Objective To observe the protective effects of soluble Nogo-66 receptor (NgR1 )antagonist (sNgR1-Fc) on cortical axons after cortical infarction in rats,and to study the phenomenon and molecular mechanism of its protective effects on and regeneration of axons.Methods The cortical infarction was induced by photochemistry,termed photothrombotic cortical injury (PCI).Fifteen Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:Sham-operated group,PBS (phosphate buffered solution) group,and s-NgR1-Fc group.In PBS group,PBS was injected into the lateral ventricle of rats; and in sNgR1-Fc group,sNgR1-Fc was injected instead of PBS. The ipsilateral cortex with lesion was harvested for histomorphometry and transmission electron microscope observation 7 days after PCI. Proteins including GTP-RhoA,p-JNK,p-c-JUN and p-ATF-2 were detected by Western blot,as well as Total-J and Total-RhoA.Results The cortical infarction in rats was successfully induced by photochemistry.Compared with sham-operated group,the pathological changes in PBS groups were more serious,including extensive edema or disappearance of axoplasm of fiber without medulla sheath involved and extensive thickening or layer derangement in axoplasm of fiber with medulla sheath involved.These changes were improved significantly after sNgR1-Fc treatment.The levels of GTP-RhoA,p-JNK1,p-JNK2,p-c-JUN and p-ATF-2 in the PBS group were significantly higher than those in the sham-operation group ( P ＜ 0.05 ),whereas the levels of Total-RhoA,Total-JNKl and Total-JNK2 were not different significantly between these two groups (P ＞0.05 ).The sNgR1-Fc treatment up-regulated the levels of these proteins ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions There is pathological change in axon induced by cerebral hypoxia-ischemia for a long period after cortical infarction.The mechanisms may be associated with RhoA/ROCK/JNK/c-Jun signal way,which is activated by ischemia injury and related to the inhibition of regeneration in axon.Our study shows that NgR1-Fc may inhibit this pathway significantly,and then promote the regeneration of axon partially.

Objective To evaluate the difference of carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) among different glucose tolerance status and to investigate the association of IMT with different glucose levels of 4 time points during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the lipid metabolic indices in non-diabetic subjects. Methods Eleven normal control subjects, 69 subjects with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) newly diagnosed by OGTT (including 28 patients with non-elevated OGTT 30 min and 60 min glucose values (

ObjectiveTo study the therapeutic effect and mechanisms of nourishing Piyin Remedy (nPR) on experimental rat spinal cord injury.MethodsThirty-two healthy SD rats were divided into 2 equal groups randomly: nPR group and injured group. Animal model of incomplete injury of spinal cord was made by Allen's equipment on rat's T8—T9 segment. The spinal nerve function,SEP,retrograde and label technique of horse radish peroxidase,gross observation,histological and morphometric analysis were taken as the observed indices.ResultsThe value of observed indices of nPR group were improved evidently compared with injured group.ConclusionNourishing Piyin Remede can hold back the secondary spinal cord injury and accelerate the recovery of spinal nerve function.

Objective To explore the possible effects of nutritional supplements on brain function as reflected by Water Maze test performance in mice after +Gz exposure.Method Mice were arranged into control group (group A),+Gz group without nutritional supplementation (group B) and +Gz plus nutritional supplementation group (group C).Each group contains 12 mice.Mice in group A were not exposed to +Gz while mice in both group B and group C were exposed to 8 min +10 Gz.Distilled water was gavaged to group B mice 3 h before +Gz exposure.On the day before +Gz exposure pyridoxol fortified water was given and 3 h before exposure mixed amino acids solution were gavaged to group C mice.Water Maze test was done and scores were recorded in all groups.After the Water Maze test was completed,blood was collected through the eyes for serum amino acid determinations and brain tissue was collected by decollation for monoamine determination and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity evaluation. Result After +Gz exposure,longer completion time and more mistakes were observed in Water Maze test in group B as compared with group A and a trend of improvement in group C was noticed. The ratio of brain 5-HT to dopamine(DA) was significantly reduced in group C as compared with group B.Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity in brain tissue in group C and group B increased significantly. Conclusion High sustained +Gz exposure significantly reduces Water Maze test performance in mice (longer completion time and more mistakes).It seems that there is a trend of improvement in Water Maze performance in mice in dietary nutritional supplementation group,which might be due to significant reduction in ratio of brain 5-HT to DA in mice with nutritional supplementation.

Objective To study the effect of neuronal Nogo-66 receptor (NgR1) antagonist,soluble Nogo-66 receptor (sNgR1-Fc),on promoting the endogenous neural precursor cells (NPCs) differentiating into neurons in order to clarify the mechanism.Methods The cortical infarction was induced by photochemistry,named photothrombotic cortical injury (PCI).Twelve Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided (random number) into three groups:Sham-operated group,PBS group,and sNgR1-Fc group.PBS (PBS group) or sNgR1-Fc (sNgR1-Fc group) was injected into the lateral ventricle of brain with a minipump.BrdU (Bromodeoxyuridine) was injected into the peritoneal cavity 4-6 days after PCI.The subdentate gyrus zone (SGZ) of brain from sacrificed rat was harvested for Immunohistochemistry to observe the ratio of NeuN +/BrdU + cells 35 days after PCI.Proteins including Nestin、Notch1 and Mash1 were detected by Western Blot.Results The cortical infarction in rat was successfully induced by photochemistry.Thirty-five days after PCI,the BrdU + cells number and theratio of NeuN +/BrdU + in the SGZ of the ipsilateral cerebrum hemisphere with PCI were significantly higher in sNgR1-Fc group than those in PBS group (P ＜ 0.05).The levels of Notch1,Mash1 and Neuro D in the sNgR1-Fc group were significantly higher than those in the PBS group (P ＜ 0.05),which were significantly higher than those in the Sham-operated group.Conclusions sNgR1-Fc could promote the endogenous NPCs differentiating into neurons in a cortical infarction model.The mechanisms may be attributed to the Notch/bHLH (proneural basic helix-loop-helix genes) signaling way.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of greenlight photoselective vaporization of prostate(PVP) in high-risk older patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods A total of 96 high-risk older patients with BPH underwent PVP.The operative time,blood loss,indwelling catheterization and operative complications were observed.The variables such as IPSS,QOL,uroflowmetry,post-void residual urine volume(RUV) were recorded and calculated pre-and post-operatively.Results All the 96 patients safely got through perioperative period.The mean operative time was(24.8?6.5)min,intraoperative blood loss was(55.4?16.8)ml and postoperative indwelling catheterization was(1.6?0.7)d.IPSS and QOL scores decreased form preoperative 29.8?5.2 and 5.2?0.8 to postoperative 8.4?2.3 and(1.4?)0.5,respectively.Qmax increased from(5.6?2.8)ml/s to(16.7?3.2)ml/s,and RUV decreased from(168.0?22.5)ml to(24.6?5.81)ml.There were significant differences of these parameters between pre-and post-operation(P

The effect of obesity on idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) girls is still under discussion.The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual hormone levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test in ICPP girls is controversial and the underlying mechanism is unclear.This study aims to further explore the independent effect of excess adiposity on peak luteinizing hormone (LH) level of stimulation test in ICPP girls and the role of other related factors.A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 618 girls diagnosed as having ICPP,including 355 cases of normal weight,99 cases of overweight and 164 cases of obese.The results showed that obese group had more progressed Tanner stage and no significant difference (P=0.28) in LH peak was found as basal LH value was used as a covariate.The obese group had higher total testosterone (TT),adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH),17-α hydroxyprogesterone (17-αOHP) and androstendione (AN),with significantly increased fasting insulin (FIN) and homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR).Stratified analysis showed inconsistency of the relationship between BMI-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) and LH peak in different Tanner stages (P for interaction=0.017).Further smoothing plot showed linear and non-linear relationship between BMI-SDS and LH peak in three Tanner stages.Then linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between BMI-SDS and LH peak in different Tanner stages,with and without different confounding factors being adjusted.In B2 stage,BMI-SDS was negatively associated with LH peak.In B3 stage,when BMI-SDS ＜1.5,as BMI-SDS increased,the level of LH peak decreased (model Ⅰ:β=-1.8,95％ CI=-4.7 to 1.1,P=0.214).When BMI-SDS ≥1.5,BMI-SDS was significantly positively associated with LH peak (model Ⅰ:β=4.5,95％ CI=1.7 to 7.4,P=0.002).In B4 stage,when BMI-SDS ＜1.5,BMI-SDS was negatively associated with LH peak (model Ⅰ:β=-11.6,95％ CI=-22.7 to-4.5,P=0.049).When BMI-SDS ≥1.5,BMI-SDS was positively associated with LH peak (model Ⅰ:β=-4.2,95％ CI=-3.3 to 11.7,P=0.28).It is concluded that there is an independent correlation between BMI-SDS and LH peak of stimulation test in ICPP girls,their relationships are different in different Tanner stages,and the effect of BMI-SDS can be affected by adrenal androgens,estradiol and glucose metabolism parameters.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of the peripheral blood P2X5 receptor at various ambient temperatures, and to explore its relationship with deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome.

METHODSSubjects were selected by questionnaire and expert diagnosis, and assigned to the normal control group, the deficiency-cold syndrome group, and the deficiency-heat syndrome group, 20 in each group. 5 mL venous blood was collected at room temperature (25 °C) and cold temperature (-4-5 °C) respectively. Then the expression of P2X5 receptor was relatively quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and compared at room temperature and cold temperature respectively.

RESULTSThe expression of P2X5 receptor in deficiency-cold syndrome and deficiency-heat syndrome groups was lower than that in the normal control group at room temperature (P < 0.05). It decreased more at cold temperature in the deficiency-cold syndrome group than in the normal control group (P < 0.01) as well as in the deficiency-heat syndrome group (P < 0.05). The expression of P2X5 receptor showed no difference in all groups at two different temperatures (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of P2X5 receptor was different in different syndrome groups at various ambient temperatures. Ambient temperatures had insignificant effect on the expression of P2X5 receptor of the population with the same syndrome.

Cold Temperature ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X5 ; metabolism ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of integrative medicine (IM) rehabilitation protocolon motor function, activity of daily living, and quality of life (QOL) in hemiplegia patients after stroke.

METHODSTotally 120 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were allocated to four groups using sealed envalope drawing, i.e., the rehabilitation group, the Chinese medical treatment group, the acupuncture group, and the comprehensive rehabilitation group, 30 cases in each group. Based on routine rehabilitative training, patients in the Chinese medical treatment group, the acupuncture group, and the compre-hensive rehabilitation group received standardized treatment based on syndrome typing, Shi's Consciousness-Restoring Resuscitation acupuncture, Chinese herbs + acupuncture comprehensive rehabilitatino protocol, respectively. The treatmet cycle consisted of 4 weeks with 24-week follow-ups. Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale(SS-QQL), and safety assessment were taken as main effect indices before treatment, at week 4 of treatment, at week 12 and 24 of follow-ups, respectively.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in FMA score, MBI score, SS-QOL score among the four groups before treatment (P > 0.05). These scores were significantly improved in the four groups at week 4 of treatment, week 12 and 24 of follow-ups, respectively (P < 0.05). Besides, FMA score and SS-QOL score were significantly improved in the comprehensive rehabilitation group at each corresponding time point, as compared with other treatment groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe comprehensive protocol could significantly improve motor function, activity of daily living in hemiplegia patients after stroke, and further improve their QOL. Its effect was better than other single treatment.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Hemiplegia ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Motor Skills ; Quality of Life ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the effects of mild hypothermia (MH) on blood coagulation and cerebral microcirculation in rabbits after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Method A total of 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly (random number) divided equally into normothermic group (NT) and MH group. CPR model was established by ventricular fibrillation induced by using alternating current. The rabbits of NT group were observed for 12 h in room temperature after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The mild hypothermia was induced in the rabbits of group MH by surface cooling after ROSC, and maintained for 12 h after the aimed low temperature reached. The PT (prothrombin time), APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time), INR (international normalized ratio of prothrombin), D-dimmer (DD) , blood platelet count (BPC) , anti-thrombin Ⅲ activity (AT-Ⅲ) and protein C activity (PC) were measured before CPR and 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after ROSC, and at the same time the cerebral microcirculation was measured by using PERIMED Multichannel Laser Doppler system. One-way ANOVA or Mann-Whitney rank was used to determine the statistical significance between two groups. LSD-t test was used for multiple comparisons,t test for comparisons of means between two independent samples, and Pearson correlation test for correlation analysis. Results The PT, APTT and INR showed a trend of gradually shortening during the course. The APTT in 12 h after ROSC was significantly shorter than that before CPR (23.32 ±5.19 vs. 29.53 ±5.10,P = 0.025), and the activity of AT- Ⅲ and PC were decreased significantly. Compared with the group NT,the PT, APTT and INR in group MH were increased significantly, while there were no differences in the activity of AT- Ⅲ, PC and D-D between two groups. The rates of cerebral microcirculation in group NT before CPR and 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after ROSC were 401.60 ± 11.76 mL/min, 258.86 ± 34. 58 mL/min,317.59 ± 23.36 mL/min and 371.98 ± 5.79 mL/min, respectively, and those in group MT were 398.18 ±12.91 mL/min, 336.19 ± 19.27 mL/min, 347.76 ± 13.80 mL/min and 383.78 ± 3.29 mL/min, respectively. There were significant differences between two groups at each interval after ROSC (4 h: t = - 6.025,df=16, P=0.000;8 h: t= -2.942, df=12, P=0.012;12 h: t= -3.959, df=8, P=0.004). The Pearson correlation test showed that the rate of cerebral microcirculation was positive correlated with APTT after ROSC (4 h:R =0.503,P=0.033;8 h:R=0. 565,P=0. 035;12 h:R=0. 774,P=0. 009), and was not correlated with the other blood coagulants. Conclusions The mild hypothermia led to the inhibition of blood coagulation and improved the cerebral microcirculation concomitantly, which may be one of the mechanism of cerebral protection.