Objective To value the clinical application of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in cerebral diseases. Methods Six volunteers and 6 patients (including 3 patients with ischemic stroke and 3 patients with glioma) were examined by DTI and T1weighted, T2weighted MR scan. All data were processed with DtiStudio software to show the white matter fiber tracts. The fractional anisotropy (FA) of the diffusion tensor were measured between the affected and the unaffected side. Results The white matter fiber tract could be observed clearly on the FA map. The pyramidal tract with different degree disruption could be showed in 3 patients with ischemic stroke. Compression, displacement, infiltration or destruction of pyramidal tract, corpus callosum or internal capsule and external capsule could be seen in 3 patients with glioma, and FA was significantly reduced on the affected side as compared to the unaffected side. Conclusion Diffusion tensor imaging is useful in observing the damage and displacement of the white matter fiber tracts in vivo, beneficial to the surgical plan for patients and prognosing recovery of function.

Objective To determine the association between fatty liver and coronary risk fcators in elderly men. Methods A cross-sectional study of 920 elderly men with or without fatty liver and obesity was performed in 2002. Age, body mass index (BMI), GPT, cholesterol, triglyceridemia, fast glucose, mean blood pressure, smoking and drinking consumption were analyzed. Results The prevalence of fatty liver was 11.1% in the non-obese participants (BMI

There are 250 species of Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) in the world. This genus distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Alkaloids are the major and representative ingredients in these plants including quinolines, isoquinolines, and amide alkaloids, with such biological activities as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-virus, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacteria and anti- oxidant. These species have been used for a long time to treat toothache, urinary and venereal diseases, lumbago and rheumatism. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Z. sppplants, in an effort to the systematic research and application of the alkaloids of this genus.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Zanthoxylum ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate T cell and CD4+ CD28-T in the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).Methods Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n =10 each).An AAA animal model is established by enhancing perfusing elastase to the infrarenal abdominal aorta of the rats.The levels of T cell,B cell and macrophage cell of abdominal aorta of the rats on days 3,7,14 and 28,were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).CD4+ CD28-T cell of the peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry.Result There was significant T-lymphocyte infiltration both in middle and outer membrane of the artery of the rats on day 7 after surgery.T-lymphocyte,B-lymphocyte and macrophage cell infiltration were on the peak in middle and outer membrane of the artery on day 14 after surgery.The ratio of CD4+ CD28-T cell in rat peripheral blood reached peak on day 7(P ＜0.05).Conclusions T cell and CD4+ CD28-T cell expression increased in peripheral blood and abdominal aorta in AAA rat model,suggesting a potential role of T cell and CD4+ CD28-T cells in the pathogenesis of AAAs,especially during the early development of AAAs.

Objective To investigate and analyze the iodine nutritional status of school-age children six months after implementation of a new standard of iodized salts in northern area of Jiangsu Province,and to provide a basis for control of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods According to the water iodine content,northern area of Jiangsu Province was divided into low,moderate and high iodine areas (the water iodine contents were ＜ 10,l0-150 and ＞ 150 μg/L,respectively).Two towns were selected in each area; one elementary school was selected in each town; and 120 children aged 8-10 were selected in each school.The samples of urine,household salt,and water in each town were collected.Urinary iodine content was tested by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry;iodine content of household salt sample was determined by direct titration; iodine content of water sample was tested by cerium sulfate catalytic spectrophotometry.Results In low,moderate and high water iodine areas,240,242 and 242 urine samples of 8-10 years old children were tested; urinary iodine median was 135.49,183.62 and 448.99 μg/L,respectively,and the difference between groups was statistically significant (x2 =165.56,P ＜ 0.05).In low,moderate and high water iodine areas,100,131 and 117 household salt samples were tested,and the median of salt iodine was 21.88,22.01 and ＜ 5 mg/kg,respectively.Water samples collected in low,moderate and high iodine areas were 12,14 and 10 copies,respectively,and the median of water iodine was 8.89,38.52 and 189.25 μg/L,respectively,and the difference between groups was statistically significant (x2 =22.27,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The iodine nutritional condition of 8-10 years old children in low,moderate water iodine areas in northern area of Jiangsu Province is appropriate.The new standard is suitable for iodine nutritional needs in the area.The iodine nutritional condition in high water iodine area is excess,iodine intake should be reduced.

There are similarities between magnetotactic bacteria and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) which isolated from Acid mine drainage(AMD). The weak magnetotaxis of some bioleaching bacteria isolated were found by microscope. A magnetophoresis apparatus was designed based on these weak magnetotaxis and be used to analysis the movement of these strains. The physiological properties of the anear magnetic field strain and removed magnetic field strain which isolated successfully by magnetophoresis apparatus have large difference. The nanometer magnetic particles was extract from the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans which purified by spread plate method from AMFS and its main elements are Fe and O by energy spectrum analysis. The results show that A. ferrooxidans have weak magnetotaxis and can be isolated by magnetophoresis. With the development of this new isolating method, the research of magnetotactic bacteria and bioleaching will get more benefit from it.

OBJECTIVETo compare the masticatory efficiency and the character of mandibular movement trace of the patients with complete denture (CD), complete overdenture (COD) and implant-supported overdenture (IOD).

METHODSA total of 42 subjects were rehabilitated with CD, COD and IOD respectively and wore the dentures at least half a year. Each study group was composed of 14 subjects. The masticatory function of patients were investigated by means of masticatory efficiency and mandibular movement trace. The characters of mandibular movement trace were evaluated from four aspects: the regulation of chewing cycle, centralization of end traces, the type of the contact slides and the type of the trace on the frontal plane.

RESULTSThe average chewing efficiency of almond and jujube in the IOD patients was higher than that in the CD group (P < 0.01), and the chewing efficiency of almond in COD group was higher than that in the CD group (P < 0.01). In the IOD group, there were more patients with regular chewing cycle (P < 0.05) and centralized end traces (P < 0.01) in mandibular movement than those in the CD group and COD group.

CONCLUSIONSIOD and COD benefit the fully or partially edentulous patients with a relatively good masticatory function. The patients with IOD have more regular mandibular movement than those with CD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Denture, Complete ; Denture, Overlay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; physiology ; Mastication ; physiology ; Middle Aged

The study was aimed to isolate and establish mesenchymal stem cell line from adult murine bone marrow as well as to identify its biological characteristics and differentiation potential. Bone marrow cells (BMCs) were collected by flushing the femurs and tibias of 4 - 5-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, and were inoculated at a concentration of 1 x 10(6)/cm(2). mMSCs were isolated, enriched and expanded by using bone marrow adherant culture and monoclonal culture. The characteristics of the cells, such as morphology, growth pattern, cell cycle, phenotype, karyotype and multipotent differentiation potential, cytogenetic stability and tumorigenesis were determined. The results indicated that the cell population consisted of spindle- and star-shaped cells, they were highly positive for CD29, CD44, Sca-1, MHC-I, moderate positive for CD13, CD90.2 and negative for CD117, CD45, Flk-1 and MHC-II. mMSCs could be induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblast cells and chondrocytes. It is concluded that mMSC can be isolted, expanded and enriched by using bone marrow adhcrent culture and monoclonal culture. No tumor formations are observed for 3 months in nude mice after subcutaneous injection. mMSCs retain their properties after at least 30 passages in culture as well as from frozen stocks.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Integrin beta1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Nude

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of murine mesenchymal stem cells (mMSC) on immunoproliferative response of spleen cells.

METHODSMitogen (Con A, 20 microg/ml) or irradiated (20 Gy) allogeneic spleen cells (from BALB/c or C57BL/6 mouse depending on the responder cells) were used as stimulators. Proliferations of the responder cells were determined with MTT on day 3 after culture at 37 degrees C, 5% CO2 humidified atmosphere. The ratios of CD4+/CD8+ and CD4+CD25+ cells were analyzed with FACS assay, and the levels of cytokines in supernatants with ELISA.

RESULTS1) mMSC inhibited the response of both syngeneic and allogeneic splenic cells to ConA. At the ratio of mMSC to splenic cells being 1: 1, the inhibition rate reached 84.21%. With the ratio decreasing, the inhibition rate decreased. 2) mMSC inhibited the response of both syngeneic and allogeneic splenic cells to alloantigen. When the ratio of mMSC to responder cells was 1: 10, the inhibition rate was as high as 88.07%. 3) mMSC could increase the ratio of CD4+/ CD8+ T cells and the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ cells in splenic cells. These abilities were in a dose-dependent manner and non-MHC antigen restricted. 4) mMSC decreased interleukin (IL) -2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, while increased TGF-beta1 and IL-4 in the co-culture system.

CONCLUSIONmMSC can suppress proliferative response of splenic cells to mitogen and alloantigen, increase the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ and the proportion of CD4+ CD25+ in T cells, decrease the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and increase the anti inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent and non-MHC antigen restricted manner.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish an xenogeneic acute graft-versus-host disease model by engraftment of G-CSF mobilized human mononuclear cells into NOD/SCID mice.

METHODSMobilized human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were transplanted into sublethally irradiated NOD/SCID mice. After transplantation, complete blood count, huCD45+ cells and other phenotype human lymphocytes were determined weekly. Mice were sacrificed, and their tissues were examined histopathologically and immunophenotypically. Genomic DNA was also prepared for detecting human beta-globin DNA sequence and endogenous mouse RAPSYN gene.

RESULTSThe human CD45+ cells in the mice appeared 1 week after transplantation. Its percentage was increased with an acute X-GVHD syndrome characterized by rapid and severe weight loss and pancytopenia. Both the specific DNAs of human beta-globin DNA gene and the murine RAPSYN gene were detected in the hu-NOD/SCID chimeras; The survival rate was 14% at 6 weeks posttransplantation. The engrafted human cells consisted mainly of CD3+ T lymphocytes but CD4/CD8 ratios seemed inverted in the chimeras. The xenogeneic graft versus host reaction was heterogeneous in different organs mainly with human lymphocytes infiltration and the liver and lungs were the critical organs.

CONCLUSIONMobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells are capable of engrafting in irradiated NOD/SCID mice with induced acute X-GVHD syndrome. The liver and the lungs are the critical organs. This is a good model for investigating the effects of human cells in inducing acute graft versus host disease in animal and for testing effective intervention methodology.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Mice, SCID ; Transplantation, Heterologous