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.

Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Gene Targeting ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogenes ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; therapeutic use

Objective To explore the protective effect of recombinant superoxide dismutase(SOD)fusion protein against the infection of Schistosoma japonicum Chinese strain.Methods The recombinant SOD fusion protein was expressed and purified with Glutathione sepharose 4B.C57BL/6J mice were immunized with the recombinant SOD fusion protein mixed with Freund adjuvant.Four weeks after the final immunization,the mice of the experiment and control groups were challenged with(45?2)S.japonicum cercariae.All the mice were sacrificed on the forty-fifth day after the challenge to calculate the worm reduction rate and egg reduction rate,and to observe the pathologic changes of liver tissue of the mice.Results The worm reduction rate was 35.63% and the egg reduction rate was 31.17% in the experiment group.The number of granuloma in the live tissue of the experiment group was less than that of the control group,and the mean diameter of single granuloma in the experiment group reduced by 22.32% compared with that of the control group.The IgG subclass levels of IgG1,IgG2a,IgG2b were higher than those of the control group.Conclusion The recombinant SOD fusion protein has a protective effect against Schistosoma japonicum infection.

Objective To express the cytosolic superoxide dismutase(SOD)of Schistosoma japonicum and analyze its antigenicity.MethodsThe DNA sequence of Schistosoma japonicum gene of cytosolic SOD was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and subcloned into the expression vector pGEX-4T-3 to construct a recombinant plasmid Sj SOD-pGEX-4T-3.This recombinant plasmid was transformed into component cell of E.coli BL21(DE3).The fusion protein of GST-SOD was expressed by inducing with IPTG and purification by affinity chromatography.The specific antiserum was prepared by immunizing the BALB/c mouse with GST-SOD fusion protein,and the immnuogenicity of GST-SOD was investigated by Western blot analysis.ResultsThe gene of cytosolic SOD was amplified successfully and subcloned into expression vector pGEX-4T-3 forming the recombinant expression plasmid Sj SOD-pGEX-4T-3.The fusion protein GST-SOD was expressed after the recombinant containing Sj SOD-pGEX-4T-3 being induced by IPTG.Immunizing the BALB/c mouse with the fusion protein GST-SOD produced high titer specific antiserum of 1∶12800 and the fusion protein GST-SOD was recognized by sera of severe infection rabbits.ConclusionsThe cytosolic SOD has been expressed successfully and has a preferable immunogenicity.

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

Objective To evaluate the effect of late course hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (LCHSRT) on locally advanced non small cell lung cancer. Methods From October 1997 to June 1999, 106 patients with locally advanced non small cell lung cancer were randomized into conventional radiotherapy group (CRT) and LCHSRT group. Ninety one patients with complete data were analyzed including 43 patients in CRT group and 48 patients in LCHSRT group. In CRT group, 18 patients were staged Ⅲa and 25 Ⅲb; whereas 19 patients were staged Ⅲa and 29 Ⅲb in LCHSRT group. The initial median dose of 43.5?Gy was given in CRT group to the primary tumor, ipsilateral hilum and mediastinum using AP PA fields with 1.8 2.0?Gy per fraction, then 21.7?Gy was boosted to the residual primary and metastatic regional lymph nodes to the median total dose of 65.2?Gy. In LCHSRT group, after the first 44.4?Gy to the primary tumor, ipsilateral hilar region and mediastinum by AP PA fields with a dose fraction of 1.8 2.0?Gy, noncoplanar arc hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy was delivered to the residual primary and metastatic lymph nodes to the total dose of (22.8?5.5)?Gy with 4 7?Gy per fraction treated every other day. Results The radiation pneumonitis rates were 11.6% and 14.6% in CRT group and LCHSRT group, respectively. The radiation pulmonary fibrosis rates diagnosed by CT scan 6 months after radiotherapy were 48.8% and 66.7% in CRT group and LCHSRT group, respectively. The complete regression (CR) rates evaluated by CT scan 3 months after treatment in CRT and LCHSRT group were 30.2% and 63.5%, respectively ( P