Objective To investigate the early neurotoxicity of rotenone on dopaminergic neurons and explore an ideal tissue model. Methods A long-term midbrain slice culture system of SD pup was established according to the interface tissue culture method.After rotenone was added for some time,its toxic effects on the whole slices and the dopaminergic neurons were identified through the measurements of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) released into the medium from the slices and dopamine(DA) content from the cultured tissue,as well as the observations of immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase(TH). Results In those cultures exposed to rotenone for 24 h,the level of DA in tissue dramatically decreased with the concentrations rising.The processes of TH-positive neurons in slices demonstrated some morphological changes,such as appearance of string of beads,reduce of numbers and even disappearance.The content of dopamine in tissue was dominantly decreased with 5 nmol/L rotenone for 14 days,although its cellular morphology was not seen to change.Conclusion Long-time stable midbrain slice culture system has been set up successfully.The neurotoxicity of rotenone on the whole slices and dopaminergic neurons shows a dose-dependent manner.The functional damages on the neurons may be earlier than their morphological changes,of which the injury in the processes of neurons seems to be an early characteristic.

Objective:Our purpose was to investigate the function of angiotensis converting enzyme(ACE) in the occurrence and development of pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH). Methods:The study group included 30 pregnant women diagnosed with PIH( 10 mild, 10 moderate, 10 severe). Thirty healthy pregnant women were selected as the control group. The serum was assayed for the activity of ACE by using color comparison method, hippuric acid used as the substrate. Results:The activity of ACE of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Significantly positive correlationships existed between mean blood pressure, degree of adema, level of urine protein,and uric acid. Conclusion:The elevation of serum activity of ACE is related to the occurrence and development of PIH.

Objective To investigate neuroprotective function of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist, rosiglitazone against reperfusion injury after focal cerebral ischemia in mice model.Methods To establish cerebral isebemia-reperfusion injury mice model, adult male mice underwent 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 22 hours reperfusion (MCAO/R). One hour before MCAO/R, mice were treated with either vehicle (MCAO/R group) or rosiglitazone (6 mg/kg, rosiglitazone group). 2,3,5-triphenyhetrazolium chloride (TIC) staining was applied to determine the volume of cerebralinfarction.TheneurologicaldeficitwasscoredatZeaLonga 5-pointscale. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured in brain tissue as an index of neutrophil accumulation. RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to examine the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (ICAM-1, IL-1β and COX-2).Results (1) The volume of cerebral infarction in rosiglitazone group was significantly decreased from that of MCAO/R group ( 29. 1 ± 6. 6 vs 57.8 ± 9. 7 ,t = 5. 980, P < 0. 01 ), and rosiglitazone markedly improved neurological function in treated mice than MCAO/R mice(1.2 +0.4 vs 3.3 ±0.8, t =5.812, P<0.01). (2) Compared with MCAO/R group, MPO activity in the rosiglitazone-treated group was significantly lower ((0. 049 + 0. 005 ) U/g vs (0. 083 ±0. 008) U/g,t =5. 904, P <0. 01 ). (3) The mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (ICAM-1, IL-1β and COX-2) in rosiglitazone group were also significantly decreased from those in MCAO/R group, as demonstrated by RT-PCR (0.313 ±0.024, 0.205 ±0.007, 0.359 ±0.060, t = 7.464, 19.656, 29.319, P <0.01, respectively) and Western blot (0.274±0.014, 0.205±0.025, 0. 146±0.015, t=79.909, 21.392, 95. 105, P<0.01, respectively). ConclusionThe present study suggests that PPARγ agonist, rosiglitazone, has neureprotective properties to cerebral ischemia-reperfusian injury and that the protection is partially mediated via anti-inflarmmatory actions.

Objective To learn the academic level and scientific impact of the Chinese Journal of Dermatology by using bihliometric methods. Methods Citation frequencies, first authors and their affiliation, citing journals of cited articles published in the Chinese Journal of Dermatology from 2002 to 2007 were statistically analyzed according to the database of Chinese Medical Citation Index (CMCI) by using bibliometric methods. Results From 2002 to 2007, a total of 2259 original papers were published in the Chinese Journal of Dermatology. Of them, 1224 were cited with a total citation frequency of 3963, citation rate of 54.1%, average citation frequency per paper of 3.2 and top citation frequency of 204. The number of first authors of cited papers amounted to 893, and 61 (6.63%) authors published 3 or more cited papers during this period. These authors were distributed in 30 provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and 1 foreign country; Jiangsu, Beijing, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Shanghai and Shandong ranked in the top 6 regions with high total citation frequencies. There were 517 journals citing articles published in the Chinese Journal of Dermatology from 2002 to 2007;the top citing frequencies were observed in the Chinese Journal of Dermatology, China Journal of Leprosy and Skin Diseases, The Chinese Journal of Dermatovenereology, Journal of Clinical Dermatology and Southern China Journal of Dermato-Venereology, etc. Conclusions The articles in the Chinese Journal of Dermatology have a high academic quality and citation frequency. Chinese Journal of Dermatology is an important publication in the dermato- venereology field as well as a core periodical in medical field of China.

Objective To evaluate results of double eyelid operations with different incisions.Methods 100 patientswere selected randomly from out-patients that accepted double eyelid operation.Half of them were objected to double eyelid operation through a palpebral marginal incision.Incision was designed along the palpebral margin,close to boots of eyelashes.Most of the subcutaneous tissues was cut and removed,and then dermis and tarsal plate were fixed with 5 stitches of suture.About 1-3 mm wide of skin along superior margin was removed reasonably.In another 50 cases.double eyelid operation was performed with conventional incision.Incision was designed 6-8 mm far from the palpebral margin.Most of the subcutaneous tissues was removed.and then dermis and tarsal plate were fixed with 5 stitches of suture.Results Postoperative results were evaluated 5 days and 1 month after operation respectively.Postoperative double eyelid shapes were all satisfled in two groups.Swollen eyedids and scar were more inconspicuous in the cases with the palpebral-marginal incision without impairment on eyelashes.Conclusion Compared with double eyelid operation with conventional incision,blepharoplasty with palpebral margin incision has the same results but with lighter impairment,milder hydropsia and more inconspicuous scar.The key point of this procedure is the fixation of dermis and tarsal plate,keeping a good radian of double eyelid line.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of drug phonophoresis therapy in the treatment of acute iridocyclitis.Methods According to randomized block design,104 patients with acute iridocyclitis were divided into the control group of 52 cases (72 eyes)with 1％ atropine mydriasis,oral prednisone tablets and subconjunctival injection of dexamethasone treatment,76 eyes of 52 cases in the treatment group with 1％ atropine mydriasis,oral prednisone tablets and dexamethasone phonophoresis intraocular treatment.Results Compared with the control group,the cure rates of treatment group and control group were 84.2％ and 58.5％ respectively,there was significantly significant difference between the two groups(x2 =12.598,P =0.000),oral hormone time from the beginning to the first reduction[treatment group and control group were (5.12 ± 1.00) d and (7.32 ± 0.97) d respectively (t =-13.495,P =0.000)] and oral hormone total time [treatment group and control group were (27.82 ± 4.84) d and (35.49 ± 4.74) d respectively (t =-9.720,P =0.000)] were significantly shortened,complications decreased significantly[conjunctival edema rate (x2 =9.657,P =0.002),subconjunctival hemorrhage rate (x2 =6.601,P =0.010),conjunctival scarring rate (x2 =4.340,P =0.037),pain rate (x2 =63.419,P =0.000) and oculocardiac reflectivity rate (x2 =33.293,P =0.000)] and patient satisfaction improved significantly (treatment group and control group were 94.7％ and 69.4％ respectively) (x2 =16.333;P =0.000).Conclusion Dexamethasone phonophoresis therapy has better clinical efficacy and higher cure rate,and it is non-invasive,safe and reliable,less complications and high satisfaction in the treatment of acute iridocyclitis.

Objective To observe efficacy and safety of long-term Statins treatment in elderly patients aged over 80 years,and to provide clinical evidence for the rational use of Statins.Methods 224 patients aged 80 years and over were divided into two groups:Statin group given Statins (n=107),and control group not given Statin (n=117).The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC),lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were measured,and liver and renal function,alanine aminotransferase (ALT),creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were tested.Results Pretreatment levels of TC and LDL-C levels were (4.6 ± 1.0) and (2.6 ± 0.8) mmol/L and were decreased to (4.3±0.9) and (2.4±0.6) mmol/L after 1 year treatment (t=3.535,3.448,both P＜0.05).The target rate in statin group for LDL C was 35.5 ％ in patients at very high risk.There were no significant differences in levels of ALT,CK and eGFR between pre-and post-treatment in both two groups [(20.2±9.2) U/L vs.(21.4±12.1) U/L,(86.5±53.9) U/L vs.(86.6±67.5) U/Land (53.1±17.3) ml/min vs.(51.9±18.0) ml/min,all P＞0.05].Compared with pre-treatment,1 year treatment showed that glucose level was increased [(5.9± 1.0) mmol/L vs.(6.0± 1.0) mmol/L,t=2.287,P＜0.05].Conclusions Long-term Statin treatment in elderly patients is safe and effective.We should correctly administer statin drugs,and closely monitor the safety indicators.

BACKGROUND:Arsenic trioxide is considered to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cel s and promote cel apoptosis. Therefore, we wondered whether the arsenic can inhibit the hyperplasia of vascular smooth muscle cel s, an arsenic-coated stent can be compatible with the vascular tissue, and a better vascular intimal coverage as early as possible can reduce intimal hyperplasia.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the vascular histocompatibility of the arsenic-coated stent.
METHODS:Fourteen white rabbits were randomized into two groups and respectively subject to the implantation of arsenic-coated 316 L stainless steel stents and bare 316 L stainless steel stents into the abdominal aorta. After 28 days, the distal and proximal parts of the vessel at the implantation site were ligated and the ligated vessel was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining and light microscope observation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Gross observation:the vessel at the stent site was a little larger than the adjacent vessels in the outer diameter, which was expanded but had no visible thrombus. After cutting the stent, the neointima formed smoothly on the stent surface. (2) Light microscope observation:the stent was located in the middle of the vessel, the medial smooth muscle was pressed, and vascular intimal smooth muscle hyperplasia was found around the stent, thereby thickening the vascular intima. The vascular neointima formed and covered the stent, and there was a thin black layer between the stent and the vascular tissue, which consisted of arsenic and its compounds. These findings suggest that the arsenic-coated stents can be covered with vascular tissues, possessing good vascular histocompatibility.

BackgroundHigh myopia is one of leading causes of blindness,so far the pathogenesis remains unclear.Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of rs6885224 and rs12716080 in CTNND2 gene were recently found to be associated with high myopia in Singaporean Chinese.But whether these SNPs are related with the pathogenesis of high myopia in Han Chinese is worth studying,Objective This study was to investigate the relationship between the genetic variations of the CTNND2 gene and high myopia in Han Chinese.MethodsA case-controlled association study was designed.Nine hundred and thirty-three individuals with high myopia and 1227age- and gender-matched normal subjects were included in this study.The 5 ml of periphery blood was obtained from all subjects for the extraction of genomic DNA.The target DNA was amplified using PCR and purified by the SNaPshot method.Four SNPs rs12716080,rs917012,rs6885224 and rs16901340 in the CTNND2 gene were genotyped.This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of Sichuan Provincial People Hospital.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before his/her enrollment.Results The frequencies of the genotypes rs6885224,rs12716080,rs917012,rs16901340 SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) ( P=0.181,0.085,0.732,0.313,0.264,0.663,0.084,0.196).There were no significant differences in genotypes frequency distribution ( in turn P =0.654,0.406,0.828,0.403 ) and allele frequency distribution of the CTNND2 gene ( in turn P =0.377,0.209,0.743,0.198) between the high myopia group and normal control group.The haplotypes (TA and GA)frequencies of rs12716080 and rs917012 in the high myopia group were significantly different from those of the normal control group(TA:0.784 vs.0.719;GA:0.087 vs.0.136) (x2 =6.115,P=0.013 ;x2 =6.634,P=0.010),but those of GG were similar between the high myopia group and normal control group ( 0.123 vs.0.143,x2 =0.889,P =0.346). ConclusionsThe SNPs rs12716080,rs917012,rs6885224 and rs16901340 in CTNND2 gene were not responsible for high myopia,however,the haplotypes of rs12716080 and rs917012 are susceptible for high myopia in Han Chinese.

Objective To observe the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the early treatment of pe- ripheral nerve injuries.Methods From April 2004 to October 2005,48 cases with peripheral nerve injury were randomly divided into therapeutic and control groups which were treated with NGF and Vitamin B12 for four weeks respectively.The changes in pain,numbness as well as neurophysiology in the two groups were assessed and compared. Results Compared with the control group,symptoms of pain and numbness in the therapeutic group were significantly alleviated (P＜0.05),the number of regenerative nerves was greater (P＜0.01),latent periods for the recovered sensory and motorial potentials of the regenerative nerves shorter,amplitudes significantly higher (P＜0.05 ),and side effects fewer.Conclusion NGF is safe and effective for early treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.