Objective To investigate the effects of deletion of adenosine A2A receptors on peripheral leukocytes on cerebral white matter lesions induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.Methods Twenty-four wild type(WT) male mice were given a ? irradiation of 12.5Gy,followed by receiving bone marrow cells tail vein from female A2A receptor knocked out(KO) mice via tail vein,were assigned as KO→WT group,while those received bone marrow cells from WT female mice were assigned as WT→WT group(n=20).The efficiency of reconstitution of bone marrow cells in recipient mice was assessed 7 weeks after transplantation by PCR and immunofluorescent technique.Then,the recipient mice were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery stenosis with internal diameter of 0.18mm by external banding using microcoils at 8 weeks after transplantation.On 7d,14d and 30d after the surgery,corpus callosum,fiber bundles of Caudoputamen and optic tract were harvested from the cerebral white matter,and stained with Kluver-Barrera staining for observing the changes in nerve fibers,and with GFAP and CD11b immunohistochemistry staining for observing the proliferation of microglia and astrocytes.Results At 7 weeks after successful transplantation,the genotype of sex chromosome in peripheral leukocytes of the male recipient mice was changed into female pattern.The expression rate of A2A receptor was 9.73%?2.05% in KO→WT group and 93.82%?11.24% in WT→WT group,with significant difference between the two groups(P

Objective To observe behavioral characteristics and pathologic changes of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in mice. MethodsTotally 62 adult C57BL/6 mice were subjected to either sham-operation (n=31) or bilateral common carotid artery stenosis using external microcoils with an inner diameter of 0.18 mm(n=31). At 30 d after the stenosis, the animals of the 2 groups (8 mice for each group) underwent behavioral test of 8-arm radial maze. In 7, 14 and 30 d, the rest mice were sacrificed for their brain tissue samples which were examined with Kluver-Barrera staining and immunohistochemical assay for markers of microglia and astroglia, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and CD11b. In 14 d after the model establishment, Evans blue dye extravasation test was performed for the blood-brain barrier function. ResultsThe model group made significantly more errors than sham-operated group in 8-arm radial maze test at 30 d after the surgery. White matter lesions occurred and the proliferation of activated microglia and astroglia were observed in white matter in model mice after 14 and 30 d bilateral common carotid artery stenosis. The disruption of blood-brain barrier function of model mice was indicated in the evans blue extravasation test at 14 d after bilateral common carotid artery stenosis. ConclusionCognitive impairment, white matter lesions and glial activation are successfully induced after bilateral common carotid artery stenosis in mice model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Objective To investigate the effect of adenosine A2A receptor deficiency on the ischemic neuronal injury and its potential mechanism.Methods Transient(2 h)cerebral ischemia was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)in mice.Adenosine A2A receptor knockout(A2ARKO)mice and their wild-type littermates(A2ARWT)were divided into 2-hour cerebral ischemia group,cerebral ischemia with 22-hour reperfusion group and cerebral ischemia with 46-hour reperfusion group.Cerebral infarction volume was measured by image analysis of brain sections stained with cresyl violet(CV).Brain water content was evaluated with the dry-wet weighing method.The expression of calbindin D-28k(CB)and aquaporin-4(AQP4)in ischemic brain was determined with immunohistochemical methods.Results The cerebral infarction volumes in 2-hour cerebral ischemia group,cerebral ischemia with 22-hour reperfusion group and cerebral ischemia with 46-hour reperfusion group of A2ARKO mice were lesser than those in the corresponding groups of A2ARWT mice.Compared with A2ARWT mice,A2ARKO mice had more CB,lesser AQP4 expressions and lesser brain water contents.Conclusion Adenosine A2A receptor deficiency exerts the protection against ischemic brain injury both in the acute phase and reperfusion phase,and attenuates brain edema caused by cerebral ischemia,which may be due to the inhibition of intracellular calcium overload and AQP4 expression.

AIMTo explore the causes of the difference in spermatogenic suppression between responders and non-responders in Chinese men treated with levonorgestrel (LNG) implants plus testosterone undecanoate (TU) injectable.

METHODSThe 16 Chinese volunteers treated were divided into two groups in regard to the sperm count during the treatment period, 7 men in the responder group (Group R), including 6 azoospermia and one severe oligozoospermia, and the remaining 9 in the non-responder group (Group N), including 4 oligozoospermia and 5 with sperm counts greater than 20 x 10(6)/mL. The differences in serum profiles of FSH, LH, T, LNG and T/LH ratio were compared between the two groups and the correlation between the seminal fluid parameters and serum reproductive hormones was analyzed.

RESULTSThe serum FSH level was lower in Group R than that in Group N (P<0.05), while the serum LH and LNG levels were higher in Group R than those in Group N (P<0.05). The sperm density (P<0.01, r=0.235), motility(P<0.01, r=0.326) and vitality (P<0.01, r=0.219) showed significantly positive correlation with the serum FSH level.

CONCLUSIONThe blood LNG and T levels, the degree of FSH inhibition and/or the sensitivity of the pituitary-testis axis to exogenous steroids, as well as the individual spermatogenetic potential and the functional status of the Leydig cells may be factors bringing about individual differences in spermatogenic suppression in Chinese men treated with LNG and TU.

Adult ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; administration & dosage ; Drug Implants ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Injections ; Levonorgestrel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Leydig Cells ; physiology ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and eNOS in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope (VVS).

METHODSFourteen children with VVS (group A), 10 children with syncope other than vasovagal (group B) and 20 healthy volunteers (group C) were enrolled. Plasma NO levels in groups A and B were determined before and at the termination of the head-up tilt table test (HUT). The G894T polymorphism within the eNOS gene was determined in the three groups.

RESULTSPlasma NO levels in group A increased significantly when syncope attacked from 76.7+/-9.6 micromol/L (before HUT) to 90.0+/-11.4 micromol/L (P<0.05). After the syncope attack was improved, plasma NO level in group A was significantly reduced. There were no statistical differences in plasma NO levels before and after the HUT in group B. Determining the G894T polymorphism within the eNOS gene showed that group A was associated with a higher incidence of the GT gene type as compared to groups B and C (42.9% vs 10%; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPlasma NO may be involved in the pathogenesis of VVS. The increased plasma NO level may be associated with the G894T polymorphism of the eNOS gene.

Child ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; physiology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Syncope, Vasovagal ; etiology

In order to enhance the antitumor efficacy of recombinant Newcastle disease virus, rNDV-IL15 was rescued in this study. Recombinant plasmid prNDV-IL15 was constructed, and BHK21 cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmid. Finally, the recombinant Newcastle disease virus rNDV-IL15 was successfully rescued. The growth curves of these two recombinant viruses were determined. Murine melanoma B16F10 cells were infected with rNDV-IL15 at MOI of 0.1, and the expression level of IL15 in the supernatant was detected by ELISA. The antitumor efficacy of rNDV-IL15 and rNDV was compared in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that prNDV-IL15 was constructed and recombinant virus rNDV-IL15 was successfully rescued. The growth curve of rNDV-IL15 showed that the growth of rNDV-IL15 had not been changed after insertion of IL15 gene. Results showed that there was high level of IL15 expression in the supernatant of rNDV-IL5-infected B16F10 cells (1 044.3 +/- 27.7 ng x mL(-1)). rNDV-IL15 and rNDV significantly inhibited the growth of B16F10 cells in vitro in a time-dependent manner. However, there was no significant difference between them. In animal experiments, rNDV-IL15 efficiently suppressed tumor growth in vivo when compared with rNDV, and the difference was statistically significant. The results suggested that rNDV-IL15 is a more effective antitumor agent.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Chick Embryo ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Interleukin-15 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Melanoma, Experimental ; pathology ; therapy ; Mice ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Newcastle disease virus ; genetics ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and feasibility of dog days moxibustion plaster therapy in treatment of allergic rhinitis of different patterns/syndromes.

METHODSAllergic rhinitis of lung deficiency and invasion of cold, spleen qi deficiency and kidney yang deficiency, 56 patients for each pattern/syndrome were randomized into a plaster therapy group and a nasal spray group, 28 cases in each one. In the plaster therapy group, according to the pattern/syndrome differentiation, with literature retrieval method, 3 acupoints of high frequency utility in clinic were selected as one group in acupoint plaster therapy. For lung deficiency and invasion of cold pattern/syndrome, Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12) and Hegu (LI 4) were selected. For spleen qi deficiency pattern/syndrome, Pishu (BL 21), Zusanli (ST 36) and Dazhui (GV 14) were selected. For kidney yang deficiency pattern/ syndrome, Shenshu (BL 23), Dingchuan (EX-B 1) and Bailao (EX-HN 15) were selected. Separately, on July 13, 2013, July 23, 2013, August 2, 2013 and August 12, 2013, the aucpoint plaster therapy was applied, 2 to 4 h (1 to 2 h for children) each time. In the nasal spray group, beclometasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray, 2 presses one nostril each time, 2 to 3 times a day, continuously for 4 weeks. The symptom score and efficacy were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSThe symptom scores of 3 patterns/syndromes were all apparently improved after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P<0.05), and the result in the plaster therapy group was better than that of the nasal spray group (P<0.05, P<0.01). For lung deficiency and invasion of cold pattern/syndrome, the total effective rate was 87.3% (20/24) in the plaster therapy group, better than 84.6% (22/26) in the nasal spray group (P<0.05). For spleen qi deficiency pattern/syndrome, the total effective rate was 83.3% (20/24) in the plaster therapy group, obviously better than 76.9% (22/26) in the nasal spray group (P<0.05). For kidney yang deficiency pattern/syndrome, the total effective rate was 79.2% (19/24) in the plaster therapy group, better than 76.9% (22/26) in the nasal spray group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe dog days moxibustion plaster therapy achieves definite efficacy on allergic rhinitis at the acupoints selected based on the differentiation of different patterns/syndromes and the efficacy is better than beclometasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray.

Acupuncture Points ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To detect the mutations of ATP2C1 gene in patients with Hailey-Hailey dis- ease (HHD).Methods PCR and direct sequencing were performed in 17 patients and 120 healthy controls to screen the mutations in the exons of ATP2C1 gene.Results Eight mutations were identified in nine probands, including three deletion mutations (nt1464-1487 del/nt1462-1485del,1523delAT,2375delTTGT),three splice site mutations (360—2A→G,1415—2A→T,2243+2T→C) and two missence mutations (C920T and G1942T).None of the above mutations was found in the controls.Conclusion Eight specific novel mutations were identified in nine probands of HHD,which could be causative factors of the disease.

Objective To explore the effect of different proportions of mixed blood exchange transfusion on blood circulation in neonates with hemolytic disease.Methods Thirty-one newborn infants with hemolytic disease were treated by peripheral arteriovenous synchronization of exchange transfusion with different proportions mixed blood.AB type plasma was mixed with O type red blood cell(RBC) washing.The proportion for the treatment group was 1:1(the O type RBCs 2 U:the AB type plasma 200 mL),by exchange transfusion of haplotypes,in accordance with 80?mL/kg;the proportion for control group was 2:1(the O type RBC 4 U:the AB type plasma 200 mL),by exchange transfusion of double in accordance with 150-180 mL/kg.The indicators were detected,such as the exchange rate of neonatal serum bilirubin,RBC,hemoglobin(Hb),hematocrit(HCT),and the exchange transfusion quantity and days of hospitalization before and after the exchange transfusion were analyzed.Results The exchange rate of serum bilirubin of treatment group and control group was (44.92?3.99)% and (45.69?5.06)%,respectively,there was no significant difference between 2 groups(P=0.639),there was no significant difference of hospitalization days[(8.13?1.13) d vs(8.19?0.91) d]between 2 groups(P=0.884).After exchange transfusion in treatment group,the average level of the RBC,Hb and HCT were increased(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and clinical significance of posterior vertebra column resection and reconstruction in the treatment of severe kyphosis.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 12 patients with severe kyphosis who received posterior vertebra column resection and reconstruction from January 2003 to July 2007.

RESULTSThe mean operation time was 5.0 h (4.0 - 7.8 h) and the evaluated blood loss during operation was 1 800 ml (800-3,000 ml). No neurologic complications or post-operative infections were noted. The patients became ambulatory 8 days after operation. Before operation, 5 patients were found to have neurological deficit, including Frankel grade A in 1 patient and D in 4 patients. After operation, the grades were all recovered to Frankel E. After operation, the Cobb angle of the kyphosis was corrected to 38 degrees, with an average correction rate of 63%.

CONCLUSIONSPosterior vertebra column resection and reconstruction may be a safe and effective technique for the treatment of severe kyphosis. It can fully decompress the neurological structures, correct the kyphosis deformity, and achieve early weight-bearing. It is especially useful to avoid neurological injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult