Objective To assess the use of the Chinese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in differentiating Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD).Methods A total of 62 patients with AD and 54 patients with VD were recruited for this study.All subjects were subject to examination using MoCA to collect information in terms of their visuospatial/executive function,attention,language,abstraction delayed recall and orientation.The demographic data of the subjects was also were collected and analyzed.Results It was shown that there were statistically significant differences between the AD and VD patients with regard to their scores of visuospatial / executive,attention,delayed recall (P ＜ 0.05).The rate of diagnostic coincidence was 100％ in AD patients using MoCA Chinese version,and 98.15％ in VD patients,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups.There was high correlation in all items of MoCA between the two evaluators (ICC:0.911 ～1.000).Conclusion Montreal Cognitive Assessment Chinese version can be used for the diagnosis of AD and VD,and the scale can help differentiate AD and VD.

Objective To study the correlations between bone fracture types and healing time in patients with osteofluorosis. Methods Thirty-seven patients with osteefluorosis and long tubular bone fracture were diagnosed in accordance with radiogram retrospectively. The fractures were divided into two groups: sclerotic and osteoporotic. Twenty four fractured patients with non osteofluorosis were included in the study as controls. All of the patients had operation(open reduction and nickelclad internal fixation). Fracture healing in patients with sclerotic and osteoporotic groups was compared with the control group after operation. Results There were notable differenees(F=4.30,P< 0.05) in term of fracture healing time among the three groups [sclerotic group:(18.4±5.3)weeks; osteoporotic group: (24.5±5.1)weeks; control group: (17.6±3.8)weeks]. Notably, there were significant differences between the osteoporotic and control groups(q=2.34,P<0.05), and between sclerotic and osteoporotic gronps(q=2.51, P<0.05). The healing time of the osteoporotic group was longer than that of sclerotic group. The constituent ratios of fracture healing in sclerotic, osteoporotic and control groups were 73.1% (19/26) ,54.5% (6/11),75.0% (18/24) respectively, and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant(X2=3.67,P<0.05). The healing rate of the osteoporotic group was lower than that of sclerotic and control groups(X2=3.12, 3.36, all P< 0.05). The constituent ratios of healing in the sclerotic, osteoporotic and control groups were 26.9% (7/26),45.5% (5/11),25.0%(6/24), respectively, and there differences among the three groups were statistically significant (X2=4.07 ,P<0.05). The delayed healing rate of the osteoperotic group was higher than those of the sclerotic and control groups(X2= 3.87,3.95, all P<0.05). Conclusions Fracture healing time of osteoporotic osteofluorosis after fracture is longer than normal, and the cause might be the loss of bone mass.

In our gastroenterology clinic from Jun. 2008 to Jan. 2009, 20. 9% (277/1320) patients were diagnosed with functional dyspepsia (FD) and 14. 8% (41/277) of them with psychological problems according to Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). In those with psychological disorders,92.7% were found with somatization, 60. 9% with depression and anxiety, 97.6% with abdominal pain,75.6% with bloating, 63.4% with early fullness and 36. 6% with nausea. More than 80% patients with anxiety and depression complained irritability, worry, fatigue, poor concentration, memory loss and insomni.a. After 4 weeks of psychological consultation and anti-depression treatment, 5 patients had significant improvement, 31 had improvement and 3 had no response. The overall response rate was 87. 8%.In summary,there is a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in population with FD. Hypochondria and somatization are common among these patients. Psychological consultation with anxiolytic drugs may have good therapeutic effects.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular ; complications ; diagnosis ; Child ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Medullary Sponge Kidney ; complications ; diagnosis ; Rickets ; diagnosis

Objective: To clone the cDNA of human sPLA2-IIA,construct the engineered Escherischia coli expressing human sPLA2-IIA and identify the expressed human sPLA2-IIA. Methods: Total RNAs were purified from human fetal spleen. The cDNA of human sPLA2-IIA was cloned by RT-PCR and inserted into plasmid pET32a(+) between NcoI and EcoRI sites for expressing the recombinant human sPLA2-IIA in Escherischia coli BL21(DE3). The recombinants were screened by SDS-PAGE. The engineered Escherischia coli expressing trxA-human sPLA2-IIA fusion protein was established. The expressed human sPLA2-IIA exists in the form of inclusion body and accounts for about 25% of the total proteins of Escherischia coli BL21(DE3). Conclusion: the engineered E. coli methods are suitable for preparing plenty of human sPLA2-IIA which has laid base for the large-scale expression,purification and basic studies of human sPLA2-IIA.

Objective To observe the effect of light emitting diode (LED) red light irradiation on serum lipid in experimental hyperlipidemia rats. Methods 36 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=12) and hyperlipidemic model group (n=24). The normal group was fed with normal diet while the hyperlipidemic model group with fat-rich forage for 6 weeks. The hyperlipidemic model group rats were randomly divided into the hyperlipidemic control group (n=12) and LED treatment group (n=12), and the latter accepted LED red light irradiation for 28 d. The levels of serum lipid including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and the activities of lipoproteinesterase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) were detected with biochemical assay. The expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reducase (HMG-CR) of hepatic tissue were measured with immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared with the hyperlipidemic control group, the levels of serum TC, TG and LDL-C decreased while the serum HDL-C increased significantly in the LED treatment group (P<0.01) after treated with LED. The levels of LPL and HL in serum increased (P<0.01) while the activity of HMG-CR decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion LED red light irradiation might play a regulating effect on serum lipid by enhancing the activities of LPL and HL and inhibiting the expression of HMG-CR to interfere the metabolism of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C.

Objective To explore the efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in treating severe and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Seventy-eight COPD patients were randomly divided into an NMES group of 38 and an exercise therapy group of 32.In addition to the routine drug therapy and basic rehabilitation training,the NMES group received 8 weeks of NMES of the lower limbs while the exercise group was provided with strength and endurance training of the lower limbs,also for 8 wceks.Before and after the 8 weeks of treatment,pulmonary function was tested along with isokinetic quadriceps strength,cardiopulnonary capacity,and lung capacity using Saint George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ).Results The two groups showed no significant difference in any of the measurements before the treatment.After the treatment,forced expiratory volume in 1 second of (FEV1),FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC),FEVI in percentage of the predicted value,medical research council dyspnea scale (MRC) score and the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) improved in both groups.However,the average body mass index and 6 minute walk distance differed significantly between the groups after the treatment.The quadriceps' peak torque increased after the treatment in both groups,but the average in the exercise group was significantly higher than that in the NMES group.VO2max and Wmax also increased significantly in both groups,and the average time to exhaustion increased significantly in the exercise group.Significant improvement was observed in the BODE assessment after the intervention for both groups.Conclusion Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is as effective as therapeutic exercise in promoting the rehabilitation of severe COPD patients.However,lower limbs exercise is still the first choice in managing such patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the possible mechanism of protective effect for Baicalin on Bacillus pertussis (BP) infected brain tissue and the dose-effect relationship.

METHODSBrain tissues slices were divided into 7 groups: (1) the normal group; (2) the model group: infected by 10% BP; (3) the baicalin group, which was pretreated with baicalin, infected by BP and subdivided into 5 sub-groups according to different doses of baicalin used; (4) the glutamic acid group: cultured with glutamic acid; (5) the baicalin plus glutamic acid group; (6) the peroxide group: cultured with hydrogen peroxide; and (7) the baicalin plus peroxide group. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the supernatant of culture was determined and quantitative protein determination was conducted.

RESULTSThe LDH releasing was higher in the model group, glutamic acid group and peroxide group as compared with that in the normal group, 15.10 +/- 4.89 u/g. protein (the same unit below), 15.49 +/- 5.66 and 16.54 +/- 5.47 vs 6.10 +/- 2.87 respectively (P < 0.01). After being pretreated with 0.25 mmol/L baicalin, LDH level decreased significantly to 8.65 +/- 2.43, which was significantly different from that in the model group (P < 0.01), LDH was also decreased in the baicalin plus glutamic acid group (9.93 +/- 2.89) and baicalin plus peroxide group (9.54 +/- 2.82), which was significantly lower than that in the glutamic acid group and the peroxide group respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPretreatment of baicalin has protective effect on BP caused nerve cell injury in rat brain slices, the protection is possibly related with the reduction of glutamic acid and hydrogen peroxide induced damage on nerve cells in vitro.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bordetella pertussis ; Brain ; cytology ; microbiology ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Techniques ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo summarize the features and treatment of male infertility induced by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertile men with ADPKD and those with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of ADPKD-induced infertility, 15 treated by ICSI (group A), and another 164 cases of strictly matched CBAVD-induced infertility (group B). We compared the two groups in the couples' age, the number of ICSI oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, transferrable embryos, good embryos, embryos implanted, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, singleton and twins in the first cycle.

RESULTSAfter 28 cycles of ICSI, 10 of the 15 ADPKD-induced infertility patients achieved clinical pregnancy, including 7 cases of live birth, 1 case of spontaneous abortion, and 2 cases of pregnancy maintenance. No significant differences were observed between groups A and B in the couples' age, the wives' BMI, or the numbers of ICSI oocytes and embryos transplanted (P >0.05), nor in the rates of ICSI fertilization (72.64% vs 76.17%), transferrable embryos (51.28% vs 63.24%), quality embryos (38.46% vs 49.83%), embryo implantation (17.64% vs 38.50%), abortion (0 vs 9.23%), singleton (50% vs 81.54%) and twins (50% vs 18.46%). However, the rates of clinical pregnancy (13.33% vs 42.68%, P = 0.023 <0.05) and biochemical pregnancy (13.33% vs 39.63%, P = 0.032 <0.05) were significantly lower in group A than in B.

CONCLUSIONICSI is effective in the treatment of male infertility induced by either ADPKD or CBAVD, but the ADPKD cases have a lower success rate than the CBAVD cases in an individual cycle. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitable vertical transmission of genetic problems to the offspring.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; therapy ; Oocytes ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Vas Deferens ; abnormalities

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulation of Cha Gan Beng Ga on the activity of biomarker PGC-1α in vivo and in vitro, and lay the foundation for studying the efficacy result of Cha Gan Beng Ga on xenograft tumor model and extracting active constituents.

METHOD(1) The coarse powder of Cha Gan Beng Ga was extracted with 70% ethanol solution through heating and refluxing, and finally was used to freeze dry powder. (2) 50 mg x kg(-1) of freeze-dried power was orally administrated to KM and C57BL/6J mice once daily, lasting for 5 consecutive days; different concentrations of extracted materials was given to non-small cell lung cells A549. (3) The expression level of PGC-1α mRNA was quantitatively determined in lung tissue of mice and non-small cell lung cells A549.

RESULTThe expression levels of PGC-1α in lung tissue of different mice strains had an increasing tendency. Furthermore, the expression levels of PGC-1α in non-small cell lung cells A549 also had an increasing tendency, showing dose and time-dependent relationships.

CONCLUSIONMongolian Medicine Cha Gan Beng Ga could induce the over-expression of PGC-1α mRNA in lung tissue of mice and in non-small cell lung cells A549. The present results will lay foundation for studying the efficacy result of antitumor and active constitutes in future.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Animals ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Time Factors ; Transcription Factors ; genetics