[Objective] To investigate the effect of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) on cerebral ischemia induced by photothrombosis in Swedish amyloid precursor protein (APP/SWE) transgenic mice.[Methods] In APP/SWE transgenic mice and non-transgenic mice (n ＝ 12,respectively),photothrombotic stroke was induced,on 7 d after cerebral ischemia,the amount of the survival neuron in the penumbra was counted using Nissl staining (n ＝ 6),and the activities of p38MAPK and JNK were measured by Western blot (n ＝ 6).[Results] On 7 d after cerebral ischemia,ratio of amount of survival neuron over the penumbra in hippocampus in the ischemic side to that in the non-ischemic side in the non-transgenic mice group (78.3 ± 1.3)% was significantly higher than that in the APP/SWE transgenic mice group (70.5 ± 1.4)% (P ＜ 0.05);compared with the non-ischemic hemisphere,the activities of p38 MAPK and JNK increased significantly in the ischemic hemisphere in the APP/SWE transgenic mice group (P ＜ 0.05),whereas,there was no significant difference between ischemic and non-ischemic hemisphere in the non-transgenic mice group (P ＞ 0.05).[Conclusion] Photothrombosis causes more severe damage in the APP/SWE transgenic mice group than that in the non-transgenic mice group.The possible mechanism includes the increased activities of MAPK which enhance the process of neuronal cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo study the metastasis-associated molecules differentially expressed in highly and poorly metastatic sublines and the mechanism of metastasis in lung giant cell carcinoma.

METHODSHighly and poorly metastatic sublines (PLA801D and PLA801C)were used as metastasis model. Cell motility and invasion assay in vitro were first compared between the two sublines. Then, gelatin zymography analysis was used to determine the MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. The protein expression level of secreted MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and intracellular expression level of p53, p16, PCNA, CD44(V6) isomeride, E-cadherin, CK18, nm23-H1 as well as the mRNA expression level of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, VEGF were compared through Western blot. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to determine the intracellular mRNA expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and VEGF.

RESULTSThe in vitro cell invasion potential of highly metastatic subline PLA801D was significantly higher than that of poorly metastatic subline PLA801C by about 4 folds, while the cell motility potential was similar. The secreted MMP-2 activity was notably higher in PLA801D, which was initiated by the higher expression of MMP-2 at protein and mRNA level. In addition, the expression level of p53, PCNA, CK18 protein and VEGF mRNA were significantly higher, while the expression level of p16, E-cadherin and nm23-H1 protein were significantly lower in PLA801D. Some molecules such as MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, CD44(V6) isomeride, which had been reported to be associated with tumor metastasis, were not observed to change significantly between the two sublines.

CONCLUSIONThere are significant differences in metastatic potential and phenotypes between highly and poorly metastatic sublines of lung giant cell carcinoma. Some differentially expressed molecules might be playing roles in promoting or inhibiting metastasis of lung giant cell carcinoma, which may be useful to elucidate the mechanism of metastasis.

Carcinoma, Giant Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical results of an interspinous stabilization system (Wallis) in treating lumbar degenerative disease in the short-term.

METHODSFrom August 2007 to June 2010,48 patients with lumbar degenerative disease who were treated with interspinous stabilization system, the data of patients were analyzed retrospectively. In all of the 48 cases, there were 30 males and 18 females with an average age of 54.2 years (ranged, 40 to 68 years). Forty-four cases were with single segment and 4 cases with two segments. Of them, 4 cases were in L3, 4, 40 cases were in L4, 5, 4 cases were in L3, 4 and L4, 5. The radiographic data of patients were analyzed. Clinical effects were evaluated by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score system and low back pain disability questionnaire (Oswestry) and Odom method.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 1 to 2 years with an average of 18 months. According to Odom's criteria, 20 cases obtained excellent results, 24 good, 4 fair. JOA score increased from 12.4 +/- 2.7 preoperatively to 26.1 +/- 2.0 postoperatively (P < 0.01). Oswestry score decreased from 14.1 +/- 2.9 preoperatively to 5.5 +/- 1.8 postoperatively (P < 0.01). The posterior height of intervertebral space and height of nerve root canal increased compared with that of preperative height.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of lumbar degenerative disease with interspinous stabilization system can obtain satisfactory effects in the near future. It can retain dynamic stable of corresponding segments, expand volume of vertebral canal, and is safe and feasible.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Sleep Apnea, Central ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the function of IL-18 in promoting metastasis of lung cancer.

METHODSThe differential expression of IL-18 protein or mRNA level between highly and poorly metastatic sublines of human lung giant cell carcinoma metastatic model was detected by Western blot, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and northern blot analysis. The poorly metastatic PLA801C subline or highly metastatic PLA801D subline was transfected with constructed IL-18 sense or IL-18 antisense expressed plasmid by lipofectamine stable transfection technique. The metastasis-related effect mediated by IL-18, the metastatic phenotype differences, cell motility and cell invasion potential in vitro determined by MICS system and the expression level of metastasis-associated biomarkers detected by Western blot analysis, were compared between IL-18 stably transfectants and mock control, i.e. between PLA801C/IL-18(S) and PLA801C/pcDNA3.1, or between PLA801D/IL-18(As) and PLA801D/pcDNA3.

RESULTSIL-18 was only present in highly metastatic PLA801D subline at either protein or mRNA level, which implied that IL-18 might play a role in promoting metastasis of lung cancer. After IL-18 sense expressed plasmid was transfected into poorly metastatic PLA801C subline, IL-18 fused protein with myc tag detected by Western blot analysis using either IL-18 or myc tag monoclonal antibody. In addition, cell motility ability in vitro was significantly increased about 3 times and E-cadherin protein was significantly down-regulated at about 50% in PLA801C/IL-18(S) transfectants compared with mock control. While IL-18 expressed plasmid was transfected into highly metastatic PLA801D subline, IL-18 protein and mRNA were simultaneously decreased by 30%. In addition, cell invasion ability in vitro was significantly decreased at about 75% and E-cadherin protein was significantly up-regulated in PLA801D/IL-18(As) transfectants compared with mock control.

CONCLUSIONIL-18 might play a role in enhancing tumor metastasis of lung cancer by down-regulating E-cadherin protein expression.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Giant Cell ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; DNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

This study aims to explore the effect and mechanism of Jiao-tai-wan (JTW) on systemic and tissue-specific inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity-resistant (OR)rats with chronic partial sleep deprivation (PSD).OR rats with PSD were orally given JTW and Estazolam for 4 weeks.The amount of food intake and metabolic parameters such as body weight increase rate,fasting plasma glucose (FPG),fasting insulin (FINS),homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and plasma inflammatory markers were measured.The expression levels of circadian proteins cryptochrome 1 (Cry1)and cryptochrome 2 (Cry2) in hypothalamus,adipose and liver tissues were also determined.Meanwhile,the mRNA expression of inflammatory markers,activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein,as well as the expression levels of insulin signaling pathway proteins in hypothalamus,adipose and liver tissues were measured.Additionally,cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and activity of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP)in hypothalamus tissue were measured.JTW significantly decreased the body weight increase rate and food intake,ameliorated systemic inflammation and insulin resistance.JTW effectively ameliorated inflammation and increased PI3K/AKT signaling activation in hypothalamus,adipose and liver.Interestingly,all these changes were associated with the up-regulation of circadian gene Cryl and Cry2 protein expression.We also found that in hypothalamus tissue of P SD rats,down-regulation of Cry 1 and Cry2 activated cAMP/PKA signaling and then led to inflammation,while JTW inhibited this signaling.These results suggested that JTW has the beneficial effect on ameliorating inflammation and insulin resistance in partially sleep-deprived rats by up-regulating Cry expression.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of recombinant human hepatopoietin (rhHPO) and partial hepatectomy on rapidly induced expression of immediate early gene.

METHODSWe investigated the different gene expression within 1 hour after 2/3 partial hepatectomy by representational difference analysis and in primary cultured hepatocytes system.

RESULTSIn the expressed sequence tag (EST) library, we identified that most of these genes were immediate early gene, and found one new gene PC3 that might be associated to liver regeneration in the EST library. Moreover, PC3 gene was rapidly induced after 2/3 partial hepatectomy and the expressing peak was within 1~2 hours after operation. HPO can rapidly induce the expression of these genes (c-fos, LRF-1, and PC3, etc.) in primarily cultured rat hepatocyte, which might be one of HPO molecular mechanism on stimulating hepatocyte proliferation.

CONCLUSIONSrhHPO and partial hepatectomy can rapidly induce the expression of immediate early gene. PC3 gene is immediate early gene related to liver regeneration.

Animals ; Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases ; genetics ; Blotting, Northern ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Genes, Immediate-Early ; Hepatectomy ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Liver Regeneration ; genetics ; Proprotein Convertases ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the reliability of two ELISA kits for detecting IgM antibody against hepatitis E virus (HEV).

METHODSSerum samples from 92 healthy subjects, 71 cases suspected of hepatitis E, 55 patients with confirmed diagnosis of acute hepatitis E, 50 individuals with rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and 54 persons with anti-HAV IgM positive were detected with three hepatitis E diagnostic kits. MP-IgM (MP, Singapore), Wantai-IgM and anti-HEV IgG (Wantai, China). HEV RNA was analyzed with RT-PCR in 52 of 71 cases suspected of hepatitis E.

RESULTSIn healthy subjects,cases suspected of hepatitis E and confirmed acute hepatitis E, the concordance between the two anti-HEV IgM reagents was 73.39% (160/218) and the significant differences in the positive rates of two assays were not observed [46.79% (102/218) vs 44.04% (96/218), chi2 = 0.62, P > 0.05]. Of 71 patients suspected of hepatitis E, the sensitivity for diagnosing acute hepatitis E of Wantai-IgM and MP-IgM were 83.08% (54/65) and 78.46% (51/65) (chi2 = 0.16, P > 0.05), respectively. Among those suspected of hepatitis E with HEV RNA positive, the sensitivity of Wantai-IgM was obviously higher than that of MP-IgM [(97.14%, 34/35) vs (74.29%, 26/35), chi2 = 4.9, P < 0.05]. 48 of 55 patients (87.27%) with confirmed diagnosis of hepatitis E were Wantai-IgM positive while 37 (67.27%) was MP-IgM positive (chi2 = 4.0, P < 0.05). The specificity of Wantai-IgM was higher than MP-IgM [100.00% (202/202) vs 89. 11% (180/202), chi2 = 20.05, P < 0.005]. RF and anti-HAV IgM might cause MP-IgM false positive without interference on Wantai-IgM.

CONCLUSIONWantai-IgM should be a good ELISA kit for the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; Case-Control Studies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Female ; Hepatitis E ; diagnosis ; Hepatitis E virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results

Objective To investigate the bacterial resistance in nationwide and understand the distribution of bacterial and resistance trend.MethodsThe 6507 clinical isolates were collected from 19 hospitals in 17 cities.The susceptibility tests were performed using agar dilution method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) in central laboratory.The values of MIC50,MIC90 and MICrange were calculated by SPSS 17.0 and the susceptibilities of isolates to antimicrobial agents were determined by using CLSI (2010) guideline.Of all 6507 isolates,4691 strains were collected from target wards and 1816 were isolated from others wards.ResultsAmong 4691 strains,1156 were Gram-positive (24.6％ ) and 3535 were Gram-negative (75.4％).Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration results,the prevalence of methicillin resistant Stapylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant Stapylococcus epidermidis are 51.6％ ( 325/630 ) and 87.0％ ( 228/262 ) respectively.Staphylococci showing intermediate or full resistance to vancomycin were not observed. Coagulase negative Staphylococci showed 2.5％ (16/642)intermediate rate and 1.6％ ( 10/642 ) full resistance rate to teicoplanin,and showed 0.5％ ( 3/642 )resistance rate to linezolid.Antibiotic resistance rate of Enterococcus faecalis to ampicillin was 17.1％(19/111),while the resistance rate of Enterococcus faecium to ampicillin reached up to 85.0％(164/193).Three Enterococcus faecium were resistant to glycopeptides.The prevalence of penicillin resistance Streptococcus pneumoniae and penicillin intermediate Streptococcus pneumoniae were 41.2％ ( 145/352) and 37.2％ (131/352) respectively based on oral penicillin criterion,while the prevalence were 0.0％ (0/352) and 6.0％(21/352) based on vein to non-meningitis criterion.A vast majority of Enterobacteriaceae maintained high susceptibility to carbapenems,with resistance rate less than 2.0％.In addition,tigecycline,moxalactam,fosfomycin and amikacin displayed desirable antibacterial activity against Enterbacteriaceae,and resistance rates to these drugs were all less than 10.0％.For non-fermenting Gramnegative isolates,resistance rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii to imipenem were 23.1％ ( 139/601 ) and 53.5％ (419/784) respectively.Resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii was much higher than that during the period 2007 - 2008.Colistin,tigecycline,minocycline and fosfomycin demonstrated good antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii in vitro.Conclusions Compared with MOHNARIN 2007 -2008year surveillance results, significant increase in resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii was demonstrated.Resistant strains to linezolid and tigecycline were found.Bacterial resistance has been a widespread problem in our country,which requires much more attention.

Objective:To test the reliability and validity of a multi-dimensional, quantitative video evaluation system (the Multi-dimensional system) for evaluating hand dysfunction among stroke survivors so as to provide an objective basis for its clinical application.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors with single dysfunctional hand were evaluated using the Multi-dimensional system and also using the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE) and the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and in terms of their active range of hand motion (AROM-H). The Multi-dimensional system′s internal consistency, composite reliability, split-half reliability, parallel-forms reliability as well as intra- and inter-observer reliability were quantified. Its validity was tested in terms of content validity, structural validity, convergent validity and criterion validity.Results:The system′s Cronbach′s α was determined to be 0.86. Its one-dimension composite reliability was 0.939, its split-half reliability coefficient was 0.88 and its parallel-forms reliability was 0.922. The inter-evaluator reliability was between 0.965 and 0.998 [95%CI= (0.919, 0.999)], and the single evaluator ICC value was 0.973 to 0.998 [95%CI= (0.937, 0.999)]. The validity test produced a content validity index of 1, and the Pearson correlation coefficients between each sub-item and the total score were all greater than 0.60. The KMO value for structural validity was 0.882, and there was a common factor in the component matrix which reflected 60.9% of the information in the original variables. The system′s convergent validity AVE was 0.609 with Pearson correlation coefficients between the multidimensional system and the FMA-UE and ARAT both > 0.70.Conclusion:The multi-dimensional quantitative video evaluation system has good reliability and validity in the evaluation of stroke survivors with hand dysfunction.