Aim To investigate the effects of maternal chronic aluminum exposure on memorial behaviour and hippocampal intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i)on their offspring after the induction of LTP(long-term potentiation). Methods Adult Wistar rats (150~200 g) were exposed to aluminum by drinking distilled water, the concentration of AlCl3 is 0.015 mol?L-1(2 g?L-1) and 0.03 mol?L-1(4 g?L-1) aluminum chloride (AlCl3) solution, respectively, for 30 days prior to mating and during the whole gestation and suckling period. Their offspring were distributed into three experimental groups: control group; two exposed groups (represented by 0.2%-Al and 0.4%-Al ) administrated aluminum exposure ended at postnatal day 21. The brain tissue and blood aluminum levels were measured by Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Memorial ability of the offspring was tested by Step down test.[Ca2+]i was measured by the technique of Fura-2/AM calcium ions fluorescence indicator. Results The mean aluminum content in blood and brain tissue was significantly higher than the control group(P0.05), but was significantly decreased in 0.4%-Al exposed group(P

Objective To explore the clinicopathological characteristics of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients association with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods Between Jan 2009 and Dec 2010,536 patients (390 males and 146 females with mean age of 63 years) underwent surgical treatment at our institute for pathologically proven non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.The clinical and pathological data of these patients were reviewed,and the relationships of these factors and CKD were analyzed.Presence of CKD was confirmed in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)＜ 60ml/(min · 1.73 m2)calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation.Results Of the 536 consecutive cases,57 patients (10.6％) had CKD.Compared to the patients without CKD,there were more females and older patients in the patients with CKD (52.6％ vs 24.2％ and 69 years vs 62 years,both P ＜ 0.05).The patients with CKD proned to have multiple bladder tumor (71.9％ vs 50.9％,P ＜ 0.05) and synchronous upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (7.0％ vs 2.3％,P ＜0.05).The history of bladder cancer and upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma were also predominated in these patients (43.9％ vs 29.0％ and 40.4％ vs 6.5％,both P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionConcurrent CKD in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients is associated with greater risk of multiple tumors in urinary tract,particularly in female patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the pathological and clinical characters of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

METHODSLiver biopsy tissues taken from 97 patients negative for common viral detection with serological test and immunohistochemistry as well as in situ hybridization, were observed by routine light microscopic examination. And the clinical data of patients with NASH was analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the chronic hepatitis patients with unknown etiology, the detection rate of NASH was 15.5% (15/97). The characteristic lesions in NASH patients included macrovesicular steatosis in zone 3 of lobules, hepatocytes ballooning degeneration, lobules diffused with acute and chronic inflammation, and perisinusoidal fibrosis. Grading and staging according to Brunt's method, histological lesions could be accounted for G1S1 in 7 patients, G2S2 in 3 patients, G3S1 in 4 patients and G3S2 in 1 patient. There were 14 patients with mild to moderate elevation of transaminase, 10 with hyperlipemia, 8 with diabetes and 9 with fatty liver by ultrasonography.

CONCLUSIONNonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a common form of unknown etiology chronic liver disease with certain clinic-pathological features.

Adult ; Biopsy ; Fatty Liver ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AGTR2) gene, and to determine whether the AGTR2 polymorphisms are associated with essential hypertension in a male Chinese population.

METHODSDirect DNA sequencing was performed in 20 subjects. 96 male hypertensive patients and 107 normal controls were included to assess the contribution of the SNP of AGTR2 gene to hypertension.

RESULTSSeven SNP of the AGTR2 gene were identified, of which 4 were reported for the first time. A case-control study including two polymorphisms (A1675G and T1334C) showed a significant increase in the A1675 allele frequency among male hypertensive subjects as compared with normotensive subjects (49.0% vs 34.6%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe AGTR2 A1675G polymorphism might be involved in the development of essential hypertension in male Chinese.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the value of ~(125)I permanent plantation in treating osseous metastases.Methods Twenty-two patients with osseous metastases were accepted radioactive seeds ~(125)I permanent plantation.The curative effect was appraised according to the degree of ostalgia relieving and the changing of the radiology imaging in patients.Results Accepted radioactive seeds ~(125)I permanent plantation,relief of pain was obtained and the effective rate is 91%(20/22).However none of the patients showed severe side-effect.Among 32 lesions in 22 cases followed-up by CT in 2 months,4 obtained CR, 18 obtained PR,10 NC and 0 PD.The responsive rate was 68.7%.Conclusion ~(125)I permanent plantation procedure can be a safe and effective method in treating osseous metastases and obtaining good clinical effects with minimal damage and few comnlications.

This paper presents a remote controlled multimode micro-stimulator based on the chip nRF24E1, which consists mainly of a micro-control unit (MCU) and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver. This micro-stimulator is very compact (18 mmx28 mm two layer printed circuit board) and light (5 g without battery), and can be carried on the back of a small animal to generate electrical stimuli according to the commands sent from a PC 10 meters away. The performance and effectiveness of the micro-stimulator were validated by in vitro experiments on the sciatic nerve (SN) of the frog, where action potentials (APs) as well as artifacts were observed when the SN was stimulated by the micro-stimulator. It was also shown by in vivo behavioral experiments on operant conditioned reflexes in rats which can be trained to obey auditory instruction cues by turning right or left to receive electrical stimulation ('virtual' reward) of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) in a maze. The correct response for the rats to obey the instructions increased by three times and reached 93.5% in an average of 5 d. This micro-stimulator can not only be used for training small animals to become an 'animal robot', but also provide a new platform for behavioral and neurophysiological experiments.
Acoustic Stimulation ; Animals ; Behavior Control ; methods ; Conditioning, Operant ; physiology ; Electric Stimulation ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Male ; Medial Forebrain Bundle ; physiology ; Movement ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Remote Sensing Technology ; Robotics

OBJECTIVETo compare the acute myocardial infarction models in Beagle dogs and mongrel dogs, and study whether the Beagle dog model is sensitive to drug intervention.

METHODThe acute myocardial infarction model of dog was set up through ligation of anterior descending branch of coronary artery in dogs, in order to observe morphological changes of the heart and determine artery length and heart coefficient of exposed anterior descending branch of coronary artery. The epicardium electrocardiogram (sigmaST, N-ST) was used to measure the degree of myocardial ischemia. The quantitative histological assay (nitroblue tetrazolium, N-BT stain) was adopted to determine the area of myocardial infarction.

RESULTThere was no significant difference between Beagle dogs and mongrel dogs in terms of sigmaST, N-ST and ischemia area. The diltiazem group of Beagle dogs showed obvious reduction in the ischemia area (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), with notable decline in sigmaST and N-ST, however, it had no statistical difference compared with the Beagle dog model group. Beagle dogs had clear coronary branches, longer exposed arteries and less difference in organ coefficient, which were suitable for the preparation of the myocardial infarction model, whereas mongrel dogs had irregular coronary branches and exposed arteries, with greater individual difference.

CONCLUSIONBeagle dogs are superior to mongrel dogs in the preparation of the acute myocardial infarction model, which is sensitive to for drug intervention.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Myocardium ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of plastic bronchitis associated with 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1) infection.

METHODA retrospective investigation of the clinical manifestation, bronchoscopy, and the histology of the cast, clinical course and outcome of 8 children with plastic bronchitis associated with influenza A virus (H1N1) infection during winter of 2009 and 2010 was performed.

RESULTAll 8 cases were boys, the range of age was 3 to 6 years. Five cases occurred in 2009 winter, accounting for 3.3% (5/150) of hospitalized children with influenza A (H1N1) infection; 3 cases occurred in 2010 winter, accounting for 15.8% (3/19) of hospitalized children with influenza A (H1N1) infection. Two patients had an underlying chronic disease, 1 had asthma, and the other had allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. All the 8 cases had fever, cough and sputum; 2 had wheezing; 5 had respiratory distress. All 8 cases were diagnosed as influenza A virus (H1N1) infection complicated with pneumonia, of whom 5 patients had atelectasis, 2 had pneumothorax, 1 had pneumomediastinum, 1 had parapneumonic effusion, 2 patients were suspected of foreign body aspiration. Seven cases were admitted to an ICU, 5 patients developed respiratory failure, and 3 patients required mechanical ventilation. Flexible bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage was performed in all cases and showed bronchial cast. Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed a fibrinous material containing large quantity of eosinophils, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in 7 patients, fibrinous material and necrotic material without inflammatory cells in 1 patient. After the bronchial cast was removed, all patients were improved greatly, no patients died.

CONCLUSIONPlastic bronchitis is a life-threatening complication associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in children. In children with rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis or consolidation on chest radiograph, plastic bronchitis should be considered. Bronchoscopic extraction of casts should be carried out early.

Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Bronchitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Foreign Bodies ; complications ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; complications ; virology ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Rare Diseases ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of plastic bronchitis (PB) so as to improve the awareness of the disease.Methods Twenty-four children with PB were collected from Jul.2009 to Mar.2012 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital.The clinical manifestation,bronchoscopy,histology of the cast,clinical course and outcome were reviewed retrospectively.Results Of the 24 children with PB,18 cases were male,6 cases were female,and the range of age was 1 year and 2 months to 10 years and 3 months,with the median age of 3 years and 4 months.Three patients had an underlying chronic disease,1 case had asthma,1 case had hydronephrosis,and 1 case had ventricular septal defect repair before 1 year and 8 months.All the cases had fever,cough and sputum,while 10 cases had wheeze,and 5 cases had respiratory distress.All cases were diagnosed as pneumonia or severe pneumonia,of which 14 case had atelectasis,10 cases had parapneumonic effusion,5 cases suspected of foreign body inhalation,3 cases had pneumothorax,and 3 cases had mediastinal hernia.Fourteen cases were admitted to PICU,6 patients developed respiratory failure,and 9 patients required mechanical ventilation.Flexible bronchoscopy and bronchial lavage were performed in all cases and showed bronchial cast.Histological examination of the bronchial cast revealed that fibrinous material containing large quantity of eosinophils,neutrophils,and lymphocytes in 23 patients,and no inflammatory cells in 1 patient.After a bronchial cast was removed,all patients were improved greatly,and no patient dead.Conclusions Plastic bronchitis is a rare pediatric critical disease,which has high mortality.In children with rapid and progressive respiratory distress with lung atelectasis,pleural effusion or consolidation on chest radiograph,PB should be considered.Bronchial endoscopy is the most effective method for treatment of PB.

OBJECTIVETo investigate proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in adult rats after cerebral infarction.

METHODSModels of cerebral infarction in rats were made and the time-course expression of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), Musashi1, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. BrdU and Musashi1 were used to mark dividing neural stem cells. GFAP and NeuN were used to mark differentiating neural stem cells.

RESULTSCompared with controls, the number of BrdU-labeled and BrdU-labeled with Musashi 1-positive cells increased strikingly 1 day after cerebral infarction; approximately 6 fold with a peak 7 days later; markedly decreased 14 days later, but was still elevated compared with that of controls; decling to the control level 28 days later. The number of BrdU-labeled with GFAP-positive cells nearly remained unchanged in the hippocampus after cerebral infarction. The number of BrdU-labeled with NeuN-positive cells increased strikingly 14 days after cerebral infarction, reached maximum peak in the hippocampus 28 days after cerebral infarction in rats.

CONCLUSIONCerebral infarction stimulate proliferation of inherent neural stem cells and most proliferated neural stem cells differentiate into neurons.

Animals ; Antigens, Nuclear ; metabolism ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Division ; Cerebral Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology