Object To study the changes of Nogo-A expression after the spinal cord injury in rats. Methods The rats were divided into the spinal cord injured group, the sham operation group and the normal control group, respectively. 1 d,3 d and 7 d after the operation, the Nogo-A immunohistochemistry was performed. Results Nogo-A was expressed obviously by the neurons and oligodendrocytes. With the survive time increasing, the relative intensity of immunoreactivity and the number of Nogo-A positive neurons and oligodendrocytes were both decreased after an initial increase. Conclusion Nogo-A is expressed by neurons after the spinal cord injury. The expression of Nogo-A and the number of positive neurons in grey matter and oligodendrocyte-like cells in white matter are increased obviously at first, and then decreased gradually.

Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; surgery ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo discuss whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the peripheral blood can reflect the biological activities of pituitary adenomas.

METHODSThe concentrations of VEGF in peripheral blood were measured with ELISA in 203 patients with pituitary adenomas, 22 patients with pituitary hyperplasia, 7 patients with pituitary Rathke' pouch and 3 patients with pituitary abscess.

RESULTSThe serum VEGF levels were (366.8 +/- 211.1) pg/ml and (286.8 +/- 107.6) pg/ml in patients with pituitary adenomas and pituitary hyperhasia, respectively, which were higher than those in patients with pituitary Rathke' pouch [(180.5 +/- 61.7) pg/ml], patients with pituitary abscess [(147.5 +/- 46.3) pg/ml] and the health control [(180.8 +/- 56.2) pg/ml] (P < 0.05). In patients with pituitary adenomas, the VEGF levels were (380.0 +/- 234.5) pg/ml in macroadenomas and (380.1 +/- 2870.3) pg/ml in giant adenomas, higher than those in microadenomas [(294.6 +/- 111.6) pg/ml] and in pituitary hyperhasia respectively (P < 0.05). The serum VEGF levels were not significantly different in pituitary adenoma in terms of invasive growth, apoplexy, cyst and hormone secretory functions (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe upregulation of serum VEGF expression may reflect the biological activities of pituitary adenoma. However, it may not be associated with pituitary Rathke' pouch, pituitary abscess, adenoma with invasiveness, apoplexy, cyst and hormone secretory function. The serum VEGF levels could be helpful in differentiating pituitary adenoma from pituitary Rathke' pouch and pituitary abscess.

Adenoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; blood ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Diseases ; blood ; diagnosis ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

The aim of this study was to investigate the curative effects of amifostine (AMF) combined with recombinant human beta-erythropoietin (rhbeta-EPO) on patients with pure erythroid aplasia (PEA). Two patients with PEA were treated with amifostine and rhbeta-EPO. The therapeutic regimen was adopted with AMF 0.4 g/day given by intravenous injection for 5 days first, then after a break of 2 days it went on for 3 weeks consecutively, that was considered as one treatment cycle. The rhbeta-EPO 6 000 U was used by subcutaneous injection for 3 times per week. The results showed that the red cell count, hemoglobin and reticulocyte count of two patients obviously increased after treatment. The erythroid ratio in bone marrow increased. Bone marrow biopsy showed that the erythroid proliferation improved. Intervals of red cell transfusions (RCT) in the two patients who live by red cell transfusion were prolonged after AMF treatments, and the amounts of each RCT was decreased obviously. The main side effect of amifostine was discomfort of digestive system, but was tolerated by all patients. In conclusion, amifostine plus rhbeta-EPO may be a new, effective and safety method especially for the elder PEA patients. The long-term curative effects and mechanism of amifostine still need further evaluation.
Aged, 80 and over ; Amifostine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anemia, Aplastic ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Erythropoietin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Mycobacterium smegmatis vaccine on the level of nitric oxide (NO) produced by peritoneal macrophages in immunized mice.

METHODSBalb/c mice were randomized into low-dose, middle-dose, and high-dose groups (injected with different doses of Mycobacterium smegmatis vaccine) and a control group (injected with normal saline). Then the peritoneal macrophages were cultured with lipopolysaccharide in vitro. The supernatants were collected and the concentrations of NO were analyzed through the reaction with Griess reagents.

RESULTSThe levels of NO produced by the peritoneal macrophages in the control group, low-dose group, middle-dose group, and high-dose group were (3.50 +/- 3.11), (16.63 +/- 6.47), (13.97 +/- 6.20), and (7.55 +/- 2.26) ng/ml, respectively. The levels of NO in all dosing groups were significantly different from that in control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMycobacterium smegmatis vaccine can promote the peritoneal macrophages to produce NO in mice.

Animals ; Bacterial Vaccines ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mycobacterium smegmatis ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish an artificial somatic-autonomic reflex arc in rats and observe the following distributive changes of neural fibers in the bladder.

METHODSAdult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, spinal cord injury (SCI) group, and reinnervation group. DiI retrograde tracing was used to verify establishment of the model and to investigate the transport function of the regenerated efferent axons in the new reflex arc. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the DiI-labeled neurons was detected by immunohistochemistry. Distribution of neural fibers in the bladder was observed by acetylcholine esterase staining.

RESULTSDiI-labeled neurons distributed mainly in the left ventral horn from L3 to L5, and some of them were also ChAT-positive. The neural fibers in the bladder detrusor reduced remarkably in the SCI group compared with the control (P < 0.05). After establishment of the somatic-autonomic reflex arc in the reinnervation group, the number of ipsilateral fibers in the bladder increased markedly compared with the SCI group (P < 0.05), though still much less than that in the control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe efferent branches of the somatic nerves may grow and replace the parasympathetic preganglionic axons through axonal regeneration. Acetylcholine is still the major neurotransmitter of the new reflex arc. The controllability of detrusor may be promoted when it is reinnervated by the pelvic ganglia efferent somatic motor fibers from the postganglionic axons.

Acetylcholinesterase ; biosynthesis ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Animals ; Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic ; physiology ; Cholinergic Fibers ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Motor Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Neural Pathways ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reflex ; physiology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder ; innervation ; physiology ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; surgery

Objective To explore the relationship between immune and pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the investigation of neurofilaments phosphorylation and ultrastructure features in spinal cord ventral horn motor neuron injury mediated by immune.Methods Using transmission electron microscope,we studied the uhrastructure features of abnormal accumulations of neurofilaments (NF) in motoneuron of the spinal cord ventral horn,and immunohistochemically investigated neurofilaments phosphorylation.Results Electron microscope found that there was abnormal accumulation of interwoven NFs in motor neuronal perikarya and proximal axons.Immunohistochemical study revealed that the SMI-32 immunoreactive positive neurons (12.00?1.05),compared with control (18.00?1.83),were reduced (P

OBJECTIVETo observe the intervention effect of Leihong Granule (LG) in in-stent restenosis (ISR) after endovascular therapy for lower extremity arterial occlusive diseases (LEAOD).

METHODSRecruited 80 LEAOD patients who successfully underwent endovascular therapy (balloon dilation and stent implantation) were randomly assigned to two groups, the control group and the LG group, 40 in each group. Patients in the control group received basic treatment, while those in the LG group additionally took LG for 3 months. Plasma levels of IL-10, IL-18, CRP, and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of lower extremity artery were observed in the two groups between and after treatment. The rate of stent patency, ABI, intermittent claudication, rest pain, and the incidence of amputation the two groups were recorded and observed in the two groups.

RESULTSIn the control group, serum levels of IL-10, IL-18, CRP, and IMT were significantly higher one month after surgery than before surgery (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum levels of IL-10, IL-18, CRP, or IMT between the two groups before surgery (P > 0.05). These indices were obviously lower in the LG group than in the control group after surgery (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the incidence rates of intermittent claudication and the rest pain at 6 months and 12 months after surgery significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The stent patency rate at 6 months and 12 months after surgery, and ABI were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the amputation rate between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLG might effectively improve ischemic symptoms of affected limbs possibly through lowering the ISR rate after endovascular therapy for LEAOD through preventing immunosuppressive actions.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Graft Occlusion, Vascular ; therapy ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

A heat shock treatment was studied in glycerol fermentation of osmotolerant yeast Candida krusei. The experiment results showed that the optimal temperature and duration time for heat shock is 45℃ and 30 min respectively,and the optimal start time of the treatment is at the mid term in exponential growth stage. With such treatment, glycerol yield was enhanced greatly,while no signficant effects on both cell growth and glucose consumption were observed.

AIMTo assay ET and NO in venous blood of native Tibetan and to investigate the effects of hypoxia on ET and NO levels in cultured umbilical venous endothelial cells of native Tibetan.

METHODSET and NO in venous blood of native Tibetan, immigrant Han and lowland Han were assayed. Umbilical venous endothelial cells (UVECs) from native Tibetan and immigrant Han newborns were cultured and divided into 4 groups: (1) Native Tibetan control group (TC), (2) Native Tibetan hypoxic group (TH), (3) Immigrant Han control group (HC), (4) Immigrant Han hypoxic group (HH). Supernatant was collected and ET and NO were detected.

RESULTSVenous blood NO was significantly higher in native Tibetan than in immigrant Han, while ET lower in native Tibetan than in immigrant Han. ET excretion from UVECs was elevated while NO decreased in both Tibetan and Han groups after exposed to hypoxia. On time-points 12 h and 24 h, ET was significantly lower in TH than in HH, while concentration of NO showed no difference in TH and HH.

CONCLUSIONET released by UVECs was higher in Han than in Tibetan after 12 h and 24 h hypoxic exposure, which may be in favor of lower vascular resistance and better fetal blood supply in Tibetan, and thus plays a role in the mechanisms of less intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) throughout pregnancy and heavier birth weight of Tibetan newborns.

Altitude ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cell Hypoxia ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism