Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of corticospinal tract in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and find optimal testing strategies and optimal cutoff values of DTI indices for individual patient discrimination.Methods Thirty-three ALS patients and 34 healthy controls,collected at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 2004 through July 2005,undergoing brain DTI studies and fractional anisotropy (FA) examinations along the corticospinal tract,were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results Compared with the controls,ALS group had significantly decreased FA values in subcortical white matter of the precentral gyrus,the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the cerebral peduncle.In ROC analysis,the average FA value of the former two positions showed the best performance with an area under the curve of 0.917,an optimal cut-off value of 0.604,a sensitivity of 0.759 and a specificity of 0.912.The corresponding data for the average FA of all the three positions and each single position were listed as follows:average of three 0.914,0.648,0.759,0.912; precentral gyrus 0.875,0.509,0.733,0.824; internal capsule 0.845,0.692,0.656,0.941 ; and cerebral peduncle 0.752,0.742,0.656,0.735.Conclusions FA values of the corticospinal tract have a good accuracy in detecting upper motor neuron involvement in ALS.Precentral gyrus and posterior limb of the internal capsule and the average FA values of these two positions were suggested as the preferred testing places and DTI indices for clinical use.

Objective To investigate the diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)and to study on the physiopathology of ALS.Methods Thirty-eight AIS patients,8 patients with pure lower motor neuron involvement and 5 patients with mixed-type cervical spondylosis and 34 healthy controls were enrolled and examined with the conventional brain MRI,DTI and 1H-MRS.Results T2-weighted and T2 FLAIR images revealed abnormal high signals in bilateral pyramidal tract positions in 21%(8/38)of ALS patients,which was higher than that in the coaex When compared with the control group,the values of FA in the precentral gyms(0.492±0.059 vs 0.552±0.045,F=17.150,P<0.01),the posterior limb of the internal capsule(0.679±0.048 vs 0.727 4-0.031.F=19.481.P<0.01)and the cerebral peduncle(1eft:0.740 4-0.038 vs 0.761 4±0.024.F=4.290;right:0.720 ±0.044 vs 0.746 ±0.034,F=3.264,both P<0.01)of the ALS group were decreased significantly.so were the values of NAA/Cr.And the FA reduction rate was 10.9%,6.6% and 2.8%-3.5% respectively.There was also a significant decrease in FA in the anterior limb of the internal capsule and the occipital lobe in the ALS group.Conclusion Not only does the application of DTI and MRS help to demonstrate upper motor neuron involvement in the brain and facilitate the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ALS,but also increases the understanding of the lesion distribution and physiopathology in ALS.

Objective To study the chemical constituents from Dipentodon sinicus. Methods Isolation and purification were carried out on silica gel column and Sephadex LH-20, the structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical evidences and spectral analysis. Results Nine compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as n-1-triacontanol (Ⅰ), ?-sitosterol (Ⅱ), pyrocatechol (Ⅲ), p-dihydroxyl benzene (Ⅳ), coniferyl aldehyde (Ⅴ), vanillic acid (Ⅵ), ergosterol peroxide (Ⅶ), ?-sitosterol-3-O-?-D-glucosides-3'-O-tritriacontanate (Ⅷ), and daucosterol (Ⅸ). Conclusion All the nine compounds are isolated from the title plant for the first time, among them, compound Ⅷ is a new compound named as dipentosinin.

Objective To explore the effects of acupuncture and individualized occupational therapy on the rehabilitation of patients with unilateral spatial neglect ( USN ) after stroke.Methods Stroke patients with hemiplegia were evaluated by neuropsychological tests,including line bisection,a cancellation test,clock drawing,and figure and shape copying.Sixty-nine right hemispheric stroke patients identified with USN were randomly assigned to 3 groups:20 patients as a control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy ; another 22 patients as an occupational group received type-specific individualized occupational therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy; the remaining 23 patients as an acupuncture combined with occupational therapy group received acupuncture in addition to both conventional rehabilitation therapy and occupational therapy.These three groups were evaluated with neuropsychological tests and the modified Barthel index (MBI) before and after treatment.Results ①MBI scores in the occupational therapy group and the combined group were significantly higher after treatment,but no significant difference was observed in the control group.②The increased MBI scores in the combined and occupational groups were higher than those in the control group.At the same time the increase in MBI scores in the combined group was significantly greater than in the occupational therapy group.③The assessment results with both line bisection and cancellation tests in all three groups were significantly different after treatment.The line bisection results in the occupational therapy group and the combined group were significantly better than in the control group.The cancellation test results in the combined group were significantly better than in the control group.Conclusion These findings show that acupuncture combined with occupational therapy can have a positive effect on neglect recovery and greatly improve the daily life of USN patients.

Chuanniuxi (Radix Cyathule) is one of the most important geo-herb in Sichuan province, which adulterants are Hongniuxi (Cyathula capitata) and Huainiuxi (Achyranthes bidentata). In this paper Chuanniuxi and its adulterants were identified by SCAR markers. Nineteen populations from Tianquan, Baoxin, Huili and Jinkouhe were collected and their RAPD fingerprints were established. Based on the RAPD patterns, two polymorphic bands F300 and F500 were selected, recycled, cloned and sequenced. According to the sequences two pairs of sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) primers were designed and used to amplify all materials to prove the efficiency of identification of the different populations. Chuanniuxi and Huiniuxi could be distinguished by the primer SC-320, Chuanniuxi and Hongniuxi could be distinguished by the primer SC-495. Combining the two SCAR markers, Chuanniuxi, Hongniuxi and huainiuxi could be identified effectively and quickly.
Achyranthes ; genetics ; Amaranthaceae ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; Genetic Markers ; genetics ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Time Factors

Objective To observe the circadian rhythm of blood pressure and investigate the impact of Norvasc and Tanatril administrated at different time points based on the theory of time therapeutics in hypertensive patients. Methods The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was monitored in 130 inpatients and outpatients with grade 3 or 2 hypertension from May 2008 to November 2009. A total of 34 dipper hypertensive patients were grouped into dipper blood pressure group and 5 mg/d of Norvasc and Tanatril were taken by them at 6:00 AM. A total of 96 nondipper hypertensive patients were further divided into three subgroups after adjustment for age and gender: 5 mg/d of Norvasc and Tanatril were taken by group I (n = 30) at 6:00 AM; 5 mg/d of Tanatril at 6:00 AM and 5 mg/d of Norvasc at 18:00 PM by group Ⅱ (n = 32); 5 mg/d of Norvasc at 6:00 AM and 5 mg/d of Tanatrilat 18:00 PM by group Ⅲ(n=34).The 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed again after four weeks treatment and 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure(24 hSBP),24-hour mean diastolic blood pressure(24 hDBP),daytime and nighttime mean systolic blood pressure(dSBP,nSBP)and daytime and nighttime mean diastolic blood pressure(dDBP,nDBP),were analyzed.Results The 24 hSBP,24 hDBP and dSBP,and dDBP were reduced from(154.3±5.6),(95.4±3.1),(158.7±6.5),(99.6±3.7)mmHg to(137.2±3.9),(82.5±2.7),(139.7±3.8),(85.2±3.5)mmHg,respectively,in dipper blood pressure group(t=2.124,2.356,2.278,2.449,all P<0.05).The 24 hSBP and 24 hDBP of the three groups in nondipper blood pressure were decreased from(154.4±6.1),(156.7±6.7),(156.6±5.2),(95.8±2.8),(94.9±3.8),(95.7±3.2)mmHg to (139.6±4.1),(134.5±4.6),(133.4±3.5),(83.5±4.2),(80.8±5.6),(81.6±4.7)mmHg,respectively(t=2.038,2.040,2.135,2.142,2.213,2.216,all P<0.05).dSBP and dDBP were decreased from(158.6±3.50),(158.4±5.6),(159.5±4.),(98.4±3.7),(99.6±3.7),(83.9±5.2)mmHg to(138.9±5.4),(136.7±4.1),(137.4±6.4),(85.8±5.3),(83.6±5.1),(83.9±5.2)mmHg,respectively(t=2.021,2.252,2.261,2.217,2.167,2.076,all P<0.05).nSBP and nDBP were decreased from(146.7±6.9),(149.8±3.9),(150.2±4.1),(93.7±4.2),(95.7±4.3),(93.4±3.3)mmHg to(133.7±4.6),(129.8±5.7),(127.6±2.8),(87.8±2.9),(78.5±6.4),(77.8±4.8)mmHg,respectively(t=1.798,2.032,2.014,1.864,2.157,2.166,all P<0.05).There were significant differences in nSBP and nDBP among all groups after treatment(F=2.32,2.17,all P<0.05),and the effect of the drugs was better in groug Ⅱ and Ⅲ than in group Ⅰ(q=3.17,4.03,3.32,4.19,all P<0.05),but there were no significant differences between group Ⅱ and Ⅲ(P>0.05).Conclusions Blood pressure can be controlled effectively by taking two antihypertensive medictions in the morning in hypertensive dipper patient but the blood pressure of nondipper hypertensive patients were able to be controlled more efficiently by taking the two antihypertensive medictions separately in the morning and at the evening compared with that taking the two drugs together in the morning.

AIMTo investigate glutamate-induced [Ca2+]i changes in cultured rat neonatal cortical astrocytes after hypoxia/reoxygenation, H2O2 or high concentration of L-glutamate injury. In the meantime, the effects of Gingko biloba extract (GbE) were examined.

METHODS[Ca2+]i changes in astrocytes were monitored by laser scanning confocal microscopy with the Ca2+ sensitive fluorescent probe fluo-3.

RESULTSAfter astrocytes were impaired by hypoxia/reoxygenation, H2O2 (50 micromol x L(-1)) or L-glutamate (0.25 mmol x L(-)), the exogenous glutamate (27 micromol x L(-1)) could not induce increase of [Ca2+]i, but decrease by (3.3 +/- 1.6)%, (81 +/- 11)% and (81 +/- 7)%, respectively. Pretreatment with GbE (10 mg x L(-1)) could not improve injured astrocytic glutamate response. But after pretreatment with GbE (100 mg x L(-1)), glutamate-induced [Ca2+]i elevation of astrocytes after hypoxia/reoxygenation, H2O2 or high concentration of L-glutamate injury were (135 +/- 98)%, (117 +/- 93)% and (89 +/- 36)%, respectively. Nimodipine (1.6 mg x L(-1)) could also reverse the abnormal response of astrocytes after different injury.

CONCLUSIONHypoxia/reoxygenation, H2O2 and high concentration of L-glutamate impaired astrocytes' response to exogenous L-glutamate, and then bidirectional communication between astrocytes and neurons could not take place. GbE could improve the abnormal responses and maintain the normal function of astroglical network. These effects support that GbE has potential beneficial actions against brain injury.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; toxicity ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury

Influenza is a global contagious disease, which causes hundreds of thousands of people deaths. And new subtype of influenza may cause pandemic influenza, and lead to more serious consequence. Drugs for anti-influenza have played very important roles in influenza treatment and prevention, especially neuraminidase inhibitors are effective on both influenza A and B which have more safety and tolerance, therefore they have been widely used for influenza treatment. However, several viral drug-resistant cases have been reported. In this paper, the clinic therapy, prevention and drug resistance of neuraminidase inhibitors, including zanamivir, oseltamivir and peramivir, and progress in the research and development in our country are presented in order to promote research and development of new drugs for influenza treatment and prevention.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; virology ; Neuraminidase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Oseltamivir ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Zanamivir ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo generate the skeletal muscle-specific transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TbetaR II) gene knockout mice for the research on the function of the TbetaR II gene in skeletal muscles.

METHODSTbetaR II (flox/flox) mice were generated using embryonic stem cell technology. The MCK-Cre mice were engineered containing Cre recombinase under the control of creatine kinase (MCK) muscle-specific promoter. TbetaR II (flox/flox) mice were crossed with MCK-Cre mice generating TbetaR II (flox/flox)/MCK-Cre double Tg mice. And then, TbetaR II (flox/wt) /MCK-Cre(+) double Tg mice were crossed with TbetaR II (flox/flox) mice to generate TbetaR II (flox/flox)/MCK- Cre(+) mice genetically ablating TbetaR II in cre-expressing skeletal muscle cells.

RESULTSAs predicted, mice lacking TbetaR II by gene targeting in skeletal muscles were generated first in the world using Cre/loxP system. TbetaR II null mutant mice were viable, fertile and showed apparently normal development.

Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Transgenic ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombination, Genetic ; Signal Transduction

Fatigue is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We examined the relationship between T2DM fatigue and the skeletal muscle 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system. In animal experiments, a T2DM model was established in mice by feeding a high-fat diet with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice were treated with the 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) and the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor carbidopa (CDP) (separately and in combination). In cell culture experiments, C2C12 cells were stimulated with D-glucose, palmitic acid or 5-HT. 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation were inhibited by SH, CDP, or monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor. The animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University. The results showed that 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthase and MAO-A were expressed in mouse skeletal muscle and C2C12 cells. The expression of these proteins was significantly up-regulated in T2DM mice or when C2C12 cells were exposed to palmitic acid and D-glucose; palmitic acid was a stronger stimulant of their expression than D-glucose. Rotating rod experiments and biochemical index tests have shown that T2DM fatigue is associated with an increase in skeletal muscle 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation. 5-HT_2AR mediates the expression of MAO-A and the synthesis of 5-HT, which indirectly regulates the degradation of 5-HT. MAO-A regulates cell inflammation, mitochondrial ROS production and membrane potential depolarization by mediating 5-HT degradation. MAO-A also inhibits the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) and ATP synthase-6 (ATP6), thus inhibiting mitochondrial functions such as fatty acid β oxidation and ATP synthesis. SH and CDP can effectively treat T2DM fatigue, and can also reduce blood glucose and blood lipid, and the combination of SH and CDP has a clear synergistic effect.