Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characteristic of neurons reducing, senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and so on, and the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. Many efforts have been made to understand the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the development of AD, such as gene methylation and histone acetylation, although the exact mechanisms are not yet entirely clear. Here, we provide a review of the epigenetic mechanisms and related research in AD, which may provide a new direction for the research as well as the development of the epigenetic drugs.
Acetylation ; Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Animals ; DNA Methylation ; genetics ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Histones ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the intestinal absorption characteristics of gastrodigenin.

METHODIn vitro everted gut sac model and in situ rat single-pass intestinal perfusion model were used to evaluate the absorption characteristics of gastrodigenin in the different intestinal segments. The concentrations of gastrodigenin in the samples were determined by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) method, and the relevant absorption parameters were calculated.

RESULTIn the everted gut sac tests, no significant difference of absorption among the four segments was observed. A positive correlation was found between drug concentration and the accumulated absorption amount (Q). At the concentration of 400 mg x L(-1), the Q of gastrodigenin in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were 224.33, 225.81, 233.18 and 189.25 microg, respectively. The in situ rat single-pass intestinal perfusion tests showed that there was also no significant difference of absorption among the four segments. The absorption rates (A) of gastrodigenin in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were 45.8%, 48.39%, 47.00%, 54.35%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONGastrodigenin can be well absorbed via passive diffusion in the intestine. The absorption rates of gastrodigenin in the different intestinal segments show no regioselectivity.

Animals ; Benzyl Alcohols ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Biological ; Perfusion ; methods ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; China ; epidemiology ; Fatty Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVELamiophlomis rotata is a common wild herb in Tibetan traditional medicine with important medicinal and economic value. The paper examines the wild distributions, exploitation regime, and situations.

METHODA variety of research methods, such as literature survey, specimens inspection, market information collection in major Chinese herbal markets, questionnaire of herbalists and employers of local governments and institutions, and field quadrat survey and AcrGIS as well, have been used for this work.

RESULTTotal stock of wild resources of L. rotata is ranging from 3 713.49 tons to 6 896.56 tons (2 519-3 314 t in Qinghai, 490-1 414 t in Gansu, 641-1 167 t in Sichuan, and 422-999 t in Tibet, respectively), acceptable harvest quantity of the herb is ranging from 908-1 675 t per year, and actual harvest quantity is 2 520 t annually far beyond the acceptable harvest quantity.

CONCLUSIONHarvesting quantity of L. rotata is far more than that of acceptable, suggesting that utilization pattern of this wild resource plant is unsustainable. L. rotata seems to act as an indicating plant of degraded ecosystem of high-altitude grassland, shrub grassland, and wetland, and distributes in those degraded and degrading plateau ecosystems, and the plant is facing with pressure of ecological protection and wild resource population degradation. Wild population monitoring and standard cultivation are of importance for although they are far from implementation due to shortage of related basic studies.

China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ecosystem ; Lamiaceae ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development

BACKGROUNDEarly onset severe preeclampsia is a specific type of severe preeclampsia, which causes high morbidity and mortality of both mothers and fetus. This study aimed to investigate the clinical definition, features, treatment, outcome and risk factors of early onset severe preeclampsia in Chinese women.

METHODSFour hundred and thirteen women with severe preeclampsia from June 2006 to June 2009 were divided into three groups according to the gestational age at the onset of preeclampsia as follows: group A (less than 32 weeks, 73 cases), group B (between 32 and 34 weeks, 71 cases), and group C (greater than 34 weeks, 269 cases). The demographic characteristics of the subjects, complications, delivery modes and outcome of pregnancy were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe systolic blood pressure at admission and the incidence of severe complications were significantly lower in group C than those in groups A and B, prolonged gestational weeks and days of hospitalization were significantly shorter in group C than those in groups A and B. Liver and kidney dysfunction, pleural and peritoneal effusion, placental abruption and postpartum hemorrhage were more likely to occur in group A compared with the other two groups. Twenty-four-hour urine protein levels at admission, intrauterine fetal death and days of hospitalization were risk factors that affected complications of severe preeclampsia. Gestational week at admission and delivery week were also risk factors that affected perinatal outcome.

CONCLUSIONSEarly onset severe preeclampsia should be defined as occurring before 34 weeks, and it is featured by more maternal complications and a worse perinatal prognosis compared with that defined as occurring after 34 weeks. Independent risk factors should be used to tailor the optimized individual treatment plan, to balance both maternal and neonatal safety.

Adult ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Pre-Eclampsia ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEHyperglycemia could upregulate transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta(1)) via thrombospondin (TSP-1) and induce fibrotic renal disease in the rat in vivo and myocardial fibrosis was related to cardiac dysfunction in diabetic patients. We explored the role of glucose/TSP-1/TGFbeta(1) signal pathways in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM).

METHODSMale Wistar rats were fed with high cholesterol diet for 17 weeks, streptozocin (30 mg/kg, i.p) was given at the 28th day, rats with fasting blood glucose > or = 11.1 mmol/L by the end of the 5th week were assigned to DCM group (n = 11). Control rats (n = 8) were fed with regular chow. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was monitored throughout the study. After hemodynamic measurements by the end of the study, myocardial collagen content was quantified in Masson-stained samples and the mRNA expressions of TSP-1 and TGFbeta(1) were detected by quantification real-time RT-PCR. The protein levels of TSP-1, active and latent TGFbeta(1) were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with control group, cardiac function was decreased as shown by significantly reduced left ventricular systolic pressure, dp/dt(max) and dp/dt(min), while the myocardial collagen content was significantly increased in the DCM group (11.01 +/- 3.05 vs. 16.92 +/- 3.18, P < 0.01). The myocardial mRNA expressions of TSP-1, TGFbeta(1) and protein expressions of TSP-1, active and latent TGFbeta(1) in the DCM group were also significantly higher than those of the control group. Moreover, myocardial collagen was positively correlated to FBG (r = 0.746, P < 0.01); mRNA expressions of TSP-1 and TGFbeta(1), protein expressions of TSP-1 and active TGFbeta(1) were positively correlated to FBG and myocardial collagen (P < 0.05). However, there were no correlations between the protein expression of latent TGFbeta(1) and FBG and myocardial collagen.

CONCLUSIONThe pathway of glucose/TSP-1/TGFbeta(1) might play an important role in myocardial interstitial fibrosis of DCM. It may be the basis of novel therapeutic approaches for ameliorating DCM.

Animals ; Cardiomyopathies ; etiology ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Thrombospondin 1 ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo create transgenic mice expressing hamster- and human-PRNP as a model for understanding the physiological function and pathology of prion protein (PrP), as well as the mechanism of cross-species transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).

METHODSHamster and human-PRNP transgenic mice were established by conventional methods. The copy number of integrated PRNP in various mouse lines was mapped by real-time PCR. PRNP mRNA and protein levels were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, and western blot analysis. Histological analyses of transgenic mice were performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) methods.

RESULTSIntegrated PRNP copy number in various mouse lines was 53 (Tg-haPrP1), 18 (Tg-huPrP1), 3 (Tg-huPrP2), and 16 (Tg-huPrP5), respectively. Exogenous PrPs were expressed at both the transcriptional and translational level. Histological assays did not detect any abnormalities in brain or other organs.

CONCLUSIONWe have established one hamster-PRNP transgenic mouse line and three human-PRNP transgenic mouse lines. These four transgenic mouse lines provide ideal models for additional research.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cricetinae ; DNA ; genetics ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Organ Specificity ; Plasmids ; Prion Diseases ; genetics ; Prion Proteins ; Prions ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo describe the early experiences with rFVIIa in the management of bleeding after cardiovascular surgery.

METHODSFrom May 2006 through December 2007, 16 patients received rFVIIa during or after surgery despite conventional medical therapy and transfusion of blood products. There were 15 male patients and 1 female patients, aged from 36 to 77 years old with a mean of 52 years old. The surgical procedures include aortic procedures for 8 cases, valve replacement for 6 cases, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for 1 case and atrial septal defect repair for 1 case. The data of these patients were reviewed and the safety and efficacy of rFVIIa after cardiovascular surgery were evaluated.

RESULTSrFVIIa was administered as a first dose of 27.6 to 54.5 microg/kg with a mean of 40.2 microg/kg. Six patients achieved hemostasis after the first dose. Nine patients received a second administration within 30 min, with a cumulative dose of 59.3 to 90.9 microg/kg, a mean of 80.3 microg/kg. Eight patients achieved hemostasis and 1 patient went to exploration. One patient received four doses of rFVIIa with a cumulative dose of 203.4 microg/kg and the bleeding stopped. Mean amount of chest drain loss and the amount of red blood cell, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and platelet transfusions decreased significantly after rFVIIa administration. The total amount of chest drain losses, transfusions of red blood cell and cryoprecipitate within 12 h postoperatively was positively correlated with the time from the end of bypass to administration of rFVIIa. No thromboembolic complications and other adverse reactions were noted.

CONCLUSIONSThe use of rFVIIa is associated with reduced blood loss, rapid improvement of coagulation variables, and decreased need for blood products. rFVIIa is safe and efficacious in the management of refractory postcardiotomy bleeding.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures ; Coagulants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Factor VIIa ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the current demands for professional continuing medical education (CME) in ophthalmic nurses and their influential factors, and to provide evidence for properly setting the curriculum of professional CME for nurses.

METHODSQualitative and quantitative analysis was performed on 60 nurses in an ophthalmic hospital by questionnaire survey and group interview.

RESULTSOf the nurses surveyed, 49 (81.7%) thought the training time of professional CME needs to be adjusted, 40 (66.7%) referred to the training pattern, and 53 (88.3%) the training contents. The demanded courses of training mainly included professional nursing knowledge, professional nursing skills, and ophthalmic knowledge. Most nurses considered the influential factors for training were unreasonable training time and lack of applicability of some courses.

CONCLUSIONTo improve the quality of professional CME for ophthalmic nurses, the training curriculum should be designed in consideration of ophthalmic characteristics, different work experiences of nurses, and different nursing positions, the training time should be arranged properly, and various training patterns should be adopted flexibly.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education, Nursing, Continuing ; Female ; Humans ; Needs Assessment ; Nurses ; Ophthalmology ; education ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: CO₂ leakage along the trocar (chimney effect) has been proposed to be an important factor underlying port-site metastasis after laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by comparing the incidence of port-site metastasis between B-ultrasound-guided and laparoscopically-assisted hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion chemotherapy (HIPPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients with malignant ascites induced by gastrointestinal or ovarian cancer were divided into two groups to receive either B-ultrasound-guided or laparoscopically-assisted HIPPC. Clinical efficacy was assessed from the objective remission rate (ORR), the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, and overall survival. The incidence of port-site metastasis was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in the B-ultrasound (n=32) and laparoscopy (n=30) groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, primary disease type, volume of ascites, and free cancer cell (FCC)-positive ascites. After HIPPC, there were no significant differences between the B-ultrasound and laparoscopy groups in the KPS score change, ORR, and median survival time. The incidence of port-site metastasis after HIPPC was not significantly different between the B-ultrasound (3 of 32, 9.36%) and laparoscopy (3 of 30, 10%) groups, but significantly different among pancreatic, gastric, ovarian, and colorectal cancer (33.33, 15.79, 10.00, and 0.00%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The chimney effect may not be the key reason for port-site metastasis after laparoscopy. Other factors may play a role, including the local microenvironment at the trocar site and the delivery of viable FCCs (from the tumor or malignant ascites) to the trauma site during laparoscopic surgery.
Ascites ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Laparoscopy ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Perfusion* ; Surgical Instruments ; Treatment Outcome