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Objective To study the vulnerability of astrocytes bearing mutant SOD1 under the oxidative stress.Methods The cytotoxicity of the serum deprived astrocytes was measured by MTT.The level of ROS was shown by fluorescence of DCF through confocal microscopy.The expression of Nrf2,HO1 and NQO1 in the different cells was detected by Western blot.Results The level of cellular toxicity was higher in the astrocytes bearing mutant SOD1 exposed to the oxidative stress than the astrocytes hearing wild type SOD1.In the astrocytes bearing mutant SOD1,the expression of Nrf2,HO1 and NQO1 decreased.In the presence of mutant SOD1,an unexpected 44 per-cent decrease of Nrf2 was detected.This was associated with a decreases in multiple downstream phase Ⅱ detoxif-ying enzymes and antioxidant enzymes,known as NQO1 and HO1.Furthermore,our results showed that the ex-pression of NQO1 increased 1.5 and 2.5-fold by EGCG at 5 and 10 μmol/L.EGCG also elevated the expression of total Nrf2.Confocal microscopy showed that EGCG caused Nrf2 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.Conclusion Decrease in Nrf2 expression is the mechanism to explain the vulnerability of astrocytes bearing mutant SOD1 and EGCG strengthened antioxidation function by upregulating the activity of Nrf2.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application value of epicardial transesophageal echocardiography (ETE) in cardiac surgeries. Methods Using the transesophageal multi-plane ultrasonic probe of GE company, ETE were performed for a total of 53 patients undergoing cardiac surgeries with extracorporeal circulation and heart re-beat, evaluating valvular function, left ventricular systolic function and residual shunts. Results Qualiifed ETE images were obtained in all of the 53 cases without complications of infection, bleeding and serious arrhythmia. Intraoperative regional left ventricular systolic dysfunction happened in 5 cases and was promptly handled. Residual mitral regurgitation after valvular replacement was found in one case, which was reduced by valvuloplasty. One case showed moderate tricuspid regurgitation and another two cases indicated residual shunt. All the problems in the above cases were corrected in immediate surgeries. Moreover, the pressure gradient of one hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathic patient fell significantly to 8 mmHg after successful myectomy (the blood flow velocity fell from 3.2 m/s to 1.4 m/s). Conclusion Epicardial transesophageal echocardiogramphic examination is easy to handle and useful in monitoring abnormalities in cardiac surgery by providing hemodynamic and anatomic information.

Objective To analyze the MRI characteristics of vestibulocochlea neurovascular compression in patients with vestibular paroxysmia (VP) and to investigate the effect of the compression,its site and degree,on the occurrence of VP.Methods Twenty-eight cases of VP (VP group) and 28 cases of vertiginous patients other than VP (control group) were retrospectively reviewed.Three dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (3D-MRA) was performed and the data were used for neurovascular crosscompression (NVCC) analysis.The frequency and type of NVCC,the origin of the offending vessel and the distance between compression site and brainstem were compared between the two groups.Results The frequency of NVCC was 96.4％ (27/28) in VP group,with a significant difference compared with control group (13/28,46.4％ ;x2 =17.15,P ＜0.01).The most common NVCC type was vascular loop compression at vestibulocochlear nerve (15/35,42.9％).Anterior inferior cerebellar artery was the most common offending vessel (25/35,71.4％) in VP group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the type of NVCC or the origin of the offending vessel.The frequency on the distortion and (or) displacement of vestibulocochlear nerve which was severely compressed by vessel in VP group (7/56,12.5％) was significantly higher than that in control group (0; P =0.013).The distance between compression site and brainstem was (8.57 ± 5.08) mm in VP group,and (8.93 ± 4.64) mm in control group,showing no significant difference.The ratio that the distance was less than 15 mm between compression site and brainstem in unilateral NVCC of VP group (100％) was significantly higher than unilateral NVCC of control group (7/10,P =0.033).Conclusions The VP patients have higher NVCC incidence and the most common NVCC type is vascular loop compression at vestibulocochlear nerve which is mainly caused by anterior inferior cerebellar artery.NVCC in VP patients mostly occurs in the central myelin portion of vestibulocochlear nerve.The site and degree of neurovascular compression may relate to the occurrence of VP.

Objective To observe the response and relationship between astrocytes and neurons to hypotension rats. Methods Transient hypotension animal models were induced by injecting sodium nitroprusside. The expression, distribution and relationship pattern of Fos-、GFAP- or TH- positive reaction in rat brain were studied with a triple method combining anti\|GFAP, Fos and TH immunohistochemical staining. Results Fos and GFAP positive staining appeared in some brain regions related with blood pressure regulation. The distribution of GFAP\|positive astrocytes was similar to that of Fos\|positive neurons. Fos\|and GFAP\|positive neurons exhibited clear character of nuclei and subnuclei distribution. Many FOs and TH single labeled neurons, or Fos and TH double labelled neurons in medulla oblongata and locus coeruleus arounded by GFAP positive processes were found and formed three kinds of complex\|like structures. Conclusion\ The present results indicated that the astrocytes were sensentive to the changes of blood pressure. The distribution of astrocytes had the specificity of functional location. We suggestal that the astrocytes and neurons might be involved together in information precessing within brain.\;[

Objective To observe the instant reactions and relationship of astrocytes(ASs) and neurons(Ns) in rat forebrain after the unilateral tibia and fibula bone fracture. Methods With immunohistochemical triple staining method,the expression of Fos-protein,glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and tyrosine hydroxydase(TH) were observed. Results Here we showed 1.After the nociception of the treatment,GFAP-like immunoreactive (-LI) ASs exhibited clear character of nuclei distribution in the lateralmedial habenular nucleus(LHb),paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus(Pa),supraoptic nucleus(SON),suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCh),bed nucleus of of stria terminalis(BST),central amygdaloid nucleus(Ce) medial amygdaloid nucleus(Me) and cortex;2.The distribution of Fos-LI Ns and GFAP-LI ASs in above nuclei were similar,there were close relationship between Fos-LI Ns and GFAP-LI ASs.3.There were many double-labelled Fos/TH-LI Ns that were surrounded by the GFAP-LI ASs,and formed the neuron-astrocyte complex(N-ASC).Conclusion The ASs as well as Ns of the above nuclei or regions may be involved in instant response and adjustment of the lower extremity bone fracture nociception simultanneously.

Objective To observe the instant reactions and relationship of astrocytes(AS) and neurons in rat spinal cord after the unilateral tibia and fibula bone fracture. Methods With single or double immunohistochemical staining method,the expression of Fos-like immunoreaction(-LI), glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP-LI), and protein kinase C(PKC-LI) were observed. Results Here we showed 1^ After the nociception of the treatment the PKC-LI,Fos-LI astrocytes and neurons,and GFAP-LI astrocytes were distributed in dorsal horn of rat lumbar spinal cord,predominantly in the superficial layer.2^ The distribution of Fos-LI neurons and Fos/GFAP-LI AS in dorsal horn of rat lumbar spinal cord were similar,there were close relationship between Fos-LI neurons and GFAP/Fos-LI AS.3^ The peak time of GFAP/Fos-LI AS expressive was 45?min after fracture,while that of Fos-LI neurons was 90?min,the peak time of PKC-LI astrocytes expressive was earlier than that of PKC-LI neurons.Conclusion The AS as well as neurons in dorsal horn of rat lumbar spinal cord might be involved in the instant response and adjustment of the lower extremity bone fracture nociception simultanneously.

Objective To develop a rapid method based on ARMS, named four primers allele-specific PCR(4p-AS PCR), to detect the most common non-deletional ?-thalassemia mutation Hb Constant Spring(Hb CS) by PCR technique. Methods The 4p-ASPCR was used to detect the Hb CS mutation of ?-thalassemia in 38 DNA samples of Hb H disease patients and using PCR-RE and DNA sequencing to confirm the results. Results Among the 38 Hb H disease patients 15 cases was revealed to carry Hb CS, 16 cases were deletional Hb H, and 7 cases need to be defined.Conclusion A simple, rapid and reliable method, named 4P-ASPCR, to detect Hb CS mutation have been developed. It is also may be useful in screen other point mutations such as Hb Quong Sze.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore the expression of estrogen receptor(ER) and progesterone receptor(PR) mRNA in endometrium of rats with endometriosis. METHODS: The rat model of endometriosis was established, and the expression of ER, PR mRNA in the endometrium was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The expression of ER and PR mRNA in ectopic endometrium was significantly lower than that in eutopic and normal endometrium (P

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mycophenolic Acid ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome