Objective To investigate the change of serum matix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) level and its significance in patients with acute ischemic stroke of different subtypes. Methods Seventy-seven patients with acute ischemic stroke were classified into large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) (n =29, 37. 66% ), small artery occlusion (SAO, lacunar infarction) (n =23, 29.87%), cardioembolism (CE) (n = 13,16. 88%), stroke of undemonstrated etiology (SUE) (n = 7, 9.09% ), and stroke of other demonstrated etiology (SOE) (n = 5, 6. 49%) according to the TOAST criteria. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum MMP-2 in patients with acute ischemic stroke at 24 hours and 7 days, and they were compared with 42 controls. Results The serum MMP-2 levels at 24 hours and 7 days of the onset of symptoms in the acute ischemic stroke group according to the TOAST criteria were 189. 55 ±24.79 and 307.46 ±84. 16 ng/ml respectively, and they were all significantly higher than 159.76 ± 10. 32 ng/ml in the control group (all P <0.05). Among all the TOAST subtypes, SOE and SUE were not analyzed because of the small numbers of cases; among other subtypes, the serum MMP-2 levels at 24 hours of the onset of symptoms in the LAA, SAO and CE groups were 218. 60 ± 13.42,175.21 ±9.92, and 167.26 ±9.7 ng/ml respectively, and they were all significantly higher than those in the control group (all P < 0. 05); at day 7 of the onset of symptoms they were 404.75 ± 10. 30, 293.18 ± 10.91, and 211.81 ±11.14 ng/ml respectively, and they were also significantly higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Among those, the LAA group was increased significantly (P < 0. 01). Conclusions The serum MMP-2 levels were increased in patients with acute cerebral infarction. "l'ne changes of the serum MMP-2 levels in each TOAST subtype group were different. The LAA group increased most significantly, which supported the different views of the etiology of cerebral infarction subtypes. The serum MMP-2 plays an important role in the process of cerebral infarction of the LAA type.

Objective To analyze the different doses of mifepristone in treatment of menopause induced by perimenopausal uterine leiomyoma , and to explore the clinical application of the effective dose of mifepristone.Methods 141 cases with perimenopausal uterine leiomyoma were divided into group A, group B and group C randomly, 47 cases in each group.Three group of patients were given mifepristone.Group A were treated with dose of 12.5 mg/d, group B was treated with 10.0 mg/d, group C was given with 5.0 mg/d.Three groups of patients continued treatment for three months. Uterine volume and leiomyoma volume were observed after treatment, and recorded status of induced menopausal after six months.Results Three groups with uterine volume and leiomyoma volume post-treatment were significantly less than pre-treatment (P<0.05);induction of menopause success rate of group A was 89.4%, menstruation incidence was 6.4%, vaginal bleeding was 2.1%, which was significantly better than the other two groups ( P<0.05) .Conclusion Different doses of mifepristone orally in treatment of perimenopausal uterine leiomyoma has a significant effect, but with 12.5mg/d induced menopause can effectively enhance the success rate , it could be used as the optimal dose of clinical treatment.

To investigate the effect of Chinese herbs (Astragalus-As,Angelica-An,AG-a composition of Astragalus) on muscle protein metabolism in nephrotic rats. Methods The method of incorporation of [3 H-phenylalanine ] ([3 H-phe]) into the muscle was used. Results (l)The incorporation of [3 H-phe] into the muscle of untreated nephrotic rats (1.12 ? 0.37) was significantly lower than ihe normal control rats (2.25?0.47) ( P

Objective To investigate the diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS)and to study on the physiopathology of ALS.Methods Thirty-eight AIS patients,8 patients with pure lower motor neuron involvement and 5 patients with mixed-type cervical spondylosis and 34 healthy controls were enrolled and examined with the conventional brain MRI,DTI and 1H-MRS.Results T2-weighted and T2 FLAIR images revealed abnormal high signals in bilateral pyramidal tract positions in 21%(8/38)of ALS patients,which was higher than that in the coaex When compared with the control group,the values of FA in the precentral gyms(0.492±0.059 vs 0.552±0.045,F=17.150,P<0.01),the posterior limb of the internal capsule(0.679±0.048 vs 0.727 4-0.031.F=19.481.P<0.01)and the cerebral peduncle(1eft:0.740 4-0.038 vs 0.761 4±0.024.F=4.290;right:0.720 ±0.044 vs 0.746 ±0.034,F=3.264,both P<0.01)of the ALS group were decreased significantly.so were the values of NAA/Cr.And the FA reduction rate was 10.9%,6.6% and 2.8%-3.5% respectively.There was also a significant decrease in FA in the anterior limb of the internal capsule and the occipital lobe in the ALS group.Conclusion Not only does the application of DTI and MRS help to demonstrate upper motor neuron involvement in the brain and facilitate the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ALS,but also increases the understanding of the lesion distribution and physiopathology in ALS.

AIM: To observe the effects and location of autologous bone marrow stem cells(BMSCs) transplanted through renal artery into ischemic-reperfusion(I/R) injured kidney.METHODS: BMSCs were collected from rabbits after isolated and then labeled with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine(BrdU).Twenty-eight rabbits were subjected to clamping renal pedicles for 105 min and divided into the transplantation group and control group randomly.BrdU labeled BMSCs or saline were injected into the kidney by renal artery,respectively.Before and after I/R at the 1st,3rd, 5th,7th,14th,21th and 28th d,the venous blood was collected to measure serum Cr and BUN.In the same time,renal tissue was collected for pathological and immunohistochemical study.RESULTS: After I/R,serum Cr and BUN levels in the rabbits in two groups became higher,and on the 1st and 3rd d after I/R,reached the highest level.On the 7th d the serum Cr and BUN levels in transplantation group were lower than those in control group.On the 28th d the levels of serum Cr(90.1?11.1) ?mol/L and BUN(8.0?1.5) mmol/L in transplantation group were significantly lower than those in control group(135.6?32.5) ?mol/L and(10.9?2.5) mmol/L,respectively(P

OBJECTIVE: To prepare Polylactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) microspheres loaded with Chinese herbal extract cucurbitacin B.METHODS: Cucurbitacin B loaded by PLGA microspheres were prepared by modified emulsification-solvent evaporation method.Central composite design-response surface method was applied to optimize the formulation with PVA concentration and ratio of drug to polymer as independent variables,and with yield of microspheres(Y1),drug loading amount(Y2),encapsulation efficiency(Y3),mean particle diameter(Y4),and the cumulative percentage of the drug release in 24 hr(Y5) as indexes to conduct multiple linear regression and second-order polynomial equation fitting.In vitro release test was performed by modified immediate release method.RESULTS: The results showed that all response variables were greatly fitted by a second-order polynomial equation.The optimal formulation was proved to be as follows: PVA concentration was 0.014 and ratio of drug to polymer was 0.066 5.The microspheres prepared in the optimal formulation were spherical and had smooth surface.Y1,Y2,Y3,Y4,and Y5 were 79.9%,7.83%,80.5%,56.18 ?m and 6.98%,respectively.The cumulative release from microspheres within 35 days reached 86.73%.CONCLUSION: Cucurbitacin B-PLGA microspheres are characterized by prolonged action and sustained-release.Furthermore,the established model has satisfactory predictability.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of corticospinal tract in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and find optimal testing strategies and optimal cutoff values of DTI indices for individual patient discrimination.Methods Thirty-three ALS patients and 34 healthy controls,collected at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 2004 through July 2005,undergoing brain DTI studies and fractional anisotropy (FA) examinations along the corticospinal tract,were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Results Compared with the controls,ALS group had significantly decreased FA values in subcortical white matter of the precentral gyrus,the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the cerebral peduncle.In ROC analysis,the average FA value of the former two positions showed the best performance with an area under the curve of 0.917,an optimal cut-off value of 0.604,a sensitivity of 0.759 and a specificity of 0.912.The corresponding data for the average FA of all the three positions and each single position were listed as follows:average of three 0.914,0.648,0.759,0.912; precentral gyrus 0.875,0.509,0.733,0.824; internal capsule 0.845,0.692,0.656,0.941 ; and cerebral peduncle 0.752,0.742,0.656,0.735.Conclusions FA values of the corticospinal tract have a good accuracy in detecting upper motor neuron involvement in ALS.Precentral gyrus and posterior limb of the internal capsule and the average FA values of these two positions were suggested as the preferred testing places and DTI indices for clinical use.

Objective To discuss the MRI features and pathogenic mechanisms of lung cancer intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM). Methods Four cases with clinically and 3 cases pathologically proved lung cancer ISCM were analyzed retrospectively. Turbo spin-echo sequence T 1 and T 2 weighted images were acquired in all patients. T 1 weighted images were obtained after intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA in all patients. Results A total of 7 ISCM were displayed by MR studies. The tumor occurred in thoracic cord (3/7) and in medullary cone (4/7). The tumor involved the central aspect of the cord. The lung cancer ISCM showed hypointensity (n=1) or isointensity (n=6) on T 1WI and hyperintensity on T 2WI. The extensive cord enlargement with cyst formation or syringomyelia was common. On contrast study, all tumors showed marked homogenous enhancement with clear borders. Conclusion The lung cancer ISCM usually presented as solitary lesions with marked contrast enhancement. The extensive cord enlargement was common in all patients. Because of the limitation in the evaluation of lung cancer ISCM on MRI, definite diagnosis of lung cancer ISCM depended on combination of clinical and MRI data.

Objective To investigate the significantly elevated incidence of hepatitis C and mortality of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Jianping county, and to explore the epidemiological features. Methods The data from database of death registry and infectious disease surveillance in Jianping county, Liaoning Province were analyzed. The distributions of incidence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, mortality of cirrhosis and HCC in 23 villages and towns were investigated.Spearman's correlation was used to explore the correlations between hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC.Results The standardized mortality of HCC in males and females in Jianping county were 77. 6/10~5and 22. 0/10~5, respectively, which were 2. 0 and 1. 7 times, respectively of the average levels of Liaoning rural areas. The incidence of hepatitis C was 58. 0/10~5 , which was 9. 5 times of the averagelevel of Liaoning Province. There were positive correlations between incidence of hepatitis C and mortality of cirrhosis (r=0. 495, P = 0. 008), and mortality of cirrhosis and HCC (r=0. 646, P<0.01). Conclusions The incidence of hepatitis C and mortality of cirrhosis and HCC in Jianping county are significantly higher than the average levels of Liaoning Province. Further investigations of the suspected causes are needed.

Objective To analyze the curative effects and survival results of combined liver kidney transplantation (CLKT).Methods From 2002 to 2011,the clinical data of 36 Chinese patients who underwent CLKT were retrospectively analyzed in our centre.The age of recipients was 47.4 ±13.1 years.Four patients had undergone liver transplantation and 7 patients kidney transplantations before CLKT, respectively. The complications and the survival were analyzed. Results The survival patients were followed up for 47.9 months (29.1 - 115.7).The cumulative 1-,3 and 5-year patient survival rate was 88.7％,85.4％ and 81.4％; The 1,3- and 5-year survival rate of liver graft was 79.8％,76.3％ and 72.3％; The 1-,3- and 5 year survival rate of kidney graft was 85.7％,82.4％ and 78.2％.Three patients underwent liver re-transplantation due to severe biliary complications,and one patient kidney re-transplantation due to renal allograft dysfunction.Conclusion CLKT is a effective treatment for end-stage liver disease with renal insufficiency and achieves excellent results.