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 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

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 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.

Objective To observe the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCS) transplantation on the brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) after the spinal cord injury (SCI) of rats, and investigate the mechanism of repairing the SCI by MSCS transplantation.Methods Mesenchymal stem cells were cultured from the thighbone of adult SD rats and identified by immunoctochemistry.Seven days after the operation of spinal cord injury, the mesenchymal stem cells were transplanted into the injured spinal cord site.Sixty adult SD rats were random divided into three groups: Spinal cord injury cured with transplants of mesenchymal stem cells to the injured spinal cord site ( group A), spinal cord injury received PBS solution( group B) and control group ( group C).The expression of brain - derived neurotrophic factors of the lesion and neighbor areas were examined by immunohistochemistry, The mechanism of repairing the lesion and neighbor areas were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the mechanisms of repairing the spinal cord injury after mesenchymal stem cells transplantation were investigated.Results Mesenchymal stem cells began to grow after 24 hours of inoculation and proliferate 72 hours later.The proliferate the proliferous cyclewas 4 ～6 days, it declined on the 10th era.Mesenchymal stem cells turned to flat, and the mesenchymal stem cells could maintain the ability of proliferation if bFGF was added.Compared with group B, transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells enhanced more expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors in group A ( 14 d :0.31 ± 0.03 vs 0.25 ± 0.04, P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion Mesenchymal stem cells in transplantation group showed a continued high level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, which may be one of the mechanisms of repairing the spinal cord injury by mesenchymal stem cells transplantation.

ObjectiveTo seek the optimal method in treating hemifacial spasm (HFS).MethodThirty HFS patients were selected and randomized into atreatment group and a control group. The treatment group was intervened by selecting cervical Jiaji (EX-B2) points plus conventional acupuncture, while the control group was by conventional acupuncture alone; 15 sessions were regarded as a treatment course, and the therapeutic efficacies were observed and compared after 2 successive treatment courses. ResultThe total effective rate was 86.7% in the treatment group, significantly higher than 66.7% in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionElectroacupuncture at cervical Jiaji plus conventional acupuncture is significantly effective in treating HFS, and its total effective rate is higher than that of the conventional acupuncture alone.