Objective To study the expression of protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) isoforms in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats at different ages. Methods The expression levels of mRNA and protein of three Akt isoforms in the gastrocnemius muscle of 30-month-old and 6-month-old rats were detected respectively by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Data were analyzed statistically. Results (1) The levels of Akt1 and Akt2 mRNA in the 30-month-old rats was significantly higher than those in the 6-month-old rats (t=7.124, P=0.000; t=2.598, P=0.021), however, no significant difference was found in the level of Akt3 mRNA between the two groups (t=0.460, P=0.653) . (2) The level of Akt-Thr308 phosphorylation in the 30-month-old rats was significantly lower than that in the 6-month-old rats (t=-9.861, P=0.000), while the level of Akt2 protein in the 30-month group was significantly higher than that in the younger rats (t=7.522, P=0.000). No significant differences were detected in the levels of Akt1 and Akt3 proteins between the two groups (t=0.469, P=0.646; t=0.058, P=0.955). Conclusion The expression levels of three Akt isoforms in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats change with age, suggesting that the three isoforms of Akt have different functions in the gastrocnemius muscle metabolism of rats at different ages.

Objective To understand the influene of inhabited environment on psychological and be-havioral symptom of dementia (BPSD) in patients with Alzbeimer's disease. Methods Nenrepsychiatric in-ventory was used to measure the occurrence of BPSD of 100 home and 100 resthome patients with Alzheimer's disease.Tbe data were analyzed with software SPSS version 13.0. Results The scores of hallucinations, anxi-ety,aberrant motor behavior and sleep disturbance in resthome patients were significant higher than those of home patients.There was significantly difference in the extent of occurrence in aberrant motor behavior, apathy/ indifference, hallucinations, sleep disturbance, anxiety,depression/dysphoria and appetite/eating disorders be-tween home and resthome patients,among which the extent of occurrence in resthome patients was higher except for body weight decreasing and appetite/eating disoniers. Conclusions The occurrence of BPSD is different according to different inhabited environment, symptoms of resthome patients are worse, so families should be ap-pealed as far as possibile to allow AD patients living at home.

Objective To investigate the family burden from behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) living at home and in nursing home.Methods Neuropsychiatric Inventory/Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home (NPI) and Family Burden Interview Scale (FBIS) were used to measure the occurrence of BPSD in 200 AD patients. The data were analyzed.Results In-home patients' total score and family daily activities, family entertainment, family relationships, family members' mental health and the body healthy dimension scores of FBIS were significantly higher （ P<0.05）, and the dimension scores of economic burden were significantly lower ( P<0.01) than those of patients in nursing home. Patients' total score of NPI was positively correlated with the economic burden, family entertainment, family relationships, family members' mental health and the body healthy dimension scores of FBIS （ P<0.01）. Every dimension score of NPI and total score of FBIS positively related ( P<0.05). Dimension score of family daily activities of FBIS was not related to all of the dimension scores and total score of NPI ( P>0.05).Conclusion The family burden from BPSD should not be ignored, especially the patients living at home, which suggests that AD patients should be sent to nursing home to spend their rest life.

A novel electrochemical method based on dehydroabietylamine schiff base( DBS) and multi-walled carbon nano-tubes( MWCNTs) composite modified glassy carbon electrode was presented for determination of Pb2+. The electrochemical behaviors of Pb2+on the modifled electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry ( CV) and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry ( DPASV ) . The results showed that under the optimized conditions including 0 . 2 mol/L NaAc-HAc used as supporting buffer ( pH 5 . 5 ) , -1 . 1 V of accumulating potential, 250 s of accumulating time, the oxidation peak current was proportional to Pb2+concentration in the range between 1 × 10-8 mol/L and 1 × 10-6 mol/L with the linear regression equation as I(μA)= 6. 6173c(μmol/L)+0. 2597(R=0. 9971) and the detection limit as 5. 0×10-9 mol/L (S/N=3). The proposed sensor was successfully employed to determine Pb2+ in real samples with satisfactory results. In addition, this method showed the advantages of simple operation, short assay time, good accuracy, satisfactory efficiency and good selectivity for determination of low concentration lead in water samples.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of 4-1BB monoclonal antibodies (4-1BBmAb) and glucocorticosteroid and the affect of the expression of CD4+CD25+T lymphocytes on the mouse hepatitis induced by ConA.Methods Mouse model of hepatic injury was induced by the application of ConA and checked by hepatic function tests and hepatic pathology.Mter the animal models were constructed,the mice in the group of therapeutic alliance were treated with glucocorticosteroid and 4-1BBmAb.In contrast,mice in the control group were treated with 4-1BBmAb or glucocorticosteroid alone.The groups were then compared.After blood was collected respectively from the control group,the model group and the therapy group,flow cytometry was used to examine CD4+CD25+T lymphocytes.Chi-square test and t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results Compared with the control group,the conditions of the mice were improved after being disposed with 4-1BBmAb.The conditions became even better when 4-1BBmAb were used combined with glucocorticosteroid.ALT and AST of the control group were (140±22) U/L and (131±16) U/L respectively,that of 4-1BBmAb group were (98±14) U/L and (89±11) U/L respectively.The ALT and AST of the glucocorticosteroid treatment group were (76±11) U/L and (71±10) U/L respectively,ALT was (61±8) U/L and AST was (55±7) U/L in the combination treatment group.Differences among groups was statistically significant (P＜0.01).The expression of CD4+CD25+T lymphocytes was (3.0±0.8)％ in the control group,(8.5±2.9)％ in the gluco-corticosteroid treatment group,(8.4±3.5)％ in the 4-1BBmAb treatment group and was (11.2±3.5)％ in the combination treatment group.The difference was significant among the groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion 4-1BB-mAb have therapeutic effect for hepatic injury.The effectiveness will become even more evident when 4-1BB monoclonal antibodies are used together with glucocorticosteroid.During the course of treatment,4-1BBmAb and glucocorticosteroid can impact the expressions of CD4+CD25+T lymphocytes and this is the mechanism for the effectiveness in treating immune-mediated hepatic injury.

BACKGROUND:Artificial knee joint replacement in older patients often combines with basic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. Perioperative blood loss is an important factor affecting the safety of replacement. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of the early closure of drainage tube on blood loss after primary total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: We randomly selected 90 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2014 to July 2015. The patients were randomly divided into three groups (n=30). In the 4-hour occlusion group, the drainage tube was closed for 4 hours in early stage of replacement. In the 2-hour occlusion group, the drainage tube was closed for 2 hours in early stage of replacement. In the control group, the drainage tube was not closed. Because of the use of tourniquet during surgery, the amount of intraoperative blood loss was considered as 0 mL. Drainage blood loss after surgery was recorded. Total blood loss was calculated according to Gross formula through patient height, weight and preoperative and postoperative hematocrit. Hidden blood loss was gotten by subtracting the visible blood loss from total loss. Under the observation of postoperative joint sweling and subcutaneous ecchymosis, knee Hospital for Special Surgery score was recorded at 6 weeks after replacement, and compared among groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Statistical analysis indicated that significant differences in total blood loss and dominant blood loss were detected among the three groups (P < 0.05), indicating that both occlusion for 2 hours and 4 hours could reduce total blood loss and dominant blood loss, but the range of reduction was greater in occlusion for 4 hours. At 6 months after replacement, no significant difference in knee Hospital for Special Surgery score and hidden blood loss was detectable among three groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of joint sweling and subcutaneous ecchymosis was increased in the 4-hour occlusion group (P < 0.05). Above results confirmed that drainage tube occlusion can decrease total blood loss and dominant blood loss after total knee arthroplasty, but cannot reduce hidden blood loss. 2-hour occlusion after total knee arthroplasty is an ideal choice, but the amount of hidden blood loss should be carefuly considered.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of 6-mercaptopurine in the treatment of refractory childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods: According to the varieties of NS, 6-mercaptopurine (2 mg/kg body weight daily) combined with corticosteroid or 6-mercaptopurine (2 mg/kg body weight daily) alone after tapering of steroids were given to 28 consecutive children with primary NS in our hospital. Results: One month after the use of 6-mercaptopurine, proteinuria was decreased. The duration of improvement was 9～28 days, with mean duration of 17 days. Over-all effective rate was 85.7%. Among different varieties of NS, the best therapeutic effect was noted in steroid-dependent children; the better therapeutic effect in steroid-resistant children; and good therapeutic effect in frequently relapsing children. The effective rates were 100%, 84.6%, 81.8% respectively. All the pathological varieties of 28 children were confirmed by renal biopsy. The better therapeutic effects were noted in slight mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) and minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). The less therapeutic effect was noted in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Their therapeutic effective rates were 92.9%, 80%, 66.7% respectively. Unfortunately, drug-induced aplastic anemia was seen in 2 cases. Slight gastrointestinal reactions were present in 6 cases. There were no side reaction on the gonad. Conclusions: The great difference in the therapeutic effects is related to the different pathologic varieties of NS. With regard to the treatment of refractory NS in children, the pathological varieties should be confirmed by renal biopsy as soon as possible. Based on the renal biopsy, 6-mercaptopurine can be considered in the treatment of MsPGN and MCNS. As a result, relapses could be reduced; the duration of remission could be prolonged, and the side reactions from steroid treatment could be avoided. The use of 6-mercaptopurine for the treatment of refractory NS is one of the effective therapy.

Biopsy ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male

Objective To investigate the loss of heterozygosity at 17 microsatellites of 10 chromosome arms in 68 resected specimens of esophageal cancer, and the relationship to the clinicopathological phenotypes of patients. Methods 68 tumor specimens (20 well-differentiated squamous carcinomas, 30 moderately differentiated carcinomas and 18 poorly differentiated carcinomas) and their matched blood samples were analyzed for LOH at 17 microsatellites by using PCR and fluorescence-based DNA sequencing technology, and the association of LOH with the clinicopathological phenotypes of patients was compared statistically. Results The lowest detection frequency of LOH in our subjects was observed at D8S261 with 33. 3%, and the highest frequency was at D9S125 with 85. 2%. There were 12 markers with the frequency of LOH higher than 50.0%, and 3 markers (D3S1597, D3S1285 and D9S125) with the frequency higher than 75. 0%. There was a significant difference in the frequency of LOH at D9S111 and D13S153 between tumors with different histological grades. LOH at D9S111 was observed in 2 of 12 tumors with well differentiation in 14 of 20 tumors with moderate differentiation, and in 14 of 16 tumors with poor differentiation. LOH at DI3S153 was observed in 2 of 8 tumors with well differentiation, in 12 of 28 tumors with moderate differentiation, and in 11 of 12 tumors with poor differentiation. There was a significant difference in the frequency of LOH at D8S261 between tumors with lymph node metastasis and without lymph node metastasis. LOH at D8S261 was found in 1 of 14 tumors with lymph node metastasis, and in 12 of 22 tumors without lymph node metastasis. Conclusions The widespread and frequent loss of heterozygosity may exist in esophageal cancer, and the candidate genes located in the site of frequent LOH may be involved in the development of this cancer; LOH at D9S11 and D13S153 are more commonly observed in the patients with higher histological grades, the tumors with LOH at D8S261 may have a low tendency to lymph node involvement.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy, of different threshold segmentation of 18FDG PET for target volume delineation of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and the potential influence on radiotherapy treatment planning. Methods Eight NSCLC patients who had tumor with clear margin on CT scan and the amplitude of tumor movements not more than 5 mm were enrolled. PET scans were carried out at 1 h after intravenous injection of 18FDG with CT image for attenuation revisement. Gross target volume (GTV) delineated on CT image ( GTVCT ) was used as the standard. Then, GTVs were delineated on PET image with three different threshold segmentation of 42% Imax(total) (42% of maximum voxel intensity within the tumor) ,Iback + 20% Imax-back(max) (mean background intensity + 20% of normalized background-subtracted maximum voxel intensity within the tumor) and Iback -20% Imax-back(slice) (mean background intensity + 20% of normalized background-subtracted maximum voxel intensity of each slice within the tumor) ,the corresponding GTV was named as GTV42%, GTV20%max and GTV20%slice. Both the size of GTV42%, GTV20%max, GTV20%slice and GTVCT,and the coverage over GTVCT for each GTV were compared. A three dimensional margin of 1 cm were added to GTVCT, GTV42%, GTV20%max and GTV20%slice to form corresponding PTVCT, PTV42%, PTV20%max and PTV20%slic e. Three dimensional conformal radiotherapy treatment plans were designed based on PTVCT,PTV42% , PTV20%max and PTV20%slice respectively for each patient. The prescription dose of all PTVs was 66 Gy in 33 fractions in 6.6 weeks. Both the volume accepting dose less than 95% of prescription dose within PTVCT ( VPTV ) and the lung V20 were compared among the four plans based on different PTVs. Tumor control probability(TCP) as well as lung normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) were also compared. Resuits Eight patients were enrolled in this study. Median deviation of volume between GTVPET and GTVCT were -54.1% , -21.5 % and 5.3 % for GTV42% , GTV20%max and GTV20%slice, respectively. Median coverage over GTVCT of GTV42% , GTV20%max and GTV20%slice was 45.9% ,78.0% and 95.3% respectively( F = 57.50,P＜0.01). Median 7.5% of VPTV was observed for radiotherapy treatment plan based on PTV42% ,which meant that it might induce median 1% decrease of TCP comparing with that of radiotherapy treatment plan based on PTVCT. Whereas,there were only 1.3% and 0.0% of VPTV for treatment plans based on PTV20%max and PTV20%slice respectively. As far as TCP was concemed, both PTV20%max group and PTV20%slice group were superior to PTV42% group,there was no significant difference among PTV20%max group, PTV20%slice group and PTVCT group. Lung V20 and lung NTCP showed no significant difference among all groups. Conclusions The threshold segmentation of Iback + 20% Imax-back(slice) , being slice specialized, might be an optimal threshold segmentation for target volume delineation of lung caner. Independent of information of target volume provided by CT scan in advance,it is recommended to use for the target volume delineation of NSCLC with atelectasis.