Objective To study the correlation between cognitive dysfunction and cholinergic neuron changes in basal forebrain(BFB)and brainstem reticular formation(BSRF)areas after brain con- cussion(BC)in rats.Methods Eighty-four Spragne-Dawley rats weighing 250-310g were used.The BC rat models were reproduced by a self-made simple pendulum impact device,then the rats were ran- domized into one control group and six experimental groups(1 day,2 day,4 day,8 day,16 day,and 24 day groups;n=12 in each group).A Morris Water Maze(MWM)test was used to assess learning and memory function of the rats.Cholinergic neurons in the BFB and BSRF were identified with choline acetyltransferase(CHAT)antibody and quantitated.Results Compared with the control group,the la- tency to find the platform in MWM was much longer on days 1-3 after BC,but there was no statistical difference on days 4-21 after BC.The cell number and the ChAT expression activity of cholinergic neu- rons in the BFB were obviously decreased after BC,and reached the lowest level at 8 days after BC,then increased gradually and nearly reached the normal level at 24 days.The ChAT expression activity in BSRF declined on the first 2 days after BC,then went up gradually,and reached the peak at the 24th day.Conclusion The spatial cognition deficit of BC rats can be detected by MWM in the early period (1-3 days after BC).There are significant changes in the number and ChAT expression activity in BFB and BSRF after BC.The change of cholinergic neurons may be correlated with cognitive deficits in BC rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of viral infections and putative association of viral infection with illness severity in young children with severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in Chongqing.

METHODRespiratory secretion specimens were collected from 119 hospitalized patients with severe pneumonia from December 2006 to March 2008.After being processed, the samples were detected for respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), human bocavirus (HBoV), parainfluenza virus 1, 2, 3 (PIV 1, 2, 3), influenza virus A and B (IVA and IVB) either by PCR or RT-PCR. Clinical data were analyzed along with virological data by using appropriate statistical methods.

RESULTViral pathogens were identified in specimens of 86 (72.3%) cases, among which RSV was detected in 49 (41.2%) patients. More than one virus was detected in 23 individual (26.7%) samples, of which 19 were dual positive for RSV and another virus. Bacterial cultures were performed for 69 patients. Both bacterial and viral pathogens were identified in 53 (76.8%) patients. Bacterial and viral coinfection was demonstrated in samples from 41 (59.4%) cases.

CONCLUSIONViral pathogens are the main etiology of severe pneumonia in young children in Chongqing area during the study period. RSV was the most frequent viral pathogens, followed by ADV and hMPV. Coinfection with respiratory common viruses was relatively common, though co-infection with viruses did not appear to aggravate the patients' condition.

Adenoviridae ; isolation & purification ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Human bocavirus ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Influenza A virus ; isolation & purification ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; microbiology ; virology ; Pneumonia, Viral ; microbiology ; virology ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; isolation & purification ; Virus Diseases ; virology

Wound combined with total body irradiation (TBI) injury results in impairment of tissue repair and delayed processes of healing, so it has been considered as an important and representative model of impaired wound healing, but the mechanism is not fully clarified. Fibroblasts in wound are the most important cells participating in tissue repair, whereas its radiosensitivity is not high. To understand whether TBI injury has direct damaging effects on fibroblasts in wound, fibroblasts in wound combined with TBI injury and in wound of simple incision injury were isolated and cultured, and parameters associated with tissue repair were determined. The results showed that the abilities of proliferation, attachment and adhesion of fibroblasts isolated from wounds combined with TBI injury significantly decreased as compared with those of simple incision injury, nevertheless, apoptotic ratio of fibroblasts isolated from wounds combined with TBI injury increased significantly. These data suggest that TBI injury may cause direct damaging effects on fibroblasts in wounds, which might be one of the dominant reasons for impairment of wound healing when it is combined with TBI injury.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; injuries ; Whole-Body Irradiation ; Wound Healing ; physiology

Objective To estimate the effects of temperature on cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in 4 cities-Kunming,Changsha,Guangzhou and Zhuhai,from southern part of China.Methods Daily CVD deaths,meteorological and air pollution data were used to explore the association between temperature and mortality.Distributed lag non-linear model was fitted for each city to access the delayed and cumulative effects of low,median and high temperature on CVD deaths.Cold and hot effects of temperature on CVD deaths were then accessed,based on the linear threshold model.Results The city-specific exposure-response functions appeared to be non-linear.Temperatures that associated with the lowest mortality for Changsha,Kunming,Guangzhou and Zhuhai were 22.0 ℃,20.0 ℃,26.0 ℃,and 25.5 ℃.The greatest cumulative RRs (95％CI) for CVD deaths of low temperature during the delayed period of the study in the 4 cities were 1.858 (1.089-3.170),1.537 (1.306-1.809),2.121 (1.771-2.540) and 1.934 (1.469-2.548),while 1.100 (0.816-1.483),1.061 (0.956-1.177),1.134 (1.047-1.230) and 1.259 (1.104-1.436) for high temperatures in Changsha,Kunming,Guangzhou and Zhuhai respectively.The hot effect was greater than the cold effect on the current days.The hot effect was restricted to the first week,whereas the cold effect increased over the lag days,and then last for 3-4 weeks.Conclusion The city-specific exposure-response functions appeared to be non-linear.Both high and cold temperatures were associated with increased CVD deaths,but the impact of low temperature was more notable.Cold effect was delayed by several days but last for a longer period than the hot effect did.

Silibinin, a natural flavonoid antioxidant isolated from extracts of the milk thistle herb, has recently been identified as having anti-hepatotoxic and anticancer properties. In this paper, we investigated the effects of silibinin on behavior and neuroplasticity in mice subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). After 5 consecutive weeks of CUMS, the mice were treated with silibinin (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg by oral gavage) for 3 consecutive weeks. The results showed that silibinin administration significantly alleviated the CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior, including the total number of squares crossed and the frequency of rearing in the open field test, the immobility time in the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test. Furthermore, silibinin treatment increased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Our study provides new insight into the protective effects of silibinin on the depressive status of CUMS mice, specifically by improving neuroplasticity and neurotransmission.
Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression ; Hindlimb Suspension ; Hippocampus ; Mice* ; Milk Thistle ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Norepinephrine ; Physical Exertion ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Serotonin ; Synaptic Transmission

OBJECTIVETo establish the activation of NF-kappaB in middle ear cholesteatoma, discuss the relationship of NF-kappaB and the gene expression of IL-6 and explore the pathogenesis of middle ear cholesteatoma.

METHODSTen cases of cholesteatoma and 6 cases of normal external meatal skin were obtained from middle ear surgery. The NF-kappaB DNA binding activity and the mRNA level of IL-6 in these two kinds of tissues were detected by electrophoretic motility shift assay (EMSA) and Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. The relationship of NF-kappaB DNA binding activity and the mRNA level of IL-6 were analyzed.

RESULTSThe NF-kappaB DNA binding activities of cholesteatoma [(15.9 +/- 8.2)%] were higher than those in normal skin [(1.36 +/- 0.94)%, t = 3.502, P < 0.05]. The expression of IL-6 mRNA was increased significantly in patients with cholesteatoma, as compared with that in the control specimens (t = 2.166, P < 0.05) and had a significant positive correlation with NF-kappaB DNA binding activity (r = 0.752, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe IL-6 mRNA expression in cholesteatoma is closely related with the activity of NF-kappaB. It is tempting to speculate that NF-kappaB play a key role in the activation of cytokine in cholesteatoma.

Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and side-effects of low-dose melphalan for the treatment of intermediate- to high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients.

METHODSThirty patients with intermediate- to high-risk MDS received oral melphalan at a daily dose of 2 mg. The melphalan therapy was continued until marrow blasts increased or severe cytopenia attributed to melphalan. Patients achieved complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) were still maintained with melphalan until disease relapse.

RESULTSAmong the 30 patients, 9 (30.0%) achieved CR, 3 (10.0%) PR, 3 (10.0%) bone marrow complete remission and hematology improvement (MCR + HI), 1 (3.3%) MCR, 4 (13.3%) stable disease and 10 (33.3%) no response, the overall response rate being 66.7% according to the Modified International Working Group Response Criteria for MDS. The CR plus PR rate (60.0%) and total response rate (80.0%) in patients with normocellular or hypocellular bone marrow were significantly higher than in those with hypercellular bone marrow (0.0%, 40%, respectively) (P = 0.002 and 0.045, respectively). Median overall survival (OS) and median relapse-free survival (RFS) were 18 (95% CI 14-22) and 11 (95% CI 3-19) months, respectively. There was no side-effect except for slight marrow suppression in 3 patients and one patient died from brain hemorrhage on inefficacy of platelet transfusion.

CONCLUSIONSLow-dose melphalan therapy for intermediate- to high-risk MDS patients is safe and effective, especially suitable for elderly patients with hypocellular marrow.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Melphalan ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effectiveness of MEBO in the treatment of burn patients with burn area over 50% TBSA.

METHODSTwo hundred and ninety-eight patients hospitalized in our hospital from May of 1991 to December of 2003 with burn area over 50% TBSA, who had MEBO treatment before hospitalization, were enrolled in the study as the experiment (E) group. Another group of 300 burn patients with burn area over 50% TBSA that treated with SD-Ag cream were enrolled in the study as the control (C) group. Bacterial culture results, major changes in injury and mortality were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere were 1 506 bacteria strains isolated from wounds in E group, and 9 main changes in injury (1679 cases) occurred with 20.8% mortality in this group. There were 353 bacteria strains isolated, with occurrence of 9 changes in injury (518 cases) and 4.7% mortality in the SD-Ag group.

CONCLUSIONMEBO is much less effective for the treatment of the burn patients with large burn area compared with SD-Ag cream treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Bandages ; Burns ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Silver Sulfadiazine ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of surgical manipulation on the dissemination of cancer cells into blood circulation in patients with gastric cancer and to analyze its risk factors.

METHODSThis study included 45 consecutive patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative resection and 13 control cases (10 healthy persons and 3 patients with peptic ulcer receiving gastrectomy). Peripheral blood was obtained preoperatively and just after surgical manipulation. The mRNA levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) from the blood samples were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTSCEA mRNA was negative in all control cases. Of the 45 gastric cancer patients, the preoperative positive rate of CEA mRNA was 8.9%, while the postoperative positive rate was 48.9%, which was significantly higher than that of preoperation (P=0.000). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that operative duration (P=0.014) and tumor depth (P=0.010) were independent risk factors for cancer cell dissemination. Furthermore, the operative duration in patients with positive postoperative CEA mRNA was markedly longer than that in patients with negative postoperative CEA mRNA (P=0.000), and positive rate of postoperative CEA mRNA in advanced gastric cancer was higher compared with that in early gastric cancer (P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONSSurgical manipulation of curative gastrectomy can provoke dissemination of cancer cells into blood circulation, and the operative duration and tumor invasion depth may be 2 of the risk factors for cancer cell dissemination.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of natural killer (NK)/T cell lymphoma and to analyze its relationship with Epstein-barr virus(EBV). MethodsTotally, 36 cases of cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma were collected from 2000 to 2010 at the Department of Pathology, Peking University Health Science Center, and classified into primary and secondary groups according to whether there is evidence of extracutaneous involvement within 6 months after diagnosis. Clinicopathological features were analyzed and Epstein-barr virus (EBV) was detected. ResultsOf these 36 cases, 13 (36.1％) were classified as primary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma, 20 (55.6％) as secondary, and 3 (8.3％) remained unclassified because of the lack of clinical data. Males were more likely to develop both primary and secondary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma than females, but there was no striking difference in sex ratio between the patients with primary and secondary lymphoma (P ＞ 0.05 ). Compared with the patients with primary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma, those with secondary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma showed a younger median age at onset(43.5 vs. 54 years, P ＜ 0.05), higher prevalence of B symptoms(including fever, night sweat, body weight loss) and multiple skin lesions (P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). EBV was positive in 92.3％ (12/13) of the primary lymphoma cases and 85％(17/20) of the secondary lymphoma cases. Moreover, the median survival was 8 months in all the cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma cases, and was significantly shorter in secondary cases than in the primary cases(6 vs. 18 months, x2 = 6.074, P ＜ 0.05). ConclusionsCutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma is an EBV-associated, clinica]ly aggressive disease entity. Patients with primary cutaneous NI/T cell lymphoma seem to have an older age at onset and a better prognosis as compared with those with secondary cutaneous NK/T cell lymphoma.