snail expressions in 30 normal colorectal mucosa, 30 colorectal adenoma and 142 colorectal cancer tissues.

RESULTSE-CD in the normal colorectal mucosa was strongly positive expressed (90.0%), significantly higher than that in colorectal adenomas (63.3%) and colorectal cancer tissues (41.5%). E-CD expression was significantly related to tumor differentiation, invasion depth, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and Dukes' stage (P < 0.05), but not to the patients' age, gender, tumor size and tumor histological type (P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of the E-CD positive patients with colorectal cancer were significantly higher than that in E-CD negative patients. The positive expression rate of Snail in colorectal cancer tissues (52.1%) was significantly higher than that in normal colorectal mucosa (6.7%) and colorectal adenomas (26.7%, P < 0.05). The snail expression was significantly correlated to tumor histological type, differentiation, invasion depth, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and Duke's stage (P < 0.05), but not to patients' age, sex and tumor size (P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of Snail negative patients with colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that in patients with positive expression (P < 0.05). The expressions of E-CD and Snail in colorectal cancer tissues were inversely correlated (P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that E-CD and Snail can be used as independent prognostic indicators (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONE-CD and Snail expressions in colorectal cancer are related to the tumor invasion, metastasis and prognosis. Low expression of E-CD and high expression of Snail are related to the advanced stage, and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. E-CD and Snail can be used as independent prognostic indicators.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenoma ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Survival Rate ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Sacrum ; pathology ; surgery ; Spondylolysis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVESTo examine the activities of transcription factors (TFs) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines with different metastatic potentials, so as to identify the TFs associated with HCC metastasis.

METHODSTranscription factor activity profile of Hep3B, MHCC97L and MHCC97H, three HCC cell lines with different metastatic potentials, were examined using protein/DNA array. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and Western blot were used to confirm the results obtained by protein/DNA array.

RESULTSFrom a total of 345 screened TFs, 7 activity differential TFs were found, of which 5 showed increased activity, including p53, hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) and Sp1, and 2 showed decreased activity including Rb and Smad3.

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal functioning of transcription factors is closely associated with HCC metastasis. Our present findings could be of help in expanding our understanding of the mechanism of HCC metastasis and identify new predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Fingerprinting ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Protein Array Analysis ; Transcription Factors ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism