Objective To investigate the calcium signal transduction pathway in hippocampal neurons of mice with vascular dementia (VaD) and the intervention effect of dihydroergocriptine (DHE). Methods The mice were subjected for ischemia-reperfusion repeatedly on bilateral common carotid arteries by knots to establish the VaD models. Animals with sham-operation were taken as control group. The treating group was administered with DHE after the establishment of VaD model. The behavior changes were observed through the step-down avoidance test and water maze test on the 29th and 30th days after operation. The resting 〔Ca 2+〕 i level of hippocampal neurons was evaluated by laser scanning confocal microscopy. RT-PCR technique was used to measure mRNA expression of CaM an CaMPKⅡ in hippocampal neurons. Results The resting 〔Ca 2+〕 i level in model group(43.50?3.00) was significantly higher than those in the sham-operation group (25.50?3.50) (P

Objective To observe the levels of cAMP and adenylyl cyclase(AC) in hippocampus of mice with vascular dementia(VD) and the effect of Dihydroergocriptine(DHE),and to explore the molecular pathogenesis of VD.Methods The mice were subjected for ischemia-reperfusion three times on bilateral common carotid arteries by knots to establish models of VD and the changes of learning and memory were tested on d29/d30 after operation.DHE was administrated to another group of mice,which was taken as treatment group.The cAMP level was evaluated by the radioimmunoassay;AC mRNA positive neurons of hippocampus CA1 area were examined through in-situ hybridization.Results Compared with shamed-operation group,the learning and memory of model group was worse(P

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture along affected meridian on the mem- brane metallo-endopeptidase (MME) gene expression of migraine patients without aura (MO) of Gan-yang hyperactivity syndrome (GYHS).

METHODSTotally 20 MO patients of GYHS were randomly assigned to the acupoint group (acupuncture along affected meridian) and the non-acupoint group, 10 cases in each group. Needling was performed once per day for 10 consecutive days. Gene chip technology was used to obtain two sets of gene expression profiles and analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO).

RESULTSIn the acupoint group, MME gene expression decreased after needling (P = 0.0023).That gene was rich in the beta-amyloid metabolic process (P = 3.16E-05) and the peptide metabolic process (P = 0.009612). Its expression was not seen in the non-acupoint group.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of point selection along affected meridian could be achieved possibly by regulating the MME gene expression.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Endrin ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Humans ; Meridians ; Migraine Disorders ; therapy ; Syndrome

Objective To investigate the feasibility of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide- enhanced(USPIO)-enhanced MR imaging for monitoring synovitis of antigen-induced arthritis in rabbit model and explore the optimal MR imaging sequences.Methods Nine female white rabbits with antigen(0.5 ml mBSA,2 mg/ml)induced arthritis of the right knees were used in the study.The left knees of these rabbits and both knees of another 3 rabbits served as the control.Nine to 28 days(mean 21.3 d)after successful model induction,all knees were imaged before and 24 h after intravenously injection of USPIO (0.3 ml/kg),among which 2 rabbits were also imaged at 48 and 72 h after administration of USPIO respectively.The MR protocol included spin-echo(SE) T_1WI,fast spin-echo(FSE)T_2WI,gradient echo (GRE)T_2~* WI and short tau inversion recovery(STIR).Images were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively based on signal characteristics and patterns of the synovium.Paired t-test was used for the analysis of the signal intensity of inflammatory synovial membrane before and 24 h after injection of USPIO. MR findings were correlated with histopathology.Results Arthritis was successfully induced in all 9 right knees with intraarticular injection of mBSA.Pathological examination revealed hyperplasia of synovium with infiltration of USPIO-loaded-macrophages.MR depicted synovial thickening(thickness 2.07?0.97 mm) and joint effusion.Synovium and joint fluid appeared as slightly hypo- or iso-intense on T_1 WI and hyper- intense on T_2 WI or T_2~* WI.Twenty four hours after USPIO injection,significant T_1 enhancement(ASNR 41.91%?27.94%),negative T_2 and T_2~* enhancement(△SNR -34.92%?11.77% and -57.24%? 16.05%)were demonstrated in the region of synovial inflammation respectively.The signal at 48 h and 72 h changed less than that at hour 24.No signs of arthritis occurred in all left knees and in all knees of the artificial model group.Conclusion Iron oxide phagocytized into macrophages can be a root cause resulted in signal change on USPIO-enhanced MR images.The gradient echo sequence should be the optimal sequence to be used in USPIO-enhanced MR imaging in antigen-induced arthritis.

By means of genetic cloning and recombinant techniques, full genome cDNA sequences of rotavirus strain TB-Chen were isolated from an infantile hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. Nucleotide sequences analyses showed that the full genome of strain TB-Chen contains 18613 nucleotides, encoding 5791 amino acids. Genotyping results showed that the strain TB-Chen belongs to genotype G2P[4]/NSp4[A]. This is the first report on a full genome of Group A rotavirus in China, and has important significance for deep understanding structure and functions of rotaviruses and developing rotavirus vaccines.

Objective To study the effects of Hydergine on expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in hippocampus and actions of mice with ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods 36 mice were randomly divided into model group,Hydergine group and sham-operated group. The models of ischemia-reperfusion injury were made by knotting bilateral common carotid arteries. The behavioral abnormalities were investigated by step-down test and water maze test, and the expressions of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in neurons of hippocampus were observed by immunohistochemistry technique. Results Compared with model group, the performance records of learning and memory in Hydergine group were better (all P

Quorum sensing systems of pathogens are central regulators for the expression of virulence factors. Increasing evidence implies that targeting the quorum sensing system of many pathogenic bacteria is a promising therapeutic approach to control infections. In this work,we isolated 47 strains of actinomycetes from the mud sample of Jiaozhou Bay. Quorum sensing inhibitory activity was monitored by Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. As a result,the culture broth extract of actinomycetes WA-7 was found to have significant quorum sensing inhibitory activity. This strain was assigned to the genus Streptomyces based on its 16S rDNA sequence. Further investigation revealed that the extract could inhibit the quorum sensing-controlled violacein and proteases production of C. violaceum in a concentration-dependent manner.

Background Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)often leads to macular edema as the result of elevating intravitreal VEGF level,and avastin,a anti-VEGF drug,show a good effectiveness on macular edema secondary to BRVO.ObjectiveThis study attempts to evaluate the clinical efficacy of avastin on macular edema induced by BRVO.MethodsThis is a retrospective case-observation study.The clinical data of 39 eyes from 39 patients with macular edema induced by BRVO were included in this analysis.All of the patients received intravitreal injection of 1.25mg (0.05mL)avastin without other any therapy prior to the injection of avastin.This procedure followed the Declaration of Helsinki,and written informed consent was obtained from all the patients before and initial of any management.Clinical indexes included best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA),slit-lamp examination,intraocular pressure and stereoscopic biomicroscopy examination before injection and 3,6 and 12 weeks after initial injection.Optical coherence tomography (OCT),fundus photography,fluorescein fundus angiography(FFA)were performed prior to injection and 6,12 weeks after initial injection.The follow-up period was 3-20 months.ResultsThe mean BCVA was significantly improved at 3,6,12 weeks after injection in comparison with before injection (t=-6.039,-6.182,-4.189,all P=0.000).The mean CMT showed a statistically significantly decline at 6,12 weeks after injection in comparison with before injection(t=8.684,5.019,all P=0.000).No ocular or systemic adverse events were found after intravitreal injection of avastin during the follow-up duration.The numbers of visual acuity-improved eyes were significantly increased in the patients with disease course ≤1 month duration in comparison to ones with the course ≥1 month (P<0.05)in 3 weeks after injection.CMT was obviously decreased in 12 weeks after injection in comparison to before injection between with and without macular perfusion eyes (P<0.05).ConclusionIntravitreal injection of avastin is safe and effective for macular edema induced by BRVO,especially the patients with shorter course of disease.

Objective Imatinib mesylate (IM) is the most active agent in treating chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine (DAC) is a cytosine analogue that inhibits DNA methylation and the activity in myeloid leukemia. Therefore,we investigated combining these two drugs in human leukemia cell line K562. Methods The effects of IM and DAC was examined in K562 cells including cell viability using MTT method,cell cycle phase and cell death using flow cytometric (FCM),and the expression of bcr-abl mRNA by RT-PCR. Results Both DAC and IM resulted in time and concentration-dependent induction of cell death. DAC and IM in combination produced a greater inhibition of growth against K562 cells (F =43.947,165.580,321.193,296.101,P<0.05). The main effect and interaction between two drugs was statistically significant (F = 202.759,168.457,417.538,P <0.001) after 24 h,48 h,72 h and a greater reduction in expression of bcr-abl mRNA than either agent alone. The difference was statistically significant (F =71.981,P <0.05). The number of G1 phase cells were increased significantly when induced by single agent. 48 h incubation with IM 0.2 μmol/L alone or combined with DAC 4 μmol/L showed 6.7 %,8.4 % pre-apoptosis cells,respectively. After incubation for 48 h with DAC 4 μmol/L,the expression of mRNA were decreased by 14 %,IM 0.2 μmol/L showed 40 % reduction,and combination group were significantly depressed for the mRNA expression by 60 %. Conclusion The combination of DAC and IM showed synergistic effects on cell death in K562 cells. These data suggested that DAC used in combination with IM has clinical potential in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic significance of endoscopic findings in Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP),especially when abdominal pain preceded the cutaneous lesions.Methods The clinical data and gastroscopic findings in 37 cases of children with HSP were studied and analysed retrospectively in order to detect the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa.The biopsy was taken in the pathological changeing place,and the relationship between clinical and endoscopic findings was analyzed.Results Detection rate of the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa was 62.2%,31.3% of which experienced only cutaneous lesions,100% of which presented the acute abdominal pain.Three patients were not checked up the pathological changes.Of them,1 had arthritis,2 had Henoch-Schonlein nephritis.Characteristically endoscopic findings in the stomach and duodenum mucosa were found.The endoscopic findings included anabrosis,hyperemia,edema and hemorrhage.Conclusions Detection rate of the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa is higher.Endoscopy is very helpful to the early diagnosis of HSP in children,especially abdominal pain presented firstly.