Objective To explore the effect of behavioral training on the differentiation of neural stem cells in the dental gyrus (DG) in rats with hippocampus infarction. Methods Seventy-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into infarction plus behavior training group, infarction group and control group. Photochemistry method was used to induce hippocampal infarction in rats of the infarction plus behavioral training group and infarc-tion group. At 1 day after surgery, Morris water maze training was used for infarction plus behavioral training group, free-movement without training was performed for infarction group. Double staining immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-expression of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) with neuronal nuclei ( NeuN ) or glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the DG at different time points. Results Few BrdU/NeuN and BrdU/GFAP double staining cells were observed in the DG of control rats. In the infarction group and infarction plus behavioral training group the number of BrdU/NeuN and BrdU/GFAP double-stained cells increased in the DG on the opposite side compared with the control group on 14th, 21st, 28th and 35th days after surgery (P < 0.05 ). There observed significantly more BrdU/NeuN and BrdU/GFAP double-stained cells in the infarction plus behavioral training group than that in the infarction group on the 14th, 21st, 28th and 35th days after surgery ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Behavioral training can accelerate the differentiation of neural stem cells to neuron and astrocyte, by which to promote the re-covery of neural functions.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized by catalysis of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Three distinct isoforms of NOS have been detected in different structures of the guinea pig cochlea. However, there are still rather controversies about the definite localization and expression of NOS isoforms in guinea pig cochlea.OBJECTIVE: To investigate localization and expression of three NOS isoforms in the cochlea of guinea pigs, and to explore the effect of NO on auditory physiology and pathophysiology of inner ear.DESIGN: An observed and controlled study.SETTING: Department of Physiology, Jinzhou Medical College; Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinzhou Central Hospital.MATERIALS: The study was performed in Hearing Research Laboratory of China Medical University from May to November 2000. Ten healthy male albino guinea pigs, with body mass of 250-300 g, with sensitive Preyer's reflexes and normal drum membrane and external auditory canal,were selected.METHODS: After anesthesia, guinea pigs were decapitated and the temporal bones were removed immediately. The round and oval windows were opened, perfused with 40 g/L paraformaldehyde, and the specimens were immersed in the same fixative solution for 2 hours. Decalcification of the cochleae was performed in 100 g/L EDTA solution for 1 week. Then the specimens were placed in 250 g/L sucrose solution overnight and embedded in OCT. Cryostat (20 μm) sections were prepared for immunohistochemistry.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Localization and expression of three NOS isoforms in the cochlea of guinea pigs.RESULTS: All data of ten guinea pigs was entered the final analysis without any loss. [1] Neuronal-type nNOS and endothelial-type eNOS immunoreactivity were localized in inner and outer hair cells of the organ of Corti, as well as in spiral ganglion cells. In addition, staining for nNOS and eNOS were also seen in the marginal cells of stria vascularis, spiral ligament cells, and in nerve fibers. [2] Inducible-type iNOS immunoreactivity was also detected in above each structure of the guinea pig cochlea under physiological conditions.CONCLUSION:NO may play an important role in neurotransmission,blood flow regulation, and cytotoxicity.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of transformed products by Sphingomonas yabuuchiae GTC 868T (AB071955) and Pectinex Ultra AFP from the saponin of Ardisia gigantifolia. Methods: Transformation products separated by the process of silica gel column, compounds were identified and elucidated by spectral and chemical methods. Their cytotoxicity activities were tested by Cell Counting Kit 8 colorimetric assay. Results: Five triterpenoid saponins were obtained, including 3β-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl}-cyclamiretin A (1), 3β-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside}-cyclamiretin A (2), 3β-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside}-cyclamiretin A (3), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl cyclamiretin A (4), and cyclamiretin A (5). Conclusion: Compounds 2-5 are obtained by biotransformation for the first time. Some of the compounds showed certain antitumor activity, among them, compound 2 shows more cytotoxicity activity than Ag3 and positive control.

Objective To explore the possibility of breast feeding in chronic asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers after immuno prophylaxis of the infants. Methods The infants with asymptomatic HBV carriers mothers were selected by the obstetric department of Qilu Hospital of Shangdong University, Jinan Maternity and Infant Health Institute of Shangdong from Sept 2001 to Oct 2003 prospectively. Umbilical blood HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV DNA) was detected at birth. All infants received 200 IU HBV specific immunoglobin(HBIG)within 12 hours and on 14 days after birth. The hepatitis B recombinant vaccine was given within 24 hours after birth and at 1 and 6 months of age. The way of feeding was chosen by the mothers as they liked. There were 55 infants in breast feeding group and 36 in bottle feeding group. Infants were then followed up at 7 and 12 months of age and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti HBs), hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg), hepatitis B e antibody(anti HBe) and hepatitis B core antibody(anti HBc) and HBV DNA. Uninfected infants with negative anti HBs were given repeated dose of vaccinations. Results At 7 and 12 months of age, the positive rates of HBV DNA were 9.09%(5/55)and 9.09%(5/55), anti HBs were 85.45%(47/55)and 90.90%(50/55)in breast feeding group respectively;while the positive rates of HBV DNA were 8.33%(3/36)and 8.33%(3/36), anti HBs were 86.11%(31/36)and 91.67%(33/36)in bottle feeding group respectively. No significant differences was shown in positive rates of HBV DNA and anti HBs between these two groups. Conclusions With appropriate immunoprophylaxis, including hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine, HBV carriers can breast feed their babies.

Objective To investigate the effects of reciprocal inhibition on motor function connectivity in the brains of stroke patients.Methods Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into a treatment group (n =15) and a control group (n =15).The control group underwent normal limb positioning,medium frequency electrotherapy,circulated compression of the limbs,etc.The treatment group received conventional rehabilitation treatment plus reciprocal inhibition treatment for 30 min daily,6 times a week for 4 weeks.All of the patients were assessed before and after treatment using the Canadian neurological scale (CNS),the Frenchay activities index (FAI),the motricity index (MI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging of the motor cortex in a resting state (rs-fMRI).Results In both groups the average CNS,FAI and MI scores improved significantly.Compared with the control group,the changes in FAI and MI scores in the treatment group improved significantly more.The coefficient of functional connectivity of the bilateral motor cortex decreased significantly after treatment in both groups.In the treatment group the motor cortex functional connectivity correlated significantly with the improvements in MI scores.Conclusions Reciprocal inhibition can accelerate the improvement of extremity motor function and ability in the activities of daily living significantly after stroke.It reduces functional connectivity in the bilateral motor cortex in ways significantly correlated with improvements in motor function.

Objective To investigate the significance and distribution of lymphopenia and antilymphocyte antibody(ALA) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to explore the role of ALA in lympho penia.Methods One hundred and ten in-patients who were admitted during February 2003 to February 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.Indirect immunofluorescence test was used to detect ALA.Results ① Lymphopenia (＜1.5×109/L) was observed in 68.2% patients.Lymphopenia was associated with skin rashes,serositis,renal involvement,NPSLE,leucopenia,ANA,ds-DNA antibody,ESR and IgG levels.The lymphocyte count and SLEDAI scores was more closely correlated than total white blood cell counts.②ALA was positive in 51/110 (46.4%) patients.ALA was associated with renal involvement,NPSLE,WBC count,C3 level decrease,ANA,dsDNA antibody and SLEDAI scores.Conclusion Lymphopenia is significantly associated with SLEDAI scores.ALA is possibly one cause of lymphcytopenia.In addition,ALA is also a parameter for disease activity,and is associated with organ involvement and outcomes.

Objective To reinvestigate the value of overnight low-dose dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.Methods Fifty-two patients with Cushing syndrome and 153 patients with simple obesity or essential hypertension in whom Cushing syndrome was excluded were studied retrospectively in order to compare the sensitivity and specificity of different serum cortisol cut-off levels in overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test in the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.Results The sensitivity of 50% of basal serum cortisol level at 8:00 and of the serum cortisol cut-off levels of 275,200,138,50 nmoL/L at 8:00 after the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test was 92.3%,92.3%,92.3%,92.3% and 100.0% respectively, and the specificity was 90.8%,98.7%,96.1%,91.5% and 78.4%,respectively.Conclusion The serum cortisol cut-off level of 50 nmol/L in the overnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test has very high sensitivity and can be used as a screening test for Cushing syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo observe the improvement of thyroid function and changes of Akt, p-Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and para-mTOR (p-mTOR) expression in Graves' disease (GD) mice after intervened by Jiakangning Capsule (JC), and to explore possible mechanism for JC in treating GD.

METHODSGD model was established by immunizing female BALB/c mice with thyroid stimulating hormone receptor A subunit (Ad-TSHRα-289). Totally 70 successfully modeled mice were divided into the model group (n =20), the JC intervened group (n =25), the Methimazole Tablet intervened group (n =25) according to random digit table. A normal control group (n =15) and a vehicle control group (n =20, injected with Ad-null) were also set up. Mice in the JC intervened group were administered with JC suspension at the daily dose of 1. 5 g/kg by gastrogavag. Mice in the Methimazole intervened group were administered with Methimazole suspension at the daily dose of 2. 5 g/kg by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to mice in the rest 3 groups by gastrogavage. All intervention lasted for 5 weeks. Six mice were selected from each group to observe pathological changes of thyroid tissues. Serum levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Expression levels of Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, and p-mTOR in thyroid tissues were etermined by Western blot.

RESULTS(1) The thyroid gland in the GD model group showed proliferative changes, with enlarged follicles of various sizes. Interstitial stroma was filled with blood vessels. Structures of thyroid tissues in the JC intervened group and the Methimazole intervened group were significantly restored, and follicular hyperplasia was relieved. (2) Compared with the normal control group and the vehicle control group, levels of TRAb, T4, and T3 increased; ratios of P-Akt/β-actin, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/β-actin, and p-mTOR/mTOR also increased in the model group (all P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, levels of TRAb, T4, and T3 decreased in the JC intervened group and the Methimazole intervened group (P <0. 01); ratios of p-mTOR/β-actin and pmTOR/mTOR decreased in the JC intervened group (P <0.01); ratios of P-Akt/β-actin, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/β-actin, and p-mTOR/mTOR decreased in the Methimazole intervened group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Conclusion JC could reduce thyroid hormonc levels of GD mice and lower expression levels of mTOR, and its mechanism for improving thyroid function of GD mice might be associated with this influence.

Actins ; Animals ; Capsules ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Graves Disease ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Methimazole ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine ; Triiodothyronine

Objective To explore the relationship between serum osteocalcin levels and glucolipid metabolism in elderly type 2 diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods Data collected from 97 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)admitted to the Department of Geriatric Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2014 to April 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were divided into the T2DM group(type 2 diabetic patients without NAFLD,n＝ 47)and the NAFLD group(T2DM patients with NAFLD,N ＝ 50).Healthy elderly subjects (n ＝ 30)from the same period served as the control group.Body mass index(BMl),osteocalcin,fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin,homeostasis model assessment for insulin secretion index (HOMA-β) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL C)were compared between the 3 groups.Results Levels of fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin,HbAlc,total cholesterol,triglyceride,LDL-C and HOMA IR were higher,while levels of HDL-C,HOMA-β and osteocalcin were lower in the T2DM and NAFLD groups than in the control group(all P＜＜0.05).Levels of BMI,fasting glucose,fasting insulin,HbAlc,total cholesterol,triglyceride,LDL-C and HOMA-IR were higher and levels of osteocalcin were lower in the T2DM group than in the NAFLD group(all P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that the osteocalcin level was negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose,HbA1C,HOMA IR and BMI(r＝-0.701,0.442,-0.337 and 0.543,P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and positively correlated with HOMA-β (r ＝ 0.341,P ＜ 0.05) in the NAFLD group.With serum osteocalcin as the dependent variable,multiple linear regression results showed that fasting blood glucose was an independent influencing factor for serum osteocalcin(β＝-1.57,P＜0.05)in the fatty liver group.Conclusions Serum osteocalcin levels significantly decrease in elderly T2DM patients with NAFLD,are closely correlated with glucolipid metabolism,and may have some important clinical significance in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.