Objective To measure the phase values of the deep gray nuclei by using susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) in underage brains,and to investigate the correlation between the phase value and age.Methods A total of 105 healthy juveniles were examined in this study by using MRI conventional sequence and SWI.Their ages ranged from 0 to 18 years(0-＜ 1 year,60 cases; 1-＜3 years,10 cases; 3-7 years,10 cases; 7-12 years,10 cases; 12-18 years,15 cases).Phase values of deep gray nuclei were measured.The correlation between phase value and age was analyzed by Spearman correlation method.Results During 0-3 years,the phase value of caudate nucleus was the lowest within the same age group (0-＜ 1 year:left-0.0433 ± 0.0291,right-0.0369 ± 0.0215 ; 1-＜ 3 years:left-0.0369 ± 0.0215,right-0.0384 ± 0.0259),whereas the phase value of red nucleus was the highest (0-＜ 1 year:left 0.0286-0.0380,right 0.0254 ±0.0361 ; 1-＜3 years:left 0.0325 ±0.0237,right 0.0395 ±0.0270).After 3 years old,the phase value of globus pallidus was the lowest within the same age group (3-＜7 years:left-0.0967 ± 0.0656,right-0.0953 ± 0.0617; 7-＜ 12 years:left-0.1870 ± 0.0531,right-0.1724 ±0.0547; 12-＜ 18 years:left-0.2037 ±0.0492,right-0.1849-±0.0324),whereas the phase value of thalamus was the highest (3-＜ 7 years:left-0.0019 ± 0.0225,right -0.0007 ± 0.0167 ; 7-＜ 12 years:left-0.0067 ± 0.0104,right-0.0064 ± 0.0118 ; 12-＜ 18 years:left-0.0204 ± 0.0181,right-0.0172 ± 0.0133).During 0-18 years,a moderate negative correlation between phase values of bilateral caudate nucleus,globus pallidus,red nucleus,substantia nigra and age were observed (rs =-0.483,-0.497,-0.67,-0.621,-0.489,-0.43,-0.552,-0.58 respectively) A low negative correlation between phase values of bilateral putamen,thalamus and age were observed (rs =-0.272,-0.213,-0.382,-0.366 respectively).Conclusions There is a negative correlation between phase value and age in the deep gray nuclei of underage brains.And the phase value may be a useful index in the diagnosis of iron deposition related diseases.

BACKGROUND:Buprenorphine transdermal patches have the characteristics of stable blood concentration, long duration of analgesia, respiratory depression and less side effects, which have been widely used in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical outcome of preoperative analgesia by buprenorphine transdermal patches for pain management after posterior lumbar surgery. METHODS: Eighty patients scheduled for posterior lumbar decompression and interbody fusion under general anesthesia were enroled, 45 males and 35 females, aged 42-71 years, who were randomly divided into two groups, 40 cases in each group: experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, buprenorphine transdermal patches were given 2 days prior to the internal fixation, and intravenous injection of parecoxib was given for postoperative pain management. In the control group, placebo patches were given prior to the internal fixation, and self-control vein analgesia pump and intravenous injection of parecoxib were given for postoperative pain management. Visual analog scale scores were recorded at 6, 12, 24, 48 hours after surgery as wel as doses of tramadol hydrochloride and pethidine hydrochloride used postoperatively and side effects. The patient's satisfaction, drainage and blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level at 48 hours postoperatively were detected and recorded in the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was no significant difference between these two groups in visual analog scale scores, dosage of tramadol hydrochloride and pethidine hydrochloride used postoperatively, postoperative drainage amount, leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level (P > 0.05). Postoperative incidence of nausea, vomiting and delirium was lower in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.05), but the patient's satisfaction in the experimental group was better than that in the control group (P< 0.05). These findings indicate that buprenorphine transdermal patches have better preemptive analgesia for posterior lumbar surgery, with less adverse effects and better patient's satisfaction.

To explore the mechanism of insomnia caused by "stomach disorder could lead to excess of yang-qiao meridian" and clinical application of treating insomnia with acupoints in qiao meridian as the main points. From meridian theory, intersection between stomach meridian of Foot-Yangming and yang-qiao meridian is through Chengqi (ST 1). Qiao meridian for sleep is mainly because it is connected with eyes through the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang. For Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming is intersected with the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang in Jingming (BL 1), and intersected with yin and yang qiao meridian beside the mouth and under the eye, once functional disorder of the stomach, it can affect qi movements of the whole body and give rise to various pathological changes that cause insomnia. Meanwhile examples are given to explain the clinical application of treating subborn insomnia with corresponding acupoint of stomach and yang-qiao meridian.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Meridians ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; etiology ; therapy ; Stomach ; physiopathology ; Stomach Diseases ; complications ; physiopathology

Objective To summarize the techniques of anatomical liver resection for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The clinical data of 125 patients with solitary HCC who underwent anatomical liver resection at the Zhongshan Hospital from January 2005 to December 2006 were retrospectively analysed.The inflow and outflow of hepatic segments to be resected were selectively clamped,then the main branches of portal vein and hepatic artery were ligated,and the ischemic hepatic segments were resected en bloc.Kelly forceps were used to crash and clamp the liver cut surface.The stumps of left and right hepatic ducts were continuously sutured with Prolene sutures.For tumors with the size above 10 cm in diameter,hepatectomy with anterior approach and liver hanging maneuver were adopted.Bile leakage was checked by injecting methylene blue or covering a gauze on the liver cut surface.Results The mean blood loss of all patients was 250 ml(100-6000 ml),and 32 of them needed blood transfusion.The morbidity was 23%(29/125).No patient died within 30 days after the operation,and 6%(5/83)of patients were found with residual tumor by postoperative arteriography.Conclusion Anatomical liver resection may improve the safety of operation,prevent the injury of great vessels and thus improve the efficacy.

BACKGROUND:Liquiritin has the protective and nutritive effects on neural stem cells. However, the effect of liquiritin on neural stem cells from the brain of mouse embryos remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of liquiritin on the proliferation of neural stem cells from the brain of mouse embryos. METHODS:Neural stem cells were separated from the embryonic brain of Kunming white mice at the gestational age of 14 days. The identification of embryonic neural stem cells was performed by immunocytochemistry method. The expression of neural stem cells-special genes was determined by qRT-PCR. The cell growth curve was drawn and proliferation of embryonic neural stem cells treated with 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 g/L liquiritin for 48 hours was measured by MTT assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) When cultured at day 5, al individual neural stem cells gathered together into neurospheres; with the extension of time, the neurospheres were enlarged, and gathered together into larger cell masses. (2) Results from immunocytochemistry showed that all the floating neurospheres was nestin-positive. Data from qRT-PCR revealed a higher expression of nestin mRNA, but there was no expression of neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the neural stem cells. (4) The growth of neural stem cells was slow at the beginning. After 2-3 days, the cell proliferation quickly entered the exponential phase. After 4 days, the cell proliferation gradually slowed down, and the overall cell growth entered into the platform period. (5) The cell proliferation after treatment with 2, 4 or 8 g/L liquiritin was faster than that in the control group (0 g/L). To conclude, 2-8 g/L liquiritin could increase the proliferation of neural stem cells from the brain of mouse embryos.

BACKGROUND: Salvianolic acid B can ease nerve injury and promote neurogenesis, but its effects on proliferation,apoptosis and differentiation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus remain unclear.OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of salvianolic acid B on proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of rat hippocampal neural stem cells following oxygen-glucose deprivation.METHODS: Hippocampal neural stem cells were isolated from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats, and divided into six groups, five of which were cultured in an incubator containing anaerobic mixtures (1% O2, 5% CO2 and 94% N2) for 150minutes followed by treatment with different concentrations of salvianolic acid B (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg/L), respectively.After 4 days of intervention, MTT was used to detect cell proliferation. After 48 hours of intervention, flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis in the hippocampus. After 5 days of culture, flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the percentage of cells positive for neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Normally cultured cells acted as controls (normoxic group).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the normoxic group, the proliferation of neural stem cells was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and the rate of apoptosis was increased in the oxygen-glucose deprivation group (P <0.01). After treatment with different concentrations of salvianolic acid B, the cell viability and the ratio of neurons in total cells were increased, and the ratio of astrocytes was decreased, especially in 20 and 40 mg/L groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these results suggest that salvianolic acid B alleviates adverse effects of oxygen-glucose deprivation on neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.

Insomnia induced by mental retardation is related to the synergistic dysfunction of "shaoyang, sanjiao and haishi (the period of the day from 9 pm to 11 pm) " in pathogenesis. Based on "trinity theory of shaoyang, sanjiao and haishi ", the acupoints of hand and food shaoyang meridians on the head and face (Fengchi [GB 20], Sizhukong [TE 23] and Jiaosun [TE 20]) and those on the four limbs (Sanyangluo [TE 8], Zhongzhu [TE 3], Qiuxu [GB 40] and Xiaxi [GB 43]) are selected to regulate the pivot function of shaoyang. Front-mu and back-shu points (Sanjiaoshu [BL 22], Danzhong [CV 17] and Tianshu [ST 5]), as well as auricular points (Gan [CO₁₂], Dan [CO₁₁] and Sanjiao [CO₁₇]) are chosen to promote qi circulation of shaoyang and sanjiao meridians. In association with the relevant knowledge of time acupuncture at haishi, the circadian rhythm of sleep is set up and the appropriate sleep pattern is developed.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy* ; Intellectual Disability ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Meridians ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of enteral nutrition on intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes and the barrier of mucus in patients with stomal type enteric fistulas.

METHODSTen patients with stomal type enteric fistulas after long-term fasting were observed. They received enteral nutrition of 146 kJ.kg(-1).d(-1) non-protein calorie and 0.25 g.kg(-1).d(-1) nitrogen per day. Intestinal mucosa were taken by endoscope through stoma of fistula before, 5 and 10 days after enteral nutrition support. Hematoxylin-eosin stain and immunohistochemical stain were performed to count the cell counts of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (iIELs) and mucin-2 (MUC2) positive cells, specific stain (Alcian Blue) was performed to test the thickness of mucus.

RESULTSFive days after enteral nutrition, MUC2 positive cells and the thickness of mucus were significantly higher than that before enteral nutrition support (P<0.05). Ten days after enteral nutrition, iIEL cell and CD8 counts were also significantly higher than that before enteral nutrition support (P<0.05), MUC2 positive cells and the thickness of mucus showed a significant increase (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONEnteral nutrition is effective in protecting the gut mucosal and improving the immune function of the intestinal intraepithelial in patients with stomal type fistula.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cell Count ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Intestinal Mucosa ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Intestine, Small ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucus ; immunology ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Adult ; Athletic Performance ; psychology ; Back ; physiology ; Electromyography ; Exercise ; physiology ; Humans ; Imagery (Psychotherapy) ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVECT120B gene is a splicing variant of CT120A, which deletes 96 nucleotides and leads to an in-frame loss of 32 amino acids between the codon 136 and 167 as compared with CT120A. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of CT120B expression on lung cancer cell growth and to explore the gene expression profiles.

METHODSCT120B cDNA was transfected into the human lung adenocarcinoma SPC-A-1 cells, and stable cell lines overexpressing CT120B were established. CCK-8 assay and tumorigenecity in a xenograft model were performed to analyze cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The differential gene expression induced by overexpressed CT120B was investigated using Atlas cDNA expression array. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze cell cycle and cell apoptosis.

RESULTSOverexpression of CT120B in SPC-A-1 cells resulted in a reduced cell growth rate in vitro, and decrease of the tumorigenicity in nude mice. A total of 38 genes were identified as differential expressions with more than a 2.0-fold change by Atlas cDNA expression array analysis, including downregulated cyclin E1, cdk 2, c-kit, CXCR4 and upregulated caspase 8 gene. Overexpression of CT120B also induced G1 phase arrest, but had no effect on cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONThe G1 cell cycle arrest, but not apoptosis, underlay the growth inhibitory activities of CT120B. The down-regulation of c-kit and CXCR4 expression might also contribute to the suppressive effects on cell growth of CT120B.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; G1 Phase ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Transfection