Objective To explore mimic antigen based ELISA for detecting serum anti-acquaporin4(AQP4) antibody in neuromyelitis optica(NMO) patients. Methods Three polypeptides: AQP456-69,AQP4135-155, AQP4209-230 were designed to simulate antigen epitopes of AQP4 through biological information and structure biology analysis, the peptides was used as antigen in ELISA to detect serum anti-AQP4 antibody in 9 NMO patients and 7 other miscellaneous neurological disorders which hayed been detected by immumofluorescence method. Results The mean value of A of anti-AQP4 antibody postive patients which have been determined by immumofluorescence method were higher than the controls in ELISA with AQP4135-155,AQP4209-230 as antigen (P<0.05). When the patients serum were diluted at 4 and 8 times, the A values were higher than controls significantly ( P<0.05 ). Conclusion Outmembrane polypeptides AQP4135-155,AQP4209-230 may be the main antigen epitope or main part of antigen epitope, they could be used to detect serum anti-AQP4 antibody in NMO patients.

Objective To discuss clinical factors associated with high serum bilirubin level postoperatively in patients with liver cancer. Methods In this study,130 postoperative cases of primary liver cancer were divided into two groups of high serum bilirubin and of normal bilirubin according to serum bilirubin level during two weeks of postoperation. Results Preoperative serum bilirubin、 Child grade、 operation time、 blood loss and types of hepatic vascular exclusion were correlated with the level of postoperative serum bilirubin. Types of hepatic vascular exclusion was a independent factor predicting postoperative elevation of serum bilirubin level. Conclusions Preoperative liver function, operation time, types of hepatic vascular exclusion and blood loss are all among factors influencing postoperative serum bilirubin level.

Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Sinusitis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of melatonin on oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to explore its mechanisms. Methods 42 patients with moderate to severity chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable stage were random-ly divided into melatonin group and control group,and 21 patients in each group treated with melatonin(3 mg/d) or placebo for 3 months respectively. The plasma levels of 8- isoprotane,IL-8,TNF-α,h-CRP pulmonary func-tion,six minutes walking test and MRC dyspnea score before treatment,2 months and 3 months after the treatment were analyzed. Results After 2 months of treatment,compared to placebo groups,melatonin could significantly decrease the concentration of 8-isoprotane(10.40 ± 5.4 vs. 16.92 ± 4.33,P<0.05),and the concentration of IL-8 (6.88 ± 2.37 vs. 11.33 ± 3.39,P < 0.05). After 3 months of treatment,compared to placebo groups,melatonin could significantly decrease the concentration of 8-isoprotane(9.40 ± 4.0 vs. 17.92 ± 3.33,P < 0.01),and IL-8 (5.67 ± 3.22 vs. 9.31 ± 3.23,P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment,melatonin could significantly de-creased the concentration of 8-isoprotane(9.40 ± 4.0 vs. 20.40 ± 8.4,P<0.01 )and IL-8(5.67 ± 3.22 vs. 12.33 ± 3.88,P<0.05)after 3 months. Meanwhile,the concentration of the TNF-α(25.83 ± 9.18 vs. 35.83 ± 12.18,P<0.05)and hypersensitive C(1.76 ± 1.18 vs. 3.09 ± 1.79,P < 0.05)reactive protein in the melatonin group was greatly lower than the placebo group. After 3 months,compared to the placebo group,MRC dyspnea score of pa-tients in the group of melatonin was improved significantly(1.56 ± 1.38 vs. 2.09 ± 1.16,P<0.05 ),and lung func-tion and six minutes walk test showed no significant difference between patients in the two groups. Conclusions Exogenous melatonin administration can decrease the concentration of 8-isoprotane,IL-8,TNF-αand h-CRP in the blood of patients with moderate to severe COPD ,and improve the MRC dyspnea score. Melatonin has a significant effect on reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting inflammatory reaction in patients with moderate and severe stage stable COPD,which demonstrates its potential therapeutic value with broad clinical application prospects.

Objective To evaluate the effect of alginate polysaccharide JM on rats impaired by brain ischemia,and to elucidate its mechanisms.Methods By using the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) induced by nylon surgical thread inserted through the internal carotid artery into the anterior cerebral artery in rats,the effects of JM on neurological dysfunction and infarct volumn in rats brain were investigated.Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were employed to study the inhibitory effects of JM on cytotoxicity induced by hypoxia-hypoglycemia.Results JM at the doses of 12.5 and 25 mg?kg-1,iv,30 min before ischemia impressed neurological dysfunction,characterized by the decreased behavioral obstacle scores of MCAO rats.The infarct volumn declined 24h after ischemia as well.Further investigation by flow cytometry revealed that JM significantly reduces the overloading of intracellular free calcium on and suppresses apoptosis induced by hypoxia-hypoglycemia in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.Conclusion JM showed protective effects on brain ischemia,probably related to its inhibitory effect on the overloading of intracellular free calcium ion(\i) and cell apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate MRI in diagnosing brachial plexus preganglionic injury.Methods Twenty cases with brachial plexus preganglionic injury underwent M R scanning before operation.MR imaging was obtained by GE Signa EXCITE 1.5 T scanner.The scanning sequences included SE T1 WI,FSE T2 WI,T2 WI STIR and 3D Fast imaging employing steady state with phase cycled(3D-FIESTA-c).All the patients had exploration of the supraclavicular plexus and electrophysiology examination. And the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRI in diagnosing preganglionic brachial plexus iniury were calculated with the standards of surgical and EMG results.Results Among the 73 pairs of i,jured roots.MR imaging detected the abnormalities in 63 pairs.The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of MRI in diagnosing preganglionic brachial plexus injury were 86.5/(83/96),86.3/(63/73).87.0/(20/23),respectively.The direct signs of brachial plexus preganglionic injury included (1) lack or mutilation of netwe root in 54 pairs (85.7/),(2)coarsening,bending,stiff course and unable to be traced to the intervertebral foramen continuously in 9 pairs (14.3/).The indirect signs included (1)cystic cerebrospinal fluid gathering in the vertebral canal,posttraumatic spinal meningocele in 46 pairs (73.0/),(2)abnormal shape of nerve sleeve in 13 pairs(20.6/),(3)displacement and deformity of spinal cord in 50 pairs(79.4/),(4)abnormal signal of paravertebral muscles in 1 9 patients.Conclusion MRI can distinctly show the nerve rootlets within the vertebral canal,so it is helpful in making a correct diagnosis of brachial plexus preganglionic injuries.

Objective To evaluate the MRI application in the common non-traumatic brachial plexopathies.Methods Twenty-seven patients with non-traumatic brachial plexopathies were retrospectively analyzed,which consisted of 10 males and 17 females with age range from 22 to 70 years old.Among the patients,2 were neurofibromatosis,8 were schwannoma,3 were metastases,2 were radiation plexopathy,1 was multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN),and 11 were typical thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).Before treatment,all patients underwent MRI of brachial plexus,in which 8 patients underwent Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI.Results In 2 cases of neurofibromatosis,the tumors appeared as fusiform,bead-like masses,growing along the course of brachial plexus with involvement of rootlets in vertebral canal,and iso-to little hypointensity on T1WI,inhomogeneous hyperintensity on T2WI and inhomogeneously enhanced.Schwannoma of 8 cases displayed as fusiform mass,eccentric to the original nerve with sharply defined edge,and hypointensity or inhomogeneous hyperintensity on T1WI,inhomogeneous hyperintensity on T2WI with cystic necrosis in 3 cases which was inhomogeneously enhanced.Two of the 3 cases of metastases manifested as multiple masses besides brachial plexus,the other one appeared as widespread lesion infiltrating brachial plexus and surrounding structures.Two cases of radiation plexopathy displayed as diffused thickened nerves,with increased signal intensity on short time inversion recovery (STIR),clear structure and no mass surrounding the plexus.One case of MMN showed thickened nerves with increased signal intensity on STIR.Eleven cases of typical TOS manifested as arched elevation of C8,T1 and inferior trunk,with thickened nerves and increased signal intensity on STIR.Elevated subclavian artery could be seen in 8 cases.And in one case of TOS,a mass in the end of cervical rib compressed the local brachial plexus.Conclusions MRI can clearly show the location,involved scope and the relationship with adjacent structures.So MRI can provide reliable information for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy and safety of metoprolol and bisoprolol in the treatment of diastolic heart fail-ure. METHODS:150 patients with diastolic heart failure were randomly divided into group A(75 cases) and group B(75 cases). All patients received aspirin,angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors,angiotensin receptor antagonists,calcium antagonists,di-uretic and cardiac drugs and other conventional treatment;based on it,group A received Metoprolol tartrate tablet with initial dose of 6.25 mg,orally,twice a day,then increased to 100-200 mg based on improvement and tolerability;group B received 1.25 mg Metoprolol tartrate tablet,orally,once a day,then increased to 10 mg based on improvement and tolerability. The treatment course for 2 groups was 12 weeks. Clinical efficacy,and left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),myocardial performance index(LVTei index),brain natriuretic pep-tide(BNP),interleukin(IL)-1,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α before and after treatment,and incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups were observed. RESULTS:The efficacy in group B was significantly higher than group A,incidence of adverse reac-tions were significantly lower than group A,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Before treatment,there were no significant differences in the LVESD,LVEF,LVEDD,LVTei index,BNP,IL-1,IL-6 and TNF-α in 2 groups(P>0.05). Af-ter treatment,LVESD,LVEDD,LVTei index,BNP,IL-1,IL-6 and TNF-α in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and group B was lower than group A,LVEF was significantly higher than before,and group B was higher than group A,the differenc-es were statistically significant(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Based on the conventional treatment,bisoprolol is significantly superi-or to metoprolol in terms of efficacy,relieving clinical symptoms and improving cardiac functions in the treatment of diastolic heart failure,with better safety.

Objective To observe the changes of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in rat spinal motoneuron after upper motoneuron injury. Methods Thirty six adult male Wistar rats were selected. Spinal cord transection was made at the lower thoracic segment. The lumbar regions of spinal cord were removed immediately, 1, 2, 4, 7 and 14 days after surgery to be divided into dorsal and ventral sections. The content of CGRP in ventral section was detected using radioimmunoassay method.Results The level of CGRP in spinal motoneuron of the lumbar region was decreased significantly after transection of spinal cord, reached the lowest level on the 2nd day after surgery and then maintained at the low level.Conclusions The upper motoneuron injury can result in the decrease of CGRP content in spinal motoneuron.

It is well known that oligosaccharides in glycoproteins and glycolipids play crucial roles in a variety of cellular functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, and intercellular communications. The oligosaccharides of cell are increasingly being recognized as one of the most prominent biochemical alterations associated with malignant transformation and tumorigenesis. Glycosylations in different cell cycle and cell growth periods are significantly distinct, and these differences affect the cell cycle progression. In the past decades, along with the advances in genomics and proteomics, the functional significance of cancer-associated changes in glycosylation has been revealed. Eukaryotic organisms depend on an intricate and evolutionary conserved cell cycle to control cell devision. Mistakes in cell cycle process lead to cancer. This review highlights the relations between cell cycle and glycosylation changes in cancer cells.