Objective To explore the cognitive function,feature of P 300 event-related potentials and the relationship of them in children with epilepsy.Methods Auditory P 300 was measured by oddball paradigm and intelligence quotient was tested by WSIC-RC in 38 children with epilepsy.Results 1. The rates of FIQ less than normal IQ were 65.8 %, impaired intelligence 28.9 % in patient group. 2.The latencies and the amplitudes of P 300 were significantly delayed and decreased respectively in both patient groups (P

This study was aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of IL-18, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), IFN-γ and IL-4 secreted from splenocytes of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in vitro. Spleen mononuclear cells (MNC) were prepared by using routine sterile method, and were cultured in RPMI 1640 complete medium containing 10 µg/ml PHA, 10% fetal calf serum at 37°C and 5% CO2. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-18 and IL-18BP secreted from MNC of ITP patients and normal controls were determined after culture for 48 hours. The results showed that after culture of spleen MNC for 48 hours, the levels of IL-18 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in patients with ITP than that in controls, but the levels of IL-18BP was not significantly elevated in ITP patients. The level of IL-4 was below the detectable limit of the assay used. It is concluded that imbalance between IL-18 and IL-18BP may play an important role in pathogenesis of ITP, and regulation of balance between IL-18 and IL-18BP may be a therapeutic approach against ITP.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; secretion ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Interleukin-18 ; secretion ; Interleukin-4 ; secretion ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; metabolism ; Spleen ; cytology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo study the effect of lead acetate on the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) protein in rat brain and the regulation of thyroid hormone.

METHODSLead acetate was given to SD rats intraperitoneally ip. at the dosage of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively. 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) was used to make a hypothyroid model and then lead acetate was given at the dosage of 50 mg/kg body weight through i.p. The NGF protein expression in rat brain was observed by immunohistochemistry Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), TSH in serum and T3, T4 in brain tissue were determined by radio immunoassays (RIAs).

RESULTSThe average gray value of NGF protein in cerebral cortex of 50 mg, 100 mg treated groups (180.49 +/- 10.33, 169.72 +/- 19.75, respectively) were lower than the control (200.75 +/- 3.27, P<0.01). The area density of NGF protein in hippocampus of three treated groups (0.08 +/- 0.14, 0.12 +/- 0.02, 0.13 +/- 0.04, respectively) were significantly different from the control (0.025 +/- 0.015, P<0.05). The area density and the average gray value of NGF protein in lead acetate treated hypothyroid rat brain were of no significant changes. The levels of serum T3 in three treated groups [(0.68 +/- 0.02), (0.57 +/- 0.04), (0.54 +/- 0.02) microg/L respectively] and T4 [(28.30 +/- 1.83), (27.35 +/- 2.55), (24.00 +/- 3.01) microg/L] in serum were significantly lower while TSH [(6.34 +/- 1.13), (7.74 +/- 0.79), (9.16 +/- 0.77) IU] higher than those in the control [T3 (0.97 +/- 0.14) microg/L, T4 (54.50 +/- 3.70) microg/L and TSH (4.62 +/- 2.16) IU], and there was a good dose-response relationship. The levels of T3 in cerebral cortex of three treated groups [(13.26 +/- 0.81), (11.49 +/- 0.10), (10.42 +/- 1.19) pg/mg pro respectively] and T4 [(0.50 +/- 0.03), (0.49 +/- 0.13), (0.42 +/- 0.01) ng/mg pro] were significantly lower than those in control [(20.85 +/- 11.01) pg/mg pro, (0.76 +/- 0.14) ng/mg pro, P<0.05, P<0.01].

CONCLUSIONLead could increase the NGF protein expression in rat brain, which may be regulated by thyroid hormone.

Animals ; Brain Chemistry ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; Organometallic Compounds ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thyroid Hormones ; analysis ; blood ; physiology

BACKGROUNDIntegrin-linked kinase (ILK) dysregulation is involved in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), irbesartan, on ILK expression and podocyte injury in DN.

METHODSDN was induced by the combined feeding of high-sucrose, high-fat diet and intra-peritoneal injection of low dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Diabetic rats were treated with irbesartan (50 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) by gavage for 8 weeks. The renal morphologic changes and podocyte injury were investigated by light and electron microscopy, and the ILK expression was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSDiabetic rats exhibited with the similar clinical feature of type 2 DN. Morphologically, they were characterized by expansion of mesangial matrix, loss of podocyte and podocyte injury. Impressively, compared to controls, the ILK expression in diabetic rats were upregulated, which were positively correlated with both podocyte injury and albuminuria. Irbesartan significantly prevented ILK overexpression, along with the amelioration of podocyte injury and albuminuria.

CONCLUSIONSILK plays an important role in mediating podocyte injury in DN; irbesartan inhibits ILK upregulation and attenuates podocyte injury, which might offer a new insight into the role of ARB in preventing DN progression.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Male ; Podocytes ; drug effects ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of multi-slice spiral CT scan to localize upper airway stricture in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) during drug-induced sleeping.

METHODSOne hundred and fourteen patients diagnosed as OSAS by polysomnography were included in the study. Multi-slice spiral CT scan covering upper airway was performed at the end of inspiration and clear upper airway images were obtained in waking. After injecting 5 mg of midazolam intravenously slowly in 109 patients, CT scan was performed at apnea and clear upper airway images were obtained in sleeping. Cross-section area and minimal diameter of airway were measured and the parameters were compared under those two states. Upper airway was displayed intuitionisticly by using post-processing techniques.

RESULTSOne hundred and nine patients with OSAS finished the examination with a success rate of 100 %. Airway obstruction at retropalatal level was observed in 62 patients, among whom 26 were associated with airway obstruction at retroglossal level, 27 with narrower airway at retroglossal level in sleeping compared with that in waking, and 9 with no significant change of the airway at retroglossal level after sleeping. Narrower airway at retropalatal level in sleeping compared with that in waking was observed in 40 patients, among whom 20 were associated with narrower airway at retroglossal level in sleeping compared with that in waking, 10 with complete airway obstruction at retroglossal level in sleeping, and 7 with no significant change of the airway at both retropalatal and retroglossal levels before and after sleeping. Minimal mean cross-section area of airway at retropalatal level was (72.60 +/-45.15)mm(2) in waking and (8.26 +/-18.16)mm(2) in sleeping; and minimal mean cross-section area of airway at retroglossal level was (133.21 +/-120.36)mm(2)in waking and (16.73 +/-30.21)mm(2) in sleeping (P <0.01). Minimal mean diameter of airway at retropalatal level was (6.91 +/-2.23) mm in waking and (1.18 +/-2.14) mm in sleeping; and minimal mean diameter of airway at retroglossal level was (8.68 +/-4.32) mm in waking and (1.68 +/-2.22) mm in sleeping (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONMulti-slice spiral CT with post-processing techniques can display the shape of the upper airway in patients with OSAS in sleeping, and can localize the upper airway stricture and assess its range accurately.

Adult ; Aged ; Airway Obstruction ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oropharynx ; physiopathology ; Palate, Soft ; physiopathology ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Young Adult

To explore the feasibility of nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens, hematopoietic reconstitution, chimera level and the occurrence of GVHD after nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation in H-2 haploidentical mice, CB6F1 mice were used as the recipient and were divided into 3 groups, mice were pretreated five days before transplantation. Group A was pretreated with myeloablative conditioning regimens (TBI with 10.5 Gy), group B was pretreated by TBI (2 Gy) + Ara-C + Cy and group C-TBI (2 Gy) + Ara-C + CY + Flu, respectively. For all recipient mice, the prevention of GVHD was not given, and 2 x 10(7) bone marrow cells mixed 1 x 10(7) spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice were injected through tail vein on day 0, and then hematopoietic recovery, engraftment and GVHD of recipients were observed. The results of chimera detection after transplantation showed that the engraftment of group A remained full donor chimerism, and engraftments of group B and group C were associated with mixed chimerism or full donor chimerism, but the chimerism of group B remained below 80% and tended to decrease after 50 days whereas chimerism of group C was above 80% (chimerism close to or being full donor type) and preserved even after 50 days. GVHD occurred in all the recipient mice due to that prevention was not given, wherein the occurrence and death rate of GVHD in group A was obviously higher than that of group B and group C (P <0.01), but there was no statistical difference between group B and group C. In conclusion, the nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens mainly based on fludarabine can form stable and lasting engraftment in the body of recipients. The mixed chimerism established in recipients induce tolerance of transplantation and decrease or avoid the occurrence of GVHD.
Animals ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; H-2 Antigens ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; mortality ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Transplantation Chimera ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Vidarabine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effect and its mechanism of salviae miltiorrhizae and beta-aescinom natrium on the postburn acute lung injury in rats.

METHODSForty-five rats were randomly divided into sham control (C, n = 9), sodium chloride group (S, n = 9), salviae miltiorrhizae group (M, n = 9), beta-aescinom natrium group (A, n = 9), and combination group (MA, n = 9). The rats in M, A and MA groups were subjected to 30% TBSA III degree scald on the back, and all the rats were sacrificed at 24 PBH. The blood and pulmonary tissue samples were harvested from the rats at 24 PBH for the determination of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (LAA) in peripheral blood, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents, and the ratio of wet to dry weights (W/D) of lung tissue.

RESULTSCompared with those in S group, the LAA in blood and the pulmonary tissue contents of MPO, MDA and W/D rate in M and A groups, and especially in MA group, were decreased significantly, but the SOD content in pulmonary tissue increased obviously in M and A groups, especially in MA group. Furthermore, blood LAA was positively correlated with pulmonary tissue MDA content.

CONCLUSIONPostburn intra-pulmonary agglutination and aggregation of PMNs and pulmonary injury by oxygen free radicals (OFRs) and their products could be inhibited by either Salviae Miltiorrhizae or beta-aescinom natrium. In addition, these agents could also increase the tissue content of antioxidant capacity and decrease pulmonary microvascular permeability and lung water content. The results indicated that all the agents used might be effective in prevention and treatment of postburn pulmonary injury, especially when used together.

Acute Lung Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Burns ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Escin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of clinical application of the thoracodorsal artery musculocutaneous perforator flap (TAMPF).

METHODS(1) The morphosis and blood supply of TAP flap on 15 formalized adult cadavers(30 sides) were examined by microsurgery anatomy. (2) An imitative operation of the TAMP flap and latissimus dorsi flap on 1 formalized adult cadavers (2 sides) was conducted.

RESULTS(1) A total of 102 musculocutaneous perforators larger than 0.5 mm were found in 16 specimens(32 sides). 56 perforators (55%) were originated from the medial branch and 46 (45%) originated from the lateral branch. The biggest perforator is (0.82 +/- 0.11) mm (0.68 - 1.08 mm). There was an average of 1.9 perforators (range, 1 - 3 perforators) of the medial branch and an average of 1.8 perforators (range, 1 - 3 perforators) of the lateral branch. Additionally, there were 24 perforators samller than 0.5 mm, and 76 perforators originated from intercostal artery and lumbar artery. (2) Musculocutaneous perforators over 0.5 mm were found only in proximity of the medial and lateral branches within a distance of 8.5 cm (6.4 cm - 9.2 cm) distal to the neurovascular hilus.

CONCLUSIONSWith the characteristics of constant position, large caliber, long pedicle, the thoracodorsal artery musculocutaneous perforator was suitable to be musclocutaneous perforator flaps and "fan-shaped" flaps.

Adult ; Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; Back ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Thorax ; blood supply

OBJECTIVETo explore a new method and estimate its outcome to repair deep heel tissue injuries with local tissue flap.

METHODSAt lower cnemis, a fat fascial flap combined with perineal tendofascial flap were designed and elevated between the lateral malleolars blank, the largest area is 6 cm x 13 cm, which were transplanted to cover naked calcaneal tendon and calcaneal bone, full-thickness free skin graft or middle-thickness free skin graft were grafted on flap.

RESULTS6 patients suffered from heel tissue defects had been treated from January 2004 to November 2005. The smallest area was 3.5 cm x 4.0 cm and the largest was 4 cm x 6 cm. All fascial flaps and free skin grafts were successfully survived after operations. All patients were followed up 3-23 months, the operation areas were healed, the functions and configurations were satisfied.

CONCLUSIONSPerineal tendofascial flap conjoined with adipofasical flap and free skin graft are used to repair heel deep tissue defects, which is a handy, dependable way for repairing of the small tissue defects of the lower third of leg and heel.

Achilles Tendon ; injuries ; surgery ; Adult ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Female ; Fibula ; surgery ; Heel ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of two methods of pigmentation on the flexural strength of dental Y-TZP/porcelain layered structure.

METHODSKaVo zirconia substructures were pigmented by dipping presintered blocks in the coloring solution VITA LL1 and LL5, and colored TZ-3YS zirconia substructures were fabricated by adding pigments before isostatic pressing. The colors No.1 and No.5 were used for the test. The specimens were made in monolithic or bilayered forms, and the flexural strength was tested. XRD and SEM with EDX were used to analyze the characteristics of the surface structure.

RESULTSIn KaVo group, no significant differences were found in the flexural strength between white and LL1 and LL5 colored monoclinic materials, nor in bilayered structures. While in TZ-3YS group, significant differences were noted in the flexural strength between color No.5 white and color No.1 monoclinic materials, but not between the latter two subgroups. The flexural strength was significantly lowered by veneering with porcelain in both zirconia groups, and similar findings were observed with the monoclinic materials. Only the tetragonal phase was detected in both of the zirconia groups.

CONCLUSIONPigmentation has no apparent effects on the bonding strength between the veneering porcelain and zirconia. Both coloring methods are appropriate when the concentration of the pigments is under deliberate control.

Dental Bonding ; Dental Materials ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dental Veneers ; Materials Testing ; Pigmentation ; Tensile Strength ; Yttrium ; chemistry ; Zirconium ; chemistry