Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study serum levels of melatonin in children with epilepsy or febrile seizures in order to provide a basis for the treatment of epilepsy or febrile seizures with melatonin.

METHODSSerum melatonin levels were measured using ELISA in 15 children with simple febrile seizure (SFS), in 15 children with complex febrile seizure (CFS), in 15 children with epilepsy, and in 15 children with upper respiratory infections (control group).

RESULTSSerum melatonin levels in children with epilepsy (8.66+/-1.38 ng/L) or CFS (14.91+/-2.61 ng/L) were significant lower than those in the control group (23.93+/-2.01 ng/L) (P<0.01). The SFS group showed lower serum melatonin levels (20.72+/-2.54 ng/L) compared with the control group, but there were no statistical differences between the two groups. Serum melatonin levels in the epilepsy group were significantly lower than those in the CFS (P<0.05) and the SFS groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSerum melatonin levels decreased in children with epilepsy or CFS. Supplement of exogenous melatonin might be a promising treatment for epilepsy and febrile seizures in children.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epilepsy ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Melatonin ; blood ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Seizures, Febrile ; blood

OBJECTIVETo verify the clinical effect of the penetration acupuncture at the acupoints of governor vessel(GV) and bladder meridian on head for mild cognitive disorder after stroke.

METHODSOne hundred and ten patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 55 cases in each one. Penetration acupuncture was used at the acupoints of GV and bladder meridian on head in the observation group,namely Wuchu (BL 5) to Chengguang (BL 6) and Tongtian (BL 7) to Luoque (BL 8) bilaterally, and Shenting (GV 24) to Xinhui (GV 22), Qianding (GV 21) to Baihui (GV 20), Houding (GV 19) to Qiangjian (GV 18). Body acupuncture and conventional western medication were applied in the both two groups. Acupuncture was adopted once a day, five times a week and eight weeks totally. The changes of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini mental state examination scale(MMSE), self-rating depressive scale (SDS) and activities of daily living scale (Barthel index) were compared between the two groups before treatment, in the middle of treatment(at the forth week) after treatment(at the eighth week) and in three weeks after treatment(follow-up).

RESULTSAfter treatment of four and eight weeks and at the time of follow-up, the results of MoCA, MMSE, SDS and Barthel index were apparently im proved compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01). After treatment of eight weeks and at the time of follow-up, the scores of MoCA and SDS were obviously improved in the observation group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The improvements of MMSE in the observation group were more marked than those in the control group at all times (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). But there was no statistical significance about the change of Barthel index between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPenetration acupuncture at the acupoints of GV and bladder meridian on head can remarkablely improve the cognitive function of the patients with mild cognitive disorder after stroke,and have some efficacy of relieving the bad mood such as depression.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; psychology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the contamination of Staphylococcus aureus isolates in ice cream by phenotypic typing and molecular typing.

METHODSThe Staphylococcus aureus isolates were separated from ice cream, filler, cutter, salves and material. The separated isolates were characterized by drug-resistance, staphylococcal enterotoxin (SEA-E), SE (A-E, G-J) genes and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) types.

RESULTTwo Staphylococcus aureus isolates were separated, one from ice cream, another from cutter. Their characteristics of drug-resistance, staphylococcal enterotoxin (SEA-E), SE (A-E,G-J) genes and PFGE type were the same.

CONCLUSIONThe two Staphylococcus aureus isolates were the same clone. The contaminated Staphylococcus aureus isolates could be traced to the contaminated cutters.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Enterotoxins ; genetics ; Food Microbiology ; Ice Cream ; microbiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Staphylococcus aureus ; classification ; drug effects ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo establish osteoblast model, primary cilla model was removed by chloral hyrate, observe effects of osteoblast primary cilla moved on enhancing ALP staining and calcified nodules staining in electromagnetic field.

METHODSThree 3-day-old male SD rats weighed between 6 and 9 g were killed, cranial osteoblast was drawed and adherencing cultured respectively. Cells were subcultured and randomly divided into 4 groups until reach to fusion states. The four groups included chloral hydrate non-involved group (control group), 2 mM, 4 mM and 8 mM chloral hydrate group, and cultured in 37 °C, 5% CO2 incubator for 72 h. Morphology of primary cilla was observed by laser confocal scanning microscope, and incidence of osteoblast primary cilia was analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.0 software. Cells in the correct concentration group which can removed cillia most effectively were selected and divided into 3 groups, including control group (C), Electromagnetic fields group (EMFs), and EMFs with 4 mM chloral hydrate group. DMEM nutrient solution contained 10%FBS were added into three groups and cultured for 9 days and formation of ALP were observed by histochemical staining of alkaline phosphatase. After 12 days' cultivation, formation of mineralization nodes was observed by alizarin red staining.

RESULTSCompared with control group and 2mM chloral hydrate group,4 mM chloral hydrate group could effectively remove osteoblast primary cilla (P<0.01). Removal of osteoblast primary cilla could weaken the formation of ALP and mineralization nodes in osteoblast in EMFS. Compared with EMFs group, the area of ALP and mineralization nodes in EMFs with 4 mM chloral hydrate group were decreased obviously (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION4mM chloral hydrate could effectively remove osteoblast primary cilia. Primary cilla participate in EMFs promoting formation of ALP and mineralization nodes in osteoblast and provide new ideas for exploring mechanism of EMFs promoting osteoblast maturation and mineralization.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloral Hydrate ; pharmacology ; Cilia ; drug effects ; enzymology ; physiology ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To study the HRCT features of pneumatized inferior turbinate and to evaluate their diagnostic value.Methods Twelve cases of pneumatized inferior turbinates demonstrated by HRCT were retrospectively analyzed.Results Coronal HRCT could demonstrate pneumatization of the inferior turbinate clearly and directly.Unilateral pneumatization was found in 11 cases and bilateral in one case. According to the location of pneumatization,pneumatized inferior turbinates were classified into three types : bulbous,lamellar,and extensive types.Five of 12 cases were bulbous,5 were lamellar and 2 were extensive type.On coronal HRCT scans,bulbous type showed nodular shape in one case,oval and ellipse shape in 2 cases each,respectively.Lamellar pneumatization appeared as curved stripe-like shape in 4 cases communicating with the maxillary sinus and ellipse shape in one case.Extensive type was found in 2 cases, curled lamella-like shape was found in 1 case communicating with the maxillary sinus and ellipse shape in another case.In 5 cases with maxillary sinus communication,axial HRCT revealed a defect on the medial wall of the maxillary sinus.In such a condition,the maxillary process of palatine bone and maxillary bone attached to the lower turbinate separately.Conclusion HRCT was an optimal imaging modality for the diagnosis of pneumatization of the inferior turbinate and may help the clinicians to differentiate from other causes of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

Objective To study the CT and MRI findings of osteosarcoma in paranasal sinus and evaluate their clinical value.Methods All 9 cases of osteosarcoma were verified by histopathology.Imaging data were analyzed retrospectively.Results The lesion occurred in maxillary sinus in 5 cases,in ethmoid sinus in 3 cases and in sphenoid sinus in one case.Primary osteosarcoma was found in 7 cases.Secondary osteosarcoma occurred from fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma each in one case.On CT,the involved areas revealed bony destruction associated with ill-defined and irregular soft tissue mass.The lesion showed heterogeneous density with minimal or massive tumor bone formation,cloud-like in 3 cases,ivory-like in 2 cases,spicule-like in 2 cases,cloud- and spicule -like in one case and spicule- and ivory-like in one case.Postcontrast CT showed mild to moderate inhomogeneous enhancement in 3 cases.On MR T_1 WI,the lesions showed hypointensity compared to brain in 5 cases and iso-intensity in 2 cases.On T_2WI,the lesions showed heterogeneous hyperintensity in 4 cases and isointensity in 3 cases with marked hypointense foci which corresponded to tumor bone on CT.Postcontrast MR imaging demonstrated moderate to marked inhomogeneous enhancement in these cases.MRI showed accurately the extent and associated changes of the lesions.The lesions invaded the orbit,pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae,skull base and extensive craniofacial structures in 5,4,3 cases and 1 case,respectively.Conclusion CT is the optimal modality in showing tumor bone of osteosareoma in paranasal sinus.MRI can demonstrate optimally the invading extent of the lesions.Combined imaging modalities can provide more comprehensive information for diagnosis and therapy of osteosarcoma in paranasal sinus.

Objective To investigate the CT and MRI findings of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus so as to promote the diagnostic accuracy.Methods All 30 cases of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus were verified with pathological examinations.The CT and MRI findings were analyzed retrospectively.Results The lesions occurred in the maxillary sinus in 25 cases,in the anterior ethmoid sinus in 3 cases and in the sphenoid sinus in 2 cases.The lesions extended and compressed adjacent structures.MRI showed the extent and the associated changes of the lesions more clearly compared to CT. On CT,all the involved paranasal sinuses invariably expanded.The bony walls of paranasal sinuses were compressed and remodeled with focal defect in 28 cases,mostly in the medial wall of the maxillary sinus (21 cases).Bony scelerosis of the residual walls of paranasal sinus were found in 8 cases.The lesions demonstrated well-defined margin and heterogeneous density with phlebolith in 10 cases.Postcontrast CT showed marked inhomogeneous enhancement in 16 cases.On MR T_1WI,canernous hemangioma showed hypointense signal compared to brain in 4 cases and isointense signal in 14 cases.On T_2WI,the lesions revealed heterogeneous hyperintense singal in 16 cases and isointense signal in 2 cases with multiple hypointense foci.Postcontrast MR imaging demonstrated marked inhomogeneous enhancement in these cases,honeycomb-like appearance in 8 cases and variegated appearance in 10 cases.The feature of progressive enhancement was found on dynamic contrast enhancement of MRI in 8 cases.Conclusions The characteristic bony change together with phlebolith can suggest the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus on CT.The heterogeneous hyperintense singal on MR T_2WI,progressive enhancement and honeycomb-like or variegated appearance on postcontrast MRI were also the characteristic findings of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus.Combination of CT and MRI findings can provide more accurate information for the diagnosis and therapy of cavernous hemangioma in paranasal sinus.

BACKGROUNDThe inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) gene family is involved in the suppression of apoptotic cell death as well as an increasing number of seemingly unrelated cellular functions. It is not known, however, whether IAP expression in malignant hematopoietic cells is affected by chemotherapeutic agents such as homoharringtonine (HHT). In this study, we investigated mRNA expression levels of IAPs, especially survivin, in various hematopoietic cell lines in relation with apoptosis induced by HHT.

METHODSSemiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to determine survivin mRNA levels. Cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Cell viability and proliferation assay was evaluated by MTT. The experiments were performed on the malignant hematopoietic cell lines MUTZ-1, K562, Jurkat, RMPI and HL60, with or without survivin antisense-oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) and HHT.

RESULTSThe expression levels of survivin mRNA were variable in the cell lines and negatively correlated to HHT induced cell apoptosis. Survivin AS-ODN significantly decreased mRNA level of survivin, but not those of bax and bcl-2. Survivin also inhibited MUTZ-1 cell growth and induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. AS-ODN and HHT showed synergistic effect on MUTZ-1 cell growth.

CONCLUSIONThe apoptotic effect of HHT on the hematopoietic cell lines is associated with decreased level of survivin expression. Survivin could be a new marker for drug sensitivity and a new target for cancer treatment.

Anemia, Refractory, with Excess of Blasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Harringtonines ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Leukemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Infant ; Pulmonary Artery ; abnormalities