Objective 　To evaluate the value of 99m　Tc-TRODAT-1 SPECT DAT imaging in the early diagnosing of Parkinsons disease (PD).Methods　 Eleven patients (9 PD and 2 possible PD) and eighteen healthy subjects matched by sex and age were studied with 99m　Tc-TRODAT-1 SPECT DAT imaging. Striatum specific uptake of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 was calculated according to the ratio of DAT uptake in striatum (ST) and cerebellum (CB). Results　In the hemi-Parkinsons disease group, the DAT specific uptake of 99mTc-TRODAT-1 was significantly lower (P＜0.01) in contralateral than in ipsilateral striatum to the clinically symptomatic side. There was significant decrease (p＜0.01) of striatum DAT uptake in patients with hemi-PD compared to the controls.Conclusions　99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT DAT imaging may help to confirm the diagnosis of PD at the early stage.

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for GC fingerprint determination of the chemical constituents in Herba Asari.

METHODGC and GC-MS were used to optimize the fingerprint determination method, and identify the main peaks in the GC fingerprint.

RESULTA preferable method for GC fingerprint determination of the chemical constituents in Herba Asari was established.

CONCLUSIONA general acquaintance of the chemical constituents in Herba Asari can be obtained by using the preferable GC fingerprint determination method, which is useful for quality evaluation of the crude drug of Herba Asari.

Anisoles ; analysis ; Asarum ; chemistry ; classification ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Safrole ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the effective strategies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) surveillance and identification in rural areas of central China.

METHODSIn a selected rural prefecture area of central China, an epidemiological investigation was conducted for all reported HIV/AIDS cases. A historical and analytic review was performed, with particular interests in examining the HIV epidemic reporting and identification system.

RESULTSAmong all 626 reported HIV-infected individuals in the selected prefecture, 86.1% (539/626) of them were infected through commercial plasma donation or clinically operated blood transfusion. With respect to disease surveillance and identification in the area, 52.2% (327/626) of all the cases were reported by hospitals or clinics. The number and proportion of HIV/AIDS cases identified or reported at county, prefecture, and provincial levels were 207 (33.1%), 303 (48.4%) and 116 (18.5%), respectively. The number and proportion of HIV/AIDS identified through specific epidemiological investigations and/or voluntary testing had been increased in recent years. In addition, among HIV/AIDS cases that were clinically identified, the proportion of those who were identified as outpatients had steadily increased,with the highest proportion (59.3%) observed in 2004.

CONCLUSIONSIn rural areas of central China where the major mode of HIV transmission was through commercial plasma donation or clinically operated blood transfusion, hospitals and clinics seemed to have played and would continue to play important roles regarding HIV identification and surveillance. The role of institutions or settings at the prefecture level regarding HIV identification and surveillance should not be ignored.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ambulatory Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Demography ; Female ; Hospitalization ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

To investigate the T cell distribution characters of TCR Vbeta repertoire in Ph(+) and Ph(-) CML. The 24 subfamilies of the TCR Vbeta genes were amplified in peripheral blood T cells from 13 patients with CML (Ph+ b3a2, 5 cases; Ph+ b2a2, 5 cases; Ph(-), 3 cases) by RT-PCR, to analyze the usage of Vbeta subfamilies in different CML patients. The results showed that the expression pattern of Vbeta repertoire was different in normal individuals and in patients with CML which only have part of Vbeta subfamily T cells. 4 - 16 (mean 10.2) Vbeta subfamily T cells were detected in the Ph+ b3a2 CML, 8 - 11 (mean 8.8) Vbeta subfamily T cells in the Ph(+) b2a2 CML and 5 - 6 (mean 5.7) in Ph(-) CML. Moreover, the expression of Vbeta subfamily T cells was different among these three types CML.Vbeta10 and Vbeta16 were detected in the all cases with Ph(+) b3a2 and Ph(+) b2a2 CML, whereas Vbeta9 and Vbeta22 could be found in the most cases with Ph(+) b3a2 CML or Vbeta24 and Vbeta8 in Ph(+) b2a2 CML. In patients with Ph(-) CML, Vbeta24 were detected in all samples, and Vbeta9, Vbeta10, Vbeta13 and Vbeta22 were found in the most cases. The results suggest that skew distribution of TCR Vbeta subfamily T cells was existed in peripheral blood of Ph(+) and Ph(-) CML patients. The selected usage of TCR Vbeta is different in various types of CML patients. It may relate to difference of CML cells associated antigen and individual special immunity reaction.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; immunology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic, Atypical, BCR-ABL Negative ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of oral cordarone dir reversing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS; Eighty-two symptomatic chronic AF out-patients without history of acute diseases or severe hepatic/thyroid dysfunction were given oral cordarone at the loading dose of 200 mg thrice a day for 1-4 weeks followed by a twice-daily administration for another 1-4 weeks, with the maintenance dose of 200 or 100 mg once a day. The incidence of stroke and cardiac events and the mortality rate were compared between 43 patients with restored rhythm on cordarone and 39 patients on digoxin and/or betaloc for ventricular rhythm control.

RESULTSAmong the 82 patients, sinus rhythm restoration was achieved in 43, with a successful rate of 52%. In 18 patients, the ejection fraction increased from (32+/-8)% to (46+/-10)%, left atrium diameter decreased from (4.6+/-1.1) cm to (4.1+/-0.8) cm. Except for slight T4 increase, QT prolongation and bradycardia in 3 cases, severe side effects were not observed in this study. Only one patient with restored sinus rhythm required rehospitalization after half a year for worsened heart failure, but in patients with controlled ventricular rhythm, 1 developed stroke, 1 experienced heart attack and 1 died of heart failure with bleeding.

CONCLUSIONFor patients with symptomatic reversible persistent AF, active treatment with cordarone can be convenient, effective and safe for sinus rhythm restoration.

Adult ; Aged ; Amiodarone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Acetylcysteine ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Magnesium Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo obtain Maackia amurensis callus and investigate some factors influencing total isoflavonoid production in callus.

METHODDifferent media were used for callus induction from cotyledonary and hypocotyl explants. Total isoflavonoid content was determined by UV spectrophotometer.

RESULTMedium types and hormone combinations influenced both callus formation and their developmental states. MS medium supplemented with NAA/BA or containing 2,4-D was suitable for callus induction from cotyledonary explants. Among the basal media tested, MS, N6 and B5 were suitable for cotyledonary callus formation and SH for hypocotyl callus formation. The formed callus could synthesize isoflavones. Media containing NAA were suitable for isoflavonoid production in cotyledonary callus and media containing 2,4-D/BA were suitable for hypocotyl callus, but 2,4-D/KT at high concentration inhibited the isoflavonoid accumulation in hypocotyl and coytledonary calli. According to the developmentally morphological characters, the formed callus could be classified into four types. II-type callus with yellow in color and friability in texture showed the highest accumulation of isoflavones.

CONCLUSIONThe influences of medium type and hormone combinations on Maackia amurensis callus formation are reflected in both developmentally morphological characters and isoflavonoid accumulation of calli. Yellow, friable callus induced from cotyledonary and hypocotyl explants in MS or N6 medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BA exhibit the optimum growth and isoflavonoid production.

Cotyledon ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Culture Media ; Hypocotyl ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Maackia ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

OBJECTIVETo investigate the interference and the mechanisms of Bcl-2 and HER-2 genes antisense oligodeoxynucleotides combined transfection in the human tongue carcinoma Tca8113 cell lines.

METHODSThere were 6 groups in our study, normal control group, Bcl-2 sense experimental group, HER-2 sense experimental group, Bcl-2 antisense experimental group, HER-2 antisense experimental group, Bcl-2 and HER-2 genes antisense oligodeoxynucleotides combined transfection experimental group. In the different times after liposome-mediated transfection, the cell apoptosis, Bcl-2 and HER-2 expressing level were observed by RT-PCR and electronic microscope.

RESULTSAccording to the results of combined transfection experimental group, the apoptosis body and apoptosis cells were observed. The expression of genes were decreased statistically in both Bcl-2 and HER-2, respectively. Bcl-2 and HER-2 combined ASODN was superior to single ASODN in the intervention of tongue carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONBcl-2 and HER-2 ASODN can effectively interfere the expression of HER-2 and Bcl-2 genes. The expression of HER-2 and Bcl-2 can be reduced, and the apoptosis of cells can be enhanced.

Apoptosis ; Female ; Genes, erbB-2 ; Humans ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; Transfection

Randomized clinical trials led to the clinical recommendation that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) should be used as standard therapy in most patients experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the optimal initiation timing of treatment, as well as the exact mechanisms, have not been completely resolved, especially with the development of reperfusion strategy after AMI. Earlier initiation of ACEI might be associated with more prompt recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction due to more rapid attenuation of negative remodeling.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDNuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is elevated in regulating transcription of many cytokines and inflammatory mediators. The purpose of this study was to investigate the activation and the significance NF-kappaB in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced keratitis.

METHODSLPS induced keratitis model was based on Wistar rats. At 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 or 72 hours after LPS treatment, the rat corneas were observed with a slit lamp microscope, then the rats were sacrificed and their corneas were excised for routine histological analysis. The expression of NF-kappaB was detected with immunohistochemical staining. The change of tumour necrosis factors-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA expression was identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSHistological findings demonstrated that LPS treated corneas showed significant changes in corneal structure. Corneal edema, pronounced inflammatory cells infiltration and inordinate collagen fibres were observed. Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of NF-kappaB and its activation obviously increased after LPS treatment compared with the normal group and control group. Positive cells could be observed at 0.5 hour and peak expression of NF-kappaB was observed between 3 hours and 12 hours after infection, but returned to or approached normal level by 72 hours. RT-PCR showed that the level of TNF-alpha mRNA began to increase 0.5 hour after LPS treatment, peaked at 6 hours and then subsided by 72 hours. NF-kappaB had a positive correlation with the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA (r = 0.964, P < 0.01), both NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha had a strong positive correlation with the degree of inflammatory response in LPS treated corneas (r = 0.929, P < 0.01; r = 0.587, P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe activation of NF-kappaB was increased in LPS treated corneas and was elevated in LPS induced keratitis by promoting overexpression of TNF-alpha mRNA. NF-kappaB may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LPS-associated keratitis in rats.

Animals ; Aqueous Humor ; cytology ; Epithelium, Corneal ; physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratitis ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; NF-kappa B ; analysis ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; physiology