Objective To study the influence of low-iodine diet on the expression of homeobox gene nkx2.1 in rat cerebral tissue. Methods Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups according to body. quality: low-iodine group and control group,both fed with low-iodine feed at an iodine content of 13.66 μg/kg,respectively given the deionized water and 200 μg/L KIO3 solution. The hormone levels of two group rats were determined with chemiluminescence immunoassay after three months, and then mated with healthy male rats. Cerebral tissues were taken from the fetus of 16-day pregnancy,newborn and 20 days old offspring in low-iodine and control group to detect the content of nkx2.1 mRNA using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) techniques. Results Serum TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4 level of rats in low-iodine group(0.89±0.20, 0.32±0.16, 3.33± 0.61, 3.28±0.80) was respectively lower than that in the control group(1.04±0.06, 39.42±14.68,4.83±0.33, 26.99±4.48;t = 2.71,6.52,5.70, 12.89, P < 0.05 or < 0.01). The relative nkx2.1 mRNA expression was(5.60± 0.30)×10-3, (1.20 ± 0.29)×10-3, (0.18± 0.06)×10-3 respectively in the fetus of 16-day pregnancy, newborn and 20 days old offspring of control group, while it was (3.00 ± 0.55)×10-3, (1.90 ± 0.21)×10-3,(0.69 ± 0.15)×10-3 in the low-iodine group. The difference of nkx2.1 mRNA expression was significant among fetal and neonatal rats in the control group and low-iodine group(F = 210.07,162.40, both P < 0.01). The nkx2.1 mRNA expression of newborn rats was lower than that of 16-day pregnancy in both groups(P < 0.01), and that of 20 days old rats was lower than that of 16-day pregnant and neonatal rats(P < 0.01). The 16-day pregnant rats of control group had obviously higher level of nkx2.1 expression than those in the low-iodine group(t = 16.073, P< 0.01), while the nkx2.1 of newborn and 20 days old low-iodine rats expressed much higher than healthy rats(t = 7.573,12.221, P < 0.01). Conclusions Brain development retardation caused by low-iodine is closely related to nkx2.1 differential expression in the brain tissue.

BACKGROUND: It was thought that there was no regeneration capacityin central nerves. Recent research shows that regeneration capacity of injured neural axons and recovery of some neurological functions can be achieved by changing local surroundings after spinal cord injury (SCI).OBJECTIVE: To probe into whether the transplantation of fetal olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in recovering the neurological functions of patients with chronic SCI is safe, feasible, and effective.DESIGN: Auto-control observation before and after surgery.SETTING: Neurological Research and Treatment Center of Beijing Xishan Hospital; Second Department of Neurosurgery in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Sciences; Second Department of Neurosurgery in Naval General Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 171 patients with chronic spinal cord injury were selected from the Second Department of Neurosurgery in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Sciences and the Second Department of Neurosurgery in Naval General Hospital betweenNovember 2001 and February 2003, of which there are 147 patients with complete injury and 24 ones with incomplete injury. Post-injury period ranged from 0.5 to 18 years. Process of treatment is discussed and permitted by relevant Medical Ethics Committees. Cells were obtained from voluntary donors and patients agreed to receive the treatment.METHODS: ① Fetal olfactory bulbs were cultured for 12-17 days after being digested into single cells. ② Fetal OECs were transplanted into sites rostral and caudal to the epienter. ③ Neurological functions of all patients 2-8 weeks before and after operation were evaluated according to the scoring standard of ASIA.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Status of functional recovery in spinal cord of patients after transplantation of OECs. ② Harmful events and side effects.RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were involved in the analysis of results.①Status of functional recovery in spinal cord of patients with OECs transplantation: Partial neurological functions of 171 patients rapidly recovered,whose motor function score increased from (34.5±20.3) points before operation to (42.0±20.0) points (P ＜ 0.001) after operation, score of light touch increased from (47.2±24.0) points to (61.8±23.0) points (P ＜ 0.001) after operation,score of pain sense increased from (48.6±23.5) points to (64.0±22.8) points (P ＜ 0.001). ②Harmful events and side-effects: Early manifestations of spinal cord injury induced by infection in surgical area of one patient aggravated; two patients suffered from serious pulmonary infection,one patient from thalamic hemorrhage. Three patients mentioned above died of serious respiration and circulatory failures.CONCLUSION: OEC transplantation can rapidly promote partial neurological function of patients with chronic SCI, while the mechanism needs further observing.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical results of osteotome sinus floor elevation technique in the posterior maxillary region.

METHODSA total of 122 patients underwent osteotome sinus floor elevation from July 1998 to July 2004. Forty-eight cases were male and 74 were female. The mean age was 46.5 years (between 20 and 69). A total of 157 implants were placed and restored. The mean follow-up time was 29.7 months (between 14 and 84 months). Clinical examination and radiographs were conducted. All the patients with 8 - 11 mm height of residual bone in the posterior maxilla underwent sinus floor elevation and implant placement using osteotome without any bone grafts simultaneously. The elevation height was 2 - 5 mm. Healing abutments were connected at the same time of implant placement with insertion torque over 0.25 N.m and the final prostheses were restored after 3 - 4 months. Implants were submerged if the insertion torque was less than 0.25 N.m. Second-stage operation was conducted 3 - 4 months later and the implants were restored afterwards.

RESULTSSinus membrane perforation was observed in 12 cases, no sinus complication was observed during the follow-up. All of the 157 implants gained osteointegration and were restored. No implant lost was observed during the follow-up. All the patients were satisfied with the final prostheses.

CONCLUSIONSOsteotome sinus floor elevation without any bone graft was a predictable and safe technique. It could be used in the maxillary posterior area implant placement with residual bone volume of 8 - 11 mm.

Adult ; Aged ; Dental Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Tooth Loss ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Action Potentials ; Animals ; Electromyography ; Environmental Exposure ; Hypothermia ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seawater ; Thigh ; physiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVERecent studies showed that adenosine played important roles in vasodilation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adenosine, its A1 and A2b receptor agonists on pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) induced by chronic hypoxia in rats by continuously subcutaneous administration with an osmotic pump for 14 days, and to see if rennin angiotensin system and inducible nitric oxygen synthase (iNOS)/nitric oxide (NO) mediate the effects.

METHODFifty-six male SD rats were randomly assigned to seven groups. Each group included eight rats. They were normoxic group, hypoxic group, adenosine-treated group [adenosine was administered at a dose of 150 µg(kg·min) under the hypoxic condition], adenosine A1 receptor agonist CPA-treated group [CPA was administered at a dose of 20 µg/(kg·min) under the hypoxic condition], CPA plus selective adenosine A1 antagonist DPCPX-treated group [CPA and DPCPX were administered simultaneously under the hypoxic condition, the dose of CPA was the same as the above, and the dose of DPCPX was 25 µg/(kg·min)], adenosine A2b receptor agonist NECA-treated group [NECA was administered at a dose of 30 µg/(kg·min) under the hypoxic condition], NECA plus selective adenosine A2b receptor antagonist MRS-treated group[ NECA and MRS1754 were administered simultaneously under the hypoxic condition, the dose of NECA was the same as the above, and the dose of MRS1754 was 50 µg/(kg·min)]. Osmotic pumps containing adenosine or selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist (CPA), or nonselective but potent adenosine A2b receptor agonist (NECA) were placed subcutaneously 7 days after hypoxia and continuously administered the agents for 14 days.Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was detected after administration of the agents. Then blood samples were taken from heart for measurement of renin activity, angiotensin II (AngII) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentration by radioimmunoassay, NO by measuring nitrate. Small pulmonary arteries were prepared for immunoreactivity staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and iNOS.

RESULT(1) Chronic hypoxia induced PAH [mPAP: (31.38 ± 3.42) mm Hg]. Adenosine or CPA or NECA administered for 14 days by subcutaneous route attenuated the mPAP [(21.17 ± 3.56) mm Hg, (22.88 ± 2.95) mm Hg, (19.81 ± 2.39) mm Hg, respectively], which showed significant difference when compared with hypoxia group (P < 0.05 respectively). (2) Plasma rennin activity and AngII level in hypoxia group [(2.51 ± 0.25) ng/(ml·h), (83.01 ± 9.38) pg/ml] were significantly higher than that in normoxic group (P < 0.05, respectively).(3) Adenosine treatment decreased the rennin activity and AngII level when compared with hypoxic group(P < 0.05, respectively);CPA and NECA attenuated respectively the rennin activity and AngII level of rats induced by chronic hypoxia (P < 0.05, respectively). (4) Adenosine administration for 14 days attenuated the wall thickness induced by chronic hypoxia (P < 0.05). CPA showed no effect on wall thickness, but NECA significantly attenuated the wall thickness (P < 0.05). (5) The number of iNOS staining positive cells in small pulmonary artery was higher in hypoxia group than in that in normoxic rats (23.75 ± 7.91 vs. 8.00 ± 2.20, P < 0.05). Adenosine or CPA, or NECA administration increased respectively the iNOS expression in rats treated with chronic hypoxia. Chronic hypoxia caused significant decrease of nitric oxide level. Adenosine treatment increased the nitric oxide level in rats treated with chronic hypoxia. CPA and NECA also increased respectively the nitric oxide level in rats treated with chronic hypoxia. Chronic hypoxia caused significant increase of ET-1 level. The ET-1 level in rats treated with adenosine, CPA or NCEA respectively were lower than that in chronic hypoxia rats (P < 0.05). (6) Adenosine treatment partially attenuated the number of PCNA-positively stained cells. NECA treatment also attenuated the PCNA expression, but CPA showed no effect.

CONCLUSIONAdenosine and its agonists CPA, NECA administered continually by subcutaneous route attenuate mPAP of rats induced by chronic hypoxia. CPA attenuates mPAP through reduction of RA/AngII activity and balance of NO/ET-1 level. NECA attenuates mPAP by inhibiting PCNA expression and proliferation of mooth muscle of pulmonary artery.

Adenosine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; complications ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the constituents of Mitragyna inermis that have an anti-tumor activity on Bel-7402 of hepatic carcinoma.

METHODThe compounds were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 separately and their structures were elucidated by chemical and spectral technology.

RESULTThree quinovic acid glycosides, quinovic acid 3 beta-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-28-O-beta- D-glucopyranoside(I), quinovic acid 3 beta-O-beta-D-quinovopyranoside(II), quinovic acid 3 beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(III), were obtained.

CONCLUSIONI, II were isolated from Mitragyna for the first time.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Mitragyna ; chemistry ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the appropriate surgical treatment for breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

METHODSTwenty-six such patients treated between 1992 and 2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 3 patients were treated by simple mastectomy, 23 patients by mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, 8 patients by chemotherapy and one patient by radiotherapy after operation. Median follow-up was 42 m (rang 12 - 112 m).

RESULTSExcept 3 of these 26 patients lost in follow-up and 1 patient died from diabetes mellitus, all the other 22 patients survived over 5 years. All lymph nodes dissected from 23 patients were negative. After surgery, 3 patients developed lymph edema of the arm.

CONCLUSIONDCIS, lacking the potential of metastasis, is not invasive. Conservative breast surgery without lymph node dissection is feasible for most DCIS patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma in Situ ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Mastectomy ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To raise the awareness of childhood narcolepsy. Methods We analyzed the clinical data of 32 children with narcolepsy and review the literature. Results All the patients manifested as excessive daytime sleepiness with irresistible sleep attacks.Cataplexy appeared in 26 cases (81.3％),hypnagogic hallucination in 11 cases (34.4％),and sleep paralysis in merely 2 cases (6.25％).Daytime sleepiness was the first symptom in most cases.Common features included night sleep disorder,emotional disorder,excessive weight gain,and earlier puberty.Owing to the young age and short duration,a few children could have the false negative multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) results.Conclusion Excessive daytime sleepiness with irresistible sleep attacks and cataplexy are the typical clinical manifestations of Chinese narcoleptic children. A definite diagnosis is established on the comprehensive analysis of symptoms and assistant examination.

OBJECTIVETo prokaryoticly express and purify HuD protein and its RNA recognition motifs.

METHODSHuD protein was prokaryoticly expressed and purified by molecular cloning technology. Its biologic activity was testified by Western Blot.

RESULTSPurified HuD protein and its RNA recognized motifs were observed.

CONCLUSIONSThe result might aid for basic research and clinical application.

Antibodies, Antinuclear ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; ELAV Proteins ; ELAV-Like Protein 4 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Neurons ; immunology ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo compare electrophysiological changes in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with ozone by curving sheath-needle multi-direction rotating injection (CSNMRI) and conventional injection method.

METHODSFrom May 2005 to June 2009,100 patients with LDH were studied, included 68 males and 32 females, ranging in age from 25 to 58 years with an average of 44 years, in course of disease from 3 months to 8 years with an average of 8.8 months. All patients were numbered according to sequence of visit, and were completely randomly divided into group A and group B with DPS software, 50 cases in each group. All patients were injected ozone into lesion of intervertebral disc, in group A with CSNMRI and in group B with conventional method. The electrophysiologic study of all patients was performed respectively before treatment and at the 3 month after treatment. The electromyogram (EMG) of the main muscle groups of involved lower limb and the corresponding segments of sacrospinal muscle was tested; the duration and multiphase-wave rate of MUP were calculated. H-reflex of tibial nerve in both lower limbs was observed and the number of abnormal H-reflex and the H-wave latency were recorded.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the number of muscles with abnormal EMG was reduced to different degrees in each group, but there was more significant reduction in group A (P < 0.05 or 0.01); the duration and multiphase-wave rate of MUP in the two groups were both reduced and close to the normal level (P < 0.01), yet the changes in group A was more than that of group B (P < 0.05 or 0.01). There was no significant difference in the number of abnormal H-reflex before treatment between two groups, whereas was markedly lower in group A than that of group B after treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, H-wave latency in two groups was shortened and become close to normal, but group B was more statistically significant than group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe neural electrophysiological abnormalities can reflect the degree of nerve root compression and damage, and is one of the objective indicators to estimate neuromuscular function. It can better meliorate abnormal electrophysiology to inject ozone to treat LDH with CSNMRI than conventional method.

Adult ; Aged ; Electrophysiological Phenomena ; Encephalocele ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; drug therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Lumbosacral Region ; abnormalities ; Male ; Meningocele ; Middle Aged ; Ozone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult