Objective To investigate the characteristics of cognitive function and mental behavior symp-toms in patients with Parkinson′s disease dementia(PDD)and dementia with lewy body(DLB).Methods Forty-eight patients with DLB and 38 with PDD were collected in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital and Tianjin Jianhua Hospital. All patients were assessed on cognitive function and mental behavior symptoms using Montreal Cognitive Assess-ment Scale,Mini-Mental State Examination,Hamilton Depression Scale,Hamilton Anxiety Scale and The Neuro-psychiatric Inventory Questionnaire.The Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-Part 3(UPDRSⅢ)and modified Hoehn Yahr staging were used to assess the severity of motor symptoms in patients. Results Scores of UPDRSⅢ,posture and gait disorder were higher in DLB group than those in PDD group but the score of tremor was lower in DLB group than that in PDD group. The proportions of non tremor onset and bilateral onset were also lower in DLB group than those in PDD group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Cognitive func-tion impairment was more serious in DLB group than that in PDD group in all cognitive fields including execution, attention,visual space,orientation and the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05). Hallucinations (81.3%)and irritability/emotional instability(62.5%)were more common in DLB group but apathy(76.9%),de-pression(73.7%)and anxiety(73.7%)were more common in PDD group. Conclusions Cognitive impairment is more progressive in DLB patients than that in PDD patients.Hallucinations and irritability/emotional instability are more common in DLB group but apathy,depression and anxiety are more common in PDD group.

Objective:To construct anti-B7-H4-scFv-PE38KDEL,a recombinant toxin based on anti-B7-H4 single chain antibody (scFv),to detect anti-tumor effect of toxin protein.Methods:The anti-B7-H4-scFv gene was ligated with the toxin PE38KDEL gene by overlapping extension PCR(SOE-PCR).The recombinant gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28a(+),and the protein was renatured and purified by chromatography (Ni-NTA),and was identified by Western blot.Indirect ELISA and flow analysis technology were used for specific identification.The inhibitory effects of toxins on tumor cells were detected by MTT assay and subcutaneous xenograft model in vitro and in vivo.HE staining and immunohistochemical analysis were performed on tumor tissues.Results:The recombinant expression vector pET28a-anti-B7-H4-scFv-PE38KDEL was obtained by restriction endonuclease di-gestion.The purified toxin protein was inoculated on the tumor cells.The tumor growth was inhibited in the tumor model.Conclusion:The recombinant toxin expression system based on anti-B7-H4 single chain antibody was successfully constructed.The recombinant toxin protein had good biological activity and anti-tumor activity.

OBJECTIVETo establish rabbit model of scoliosis induced with stable asymmetric lumbar loads.

METHODSScoliosis was induced in 10 two-month-old New Zealand rabbits using 316L stainless steel springs placed between the unilateral transverse processes of L2 and L5. Serial radiographs were documented before and at 1, 4, 8, 9 and 12 weeks after the operation. At weeks, the rabbits were randomly divided into SR group (n=5) with the spring removed and SK group (n=5) without spring removal.

RESULTSAll the rabbits survived the experiment with Cobb angle all greater than 10 degree at the end of the experiment. Significant changes were found in the Cobb angles and kyphotic angles at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation (P<0.05). At 8 weeks, the Cobb angle, the kyphotic angle and the length of the spring were similar between SR and SK groups (P>0.05), and in the 4 weeks following spring removal in SR group, the Cobb angle and the kyphosis decreased significantly compared with those in SK group (P<0.05). Micro-CT showed that the BV/TV of the concave side was greater than that of the convex side. The length of the spring did not show obvious changes during the experiment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAsymmetric lumbar loading is a convenient, time-saving, and highly reproducible approach for establishing rabbit models of scoliosis.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Rabbits ; Scoliosis ; physiopathology ; Spine ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the optimal starvation conditions of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and establish a highly efficient and stable method for separating HUVECs.

METHODSHUVECs harvested from human umbilical cords by digestion with 0.1% collagenase II for 15 min were cultured in endothelial culture medium (ECM) containing 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% endothelial cell growth factor (ECGS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin solution(P/S) at 37 degrees celsius; in 5% CO2. The cells were observed for cell morphology under an inverted microscope and identified with immunofluorescence assay. The purity of HUVECs was detected using flow cytometry (FCM). The cell cycles of HUVECs cultured in the presence of 0, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% FBS for 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h were analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTSs The purity of HUVECs harvested by digestion with 0.1% collagenase II reached 99.67%. The primary HUVECs showed a cobblestone or volute appearance in vitro. Immunocytochemistry showed that HUVECs highly expressed VIII-related antigen. Cell culture in the presence of different concentrations of FBS for 6 h resulted in 70% G0/G1 phase cells, which increased to 80%-90% at 12 h of cell culture, and further to around 95% at 18 and 24 h.

CONCLUSIONDigestion with 0.1% collagenase II can obtain high-purity primary HUVECs. Culturing HUVECs in serum-free medium for 12 h can result in a high purity (over 80%) of G0/G1 phase cells.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Cycle ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Flow Cytometry ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 ; chemistry ; Serum

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of limited external fixation with plastic paperboard in treating senile proximal comminuted humeral fracture. METHODS: From June 2015 to December 2017, 32 senile patients with proximal comminuted fracture of humerus were treated with plasticized cardboard after manual external fixation. Among them, including 13 males and 19 females aged from 55 to 85 years old with an average of(68.22±8.36) years old; 18 patients on the left side and 14 patients on the right side; all patients were regularly review shoulder X-rays and performed appropriate functional exercises. Constant-Murley shoulder joint scoring was used to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months with an average of (4.97±2.39) months. All patients were underwent functional exercise under guidance of physicians. Nine patients were treated with topical Chinese herbal moist heat compresses to promote shoulder function recovery. Thirty-one patients were obtained fracture healing, the time ranged from 5 to 12 weeks with an average of(7.44±1.72)weeks. One patient was not healed due to comminuted fracture of fracture end and the separation was large, the blood supply to humeral head was insufficient for necrosis absorption. Postoperative Constant-Murley shoulder score at 3 months was 87.56±6.93; 15 patients got excellent results, 14 good, 2 fair and 1 poor. CONCLUSIONS Limited external fixation with plastic paperboard for the treatment of senile proximal comminuted humeral fracture could ensure biomechanical stability of fracture, promote early recovery of shoulder joint function and shorten recovery time.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Comminuted ; surgery ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plastics ; Shoulder Fractures ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDDihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), a key enzyme involved in the catabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is the attractive candidate for pharmacogenetic research on efficacies and toxicities of 5-FU. The aim of this study is to explore the association between polymorphisms of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) and clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients treated with fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in the Chinese population.

METHODSThree hundred and sixty-two patients with gastric cancer in the Chinese population were treated with fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy. The single nucleotide polymorphic genotypes of DPYD were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) using DNA samples isolated from peripheral blood collected before treatment.

RESULTSThe average response rate for chemotherapy was 46.7%. A significantly different distribution of the rs1801159 (c2=8.76, P=0.012) genotypes was observed. Homozygous genotype rs1801159A/A was over-represented in responsive patients. Conversely, carriers of the rs1801159A/G genotype were prevalent in non-responsive patients. In the haplotype association analysis, there was significant difference in global haplotype distribution between the groups (c2=3.96, P=0.0465).

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that polymorphisms of rs1801159 in DPYD may be used as valuable predictors of the response to fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for gastric cancer patients in the Chinese population. Well-designed, comprehensive, and prospective studies on determining these polymorphisms of DPYD as predictive markers for gastric cancer in response to fluorouracil-based therapies are warranted.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; methods ; Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP) ; genetics ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Background: The detection of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome at early stage is challenging for neurologists. Since polyneuropathy could be the first manifestation, it could be misdiagnosed as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The present study aimed to determine the clinical and electrophysiological features of POEMS syndrome to distinguish from CIDP. Methods: The data of a group of patients with POEMS (n = 17) and patients with CIDP (n = 17) in Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University from January 2015 to September 2017 were analyzed in this retrospective study. The clinical features, neurological symptoms, and electrophysiological findings were compared between the two groups. Results: Clinically, patients with POEMS demonstrated significantly more neuropathic pain in the lower extremities than patients with CIDP (58.8% vs. 11.8%, P = 0.01). Multisystem features like edema, skin change, organomegaly, and thrombocytosis were also pointed towards the diagnosis of POEMS syndrome. Electrophysiologically, terminal latency index (TLI) was significantly higher in patients with POEMS than that in patients with CIDP (median nerve: 0.39 [0.17–0.52] vs. 0.30 (0.07–0.69), Z = –2.413, P = 0.016; ulnar nerve: 0.55 [0.23–0.78] vs. 0.42 [0.12–0.70], Z = –2.034, P = 0.042). Patients with POEMS demonstrated a higher frequency of absent compound muscle action potential of the tibial nerve (52.9% vs. 17.6%, P = 0.031), less conduction block (ulnar nerve: 0 vs. 35.3%, P = 0.018), and less temporal dispersion (median nerve: 17.6% vs. 58.8%, P = 0.032) than CIDP group. The combination of positive serum monoclonal protein and high TLI (if either one or both were present) discriminated POEMS from CIDP with a sensitivity of 94.1% and 47.1% and specificity of 76.5% and 100.0%, respectively. Conclusions POEMS syndrome could be distinguished from CIDP through typical clinical and electrophysiological characteristics in practice. The combination of serum monoclonal protein and high TLI might raise the sensitivity of detecting POEMS syndrome.

Objective:To study the effect of exercise preconditioning on the expression of autophagy-related protein Beclin 1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and apoptosis after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, to explore the mechanism of myocardial protection by exercise preconditioning. Methods:A total of 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group and exercise preconditioning group, with twelve rats in each group. The exercise preconditioning group received electric treadmill training for four weeks before modeling. The model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion was made by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery 30 minutes and reperfusion. One hour after reperfusion, the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 protein in myocardium was detected by Western blotting, and apoptosis of myocardial cells was observed by TUNEL staining, then the apoptotic index was calculated. Results:Compared with the model group, the level of LC3-I protein in the myocardial ischemic area increased, the levels of Beclin 1 and LC3-II decreased, the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I decreased (P < 0.05); and the apoptotic index decreased in the preconditioning group (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Exercise preconditioning could up-regulate LC3-I in ischemic area, down-regulate the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3-II, and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis after ischemia-reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of cluster acupuncture at scalp points in treating limb spasm after stroke on the basis of conventional exercise therapy. METHODS: A total of 72 patients with limb spasm after stroke were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a control group (36 cases, 6 cases dropped off). The control group was treated with exercise therapy. In the observation group, on the basis of the control group, penetrating technique of acupuncture was exerted at Qianding (GV 21) to Baihui (GV 20), Xinhui (GV 22) to Qianding (GV 21), etc. once a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the changes of the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), simplified Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA), and modified Barthel index (MBI) scores of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: After treatment, the MAS scores of upper and lower limbs in the two groups were lower than before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of FMA and BMI in the two groups were higher than before treatment (P<0.05), and the score of MBI in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION On the basis of conventional exercise therapy, cluster acupuncture at scalp points can reduce the spasm, improve motor function and activities of daily living in patients with limb spasm after stroke.
Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Scalp ; Spasm ; Stroke/therapy* ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Treatment Outcome

China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/microbiology* ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/classification* ; Transients and Migrants