Intracranial branch atheromatous disease (BAD) was proposed by Caplan in 1989.It has been widely studied in Japan in recent years.With the application of high-resolution magnetic resonance,BAD has become a hot topic.This article reviews the concept,etiology,pathology,diagnosis and treatment of BAD as well as its relationship with ischemic stroke.

Objective To evaluate the value of the short-segment nerve conduction studies (SSCSs, inching test) in the diagnosis and localization of cubital tunnel syndrome (CubTS).Methods The clinical and electrophysiologic data of 46 patients (92 limbs from 32 men and 14 women, aged from 19 to 59 years, with average age of 41.2 years) with CubTS were collected.The symptoms occurred in unilateral arm in 41 patients and bilateral arms in 5 patients, involving 35 left arms and 16 right arms.SSCSs were performed in both arms in all the 46 patients.Sixty ulnar nerves were studied in 30 healthy control subjects using SSCSs.Results The 51 symptomatic arms with CubTS were abnormal in long segment motor nerve conduction studies.There were 68 abnormal arms ( 51 symptomatic arms, 17 asymptomatic arms ) in SSCSs.The lesions were located 2 cm proximal to the elbow-the elbow segment ( AE2-E ) in 41 arms (44.6%),the elbow-2 cm distal to the elbow segment (E-BE2) in 23 arms (25%), 4 cm proximal to the elbow-2 cm proximal to the elbow segment (AE4-AE2) in 18 arms (19.6%), 6 cm proximal to the elbow-4 cm proximal to the elbow segment (AE6-AE4) in 9 arms (9.8%), 2 cm distal to the elbow-4 cm distal to the elbow segment (BE2-BE4) in 8 arms(8.6%) and 4 cm distal to the elbow-6 cm distal to the elbow segment (BE4-BE6) in 6 arms(6.5%),respectively.Conclusions SSCSs are more sensitive in detecting CubTS than the conventional long segment motor conduction studies.SSCSs could precisely localize the entrapment lesions in patients with CubTS ,might be a useful tool for the detection of ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow, especially for diagnosing the patients with CubTS who have no clinical features or have a normal long segmental nerve conduction findings.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between plasma imatinib and its effect in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia(CML). Methods Fifty-one CML patients were included in this study,who began taking imatinib from July 2005 to February 2008, with 34 cases of male, and 17 cases of female.Nine patients took imatinib at dose of 300 mg/d, 37 patients took imatinib at dose of 400 mg/d, and 5 patients took imatinib at dose of 600 mg/d. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to test imatinib plasma levels. Results The imatinib plasma levels was imatinib dose-related, and the imatinib plasma trough levels significantly varied between individuals[(342-4688)ng/ml]. The imatinib plasma levels was significant lower in 300 mg/d dose group [(1037±514) ng/ml] than 400 mg/d dose group [(2123±1016) ng/ml] (t =2.34, P =0.032),and the effective rate was 66.7 % (6/9) in 300 mg/d dose group, which was lower than 400 mg/d dose group of 89.19 % (33/37) (χ2=7.14, P =0.008). In 300 mg/d and 400 mg/d dose groups, 39 patients achieved effective treatment, and their imatinib plasma levels was significant higher than that of 7 patients who did not achieved effective treatment (t =2.25, P =0.037). The ROC curve results suggested that clinical treatment may be poor when the imatinib plasma level was lower than 1050 ng/ml (sensitivity was 84.6 %, specificity was 71.1 %).Conclusion The imatinib plasma levels was dose-related, and significantly varied between individuals.Clinical treatment effect may be poor when the imatinib plasma level was lower than 1050 ng/ml.

Objective To study the effects of helicase-like transcription factor (HLTF)transfection on DNA repair protein level in radiation-induced apoptotic cells.Methods Human lung carcinoma A549 cells were cultured and transfected with FLAG-tagged wild type HLTF (wild type HLTF transfection group),RING structure domain (ubiquitin conjugating region) mutatation HLTF expressing plasmid (mutant transfection group),empty plasmid (congtrol group) respectively.And the other cells were used as mock transfection group.All cells were irradiated with 15 Gy of 60Co γ-rays to induce apoptosis.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of the DNA repair proteins HRAD17 and HRAD52 in the transfected cells.Results The levels of HRAD17 and HRAD52 in the wild type HLTF transfection group was significantly lower than that of the control group.There was no significant difference in HRAD17 and HRAD52 levels between the mock transfection group and ubiquity in conjugating region mutation group.complexes of HLTF and HRAD17 and HRAD52 could be found in the irradiation-induced cells.Conclusions HLTF mediates the degradation of HRAD17 and HRAD52 in the irradiation-induced apoptotic cells possibly by the interaction of the protein complex causing ubiquitination of the repair proteins.

OBJECTIVEP: To explore the necessity and feasibility of organic combination of the national drug sampling and testing for quality evaluation and national drug standards improvement. METHODS: Through analysis of the similarities and differences of the two working modes and their complementarity, the problems that may arise in the connection of work were identified. The mechanism and counter measures to promote the organic combination of the two working modes were put forward. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: It was suggested that a communication mechanism should be established in time to strengthen the connection and interaction between the national drug sampling and testing for quality evaluation and national drug standard improvement, thus to avoid wasting resources and timely translate feasible suggestions into national drug standards.

Objective To compare the different features of contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) and CT angiography (CTA) in abdominal aortic remodeling after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR)of DeBakey type Ⅲ aortic dissection(AD),and to investigate the application value of CEUS in the follow-up of DeBakey type Ⅲ AD after TEVAR.Methods CEUS was performed in 28 patients with DeBakey type Ⅲ AD after TEVAR,in which 8 cases type Ⅲ a (simple type) were not involved of abdominal aorta,20 cases Ⅲ b(complex type) were involved in the abdominal aorta,all patients were performed CTA examination of aorta.The functional and morphological changes of abdominal aortic remodeling were observed by two methods in DeBakey type Ⅲ AD after TEVAR.Results There was no new rupture of the abdominal aorta in 8 cases type Ⅲ a AD,but 20 cases of type Ⅲ b AD showed the situation of ruptures,thrombosis,trues and falses lumen after 3 months of follow-up.CEUS was less than CTA in detecting the number of ruptures (P＜0.05),CEUS and CTA results were similar in the measurement of true and false lumen diameter (P＞0.05),but CEUS clearly showed the hemodynamic characteristics of abdominal aortic intimal tear,the size and position of rupture,moving blood flow of rupture,and true or false lumen,which provided more accurate data for the long term abdominal aortic remodeling of DeBakey type Ⅲ AD after TEVAR.Conclusions CEUS and aortic CTA can play a complementary role in DeBakey type Ⅲ AD after TEVAR of long-term follow-up,it is worth promoting.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Automobile Driving ; China ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Stress, Psychological ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Vibration ; adverse effects

Objective To investigate the correlation between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) band leukoaraiosis (LA) in patients with acute stroke.Methods The clinical and imaging data of patients with acute stroke were analyzed retrospectively.The numbers of CMBs were counted and the severity of LA was graded according to the results of MRI.Fasting venous samples were obtained and the plasma Hey concentration was measured the next day after admission.Results A total of 139 patients with acute stroke were enrolled,67 of them were females and 72 were males (mean age 70.1 ± 10.2 years); 24 had hemorrhagic stroke and 115 had ischemic stroke.The age (76.23 ± 8.74 years vs.64.58 ± 7.42 years;t =4.621,P =0.012) hypertension ratio (89.13％ vs.67.74％ ;x2 =8.324,P =0.0 370) and plasma Hey level (14.53 ± 4.31 mmol/L vs.11.31 ±3.16 mmol/L;t =6.538,P=0.008| in a severe LA group (n=46) were significantly higher than those in a non-severe LA group (n =93).Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was significant correlation between the plasma Hcy level and the severity of LA (rs =0.365,P =0.002).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increased Hey level (odds ratio [ OR ],1.366,95％confidence interval [ CI] 1.141 - 1.526; P =0.010) and age (OR 1.093,95％ CI 1.031 - 1.162; P =0.016)were the independent risk factors for severe LA.The age (74.37 ± 6.35 years vs.67.56 ± 8.52 years; t =6.628,P =0.038) and hypertension ratio (94.74％ vs.62.20％;x2 =8.773,P =0.002) in a CBM group were significantly higher than those in a non-CMB group (n =82).Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between the plasma Hcy level and the numbers of CBMs (rs =0.038,P =0.813).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension was an independent risk factor for CBMs.Conclusions The elevated plasma Hcy level was associated with LA,but it was not associated with CBMs.

Objective To analyze the features of the latency and interval in somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) of the upper limbs in subacute combined degeneration(SCD),and evaluate the SEP of the upper limbs in the diagnosis of SCD.Methods Thirty-four defined SCD patients and 22 healthy controls were included in this study.The patients underwent the SEP test and the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of spinal cord.The SEP results of the patients were compared with those of the controls.The results of the SEP,which were divided into the peripheral part and central part to be evaluated,were also compared with the related results of the SEP and MRI.Results Compared with the controls,the N9 ((10.80 ± 1.07) ms vs (10.23 ± 0.64) ms,t =3.223),P14 ((17.28 ± 2.56) ms vs (14.62 ± 0.84) ms,t =6.643),N9-P14 ((6.48±2.27) ms vs(4.40-0.58) ms,t =5.951) in the upper limbs and N9((12.11 ±0.83) ms vs (10.93±0.56) ms,t=5.690),P30((36.96±5.56) ms vs(30.37±2.20) ms,t=7.217),P38 ((46.94 ±5.83) ms vs(39.80 ±2.54) ms,t =7.353) in the lower limbs of SCD patients were prolonged (all P ＜0.01),however,the P14-N20 was prolonged without statistical significance.The abnormality of SEP was 80.9％ (110/136),in which the abnormality of the upper limbs was 85.3％ (58/68)while that of the lower limbs was 76.5％ (52/68).N9-P14 had the highest abnormality rate which was 72.1％ (49/68).The patients with SCD with normal N9 had prolonged N9-P14 ((5.98 ± 1.90) ms vs(4.40 ± 0.58) ms,t =5.267,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Subacute combined degeneration can involve not only the peripheral part of the somatosensory pathway but also the central part including the brainstem and brain.In the SEP of upper limbs,N9-P14 has the highest abnormality rate which suggests that the part from cervical spinal cord to the brainstem may be the most vulnerable in SCD.The test of SEP in the upper limbs may provide evidence for the damage in the central part in SCD.

BACKGROUND:Recent studies found that some factors play important role in the process of denervated muscle atrophy, especial y the feak-headbox transcription factor, is the key element to regulate the denervated muscle atrophy.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of RNA interference on inhibiting feak-headbox 3a gene expression in vitro.
METHODS:The myoblast cel line L6 were cultured in the 6-wel cel culture plates, then pEGFP-N1 and smal
interfering RNA recombinant plasmid with the same ratio was transfected under the Lipofectamine2000 mediation to optimize the transfection efficiency of the detection system;2μg smal interfering RNA recombinant plasmid of feak-headbox 3a gene were transfected with myoblast cel line L6 for 48 and 72 hours.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 48 hours after pEGFP-N1 and siRNA recombinant plasmid transfection, a large number of bright green fluorescent displayed under fluorescence microscope with higher transfection efficiency. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that there were significant differences in the sequences of feak-headbox 3a-Ⅰ, feak-headbox 3a-Ⅱ, feak-headbox 3a-Ⅲ, feak-headbox 3a-Ⅳ on feak-headbox 3a mRNA when compared with the control group at 48 and 72 hours after trasfection (P<0.05), and the inhibition effect was more significant at 72
hours after transfection when compared with that at 48 hours after transfection. Western Blot gray analysis showed that there were significant differences in sequences of feak-headbox 3a-Ⅰ, feak-headbox 3a-Ⅱ, feak-headbox 3a-Ⅲ,
feak-headbox 3a-Ⅳ on feak-headbox 3a mRNA when compared with the control group at 48 and 72 hours after
trasfection (P<0.05), and the inhibition effect was more significant at 72 hours after transfection when compared with that at 48 hours after transfection, which was same with the effect on mRNA level. RNA interference in vitro can
significantly inhibit the fork-head transcription factor feak-headbox 3a gene expression, and the inhibition effect of feak-headbox 3a gene smal interfering RNA recombinant plasmid transfected with the sequence on the mRNA and protein level of feak-headbox 3a is not clear, which can provide new idea for the gene therapy of RNA mediated denervated skeletal muscle atrophy.