How does brain select and adjust the distributed neural activities to achieve its function? To address this problem,researchers introduce Granger causality analysis method to brain functional study,which deals with the estimation of causal influences among multi-variables.First,basic principles of Granger Causality and its improved algorithm structural vector autoregression (SVAR) are introduced.Then several technical problems are reviewed which should be noted when analyzing brain functional signals by Granger Causality Methods.In the end,the application foreground of Granger Causality in epilepsy localization is introduced by taking idiopathic generalized epilepsy as the example.

Objective To study two different methods in treatment of primary pterygium surgery on corneal epithelial wound repair and the influence on the recurrence rate.Methods Used prospective controlled study,accord-ing to a number table 128 patients with 128 eyes were randomly divided into control group (64 cases),and observa-tion group (64 cases).The two groups of patients underwent pterygium excision and limbal stem cell transplantation. The observation group (64 eyes)received 0.2 mg/mL mitomycin C of mitomycin -C(MMC)adjuvant therapy. Corneal epithelial wound repair speed was observed.The patients were followed up for 6 -12 months,average 8.5months,the recurrence rate of pterygium was observed in the two groups.Results The grafts were smooth,and the conjunctival flap healed well in the two groups.The postoperative corneal epithelial healing time of the control group and the observation group were (2.13 ±0.37)d,(2.87 ±0.41)d,there was statistically significant difference (t =4.91,P <0.01);The postoperative recurrence rates were 6.25%,4.69% respectively,there was no statistically sig-nificant difference (χ2 =0.48,P >0.05).Conclusion There was no difference in recurrence rate between two kinds of pterygium surgical method,but the combined MMC can cause corneal epithelial healing delay.

OBJECTIVETo study the killing effects of the liposome-mediated thymidine kinase (TK)/ganciclovir (GCV) system on MG-63 osteosarcoma (OS) cells and its bystander effects.

METHODSLiposome-mediated TK gene transfected into MG-63 OS cells, the efficiency of transfection was analyzed by flow cytometry and observed under inverted fluorescence microscope. Non-transfected osteosarcoma MG-63 cells were divided into three groups,in the experimental group 1 transfected TK/GCV cells cultured in solutiona liquid mixture by supernatant by 1/10,1/7,1/5,1/2 ratio to original broth; in the experimental group 2 transfected cells cultured in solutiona liquid mixture of supernatant filtered through 0.22 microm filter by 1/10,1/7, 1/5, 1/2 ratio to original broth, in control group the transfection cells cultured in original culture solution. Cell growth inhibition rate and osteosarcoma cell sensitivity to TK/GCV system were measured by MTT assay in each group.

RESULTSThe TK gene was transfected into MG-63 OS cells successfully by liposome-mediated, flow cytometry instrument detection TK gene transfection cell transfection efficiency can reach 75.5%. Six days later the MTT assay showed that in the experimental group 1 inhibition rate of all concentration ratio of the mixed culture fluid were statistically significant as compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and in the experimental group 2 that of the 1/10 and 1/7 of concentration ratio of mixed culture medium was not statistically significant as compared with the control group (P > 0.05). TK gene transfected MG-63 cells increased with the the GCV concentration,the cell apoptosis rate increased.

CONCLUSIONThe experiment demonstrated that the MG-63 OS cells are sensitive to the liposome-mediated TK/GCV system and bystander effects are significant.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Bystander Effect ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Ganciclovir ; toxicity ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; toxicity

Objective To investigate the proliferative characteristics of fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS)in osteoarthritis in vitro and the mechanism of the immunosuppressive effect of total glucusides of paeony(TGP).Methods FLS of OA and non-inflamed synovium(NS)were cultured and identified in vitro in the presence or absence of TGP.After incubation,the survival fraction(SF)of FLS was evaluated by MTI' and the TNF-?,IFN-?and bFGF level in cultured FLS supernatant was measured by ELISA.The expression of FLS c-los mRNA and cell cycle of OA-FLS was observed by RT-PCR and flow eytometry respectively at the same time.Results No statistical significant differences were noted between the OA and NS FLS in pro- liferating double time.High doses of TGP suppressed FLS-SF more evidently in OA patients than in NS(P0.05).Conclusion High dose TGP can inhibit OA-FLS proliferation,modulate cy- tokine secretion and c-fos expression in OA.This suggests that TGP has immunosuppressive effect on OA syn- ovitis,probably by preventing the synovial hypertrophy in OA.

Objective To synthesize 99Tcm-TP5-3 and evaluate its biodistribution and kinetics as a molecular probe for the detection of apoptosis,and evaluate tumor apoptosis after a single dose of paclitaxel chemotherapy in MDA-MB-231 breast tumor model.Methods TP5-3 was labeled with 99Tcm directly,and analyzed with HPLC.The radioactivity in tissues was measured and expressed as ％ID/g and T/NT (tumor/muscle).The mice bearing MDA-MB-231 breast tumor were divided into two groups:the treatment group which was given a single dose of paclitaxel (40 mg· kg-1,via tail vein),and the control group which was injected with the same volume of normal saline.After therapy,99Tcm-TP5-3 was injected via tail vein in both groups (100 μ1 for each mouse).MicroSPECT/CT was performed at 3 h postinjection.Radioactivity in different tissues was determined after imaging.Apoptotic cells were measured with flow cytometry.The morphological changes of the apoptotic cells were observed by light microscopies.One-way analysis of variance,two-sample t test and linear correlation analysis were used to analyze the data.Results The radiolabeling efficiency was ＞ 95％ and the radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-TP5-3 was (96.0± 1.5)％ at room temperature for 4 h.The predominant uptake was found in the kidneys at 30 min postinjection ((8.48± 1.07) ％ID/g),with rapid tracer clearance from the circulation.By comparison with activity at 5 min postinjection ((13.74± 4.21) ％ID/g),85％ of the initial activity reduced in blood at 4 h ((2.07±0.35) ％ID/g; F=11.310,P＜ 0.05).99Tcm-TP5-3 was mainly accumulated in the kidneys,liver and stomach,and excreted via the kidneys.T/NT in the treated group was 4.21±0.06,which was significantly higher than that of the control group (1.57±0.67; t =12.820,P＜0.05).The radioactivity of tumor tissue in the treatment group was much higher than that in the control group (4.82±0.54) ％ID/g vs (1.44±0.38) ％ID/g,t=0.679,P＜0.05).The tumor uptake of 99Tcm-TP5-3 in the treatment group positively correlated well with the apoptotic cells (r =0.985,P＜0.05).Histopathology further confirmed that a large number of apoptosis had occurred in the tumor after paclitaxel treatment.Conclusion 99Tcm-TP5-3 appears to have potential to be a useful molecular probe for imaging tumor cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE To acknowledge the current administrative situation in gastrointestinal endoscopies in Xi′an health settings.METHODS Using standard questionnaire to investigate endoscope disinfection related knowledge of the staff,facilities and layout in endoscopy room,washing and decontamination process and operating records.Samples were collected from gastrointestinal endoscope channels,biopsy forceps,disinfectants and the water in bottles.Then laboratory analysis was employed to check bacteria count,pathogen and efficient components of disinfectants.RESULTS Among 35 hospitals monitored,manual cleaning the endoscope was used by 29 hospitals,from which 75% samples were up to standard of guideline.The qualification rate of using automatic washing devices and acidic electrolytic water to disinfect endoscope was 15% and 78%,respectively.All biopsy forceps were up to standard.78% Efficient components of glutaraldehydes were up to 2%.CONCLUSIONS The rate of using automatic washing devices to clean gastrointestinal endoscopy is still low.It is important to strengthen supervision of hospital gastrointestinal endoscope disinfection to control nosocomial infection.

Objective To lateralize epileptic foci in interictal electroencephalography (EEG) signal by using causal analysis method.Methods On the basis of frequency domain causal analysis,the adapted directed transfer function (ADTF),power spectrum weighted ADTF(psADTF) method was proposed by applying the power spectrum information in defined frequency band with normalized ADTF,to fit the frequency information features of different epileptic wave.EEG signals of two groups of 30 epilepsy patients were analyzed by psADTF.Group Ⅰ included 15 presurgical patients and 104 epilepsy spikes were picked from EEG signals.Group Ⅱ included 15 outpatient patients and 98 epilepsy spikes were picked from EEG signals.Results 96 of 104 spikes of group Ⅰ were lateralized properly by psADTF according to surgery sites,and the accuracy rate was 92％.94 of 98 spikes of group Ⅱ were lateralized properly by psADTF according to three technicians' judgments,with the accuracy rate of 96％.Conclusion Our results proves that the psADTF method over interictal EEG spikes can be a great help to clinical epileptic foci lateralization.

Objective To synthesize 99Tcm- (hydrazinonictinamide- [Lys3] -bombesin) (tricine)(trisodium triphenylphosphine-3,3',3"-trisulfonate) ((HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS) (tricine) (TPPTS)) and evaluate its biodistribution and binding capability with tumor tissue in Balb/c nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer xenografts. Methods HYNIC was conjugated to the [Lys3] -BBS at pH = 9.0 with SnCl2 as reducing agent and both tricine and TPPTS as coligands for 99Tcm-labeling. 99Tcm-HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS)(tricine) (TPPTS) was purified by Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and was analysed by HPLC. The radiochemical purity and radiolabeling yield were measured. The stability of 99Tcm-(HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS) (tricine)(TPPTS) in serum, biodistribution (% ID/g) in the normal mice and imaging of the Balb/c nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer xenografts in vivo were studied. Results The radiolabeling yield was (90 ±2)% and the radiochemical purity was over 95%. The radiochemical purity after 4 h in serum was over 85%. The distribution in normal mice showed rapid clearance from blood (the uptake was (0.07 ±0.01) %ID/g at 2 h postinjection). 99Tcm-(HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS) (tricine) (TPPTS) was excreted mainly via the kidney with little radioactivity accumulation in the liver and gastrointestinal tract (the uptake of liver, stomach, intestine was (0.27 ±0.03), (0.06 ±0.03), (0.04 ±0.00) %ID/g at 2 h postinjection). Marked uptake of radioactivity was found in tumor tissue of the Balb/c nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer with maximum T/NT ratio of 3.71 ± 0.57 at 2 h postinjection. Conclusions 99Tcm-(HYNIC-[Lys3]-BBS)(tricine) (TPPTS) can be easily prepared with high radiolabeling yield and radiochemical purity. The stability in serum and good biodistribution charateristics make it useful for the diagnosis of human pancreatic cancer with over-expression of the gastric-releasing peptide(GRP) receptor.

Objective The study aimed to assess the role of hypertension in the cause of nephropathy in patients with NIDDM. Methods A retrospective analysis was done on two groups of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients, one group without proteinuria(＜300 mg/24 h, n = 106) and the other group with proteinuria (≥500 mg/24 h, n= 106). The groups were matched by age(≤± 3)years,sex, race, and resident place. Some information of these subjects including demographic, history of disease, family history of diseases, life and behavior style variables were obtained by questionnaire, some variables were measured including systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP), fasting blood glucose, and quantity of protein in 24 h urine. Finally the conditional logistic regression analysis was done. Results Some factors were independently associated with the occurrence risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN) associated history of hypertension, longer duration of hypertension, higher levels of the past highest SBP and DBP. Their corresponding odd ratios(OR) with 95% confidence intervals(CI)were 2. 00(1.17 ～ 3.43), 1.25(1.08 ～1.46), 1.38(1.15～1.66), and 1.33(1.09 ～ 1.62) respectively. But family history of hypertension was not significantly associated with the development of DN. When the above- mentioned relations were adjusted by some relevent confounding factors, the associations were still present. Conclusions History and longer duration of hypertension, history of the highest SBP and DBP are independent risk factors for DN.

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of myeloma cell differentiation induced by low dose tunicamycin.

METHODU266 and RPMI8226 cells were incubated with low dose tunicamycin for 72h. Surface CD49e expression was assayed by flow cytometer (FCM), light chain protein in the cell culture supernatant by ELISA, the unfolded protein response (UPR) related gene GRP78 and GRP94 by real time PCR, and XBP1u and XBP1s transcription and translation changes by real time PCR and Western blot. After XBP1u gene was interfered with small RNA, and constructed plasmid was transfected into myeloma cells to up-regulated gene XBP-1u and XBP-1s reseparately, the differentiation of myeloma cells was observed again.

RESULTSSmall dose tunicamycin could induce both U266 and RPMI8226 myeloma cells differentiation. Compared with the control group, cell morphology changed to mature feature, the nucleo- cytoplasm ratio decreased and nucleolus reduced or disappearance, CD49e expression increased the light chain protein concentration of cell culture supernatant was up-regulated and UPR related gene GRP78 and GRP94 were up-regulated during the differentiation. XBP-1u was up-regulated at both transcription and translation level, while XBP-1s down-regulated. After XBP1u gene expression interfered with small RNA, cell differentiation was disturbed. Cell differentiation was induced while XBP-1u gene was up-regulated by plasmid transfection.

CONCLUSIONLow dosage of tunicamycin could induce myeloma cell UPR and differentiation, while XBP-1u a key role during the process.

Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Tunicamycin ; Unfolded Protein Response