Objective To investigate the clinical features and characteristic of auxiliary examination of neuralgic amyotrophy(NA).Methods8 patients with idiopathic neuralgic amyotrophy were analyzed retrospectively with literature review.Results and ConclusionAntecedent events were found before attack in 5 patients.Serious pain,which was followed by paresis and atrophy,as initial symptom,was found in 7 patients.Damage in the upper and middle trunk distribution occurred most frequently.Elevated liver enzymes were found during the early phase of their attacks in 2 patients.CSF analysis was performed in 5 patients,and mildly elevated protein was found in two.5 patients had been misdiagnosed as cervical spondylosis.After medical and/or physical therapy(6 patients with corticosteroid and physical therapy,2 only with physical therapy),all the patients had been followed up for 2～13 months.Muscle power was recovered in 67% of all the patients,partially recovered in 33%.

· AIM :To investigate the role of pericytes in growth of retinal microvascular endothelial cells with a co-culture system in order to understand some mechanism of angiogenesis in hypoxia induced retinal neovascular disorders.(RMECs) were isolated by a modified protocol using CD31 coated Dynabeads, and identified by immunocytochemical staining with anti-Factor Ⅷ and CD31 antibodies. Rat retinal pericytes were isolated and characterized by immunofluorescent staining with PDGFR-β; and desmin antibodies. Pericytes and RMECs were cultured in a contact co-culture system both under normoxia and hypoxia by Millicell chamber. RMECs proliferation was evaluated by MTT and cell cycle assay with flow cytometry. RT-PCR was used to detect the alteration of KDR/Flk-1 mRNA level in RMECs under normoxia or hypoxia in the co-culture system.harvested with the modified isolating method. The two cell types were identified by positive Factor Ⅷ, CD31 and PDGFR-β, desmin cytochemical staining respectively.RMECs proliferated significantly under hypoxia from 3 to 9d with a maximal rate on day 6 (24.9%, P ＜ 0.01) by MTT. In the co-culture system, the proliferation of RMECs was inhibited by pericytes. After 6d exposure to hypoxia,the fraction of S-phase RMECs number was greatly increased by 43.9% (P ＜ 0.01). In the co-culture system,RMECs proliferation was inhibited by pericytes through decreasing the fraction of S-phase cell number both under normoxia (3.6%, P＜0.05) and under hypoxia (15.1%,P＜0.01). KDR/Flk-1 mRNA level in single cultured RMECs was shown to increase approximately 1.3-fold when exposed to hypoxia. Compared with single cultured RMECs, co-culture with pericytes could decrease KDR/Flk-1 mRNA by 45.1% (P＜0.05) and 27.7% (P ＜ 0.05) under normoxia and hypoxia condition respectively.pericytes could inhibit proliferation of RMECs under both normoxia and hypoxia. The inhibition effects of pericytes maybe, at least in part, due to downregulation of KDR/Flk-1 of RMECs. These findings confirm that pericytes could be a potential inhibitor in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization.

OBJECTIVETo improve the method for monitoring sleep state and respiratory rhythm of SD rats, providing a solution for rats' chewing on the wires, signal loss and instability problems in the animal model of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).

METHODSWe improved monitoring electrodes of both electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electromyogram (EMG), signal circuit and animal operation.

RESULTSOperation time was shortened and wound exposure time was reduced, which made it easier for postoperative recovery. The ECoG and EMG signals were more stable with sharp image, and signal circuit lines had better conductivity and material durability, achieving continuous monitoring for a long time and high success rate. We could precisely distinguish the sleep wake state and the sleep apnea events in rats according to these signals.

CONCLUSIONThe improved method is more reliable and practical to test the small animal model of SAS, and is more easily to operate and the signals are more stable.

Animals ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Electromyography ; methods ; Models, Animal ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Rats ; Respiration ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; diagnosis

Objective To study the impacts of lipopolysaccharide on expressions of Cx43 and TLR4 proteins in bladder cancer cell lines and on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods 5637 cells were cultured in vitro. After stimulation with LPS,expressions of Cx43 and TLR4 proteins were detected by Western blot in bladder cancer 5637 cell. The proliferation and apoptosis in the 5637?control group,5637?LPS group,and 5637?LPS +cisplatin group were detected by CCK?8(cell counting kit)and flow cytometry. Results The gene expression of Cx43 in the 5637?LPS group was significantly higher than that in the 5637?control group(t=3.892,P=0.012). The expressions of TLR4 and Cx43 in 5637?LPS group were significantly higher than those in the 5637?control group(t=7.029,P=0.019;and t=18.17,P=0.003). The proliferation was significantly decreased in the 5637?control group as compared with the 5637?LPS group (t = 8.756,P = 0.018). The apoptotic rate was (8.3 ± 1.58)% in the 5637?control group and (7.8 ± 2.03)% in the 5637?LPS group,with no significant statistical difference(t = 2.935,P = 0.099). However,the rate of the 5637?cisplatin group(60 ± 4.35)%was higher than that in 5637?cisplatin + LPS group(52 ± 6.25)%,the difference was statistically significant(t = 6.992,P =0.019). Conclusions Under the stimulation of LPS,bladder tumor cells may induce tumor cells to escape immune surveillance by increasing the expressions of TLR4 and Cx43.

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of prevalence of Keshan disease (KD) in Hebei province from 1990 to 2007, to provide scientific basis for its prevention and treatment. Methods The surveillance data of KD was analyzed according to "the National Scheme of KD Surveillance and the Surveillance of KD" (W/T 78-1996) in Hebei province from 1990 to 2007 by the Institute for Prevention of Endemic Disease in Hebei Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The data included physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), the chest X-ray film of KD patients and the suspected patients, as well as selenium contents of hair collected in 1990, 1992 and 1999. Results No new cases of acute and subacute types of KD patients were found at the surveillance sites from 1990 to 2007. Thirty-five cases of new latent KD and one case of spontaneous chronic KD were identified respectively. Prevalence of chronic and latent KD ranged from 1.12% (8/713) to 8.18% (27/330) and 2.29% (19/831) to 8.20% (45/549) in Hebei province from 1990 to 2007, respectively. The prevalence of KD in children aged 3 - 14 years old and childbearing woman aged 20 - 45 years old decreased year by year, however population over 45 years old were more likely suffering from KD. The major abnormal changes of ECG in KD) patients were complete fight bundle branch block, ST-T change frequent premature ventricular contraction, and left anterior faseicular block. The prevalence of the heart enlargement in KD patients was 47.00% (211/449) averagely, and the prevalence of heart enlargement of medium grade increased remarkably after 2005 [28.57%(8/28) - 48.39%(15/31)]. The average mortality in chronic KD patients was 18.0%(18/100) from 1990 to 2007. Conclusions The prevalence of KD decreased slowly in Hebei province. Hebei province is still the region with higher prevalence of KD around the country, and the tasks of prevention and treatment of KD is still urgent. Enhancing the surveillance of of KD and carrying out management and treatment of KD patients should be emphasized in the future.

Background Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a monogenic inheritance and blinding disease of fundus oculi.There is not an effective therapeutic method now.Objective This work was to identify the mutations of RP1 gene in Chinese RP patients in Ningxia area and to explore the potential interactions in the pathogenesis of RP.Methods The periphery blood of 3-5 ml was collected from 110 individuals with RP(35 ADRP and 75SRP)and 100 normal controls in Ningxia area.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing were used to screening the sequence alterations in the entire coding region and splice sites of RP1 gene.Multivariate analysis and two web-based programs( PolyPhen and SIFT) were used to analyze the results.Results Eleven mutation locus were detected in the exon 4 of RP1 gene including two novel sequence variants:p.Lys1152Lys without a higher mutation rate in comparison with normal control group(x2 =9.12 P＜0.01 ),but c.* 247A＞C with a higher mutation rate in comparison with normal control group(x2 =12.77,P＜0.01 ) and c.* 247A＞C mutation was thought to be correlated with RP( r=1.11,P＜0.05 ).The other ten mutation locus were reported as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).The mutation rate of p.Gln1725Gln was found to be higher in the RP patients than the normal controls (x2 =42.09,P＜0.01 ),but no the significant correlation was seen between the pathogenesis of RP and mutation of p.Gln1725Gln(r=1.74,P＞0.05).p.Lys1152Lys mutation was found in only 1 patient.Three SNPs( p.Arg872His,Ala1670Thr,Ser1691Pro) were always occurred in the same 83 RP patient and the relevance ratio was higher than controls ( P＜0.01 ).The age of night blindness on patients with concurrent three mutations was (30.54± 13.68 ) years,and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.50 ± 0.38.The age of night blindness on patients without concurrent three mutations was(21.06± 16.24) years,and the BCVA was 0.40 ±0.33 and were higher than controls ( t =2.11,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions In this study,the prevalence of RP1 mutations among the RP patients in Ningxia population was lower than other populations (＜ 1％ ).The alliance of SNPs (p.Arg872His、p.Ala1670Thr、p.Ser1691Pro) may play a protective role on RP patients and reduce the frequency of mutatiaon in RP1 gene.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of paroxetine on protein kinase PKA, PKC and CaMKII activities in different brain regions in a rat model of depression.

METHODSThirty-six adult male SD rats were randomized into 6 groups, including one control group (I) and 5 groups of depression model established by forcing the rats to swim for 4 weeks. The 5 depression groups received no treatment (II) or were treated with paroxetine at a single dose (III), for a week (IV), 2 weeks (V) or 4 weeks (VI). The radioactivity of PKA, PKC and CaMKII in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was quantitatively measured using a liquid scintillation counter.

RESULTSIn the rat hippocampus, PKA and CaMKII activities were significantly lower in groups II, III, IV, and V than in groups I and VI (P<0.01 or P<0.05), but comparable between groups VI and I (P>0.05). PKC activity was significantly lower in group II than in group I (P<0.01), but showed no significant difference between the paroxetine-treated groups and group I (P>0.05). In the prefrontal cortex, the activity of PKA in groups I, II, III, and IV was similar (P>0.05), but all significantly lower than that in groups V and VI (P<0.01). PKC activity was significantly higher in groups II and III than that in group I and other paroxetine-treated groups (P<0.01), and similar between groups IV and I (P>0.05); groups V and VI had significantly lower PKC activity than group I (P<0.01). Group I had the highest CaMKII activity among the groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONChronic administration of paroxetine can reverse chronic stress-induced inhibition of PKA, PKC and CaMKII activity in rat hippocampus, while the effects of paroxetine on the protein kinases can be more complex in prefrontal cortex.

Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Depression ; enzymology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Paroxetine ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats

Objective To understand the status of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis and the effect of preventive measure in Hebei province, so as to provide a basis to prevent and cure the disease. Methods Thirtyeight affected counties(cities, districts) with drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis were sampled by random sampling in Hebei in 2009. All affected villages in every county were divided into mild, moderate and severe endemic fluorosis areas and a village was randomly selected from each category of the area to carry out the monitoring of endemic fluorosis. Dental fluorosis of children aged 8 - 12 were examined and 6 copies of urine samples were randomly collected in each age group in the above-mentioned villages. Clinical skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed among adults aged 16 and over and 20 copies of urine samples were tested for fluorosis in every village.Results A total of 112 affected villages were investigated, among which the drinking water quality of 66 villages were improved and 46 villages were not improved. A total of 236 copies of water samples from the 66 villages were measured and the fluoride content ranged from 0.1 to 4.3 mg/L, among which 20 copies of water samples exceeded the fluorine standard of 1.2 mg/L, accounting for 33.3%. A total of 230 copies of water samples were collected in the 46 villages and the fluoride content ranged from 0.2 to 4.6 mg/L, among which 76.1% (35/46) of the water samples exceeded the fluorine standard of 1.2 mg/L. A total of 5169 children aged 8 - 12 were examined of dental fluorosis, the dental fluorosis rate was 36.43%(1883/5169) and the dental fluorosis index was 0.81. A sum of 71 497 adults aged over 16 years were examined, and the rate of skeletal fluorosis was 4.81%(3438/71 497), moderate or severe clinical detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 1.56%( 1114/71 497). A total of 2876 copies of children urine samples and 2021 copies of adult urine samples were tested and the geometric mean of fluoride content was 2.30,3.32 mg/L, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of dental fluorosis of children in the areas with improved water is less than 30% and the rate of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis decline gradually with time.The rate of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis increases with the increase of water fluoride in the water quality not improved areas. The endemic fluorosis is still comparatively serious in Hebei. The progress of improving water quality in the areas with endemic fluorosis should be accelerated and the acceptability of improved water should be enhanced.

Be subjected to study the application in the hypersaline organic wastewater treatment,A moder-ately halophilic bacterium YS-1 was isolated from the salty water of a Ludaokou salina of Weihai in China.The polyphasic taxonomy study was processed through identifying its morphological features by AFM,researched the features of culture and measured physiologic-biochemical index,analyzed 16S rDNA se-quence homology Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA gene sequences showed that the closest relative of the strain was Halomonas sp.(AB167061).Experimented of intensifying hypersaline organic wastewater treatmented processing in the SBR demonstrate a significant result.The wastewater salt content of initial wastewater was 12% and initial CODcr was 1494 mg/L.After 72 h,the removal efficiency of CODcr achieved 90.0% and after 120 h,it achieved 98.1%.The experiments also showed the hypersaline organic wastewater treatment and presented the feasibility of acclimating of halophilic bacteria and running of proc-essing system.

Objective To investigate the supply of iodized salt in non-excessive iodine counties and iodine-free salt in excessive iodine counties at household level in Hebei province so as to provide a basis for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders(IDD). Methods According to the national project of IDD surveillance,the county was taken as the elementary sampling unit. The towns and villages were selected by systematic and random sampling in every county and households were chosen by random sampling to collect their edible salt in Hebei province in 2008. The salt iodine content in non-and excessive iodine regions was detected by direct titrition method and semiquantitative method respectively. Results all 48 448 salt samples were collected from 167 non-excessive iodine counties. Weighed by the population of counties,the rate of non-iodized salt was 4.73%. Iodized salt accounted for 95.27%,out of which,96.13% were qualified and the consuming rate of qualified iodized salt was 91.96%. Eighty point eighty three percent(135/167) of the counties covered by iodized salt above 95%,92.81% (155/167) passing rate of iodized salt above 90% and 82.04 (137/167) consuming rate of qualified iodized salt. All 1466 salt samples were collected in 5 counties with excessive water iodine content and the coverage rate of iodine-free salt was 93.25%(1367/1466). Conclusions In a nutshell,the national targets for preliminary elimination of IDD have been achieved in regions of non-excessive iodine of Hebei province. Nevertheless,the coverage rate of iodized salt and qualified iodize salt rate in some counties are still below the national standard. Therefore the prevention and control of IDD need to be strengthened. The supply of iodized salt in excessive iodine regions should be timely stopped.