AIM:To investigate the levels and clinical significance of microRNA-133a/b (miR-133a/b) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 ( MRP1 ) in peripheral blood of the patients with drug-refractory epilepsy. METHODS:Prediction of the miRNAs targeting transcriptional regulation of MRP1 was conducted by bioinformatics analy-sis.The plasmids containing wild type and mutant 3’UTR of MRP1 reporter gene were constructed.Dual luciferase report-er gene assay was used to verify this prediction.In addition, the peripheral blood samples of the epilepsy patients (37 cases were drug-refractory, the other 58 cases were nonresistant) were collected.The levels of miR-133a/b and MRP1 were measured by real-time PCR and ELISA.RESULTS:Through TargetScan database, it was predicted that miR-133a/b tran-scriptionally regulated MRP1.The results of dual luciferase report gene assay suggested that luciferase activity in experi-mental group with miR-133a/b mimics, pMIR-MRP1 and pRLTK plasmids were down-regulated by 76.9% and 64.1%compared with that in control group with scramble mimic, pMIR-MRP1 and pRLTK plasmids.The luciferase activity was up-regulated by 3.62 times and 2.04 times in mutation group with miR-133a/b mimics, pMIR-mut-MRP1 and pRLTK plasmids compared with experimental group.Before administration, the serum levels of miR-133a/b in the epilepsy patients without drug resistance was 2.18 times and 1.74 times higher than than in the epilepsy patients with drug resistance ( P<0.05), respectively, while MRP1 expression level was 3.72 times higher in the epilepsy patients with drug resistance than those in the epilepsy patients without drug resistance.After administration, the levels of miR-133a/b in the epilepsy pa-tients without drug resistance were 2.76 times and 2.95 times higher than those in the epilepsy patients with drug resistance (P<0.05), respectively, while the serum level of MRP1 in the epilepsy patients with drug resistance was 4.99 times higher than that in the epileptic patients without drug resistance (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:miR-133a/b transcriptio-nally regulates MRP1.There are lower expression levels of miR-133a/b and higher expression level of MRP1 in the epilep-sy patients with drug resistance compared with those in the epilepsy patients without drug resistance.miR-133a/b and MRP1 may be a diagnostic indicator for determining refractory epilepsy.

Objective To study the curative effect of praziquantel against juveniles of Paragonimus westermani and the dynamic changes of T lymphocytes and their subpopulations in infected mice after treatment. Methods Mice infected with metacercariae of P. westermani were treated with praziquantel 10 days after infection for examining the curative effect. Results Mice infected orally each with 30 metacereariae of F. westermani were treated with praziquantel at doses of 400,500 and 600 mg/(kg?d) respectively for 3 d, the juvenile reduction rates were 71.01 % ? 10.38% ,82.29% ? 7.92% and 95.83% ? 3.24% respectively; when the mice were infected with 80 metacercariae and treated with a dose of praziquantel 600 mg/(kg?d) for 3 d, the worm reduction rate was 84.49% ?10.91%. T lymphocytes and their subpopulations began to increase at 1 wk and returned to normal at 8 wk after praziquantel treatment. Conclusion The efficacy of praziquantel against juvenile P. westermani was poorer than that against adult worms ; the efficacy was relevant to the drug dosage and the number of metacercariae infected. The T lymphocytes and their subpopulations may be regarded as an index for curative effect.

Objective　To explore an objective and precise method of measuring the angles of human ears.Methods　Thirty cases (60 ears) were measured by CT.They were performed in position of Frankfort horizontal plane.Results　Auriculo-cranial is 45±14 degrees,cephaloconchal is 83±13 degrees,scaphaconchal is 92±4 degrees,and they are symmetric on both sides.The differences of the angles between men and women are not obvious,except auriculo-cranial angle.Conclusion　The measurement of human auricular angles with CT is a useful and practical method in anthropology and aesthetic medicine.

Objective To assess the time course of functional recovery after coronary intervention in patients with myocardial infarction. Methods 30 patients with myocardial infarction (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF

Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy of the combination treatment of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with transcatheter chemoembolization or systemic intravenous themotherapy in the treatment of malignant solid tumors. Methods Eighty-four patients with malignant tumors were treated by transcatheter chemoembolization or systemic intravenous themotherapy, and then by HIFU, from July 2001 to December 2002. The clinical symptoms, organ functions (ALT、AST), and imaging findings (ECT, MRI or CT) before and after the combination treatment were compared. Results After the combination treatment, the remission rate of clinical symptoms was 92 5% (62/67). Of 56 patients with liver cancer, levels of ALT and AST reduced to normal in 58 9% (33/56) and 66 1% (37/56) of the patients, respectively. An AFP decrease ≥50% of originally numeric value was observed in 71 9% of the patients (23/32). MRI or CT findings indicated that the volume of tumor necrosis was ≥50% in 91 7% of patients (77/84), ≥80% in 61 9% of patients (52/84), and

Objective To improve the resistance exercise apparatus of climbing ladder with load on rats, and to observe the technological, athletic training and biological response to the improved experimental apparatus.Methods Thirty-six healthy SPF male Sprague-Dawley were randomly divided into control and exercise groups.The climbing ladder and weight bearing device were separately improved to develop a new resistance exercise apparatus of climbing ladder with load on rats.The exercise group took an 8-week incremental exercise program using this improved device.To observe the operation effect of this improved exercise apparatus.To observe the dynamic changes of average maximum load on SD rats from the exercise group during 8 weeks.To compare the effect of climbing ladder exercise with load on body weights of SD rats between the two groups.Results The improved climbing ladder was marked by the prioritization technique of architecture stabilization, weight bearing and easy cleaning.The improved bearing device has the advantages of being sturdy and durable, and simplemethod to calculating load.Moreover, the new experimental apparatus can be operated by one person during the exercise program.The average maximum load was successfully increased to 756 g after an 8-week exercise using the improved apparatus.Compared with the control group, the body weights of SD rats from the exercise group after training were significantly reduced (P<0.05).Conclusions The improved resistance exercise apparatus of climbing ladder with load can provide a more endurable and repeatable process in the study of rat strength training and it is recommended to use this new device in future experimental research.

To study the clinical significance of the changes in PDGF and 6 keto PGF 1? in patients before and after cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) and plain conventional balloon angioplasty (POBA). Blood was obtained from the coronary sinus. The levels of PDGF were determined by bioassay, and the levels of 6 keto PGF 1? were determined by ELISA. The results showed that the levels of PDGF and 6 keto PGF 1? were significantly different after PTCA between CBA group and POBA group ( P

Objective To study the platelet activity changes in patients before and after percutaneous coronary cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) and plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) as well as its clinical significance.Methods Blood was obtained from the coronary sinus. Bioassay method used for assessment of PDGF. The plasma 6-keto-PGF 1a level was determined using ELISA.Results The amount of PDGF and 6-keto-PGF 1a were significantly different after PTCA between CBA group and POBA group (P

Objective To explore clinical and cytological features of CSF in meningeal carcinomatosis.Methods The data of clinic, imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid in 44 cases with meningeal carcinomatosis were analyzed retrospectively.Results 31 cases appeared headache or notalgia, 18 cases had cranial nerve lesions, 25 cases showed meningeal irritation sign. MRI enhancement scanning found abnormally diffused piamater enhancement in 3 cases. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure of 32 cases increased, cell population of CSF increased in 41 cases and the most cells were activated monocytes and lymphocytes. All the 44 cases found tumor cells in cytological examination of CSF. 5 cases were intracalvarial primartumors, and the others were metastatic tumors. Cytologic classification showed adenocarcinoma of 33 cases, malignant lymphoma of 3 cases, undifferentiated carcinoma of 2 cases and squamous cell carcinoma of 1 case. Conclusions The clinical manifestations and imaging results of meningeal carcinomatosis lack specificity, and cytological examination of CSF is a reliable diagnosing method for this disease.

Objective To explore the surgical treatment for acute ulceration of gastric carcinoma.Methods The clinical data of 68 patients with ulceration of gastric carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively.All the cases,60 male patients and 8 females with average age of 58 years,were admitted from Jan.1990 to Jan.2007,and divided into three groups randomly,i.e.repair gastrectomy group(control,n=27),partial gastrectomy group(n=21) and radical cure group(n=20).Of the 68 patients,30 cases were diagnosed as ulceration of gastric carcinoma before surgical operation,25 cases were diagnosed as suspected ulceration of gastric carcinoma and 13 cases were misdiagnosed as gastric ulcer.All the cases were undergone operation.The ulcerations located at the superior part(6 cases),middle part(12 cases) or inferior part(50 cases) of stomach.38 cases were on Borrmann Ⅱ,and the other 30 cases were on Borrmann Ⅲ.The postoperative survival time of the patients in partial and radical gastrectomy groups was compared with that of the patients in repair group.Results Twenty-seven patients underwent repair of ulceration;21 patients received partial gastrectomy and 20 received radical gastrectomy(R2 distal subtotal gastrectomy 8 cases,R3 distal subtotal gastrectomy 12 cases).Postoperative complication occurred in 7.4% of the total cases and the mortality was 5.9%.One-,3-and 5-year survival rates were 3.7%,0 and 0 in repair gastrectomy group;52.4%,23.8% and 0 in partial gastrectomy group;and 75.0%,55.0% and 10% in radical cure group.Their Survival time were 5.93?4.95 months in repair gastrectomy groups,28.33?16.44 months in partial gastrectomy groups and 35.25?20.36 months in radical cure groups,respectively(P