Objective To examine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and activation of neuroglia cells in the brain of app/ps1 double transgenic mouse(app/ps1 dtg). Methods The brain sections from 6 app/ps1 dtg and 3 wild type female mice aged at 10 to 12 month were subjected to immunohistochemistry and Congo red histological staining,and observed under microscope. Results The widespread neuritic plaques were observed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of app/ps1 dtg mice.These plaques were surrounded by activated microglia cells and astrocytes,and the activated astrocytes expressed iNOS.Conclusion The findings in the present study indicate that app/ps1 dtg mice could mimic the main pathological changes similar to those in Alzheimer disease(AD),suggesting neuroglia activation and expression of iNOS play an important role in app/ps1 dtg mice and AD.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and stroke. Stimulants such as ephedrine and caffeine and their herbal counterparts have been proved effective in reducing body mass; however, their use is controversial due to the undesired effects. Therefore, it is necessary to find a tolerable and effective nutraceutical that can increase energy expenditure and/or decrease calorie intake to reduce weight.OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a preparation containing node of Lotus Rhizome, green tea, and Panax notoginsengin reducing body mass and fat in obese adults.DESIGN: Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study using the volunteers as the subjects.SETTING: Institute of Natural Drug of Yunnan Baiyao Group.PARTICIPANTS: The trial was conducted in the Institute of Natural Drug of Yunnan Baiyao Group from July 5 to August 23 in 2003. Altogether 82 obese volunteers[35 men and 47 women aged 26- 50 years, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 ] were randomly assigned to treatment and placebo groups with 41 in each group.METHODS: The treatment group received 9 g pill of a dietary supplement containing a proprietary blend of node of Lotus Rhizome, green tea and Panax notoginseng every day for 7 weeks, while the placebo group received 9 g pill of rice flour every day for 7 weeks. Their body mass, percentage of body fat,absolute fat mass, BMI, waist and hip circumference, and anthropometric measurements were recorded at the beginning and the end of the study. The subjects completed daily dietary intake records on days 1 to 3 and 47 to 49. They also completed weekly activity logs throughout the study.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Final outcome indexes: body mass,percentage of body fat, BMI, waist and hip circumference; ② Replacement indexes: diet, heart rate, oxygen consumption and blood pressure; ③ Risk indexes: adverse events and side effects.RESULTS: Four subjects (1 from the treatment group and 3 from the placebo group) dropped out for personal reasons unrelated to the study. No significant changes were found in the consumption of total calories, percentage of calories ingested as carbohydrates, fat or protein, or activity levels in either group throughout the study. Body mass, percentage of body fat and BMI of the treatment group were(74.7 ± 11.4) kg, (33.0±4. 1)% and(28.5±2.7) kg/m2 before the experiment, and(73.6 ± 12.4) kg, (31.3 ±4.5)%and(27.9 ± 3.0) kg/m2 at week 7, with significant differences. Waist and hip circumference of the treatment group was obviously decreased, but did not differ significantly before and after the experiment in the placebogroup. There were no significant differences in heart rate, oxygen consumption and blood pressure between the two groups. No obvious side effects were observed in the two groups.CONCLUSION: The novel combination of node of Lotus Rhizome, green tea and Panax notoginseng can significantly reduce body mass and fat in obese adults.

Objective To explore the effect of Ginsenoside Rgl on glutathion (GSH) level and glutathion peroxidase (GPx) activity after oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion in cultured hippocampal cells. Methods The model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion were established with the hippocampal neurons of rats. They were randomly divided into control group, model group and Ginsenoside Rgl treatment groups (5 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, 60 μmol/L). The GSH level and GPx activity were measured 6 h after reperfusion. The apoptosis and the metabolic rate of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) were detected 24 h after reperfusion. Results Compared with model group, the GSH level, GPx activity, and metabolic rate of MTT improved (P<0.001), and the apoptosis decreased in the Ginsenoside Rgl groups (P<0.001) except with the dosage of 5 μmol/L (P>0.05). Conclusion Ginsenoside Rgl can protect the brain from ischemia by increasing the GSH level and GPx activity.

Objective:Early identification of ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion can improve referral efficiency and shorten reperfusion time. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of patients with large vessel occlusion and identify factors that could predict large vessel occlusion.Methods:The clinical data of 432 patients with ischemic stroke treated through emergency green channel were retrospectively analyzed, and the differences between the large vessel occlusion group (LVO group) and the non-large vessel occlusion group (non-LVO group) were compared, and two independent risk factors of the LVO group were screened out by logistics regression analysis: baseline NIHSS score and D-dimer value. The predicted cutoff values of NIHSS score and D-dimer were further determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:A total of 432 patients with ischemic stroke had complete imaging data, with a mean age of 68.5±12.4 years, including 275 (63.7%) males, and 245 (56.7%) in the LVO group and 187 (43.3%) in the non-LVO group. Age, hemorrhagic transformation, thrombolytic therapy, endovascular treatment, atrial fibrillation, baseline NIHSS score [14.0 (6.0-20.0) vs. 3.0 (1.0-6.0), P<0.05], and D-dimer value at admission [0.9(0.4-2.3) mg/L vs. 0.3 (0.2-0.5)mg/L, P<0.05] were statistically significant different between the two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that higher baseline NIHSS score( OR=1.22,95% CI: 1.17-1.27)and higher D-dimer value( OR=3.10,95% CI: 2.14-4.47)were independent risk factors for large vessel occlusion. Baseline NIHSS score combined with D-dimer value was a good predictor of large vessel occlusion(AUC 0.85 [0.81-0.89]). ROC curve suggested that NIHSS score >6.5 and D-dimer >0.57 mg/L were the cutoff values for predicting large vessel occlusion. Conclusions:Higher baseline NIHSS score and D-dimer value are valuable for early prediction of large vessel occlusion, patients with NIHSS score >6.5 points and D-dimer >0.57 mg/L should be promptly transported to an advanced stroke center for treatment.

Objective To survey the prevalence of greenhouse farmer's lung and related risk factors in part of rural areas of Liaoning Province.Methods Using uniform scheme,procedures and questionnaire,a survey for 5420 farmers(2660 men and 2760 women)with complete data who work inside greenhouses was performed in Shenyang,Xinmin,Chaoyang,and Jinzhou between August 2006 and June 2009.Pulmonary function tests was performed for every active farmer.Results Greenhouse farmer's lung was diagnosed in 308 cases,205 men(66.55%,205/308)and 103 women(33.44%,103/308),a prevalence of 5.7%(308/5420).The prevalence rate of greenhouse farmer's lung in males was significantly higher than that in females(?2=39.93,P0.05).In the 308 cases,the number of patiernts presented with fever chill,cough/sputum,chest tightness/shortness of breath were 180(58.44%),192(62.34%),160(51.95%)respectively,and the number of crepitations,radiological changes,spirometry abnormalities and serum IgE antibodies(+)was 164(53.25%),153(49.68%),147(47.73%)and 136(44.16%)at the time of the study.62.34%(192/308)of patients with greenhouse farmer's lung were mild and 38.66%(116/308)were severe.Conclusion The total prevalence rate of greenhouse farmer's lung in part of rural areas of Liaoning Province was 5.7% and multiple risk factors were associated with the disease.