OBJECTIVEThere is no report on Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (BBE) patients in China. We here report the first case of BBE in China.

METHODSClinical features, results of electromyography, electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination were studied to clarify the characteristics of this syndrome.

RESULTSA 44-year-old man presented himself at our inpatient department with somnolence and dizziness as his initial symptoms. He developed multiple cranial nerves paralysis especially internal and external ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and tetraparesis within 1 week. His condition rapidly deteriorated, and he experienced coma. Electromyography showed indications of peripheral nerve dysfunction, electroencephalography revealed loss of basic rhythm, MRI demonstrated high-intensity abnormalities on T(2)-weighted images of medulla oblongata, and CSF albuminocytological dissociation was defined abnormally as high protein. Ten months later, he almost completely recovered.

CONCLUSIONBBE, fisher syndrome (FS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are similar clinically; BBE and FS were proposed to be the variant of GBS.

Adult ; Brain ; pathology ; Coma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Electroencephalography ; Electromyography ; Encephalitis ; complications ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; complications ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; pathology ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDThe iron catalyzed lipid peroxidation plays an important role in the autodestruction of the injured spinal cord. This study was to detect the antioxidation of melatonin against spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.

METHODSSity Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: group A (n = 15) for laminectomyanly, group B (n = 15) for laminectomy with SCI, group C (n = 15) for SCI and intraperitoneal injection of a bolus of 100 mg/kg melatonin, and group D (n = 15) for SCI and intraperitoneal injection of saline containing 5% ethanol. The SCI of animal model was made using modified Allen's method on T12. Six rats of each group were sacrificed 4 hours after injury, and the levels of free iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) of the involved spinal cord segments were measured by the bleomycin assay and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) separately. Functional recovery of the spinal cord was assessed by Modified Tarlov's scale and the inclined plane method at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 days after SCI. The histologic changes of the damaged spinal cord were also examined at 7 days after SCI.

RESULTSAfter SCI, the levels of free iron and MDA were increased significantly and the modified Tarlov's score and inclined plane angle decreased significantly in groups B and D. In group C, the Tarlov's score and inclined plane angle were increased significantly at 7, 14 and 21 days, with histological improvement.

CONCLUSIONMelatonin can reduce the level of lipid peroxidation and prevent damage to the spinal cord of rat.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Iron ; analysis ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Melatonin ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology

Animals ; Disease Progression ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; physiology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; blood ; Hydroxyl Radical ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; blood ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic changes of free iron contents and its relationship to the changes of lipid peroxidation after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODSSprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n=6) received no operation; Group B (n=48) received only laminectomy (sham); and Group C (n=48) received both laminectomy and traumatic injury (SCI model). The SCI animal models were made by using an modified Allen's weight-drop device (50 g.cm) on T(12). Rats were sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours after injury. The levels of free iron involved in spinal cord segments at different time points were measured by bleomycin assay. The malondialdehyde (MDA) was also measured by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA).

RESULTSAfter SCI in Group C, the level of free iron showed a significant increase at 0.5 hour compared to Groups B and A, restored to the control level at 6 h; the level of MDA was increased at 0.5 hour, peaked at 3 hours, returned to the control level at 12 hours; the concentrations of free iron and lipid peroxidation in injured rats were significantly and positively correlated at 0.5-3 hours.

CONCLUSIONSAfter SCI the levels of free iron are increased quickly and might be a major contributor to lipid peroxidation in injured spinal cord.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Iron ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shengdi injection on rat model of lung inflammation.

METHODThe rat model was established by intratrachea instillation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The total and different white blood cell counts in bronchoalvoelar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed and the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), superoxide anion radical (O2-) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured, as well as pathologic change of pulmonary tissue was tested.

RESULTShengdi injection could depress the increasing of the amount of total white blood cells and neutrophils and inhibit the increasing of TNF-alpha, O2-, MPO caused by LPS, as well as relieve the pathologic change including Neutrophils infiltrating and mucous edema in tracheae after intravenous administration. While it did not show the effect on monocyte, and histological lesion of the lung tissue.

CONCLUSIONShengdi injection shows some anti-inflammatory effect in rat lung induced by LPS and it can be concluded tentatively that anti-inflammatory, inhibiting the release of cytokine and inflammatory medium, and antioxidation are some of the mechanism of its effect on COPD.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Injections, Intravenous ; Leukocyte Count ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; pathology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pneumonia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rehmannia ; chemistry ; Superoxides ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on human tubular epithelial hypertrophy induced by high glucose.

METHODSHK-2 cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing 1 g/L glucose (normal control group), 4.5 g/L glucose (high glucose group), or 1 g/L glucose+3.5 g/L mannitol (iso-osmolar control group). The cells were transfected with pGenesil-1, pGenesil/neg, or pGenesil/siRNA-CTGF and then cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing 4.5 g/L glucose as the high glucose+blank control group, high glucose+negative control group and high glucose+interference group, respectively. After cell culture for 24, 48 and 96 h, the cells were collected to detect the mRNA and protein levels of CTGF by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The proliferative activities of the cells were evaluated with MTT assay, and the total cellular protein contents were determined with Bradford method. Flow cytometry was employed to analyzed the cell cycle changes.

RESULTSHigh-glucose significantly up-regulated the CTGF mRNA and protein levels in HK-2 cells. The cell proliferation was inhibited after high-glucose exposure with increased cell percentage in G1 phase and total cellular protein content suggesting cellular hypertrophy. Transfection with siRNA targeting CTGF significantly inhibited high glucose-induced up-regulation of CTGF mRNA and protein and promoted the cell proliferation, resulting also increased cells in S phase and lowered total cellular protein contents.

CONCLUSIONCTGF is an important mediator of high glucose-induced tubular epithelial hypertrophy, and transfection with siRNA targeting CTGF can alleviate the hypertrophy, suggesting the potential value of CTGF-targeted treatment in the management of diabetic nephropathy.

Cell Enlargement ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Kidney Tubules ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of memantine in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer' s disease (AD).Methods This was a 16-week,multi-center,randomized,double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (Study 10116).A total of 258 AD patients (MMSE score 5—18) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into either memantine 10—20 mg/day (MEM,n=128) or placebo (PBO,n= 130) group for 16 weeks.Efficacy was primarily assessed in terms of changes of severe impairment battery (SIB) score in patients from baseline up to SIB assessment in the 16th week (16-week completers set, CS16).While ehanges of MMSE,ADCS-ADL_(19),and NPI (neuropsychiatric inventory) were evaluated as secondary efficacy parameters on both CSI6 and full-analysis set (FAS).Safety was assessed by physical examination,lab assays,ECG,and adverse events.Results 236 subjeets (CS16:MEM n=117,PBO n=119) were eligible for the efficacy assessment.No statistically significant difference between the treatments was observed on the primary and seeondary efficacy analysis,although both treatment groups had a slight increase from baseline in SIB total score.Post hoe evaluation of the data identified two bias factors that had a significant impact on the results of the pre-protoeol specified primary and secondary analyses.In a re-analysis of the data (CS16_(modified),MEM n=94,PBO n=95) excluding patient data affeeted by these factors,memantine-treated patients showed a statistically significant improvement related to placebo in the 16th week on the SIB (MEM 2.2 vs PBO 0.3,P=0.04),MMSE (MEM 1.0 vs PBO 0.1,P=0.03),and ADL (MEM 0.1 vs PBO-1.6,P=0.02) scales,indicating that memantine improved the cognitive function of AD patients and stabilized the activity of daily life.Memantine was well tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that of placebo.Conclusion This study provides further support for pre-existing data,showing that memantine is efficacious,safe,and well-tolerated in patients with moderate to severe AD.

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the cause of disease, treatment and therapeutic effect in patients with rhegmatogenous retina detachment (RRD) combined with non-secondary glaucoma. METHODS: Clinical data of 28 patients with RRD combined with primary or congenital glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-five out of the 28 patients succeeded with one operation (89.3%). The intraocular pressure of post-operation:on the 1st day was 10 approximately 46 (28.1+/-6.5) mmHg, on the 7th day was (18.9+/-7.2) mmHg, and on the last re-examination day was (17.6+/-6.2) mmHg. Anti-glaucoma operation was performed in 10 patients after the retinal operation. Chroidal hemorrhage was found in 2 patients and 2 chroidal exudations were found after the retinal operation. CONCLUSION The proportion of primary open angle glaucoma is higher than that of primary angle closure glaucoma, and trauma or surgery before the retinal operation is an important cause in glaucoma patients with RRD. There is no obvious difference in the ratio of surgical success between non-secondary glaucoma with RRD and those RRD patients without glaucoma. Vitreotomy+ silicon oil injection or drainage of subretinal fluid+air injection+cryocoagulation+explants is recommended. Chroid is easily involved. It is important to control the intraocular pressure during and after the surgery. The final visual acuity is rather poor, which may be related to the glaucoma and intraocular pressure.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Glaucoma ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Detachment ; complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of wenban humai granule (WHG) in stabilizing atheromatous plaque, by observing its effect on the collagen degradation and synthesis imbalance manner in the fibrous cap of the plaque.

METHODSAtherosclerosis (AS) rabbit model established by feeding high fat diet. The changes of protein and mRNA expression of macrophage CD68, metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen I (C-I) in model rabbits' neo-genesic intima were determined by immunohistochemical stain and in situ hybridization methods before and after treatment as well as before and after modeling.

RESULTSAfter being fed with high fat diet for 7 weeks, the protein and mRNA expression of macrophage CD68, MMP-1 in neo-genesic intima of aorta in the model rabbits significantly increased, these changes could be significantly restored after 8 weeks treatment with WHG or simvastatin. At the same time, the expressions of alpha-SMA protein and C-I protein and mRNA slightly increased due to the immigration of SMC in aortic media to neo-genesic intima, these expressions could be further increased after WHG treatment but showed a reducing trend after simvastatin treatment (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). In the whole course, positive correlation was shown between protein expressions of CD68 and MMP-1 (r = 0.952, P < 0.01) and also between these of alpha-SMA and C-I (r = 0.793, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONWHG affects the collagen degradation and synthesis imbalance in the fibrous cap of the plaque to stabilize plaque through bi-directional regulation, up-regulating synthesis thesis factors and down-regulating degradation factors, while simvastatin perform its action on plaque stability by down-regulating degradation factors alone.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Aorta ; pathology ; Arteriosclerosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation