Objective To investigate the functional and structural changes of connectivity of default mode network (DMN) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) by functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and to study the relationship between them.Methods Twenty-seven RRMS patients(clinically diagnosed as RRMS)and 27 healthy volunteers (matched to the patients in age and gender) were selected to participate in this study.All the subjects underwent 3.0 T MR scanning.Softwares such as DPARSF,MICA,TrackVis were used for data post-processing.Medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex(PCC) of DMN were chosen as ROIs,and functional and structural changes of DMN and the relationship between them were analyzed.Values of r reflecting the functional connectivity and fractional anisotropy(FA) of two groups were obtained.Then statistical analysis was performed by using student t test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results The DMN space pattern of the RRMS patients was mostly identical to that of controls,but with specific difference in the connectivity strength with respect to that of controls.Particularly,the patient group showed increased DMN connectivity in the mPFC,but decreased connectivity in the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and PCC.Compared with controls,the r value (0.695 ±0.151 vs.0.796±0.085),FA value(0.261 ±0.012 vs.0.285 ±0.017) between mPFC and PCC in RRMS patients were decreased (t =-3.020,-6.206,P ＜ 0.05).In addition,functional connectivity (r value) was found to correlate with structural connectivity(FA value) between the PCC and mPFC (r =0.704,0.735,P ＜ 0.01).The number of MS lesion,had no correlation with r value or FA value (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The functional connectivity and structural connectivity of DMN change in RRMS patients.The functional connectivity and structural connectivity between mPFC and PCC are both decreased in RRMS patients compared with the controls.The injury of structural connectivity may be the structural basis of the decrease of functional connectivity.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training for knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods: A total of 135 patients with KOA due to Yang deficiency and coagulated cold were randomized into a warm needling moxibustion group, an isokinetic muscle strength training group, and a combined group by the random number table method, with 45 cases in each group. The warm needling moxibustion group was treated with warm needling moxibustion. The isokinetic muscle strength training group was treated with isokinetic muscle strength training. The combined group was treated with warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS) were scored before and after treatment, and isokinetic indicators of peak torque (PT), total work (TW) and average power (AP) were evaluated. Results: The total effective rate of the combined group was 92.5％, which was significantly higher than 83.3％ in the warm needling moxibustion group (P<0.05) and 72.5％ in the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of WOMAC (total, pain, stiffness, and function) and VAS, and isokinetic indicators (PT, TW, and AP) were all improved compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in all three groups. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The WOMAC total score and score of stiffness in the combined group were lower than those in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05), and the scores in the warm needling moxibustion group were lower than those in the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05). The WOMAC score of pain and VAS score in the warm needling moxibustion group and the combined group were lower than those in the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05). The differences between the warm needling moxibustion group and the combined group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The WOMAC function score in the combined group was lower than that in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05), while there was no statistical difference between the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P>0.05). PT, TW, and AP in the combined group were higher than those in the warm needling moxibustion group and the isokinetic muscle strength training group (P<0.05), and they were higher in the isokinetic muscle strength training group than in the warm needling moxibustion group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Warm needling moxibustion plus isokinetic muscle strength training has a better effect in the treatment of KOA due to Yang deficiency and coagulated cold than either warm needling moxibustion or isokinetic muscle strength training alone.

Objective To investigate the factors associated with radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) caused by radiation therapy for lung cancer patients in Tibetan Plateau,China.Methods A total of 262 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) confirmed by pathology or cytology from April 2012 to February 2016,consisting of 138 native Tibetans living at an elevation over 3 000 meters and 124 non-native Tibetans or non-Tibetan people,were analysed.All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy ± chemotherapy and underwent CT follow-up for over 6 months.For patients with grade ≥ 2 RILI,the associations of ethnicity,age,sex,Kamofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score,clinical stage,chemotherapy,and smoking history with RILI were analyzed.For two groups of patients,native Tibetan population and non-native Tibetan population,the associations of sex,smoking history,chemotherapy,and radiation dose with RILI were analyzed.Radiation dose-volume parameters were compared using the chisquare test or's's exact test,and their correlations were analyzed using the Person correlation test;a multivariate analysis was performed using the logistic regression model.Results For the 262 NSCLC patients,ethnicity (P=0.040),sex (P=0.001),KPS score (P=0.026),presence or absence of smoking history (P =0.014),minimum lethal dose (P =0.037),V5 (P =0.000),and V20 (P=0.025)were found to be associated with the development of RILI.Further analysis showed that only the smoking history (P=0.013) was significantly correlated with demographic composition.And there was no significant relationship between radiation dose for different groups and the incidence of RILI (all P=＞ 0.05).Conclusions Native Tibetan patients with NSCLC are more susceptible to RILI.

Objective To observe the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods Seventy patients (17 males,53 females,aged 20-65 years,ASA grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine (group R,n=35) or dexamethasone (group D,n=35).The patients in the group R received 0.5 μg/kg bolus dose and maintenance dose at the rate of 0.5 μg·kg-1·h-1 of dexmedetomidine before intubation.The patients in the group D received 8 mg dexamethasone before intubation.The BP and HR were recorded at the following points: on arrival in the operating room (T1),before intubation (T2),5 minutes after intubation (T3),5 minutes after the beginning of the operation (T4),30 minutes after the beginning of the operation (T5),at the end of operation (T6) and 5 minutes after extubation (T7).The inhaling concentration of sevoflurane,extubation time,operation time and anesthesia time were recorded.The incidence of nausea and vomiting were recorded at 8,24,48 hours after operation.Results The incidence of nausea and vomiting at each point were similar between two groups.The HR at T2-T7 in group D was significantly lower.But MAP was similar between two groups.Conclusion 0.5 μg/kg bolus dose and maintenance dose at the rate of 0.5 μg·kg-1·h-1 of dexmedetomidine reduced the incidence of PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy,similar to dexamethasone.

BACKGROUND: There are many species of ceramic bonding systems supplied in market, the mechanical strength is aprerequisite condition for resin cement in clinical use.OBJECTIVE: To study the difference of mechanical strength between Panavia F resin cement and self-made resin cement,DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A controlled observational study was performed in the prosthesis laboratory of the FourthMilitary Medical University of Chinese PLA between May 2006 and March 2007.MATERIALS: Panavia F resin cement was sourced from KURARAY MEDICAL INC. (Japan), experimental resin cement wasproduced by College of Stomatological Medicine in the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.METHODS: Five cylindrical compressive strength specimens at an 8-mm height and 4-mm diameter were prepared, as well as5 cylindrical diametral tensile strength specimens at a 3-mm height and 6-mm diameter. AGS-500 universal material testingmachine was applied to detect the compressive strength and diametral tensile strength.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diametral tensile strength test and compressive strength test of the specimens.RESULTS: The compressive strength of Panavia F resin cement was remarkably higher than that of experimental cement[(238.92±24.54), (149.08±12.13) M Pa, P ＜ 0.05]. There were no significances between two resin cements on diametral tensilestrength (P＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: There were no significance between two resin cements on diametral tensile strength following completecuring. The compressive strength of experimental resin cement can reach the standard of ADA (＞ 70 MPa) although it is lowerthan the compressive strength of Panavia F resin cement.

The curcumin prodrugs, which could be selectively activated in tumor cells, were prepared to establish a basis for the targeted chemotherapy for cancer. On the basis of the molecular structure of curcumin, the N-maleoyl-L-valine-curcumin (NVC), N-maleoyl- glycine-curcumin (NGC) were chemically synthesized and identified by IR and NMR spectroscopy. After treatment with these two prodrugs for 6 - 24 h, the rates of growth inhibition on human bladder cancer EJ cells and renal tubular epithelial (HKC) cells were detected by MTT colorimetry. Our results showed that after the treatment with 20 micromol/L - 40 micromol/L NVC and NGC for 6 - 24 h, the growth inhibitory effects on EJ cells were 6.71% - 65.13% (P < 0.05), 10.96% - 73.01% (P < 0.05), respectively, in both dose- and time-dependent manners. When compared with the curcumin of same concentrations, the growth inhibitory effects of these two prodrugs on HKC cells were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). It is concluded that activation of curcumin prodrugs via hydrolysis functions of cellular esterase could inhibit the growth activities of tumor cells, and reduce the side effects on normal diploid cells. This provided a novel strategy for further exploration of tumor-targeted chemotherapeutic drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/*pharmacology ; Curcumin/*pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Prodrugs/*chemical synthesis ; Prodrugs/*pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*pathology

In our previous study, we identified a novel testis-specific expressed gene 2 (TSEG-2) from mouse testis. To further investigate its functions, 35 male Balb/c mice (8 weeks old) were divided into cryptorchidism group (n=20), sham group (n=10), and control group (n=5). In cryptorchidism group, the right testes were anchored to the inner lateral abdominal wall. In situ hybridization (ISH) was applied to measure the localization of TSEG-2 in mouse testis. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expression of TSEG-2 gene. Meanwhile, under the mediation of polyethylenimine (PEI), the recombinant vector pEGFP-TSEG-2 (n=5) or empty vector (mock, n=5) was transfected into the testis of male mice. The transfection efficiencies were measured under a fluorescence microscope. The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by terminal deoxynuleotidyl-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The results showed that TSEG-2 was expressed in convoluted seminiferous tubules, more precisely, in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. As compared with sham and control groups, the TSEG-2 transcription was significantly enhanced (P<0.05) and was correlated with apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in cryptorchid testes (P<0.05). PEI was efficient in mediating transfection of TSEG-2 into seminiferous tubules of testis. One week post-transfection, intratesticular injection of TSEG-2 resulted in increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in vivo (P<0.05). These results indicate that TSEG-2 may participate in the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism.

Objective To investigate the causes and treatment of familial neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus with hydronephrosis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 6 cases (5 males and 1 female,aged 11 to 53 years) of familial neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus with hydronephrosis treated in our institute from June 2009 to December 2010.All cases had polydipsia and polyuria since their childhood.The daily output of urine ranged from 5,290 to 15,040 ml.The urine specific gravity was less than 1.005.The water deprivation and vasopressin injection test showed positive results,and MRI showed that the shape and size of pituitary gland were in normal range.Ultrasound and IVU showed that all cases had hydronephrosis.Five adult cases were administered with Desmopressin 0.2 mg three times a day,and 1 juvenile patient given half dosage of Desmopressin as in adult.The case No.1 underwent percutaneous nephrostomy and bilateral ureteral reimplantation.Case No.2 received urethral catheterization for 5 days and Tamsulosin.Three cases with urinary tract infection were given antibiotics on the base of urine culture and antibiotic sensitivity test results.Follow-up was undertaken every 3 mon for the duration of 18-36 mon.Results In 6 cases,polydipsia and polyuria were significantly improved after the treatment.Daily urine output dropped to 6000 ml in 5 adult cases and decreased to 2000 ml in the juvenile case.The flank sore of case No.1 was relieved after percutaneous nephrostomy,and hydronephrosis improved 6 mon after bilateral ureteral reimplantation.The residual urine volume of case No.2 was reduced to 40 ml,and no recurrence was observed after anti-infection therapy.During the follow-up,6 cases showed relieved hydronephrosis and no recurrent infection.Conclusions It is of important to reduce the urine volume for the treatment of familial neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus with hydronephrosis.Early diagnosis and treatment of the diseases is crucial for the improvement of renal function.

Objective To examine brain regions with a functional connection to posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in a relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) group compared with matched control subjects,and to employ resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to PCC connectivity gathered by investigating synchronic low frequency fMRI signal fluctuations of default mode network with seed-based correlation analysis (SCA).Methods Twenty-seven patients with RRMS (RRMS group) and 27 age-,and sexmatched healthy controls (HC group) were examined by resting-state fMRI,DTI and 3D-T1 on Siemens Trio Tim 3.0T.The fMRI data preprocessing and processing was performed using Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI Advanced Edition (DPARSFA) based on Matlab 2012a,and PCC (-5,-49,40)was selected as seed.An SCA approach was used to analyze the rs-fMRI data.We examined the differences in SCA-derived connectivity metrics in patients with RRMS and healthy controls,and analyzed correlations between connectivity correlation coefficient of the differences regions and MRI-derived metrics (brain parenchymal fraction,T2 lesion load),as well as clinical metrics (expanded disability status scale,paced auditory serial addition test,and disease duration) of the disease.Results The SCA via functional connectivity of PCC showed that the temporal correlation between the blood-oxygen-level-dependent signals of the default mode network was reliable spatial patterns of activation in patients with RRMS.The lower connectivity in right superior frontal gyrus within default mode network,and higher connectivity in right posterior lobe of cerebellum,right crus of cerebellum,right medial frontal gyrus,right medial occipital gyrus,left precuneus/cingulate gyrus,right angular gyrus and right cingulate gyrus were found in our study.Significant negative-related was observed between the paced auditory serial addition test and functional connectivity in right middle temporal gyrus (0.387 ± 0.216) of RRMS patients (r =-0.59,P =0.001).Significant negative correlation also was observed between the course of disease and functional connectivity in right superior frontal gyrus (0.039 ± 0.293) in patients (r =-0.39,P =0.041).There was no significant correlations between other regions with different functional connectivity and expanded disability status scale,disease duration,or brain atrophy.The connectivity in right superior frontal gyrus,left medial occipital gyrus,left precentral gyrus was decreased; and connectivity in right cerebellum anterior lobe (dentate),right frontal lobe white matter was significantly increased.Significant positive correlation was observed between the course of disease and functional connectivity in left precentral gyrus (-0.924 ± 0.253),right cerebellum anterior lobe (dentate ;0.217 ± 0.208) of RRMS patients (r =0.650,P =0.000;r =0.436,P =0.023),respectively.Conclusion These findings reveal the compensatory mechanism of the brain in response to structural damage,by means of increased activation or synchronization of default mode network,which seems to be finite.