Objective To investigate the morphological features of normal lumbar dorsal root ganglia using a three-dimensional(3D)coronal MR imaging.Methods One hundred and fifteen volunteers were included.Ages ranged from 15 to 75 years,with a mean of 40 years.Coronal 3D fast field echo(FFE) with water selective excitation(Proset)MR examination of 1150 dorsal root gangha were underwent at nerve root levels from L1 to L5.The source coronal images were further reconstructed into a series of rotational alignment coronal images with an interval angel of 12 degree using maximum intensity projection(MIP) technique.All DRGs of bilateral spinal nerve from L1 to L5 were morphologically analyzed on the original and MIP images including qualitative evaluation of the location,signal intensity,architecture and quantitative dimensional measurement.Results There were 225,225,219,210 and 160 foraminal ganglia from L1 to L5 level,respectively.The incidence of intraspinal ganglia from L3 to L5 gradually increased with a maximum at L5 level of 29.1%(X~2=188.371,P

Objective To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of magnetic resonance microneurog- raphy of sciatic nerve fascicles in rabbil by correlation with the gross anatomy.Methods The 3D T_2-weigh- ted imaging(3D-T_2 MI),3D T_2-weighted imaging plus spectral presaturation with inversion recovety(SPIR), T_1-weighted imaging(T_1 WI)of the sciatic nerve in 10 rabbits were performed on a 1.5 Tesla magnetic reso- nance system.The radiological ananomy and imaging features of sciaticnerve fascicles were observed and the anterior-posterior diameter was measured on 3D T_2-weighted imagingThe imaging evaluation was correlated with the gross anatomy.The T_1 and T_2 relaxation time were determined by multiple echo spin echo and mix se- quecerespectively.Results The libial nerve and peroneal nerve in the main trunk of sciaticnerve in all 10 rabbits could be clearly displayed on the 3D T_2 WI,3DT_2WI plus SPIRand T_1WI.Strikingly,the 3D T_2 WI could delineate the fine branches of the sural nerve and posterior femural cutaneous nervesThe T_1 and T_2 relaxation time were 915 ms40 msrespectivelyGrosslythe anterior-posterior diameter of sciatic nerve trunk was3.17?0.21)mmwhile was(3.15?0.19)on 3D T_2 WI.There was no statistically significant difference(t=0.768,P=0.462).Conclusion With 1.5 Telsa MR system the microneurography of the sci- atie nerve could be achievable and the individual fascicles of sciatic nerve trunk could be clearly and accurately discriminated.

Objective To investigate the pathogen culturing of the catheter related infection(CRI),cathe-ter related bloodstram infection(CRB)and risk factors after central venous catheter(CVC)of cardiovascular surgery in order to provide the beneficial reference.Methods From Jan 2005 to Dec 2005,a total of 300 cases central ve-nous cathers were determined,and the cusp of the catheters was determined by bacteria cultivation,and blood bacte-ria cultivation.Results The infection happened in 35 of 300 patients with inserted central venous catheter.The cusps of CRI rate was 11.7%.CRB rate was 1.7%.54.3%pathogens were gram-positive cocci,34.3% were gram-negative bacilli,11.4% were fungi.The most common strain were Staphylococcus epidermis,Staphylococcus aureus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Pseudomonas aeruginose,and Candiadia albicans.The infection rate increased obviously when the dwelling time>6 d.Conclusion CRI and CRB are the most severe complication of CVC,and it is important to cut down the death with the early diagnosis and applying antibiotics rationally.

NAS preparation, a kind of Chinese herbal medicine found by the Yunnan Eco-agricultural Research Institute, has potential antiviral activity. In this paper, the inhibiting effect of NAS preparation on H9N2 subtype Avian influenza virus (AIV) was investigated in vivo. Chickens infected with H9N2 virus were treated with NAS preparation for 4 days. The virus was then detected by hemoagglutination (HA) test and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that no H9N2 virus could be detected at the 7th day when the chickens were treated with 0.2g/kg/d or 0.1g/kg/d of NAS preparation. However the virus could be detected in other chickens without NAS preparation treatment. This result suggested that NAS preparation may be a potential drug candidate to control infection of H9N2 subtype AIV in chickens.

As a neuropeptide, neurotensin (NTS) is widely expressed in central and peripheral nervous system, which is mainly mediated byneurotensin receptor1 (NTSR1) to activate the related downstream signaling pathways. After summarized the function and mechanism of NTS/NTSR1 in various malignant tumors, we found that NTS/NTSR1 played essential roles during tumor initiation and development. NTS/NTSR1 regulates tumor initiation, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and differentiation mainly through three pathways, including IP3/Ca2+ /PKC/MAPKs pathway, MMPs/EGFR/MAPKs (PI3K/Akt) pathway, or Rho-GTPsaes and non-receptor tyrosine kinase pathway. Besides, NTS/NTSR1 is also regulated by some upstream pathways and some traditional Chinese medicine preparations and traditional Chinese medicine therapies. In this article, we summarized the function of NTS/NTSR1 and its mechanisms, and discussed the prospective in its application to clinical diagnosis and drugs targeting.
Animals ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasms ; etiology ; Neurotensin ; chemistry ; physiology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; physiology ; Receptors, Neurotensin ; chemistry ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein ; physiology

BACKGROUNDEndothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic retinopathy. The current study aimed to establish a simple, reliable and fluorescent labeling method for tracking EPCs with 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) in laser-injured mouse retina.

METHODSEPCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells, cultivated, and labeled with various concentrations of CFSE. Based on fluorescence intensity and cell morphology, a 15 minutes incubation with 5 µmol/L CFSE at 37°C was selected as the optimal labeling condition. The survival capability and the apoptosis rate of CFSE-labeled EPCs were measured by Trypan blue staining and Annexin V/PI staining assay respectively. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the label stability during the extended culture period. Labeled EPCs were transplanted into the vitreous cavity of pigmented mice injured by retinal laser photocoagulation. Evans Blue angiography and flat mounted retinas were examined to track the labeled cells.

RESULTSEPCs labeled with 5 µmol/L CFSE presented an intense green fluorescence and maintained normal morphology, with no significant changes in the survival capability or apoptosis rate after being labeled for 2 days, 1 and 4 weeks. The fluorescence intensity gradually decreased in the cells at the end of 4 weeks. Evans Blue angiography of the retina displayed the retinal capillarity network clearly and fluorescence leakage was observed around photocoagulated spots in the laser-injured mouse model. One week after transplantation of labeled EPCs, the fluorescent cells were identified around the photocoagulated lesions. Four weeks after transplantation, fluorescent tube-like structures were observed in the retinal vascular networks.

CONCLUSIONEPCs could be labeled by CFSE in vitro and monitored in vivo for at least 4 weeks, and participate in the repair of injured retinal vessels.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; chemistry ; cytology ; Fluoresceins ; chemistry ; Fluorescent Dyes ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Retina ; cytology ; Stem Cells ; chemistry ; cytology ; Succinimides ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo assess the response in THP-1 treated with Rv3671c protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tuberculosis).

METHODSThe gene encoding Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis was cloned into pET-28a vector and then expressed in Escherichia coli. The Rv3671c was purified with Ni-NTA affinity and ion exchange chromatography. The detection of protein concentration was by Lowry method.THP-1 cell was stimulated with Rv3671c protein and cells were analyzed by Hochest staining under fluorescence microscopy to assay cell death (apoptosis and necrosis). TNF-α and IL-1β were detected by ELISA at each stimulating time.

RESULTSThe Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli. The purity of recombinant Rv3671c protein was 95%, and the protein concentration was up to 0.4 mg/ml. The nucleus of THP-1 was isolated and necrosis-like under fluorescence when cells were stimulated by Rv3671c protein. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in supernatant were 19 000 and 16 500 pg/ml respectively, and were significantly higher than control cells with the levels of 2100 and 3800 pg/ml separately.

CONCLUSIONThe necrosis of THP-1 cells could be stimulated by Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis and it was probably associated with high cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β levels.

Bacterial Proteins ; pharmacology ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

AIMTo prepare the sustained-release nitrendipine microspheres with a solid dispersed structure in liquid system.

METHODSThe sustained-release nitrendipine microspheres with a solid dispersed structure was prepared in liquid system by combining spherical crystallization technique and solvent deposition method in one step. The resultant microspheres were evaluated for the recovery, micromeritc properties, incorporation efficiency. The factors of effect on the formation and the release rate of microspheres were also investigated.

RESULTSThe recovery of microspheres (280-900 microns) was more than 70% and the bulk density was around 0.7 kg.L-1. The incorporation efficiency always exceeded 95%. The formation of microspheres was mainly affected by the amount of bridging liquid and the emulsifying agents in poor solvent. The release rate of nitrendipine from the microspheres could be controlled as desired by adjusting the ratio of talc to Eudragit RS PO in the formulation.

CONCLUSIONThe presented method was suitable for preparing sustained-release microspheres of a water insoluble drug.

Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Microspheres ; Nitrendipine ; administration & dosage ; Particle Size ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

UNLABELLEDTo investigate the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection and semen quality.

METHODSFrom 2001 to 2003, 346 eligible patients aged 20-45 years were invited from two hospitals in Shanghai, China, to participate in an investigation which included questionnaires about general and reproductive health, an external genital tract examination, UU culture and semen analysis. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine whether UU had a significant effect on semen quality after adjustment for confounding factors.

RESULTSFindings suggested that UU infection was associated with higher semen viscosity and lower semen pH value. Sperm concentration was lower in UU positive subjects than that in UU negative subjects (54.04 X 10(6)/mL vs.70.58 X 10(6)/mL). However, UU did not significantly affect other semen quality indexes.

CONCLUSIONUU infection of the male genital tract could negatively influence semen quality.

Adult ; Clothing ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Semen ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; Ureaplasma Infections ; physiopathology ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

OBJECTIVEUnderstand the public's current attitudes and knowledge about suicide and, thus, provide essential information to the development of targeted public education programs-important components of the suicide prevention effort.

METHODSSeventeen mental health professionals who were extensively trained in the methods of conducting focus groups used a pre-tested focus group outline on attitudes and knowledge about suicide to conduct 101 focus groups and 18 individual in-depth interviews with a total of 842 community respondents from 6 regions in northern China. The focus groups and in-depth interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed using the QSR Nvivo text analysis software.

RESULTSMost respondents believed that suicide was a greater problem in rural areas and among women and identified physical illnesses, economic problems and interpersonal conflicts (particularly family conflicts) as the main causes of suicide. Rural residents and women were believed to exhibit impulsive suicidal behavior because of their personal limitations and over-sensitiveness. Most thought that suicide was understandable and a small proportion felt that it was acceptable behavior in certain circumstances. Almost all felt that suicide resulted in the stigmatization and a loss of 'face' for the family. Most believed that one should show concern for persons who have suicidal behavior and their family members and expressed a willingness to have superficial social relationships with them but were unwilling to establish close personal relations with them. The vast majority believed that suicide was either very difficult or impossible to prevent.

CONCLUSIONSIn China the community is tolerant, sympathetic and, in some cases, accepting of suicide but there remains a substantial underlying stigmatization of suicide. Community members have some misunderstandings about suicide; the most obvious misunderstanding is the underestimation of the importance of mental illness as a cause of suicide. The content of public health messages used in suicide prevention programs should be developed by combining findings from both qualitative and quantitative research.

China ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Social Support ; Suicide ; prevention & control ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires