Objective To study the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on neural function and brain cell apoptosis in rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.Methods Adult male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and EPO group with 24 in each group.A rat model of asphyxial cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was established.The neurological functions were assessed using neurological deficit score (NDS) 12 h and 24 h after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.The expressions of the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and caspase-3 mRNA in cerebral cortex tissue were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at 0 h,12 h,and 24 h,respectively.Results Compared with the DNS scores in the control group (12 h:(60.00± 3.38) ;24 h:(54.50±2.56),respectively),12 h and 24 h NDS scores were (70.50±4.04) and (65.88±2.64) in EPO group after cardiopulmonary resuscitation,and the difference was statistically different (P＜0.01).The AIF mRNA expression levels of 12 h (1.31±0.26) and 24 h (1.87±0.17) after cardiopulmonary resuscitation in EPO group were obviously lower than those in the control group (12 h:(1.88 ± 0.18),24h:(2.71 ± 0.24),respectively),and the differences were statistically different (P＜0.01).The Caspas-3 mRNA expression levels of 12 h (1.49± 0.15) and 24 h (1.56±0.10) after cardiopuhmonary resuscitation in EPO group were obviously lower than those in the control group (12 h:(1.68± 0.10),24h:(1.84 ± 0.16),respectively),and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01).Conclusion EPO can reduce AIF and caspase-3 mRNA transcription,reduce apoptosis in cortical neurons caused by the cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation,and therefore improve brain function.

Objective To investigate the association between the polymorphisms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) gene C270T and sporadic Alzheimer's disease(SAD) in Han Chinese.Methods The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RELP) was used to detect BDNF gene C270T genotype and allele frequencies in 55 SAD patients and 80 age-and sex-matched healthy people(as normal control group).Results The frequencies distribution of BDNF gene C270T genotype and allele in the normal control group were suit to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium(?2=0.167,P=0.682).The frequencies distribution of genotype and allele in the SAD group[C/C:52(94.5%),C/T:3(5.5%) and C:97.27%,T:2.73%]and normal control group[C/C:74(92.5%),C/T:6(7.5%) and C:96.25%,T:3.75%] were no statistical differences.Conclusion There is no association between the polymorphisms of BDNF gene C270T and SAD in Han Chinese.

BACKGROUND: During vascular dementia, ischemia, hypoxia, energy expenditure, abnormal metabolism of neurons, decrease of generation of Adenosine Triphosphate and disorder of ionic environment in and out of cells are observed in brain tissue, which can cause abnormal release of monoamine transmitter.OBJECTIVE: To probe into effect of shenma yizhi capsule on content of monoamine transmitter in brain tissue of rat models with vascular dementia induced by multiple cerebral infarction.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study.SETTING: Pathological and Physiological Department o Liaoning Basic Medical Institute.MATERIALS: Totally 96 Wistar rats of either gender,aged 8-12 months, weighing 270-500 g, were selected. METHODS: The experiment was completed in the Pathological and Physiological Department of Vocational-technical College, Liaoning College of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April to July 2001. All rats of either gender were divided into 6 groups with 16 in each group. Wistar rats in 5 groups were injected with cruor embolus in internal carotid artery to make animal model of vascular dementia induced by multiple cerebral infarction.After modeling, rats were randomly divided into 3.2 g/kg, 1.6 g/kg and 0.8 g/kg shenma yizhi capsule groups (shenma yizhi capsule was extracted from ginseng and tall gastrodia tuber with 2.7 g raw materials and provide by Xiyuan Hospital of Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine),positive control group and dementia control group. Animals without modeling were regarded as normal control group. Rats in each dosage group were perfused with the corresponding dosage of shenma yizhi capsule; rats in positive control group were perfused with 1 mg/kg hydergine dihydroergotoxine; rats in dementia control group and normal control group were perfused with the same volume of saline solution. One week after modeling, rats were medicated once a day for 6 weeks. Content of monoamine transmitter was measured with high performance liquid chromatograpy.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Content of monoamine transmitter such as levarterenol, adnephrin, dopamine, indoleacetic acid, homovanillic acid and 5-serotonin.RESULTS: Nine rats died because of self-body quality and environmental change, and totally 87 animals entered the final analysis. Content of levarterenol of rats in dementia control group was lower than that in normal control group [(0.40±0.23), (0.70±0.14) ng/g, t=2.712, P ＜ 0.01]; content of levarterenol of rats of 3.2 and 1.6 g/kg dosage groups was higher than that of dementia control group [(0.57±0.09), (0.58±0.19), (0.40±0.23) ng/g,t=2.211, P ＜ 0.05], but was lower than that of normal control group. Content of levarterenol of rats of 0.8 g/kg dosage group was lower than that of normal control group [(0.48±0.23) ng/g, t=2.213, P ＜ 0.05], but was higher than that of dementia control group and positive control group [(0.41 ±0.19) ng/g]. Differences of other neurotransmitters were not significant.CONCLUSION: Content of levarterenol in brain tissue of rats of dementia control group is decreased obviously, but shenma yizhi capsule can increase content of levarterenol in brain tissue of rats. The mechanism of shenma yizhi capsule on treating vascular dementia is possibly related with increasing content of levarterenol in brain tissue.

Objective To study the functional connectivity (FC) pattern of thalamus in patients with Alzheimer' s disease (AD).Methods In the present study,resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were obtained from 30 patients with AD and 26 subjects with normal cognition (NC).The altered functional connectivity pattern in AD was evaluated by comparing to NC.Then a correlation analysis was performed between the strength of FC of the identified regions and various clinical variables for evaluating the relationships between the strength of FC and the cognitive abilities (MMSE,immediate recall and delayed recall of Auditory Verbal Learning Test) of the AD patients.Results The MMSE(19.7 ± 4.1),immediate recall (2.8 ± 1.7) and delayed recall (0.7 ± 1.3) of Auditory Verbal Learning Test in AD patients were lower than NC group (28.8 ± 1.0,5.9 ± 1.2,5.7 ± 2.2 ; t =11.09,8.09,10.51,all P ＜0.05).Compared to NC,AD patients showed decreased FC between the left thalamus and several regions of brain including right posterior/middle cingulate cortex (PCC/MCC.R),left medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC.L) and right superior frontal gyms/medial prefrontal cortex (SFG/MPFC.R).For the right thalamus,decreased FC was found in SFG/MPFC.R,PCC/MCC.R and right hippocampus.We also found increased FC between the bilateral thalamus and many regions of brain including inferior temporal gyrus,medial temporal gyrus,SFG,postcentral gyrus,paracentral lobule,inferior frontal gyms and insula.Significant correlations between the fitted FC strength and clinical variables were also detected.Conclusions FC pattern of thalamus in AD group is impaired.Increased FC in AD may indicate the presence of a compensatory mechanism.The alteration is related with cognitive function in AD.

Objective To study the effects of butylphthalide (NBP) on memory and apoptosis related protein as well as neuronal pathology in hippocampus of vascular dementia (VD) rats. Methods VD model was generated by the permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries in SD rats to produce the forebran ischemia. Male SD rats were randomly allocated into sham-operation group, VD model group, NBP treatment group and nimodipine treatment group. The function of memory was tested by the Morris water maze. The neuronal pathological changes and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in the hippocampus were observed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Results The impaired memory of VD rats was proved by the lengthened mean escape latency [(78.79±21.93)vs.(16.96±7.44),P＜0.05] and the neuron in hippocampus was severely damaged. The decveased ratio of Bcl-2/Bax resulted from the overexpression of Bax proteins in VD model group versus the sham-operation group [(43.00±6.72)vs.(6.00±1.29),P＜0.05]. The treatment of NBP notably improved the memory function of VD rats and reduced the hippocampus pathological injury (P＜0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 protein raised [(33.14±8.05)vs.(21.81±4.97),P＜0.05] along with reduced expression of Bax protein [(32.93±4.99)vs.(43.00±6.72),P＜0.05] after NBP treatment. However, there was no significant difference in the treatment effects between nimodipine and NBP group (P＞0.05). Conclusions NBP treatment could improve memory of VD rats and reduce the hippocampus pathological lesion by inhibiting the apoptosis related protein.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of 64-slice VCT reconstruction techniques in the diseases of joints of foot and hand.Methods 50 patients with diseases of joints of foot and hand underwent MSCT scans,the data were reconstructed,including multiplanar reconstruction(MPR),maximum intensity projection(MIP),shaded surface display(SSD)and volume rendering(VR),the results were analysed.Results 33 patients with fractures,40 and 51 fractures were found by X-ray and MPR,VR,respectively.The joint surface involved in 7 fractures,which was best with VR and MPR to show the whole fractures.SSD was better to demonstrate the soft tissue and the vessels of the skin.3D bone reconstruction with MIP was better than plain film in showing the fractures in 4 patients with plaster external fixation.Conclusion 64-slice VCT reconstruction techniques are effective in diagnosis of the diseases of joints of foot and hand.

Objective To investigate early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia (VD)using FDG-PET scan. Methods Clinical data was collected from AD,VD and normal control(NC). 18F-2-fluo-ro-deoxy-D-glucose(18F-FDG)PET scan was conducted to detect the cerebral FDG metabolism. The average standard uptake value (SUV) of cerebral regions was expressed as semiquantitative index relative to ipsilateral cerebellum. Re-sults There were no differences in age and the mean total scores of the mini mental status examination (MMSE) between patients with VD and those with AD.The AD group showed that the SUV was significantly decreased in the right frontal, parietal,temporal lobe,hippocampus,temporo-parietal junction,and bilateral posterior cingulate cortex compared to the VD and in the bilateral posterior cingulate cortex,temporo-parietal junction,frontal and temporal lobe comparing to the NC(P≤0.01). SUV was significantly increased in the right parietal,posterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus whereas was significantly decreased in the left frontal lobe,temporo-parietal junction and thalamus in the VD compared with NC group(P≤0.01). Conclusion AD patients have typical features of 18F-FDG PET which may be helpful for the diagnosis of AD in the early stage.

OBJECTIVETo study the contribution of genetic factors to the variance of serum leptin concentration in healthy, normotensive twins.

METHODSA total of 57 pairs of twins were investigated: 28 female and 19 male pairs of monozygotic(MZ) twins, and 6 female and 4 male pairs of dizygotic(DZ) twins. The zygosity of twins was determined by comparing the concordance of the genotype of nine fluorescence-labeled microsatellite markers. The genetic analysis was performed using the variance-based method. Serum leptin levels were determined in duplicate by a radioimmunoassay Kit (Linco Research, Inc., St. Charles, Missouri) as previously described.

RESULTSThe test of genetic variance revealed a significantly larger within-pair variance of serum leptin in the DZ twins, in comparison with the MZ twins. The corresponding heritability for serum leptin was 8%. Adjusted for BMI, gender, and uric acid (UA), the heritability for serum leptin was 0.18%. Log leptin correlated significantly with blood pressure (SBp r=0.355 P<0.001; DBp r=0.339 P<0.001). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only BMI, gender and UA were linked independently to serum leptin levels(R(2)=0.788, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe above data indicate that environmental factors other than genetic factors are important determinants of leptinemia in normal subjects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Twins, Dizygotic ; genetics ; Twins, Monozygotic ; genetics

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer-related death globally. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is one of the important factors leading to the occurrence of lung cancer, but its mechanism has not been elucidated. This study intends to investigate the relationship between SNPs of CDH1, FANCB, APC genes and lung cancer genetic susceptibility. METHODS: The case-control study design was used. We collected blood samples from 270 lung cancer cases in the Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, as well as blood samples from 445 healthy volunteers as controls, and extracted genomic DNA for genotyping using the Taqman® SNP genotyping kit. The distribution of three SNP loci of CDH1 gene rs201141645, FANCB gene rs754552650 and APC gene rs149353082 in Chinese population was analyzed. Chi-square test and Logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between different genotypes and the risk of lung cancer. RESULTS: The distribution frequencies of AA, A/G and GG genotypes at rs754552650 of FANCB gene in the control group were 27.2%, 52.6% and 20.2%, respectively. The distribution frequencies of AA and A/G genotypes were 93.7% and 6.3% in the case group, respectively, and no GG genotype was detected. The A/G genotype of the rs754552650 locus of the FANCB gene was significantly different between the case group and the control group. Compared with the carriers of AA genotype, the individuals with FANCB rs754552650 A/G genotype had a lower risk of lung cancer (OR=0.035, 95%CI: 0.020-0.062, P<0.001). CDH1 gene rs201141645 A/C and CC genotypes only existed in the control group. In addition, only 1 sample was found to have APC rs149353082 genotype in the case group. CONCLUSIONS In the Chinese population, the lung cancer risk of the individuals with FANCB rs754552650 A/G genotype was significantly decreased.
Antigens, CD/genetics* ; Cadherins/genetics* ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group Proteins/genetics* ; Gene Frequency ; Genes, APC ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide