Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporin-5(AQP5) in lipo-polysaccharide(LPS)-cigarette smoking inducible SD rats,and the effect of ambroxol chloride(AMB)on its expression. Methods Twenty-one SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: AMB intervention group,model group(LPS-cigarette smoking induction group) and control group.TNF-? was determined from lung homogenate supernatant,bronchial alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and serum by ELISA.The semi-quantitation of AQP5 transcription and expression were measured by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry,respectively. Results TNF-? from lung homogenate supernatant and BALF in model group was more than AMB intervention group and control group(P

Near-infrared spectroscopy ( NIR ) is widely used in the area of food quantitative and qualitative analysis.Variable selection technique is a critical step of the spectrum modeling with the development of chemometrics.In this study, a novel variable selection strategy, automatic weighting variable combination population analysis (AWVCPA), was proposed.Firstly, binary matrix sampling (BMS) strategy that gives each variable the same chance to be selected and generates different variable combinations, was used to produce a population of subsets to construct a population of sub-models.Then, the variable frequency ( Fre) and partial least squares regression ( Reg) , which were two kinds of information vector ( IVs) were weighted to obtain the value of the contribution of each spectral variables, the influence of two IVs of Rre and Reg was considered to each spectral variable.Finally, it used the exponentially decreasing function ( EDF) to remove the low contribution wavelengths so as to select the characteristic variable.In the case of near infrared spectrum of beer and corn, the prediction model based on partial least squares ( PLS ) was established.Compared with other variable selection methods, the research showed that AWVCPA was the best variable selection strategy in the same situation.It had 72.7% improvement compared AWVCPA-PLS with PLS and the predicted root mean square error (RMSEP) decreased from 0.5348 to 0.1457 on beer dataset.It had 64.7% improvement compared AWVCPA-PLS with PLS and the RMSEP decreased from 0.0702 to 0.0248 on corn dataset.

OBJECTIVETo study the anticancer effect in vitro and in vivo and mechanism of DHA compound.

METHODSCervical cancer cell line HeLa cells, glioma cell line U251 cells and mouse hepatoma H(22) tumor were used in this study. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy were used to observe the morphological changes of cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to detect the expression of caspase-3. RT-PCR was used to determine the effect on Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA transcription in U251.

RESULTSAntitumor effect was observed in vivo and in vitro. Typical morphological changes were seen in cancer cells. The level of caspase-3 was significantly increased and the content of Bcl-2 mRNA was decreased significantly, while the content of Bax mRNA was significantly increased in the U251 cells after treatment with DHA compound.

CONCLUSIONDHA compound can inhibit the growth of some types of tumors and the increase of caspase-3 and Bax mRNA and decrease of Bcl-2 mRNA may be involved in its mechanism of action.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Docosahexaenoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Glioma ; pathology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

Tuberculous epididymitis is a rare urological disease difficult to diagnose. The conventional methods for diagnosis are often time-consuming and invasive. The combined use of scrotal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and urinary polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for mycobacterial DNA (the latter because of its high sensitivity and specificity to demonstrate mycobacterial DNA) is a valuable method for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous epididymitis. We report a 79-year-old man who was admitted with the chief complaints of bilateral scrotal swelling and pain. The combined use of scrotal MRI and urinary PCR allowed prompt diagnosis of tuberculous epididymitis and adequate antituberculous therapy.
Aged ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Epididymitis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tuberculosis, Urogenital ; diagnosis ; microbiology

PURPOSE: To report the 5-year follow-up results of a randomized controlled trial comparing bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with standard monopolar TURP for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 220 patients were randomized to bipolar plasmakinetic TURP (PK-TURP) or monopolar TURP (M-TURP). Catheterization time was the primary endpoint of this study. Secondary outcomes included operation time, hospital stay, as well as decline in postoperative serum sodium and hemoglobin levels. All patients were assessed preoperatively and followed-up at 1, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months postoperatively. Parameters assessed included quality of life, transrectal ultrasound, serum prostate-specific antigen level, postvoid residual urine volume, maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax), and International Prostate Symptom Score. Patient baseline characteristics, perioperative data including complications, and postoperative outcomes were compared. Complication occurrence was graded according to the modified Clavien classification system. RESULTS: PK-TURP was significantly superior to M-TURP in terms of operation time, intraoperative irrigation volume, resected tissue weight, decreases in hemoglobin and sodium, postoperative irrigation volume and time, catheterization time, and hospital stay. At 5 years postoperatively, efficacy was comparable between arms. No differences were detected in safety outcomes except that the clot retention rate was significantly greater after M-TURP. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that PK-TURP is equally as effective in the treatment of BPO, but has a more favorable safety profile in comparison to M-TURP. The clinical efficacy of PK-TURP is long-lasting and comparable with M-TURP.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate/*surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate/adverse effects/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDThe antiepileptic effect of the anterior thalamic nuclei (ANT) stimulation has been demonstrated; however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic ANT stimulation on hippocampal neuron loss and apoptosis.

METHODSSixty-four rats were divided into four groups: The control group, the kainic acid (KA) group, the sham-deep brain stimulation (DBS) group, and the DBS group. KA was used to induce epilepsy. Seizure count and latency to the first spontaneous seizures were calculated. Nissl staining was used to analyze hippocampal neuronal loss. Polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were conducted to assess the expression of caspase-3 (Casp3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2), and Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax) in the hippocampal CA3 region. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine the differences between the four groups.

RESULTSThe latency to the first spontaneous seizures in the DBS group was significantly longer than that in the KA group (27.50 ± 8.05 vs. 16.38 ± 7.25 days, P = 0.0005). The total seizure number in the DBS group was also significantly reduced (DBS vs. KA group: 11.75 ± 6.80 vs. 23.25 ± 7.72, P = 0.0002). Chronic ANT-DBS reduced neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA3 region (DBS vs. KA group: 23.58 ± 6.34 vs. 13.13 ± 4.00, P = 0.0012). After chronic DBS, the relative mRNA expression level of Casp3 was decreased (DBS vs. KA group: 1.18 ± 0.37 vs. 2.09 ± 0.46, P = 0.0003), and the relative mRNA expression level of Bcl2 was increased (DBS vs. KA group: 0.92 ± 0.21 vs. 0.48 ± 0.16, P = 0.0004). The protein expression levels of CASP3 (DBS vs. KA group: 1.25 ± 0.26 vs. 2.49 ± 0.38, P < 0.0001) and BAX (DBS vs. KA group: 1.57 ± 0.49 vs. 2.80 ± 0.63, P = 0.0012) both declined in the DBS group whereas the protein expression level of BCL2 (DBS vs. KA group: 0.78 ± 0.32 vs. 0.36 ± 0.17, P = 0.0086) increased in the DBS group.

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated that chronic ANT stimulation could exert a neuroprotective effect on hippocampal neurons. This neuroprotective effect is likely to be mediated by the inhibition of apoptosis in the epileptic hippocampus.

Animals ; Anterior Thalamic Nuclei ; physiology ; Apoptosis ; Deep Brain Stimulation ; Epilepsy ; pathology ; therapy ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Kainic Acid ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of acupuncture in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP).

METHODSOne hundred SCP children, 2 to 7 years old, were randomly assigned to two groups equally. The control group was treated with rehabilitation training using Bobath and Vojta physical training methods and the acupuncture group treated also with the same training but with acupuncture conducted additionally. The therapeutic course was 3-12 months arranged according to the state of illness.

RESULTSThe total effective rate, development quotient (DQ), improvement rate of brain hypogenesis and atrophy showed by skull CT, and recovery rate of cerebral emission computed tomography (ECT) were all higher in the acupuncture group than those in the control group (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture obviously promotes the compensation of cerebral function and shows a favorable effect in improving quality of life of the children with SCP.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Cerebral Palsy ; diagnostic imaging ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Quality of Life ; Tomography, Emission-Computed

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is a novel therapy developed to treat Parkinson's disease. We report a patient who underwent bilateral DBS of the PPN and subthalamic nucleus (STN). He suffered from freezing of gait (FOG), bradykinesia, rigidity and mild tremors. The patient underwent bilateral DBS of the PPN and STN. We compared the benefits of PPN-DBS and STN-DBS using motor and gait subscores. The PPN-DBS provided modest improvements in the gait disorder and freezing episodes, while the STN-DBS failed to improve the dominant problems. This special case suggests that PPN-DBS may have a unique role in ameliorating the locomotor symptoms and has the potential to provide improvement in FOG.
Deep Brain Stimulation* ; Freezing ; Gait ; Humans ; Hypokinesia ; Parkinson Disease* ; Subthalamic Nucleus ; Tremor ; Weather

AIMTo investigate the neuroprotective effects of lesion and high frequency stimulation(HFS) of the subthalamic nucleus (SIN) on the substantia nigra pars compacta(SNc) neurons and its probable mechanism.

METHODSThe PD models were induced by unilateral administration of 6-hydroxydopamine into right substantia nigra in rats. After the high-frequence stimulation to SIN and injection of ibotenic acid to STN on PD rats, the changes of behavior were observed. The substantia nigra neurons were detected by using special-dyeing, TUNEL techniques and immunohistochemistry methods.

RESULTSIn the stimulation group, the apoptotic rate was significantly lower than PD model group and lesion group (P < 0.05). Compared with normal rats, model group and lesion one had the similar results of expression of Bcl-2, Bax and their ratio, which were lower expression of Bcl-2, higher expression of Bax and the decrease of their ratio (P < 0.05). In the stimulation group, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax were much higher than model group and lesion group. The number of apoptotic neurons of rats in lesion group was smaller than model ones (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in expression of Bcl-2, Bax and their ratio (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLesion or HFS of STN have the neuroprotective effects on SNc neurons of PD rats, and HFS has a better long-term effect.

Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Male ; Neurons ; physiology ; Oxidopamine ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substantia Nigra ; physiopathology ; Subthalamic Nucleus ; physiopathology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDElectrical stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) appears to be effective against seizures. In this study, we investigated changes in glucose metabolism during high-frequency stimulation of ANT in epileptic rats.

METHODSThree groups of rats were used: (1) a stimulation group (n = 12), (2) a sham stimulation group (n = 12) with seizures induced by stereotactic administration of kainic acid (KA), and (3) a control group (n = 12) with sham surgery. Concentric bipolar electrodes were stereotaxically implanted unilaterally in the ANT. High-frequency stimulation was performed in each group except the sham stimulation group. Microdialysis probes were lowered into the CA3 region of the hippocampus unilaterally but bilaterally in the stimulation group. The concentrations of glucose, lactate, and pyruvate in dialysate samples were determined by an ISCUS microdialysis analyzer.

RESULTSThe extracellular concentrations of lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratio (LPR) of epileptic rats were significantly higher than in control rats (P = 0.020, P = 0.001; respectively). However, no significant difference in the concentration of glucose and pyruvate was found between these groups (P > 0.05). Electrical stimulation of ANT induced decreases in lactate and LPR in the ipsilateral hippocampus (KA injected) of the stimulation group (P < 0.05), but it did not influence the glucose metabolism in the contralateral hippocampus (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated that the glycolysis was inhibited in the ipsilateral hippocampus of epileptic rats during electrical ANT stimulation. These findings may provide useful information for better understanding the mechanism of ANT-deep brain stimulation.

Animals ; Anterior Thalamic Nuclei ; physiology ; Deep Brain Stimulation ; Epilepsy ; metabolism ; therapy ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glycolysis ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar