Objective To investigate the possible role and mechanism of the neurotoxic effect of dexamethasone on adult rats after having focal cerebral ischemia. Methods The rat model of focal cerebral ischemia was established by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) One hour after ishemia,the experimental groups were treated with dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) while the control groups were treated with saline TUNEL staining and In-suit RT-PCR were used to show the changes of apoptosis and the expression of Fas mRNA at ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere. Results TUNEL positive cells were present in a time from 48 h to 72 h, localizing at peripheral ischemic area The expression of Fas mRNA at peripheral ischemic area in control groups began at 12 h, peaked at 24 h, and decreased to a lower level at 48 h and 72 h, and returned to the baseline at 120 h Treatment with dexamethasone after ischemia made apoptosis present at 24 h and the number of TUNEL positive cells at 48 h exceeded that in the control group at 48 h ( P

Objective To study the expression of TGF ? 1 protein and the changes of microglia of adult rats' brain treated with dexamethasone following permanent focal cerebral ischemia as to elucidating the neurotoxic effect of dexamethasone. Methods The adult rat's models of permanent focal cerebral ischemia were established by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion.One hour after ischemia experimental groups were treated with dexamethasone (0.5 mg?kg -1?d -1) where as the control groups were treated with saline. The size of infarct was detected by Q570 image analysis system. Immunohistochemistry and picture analyses were performed to observe the expression of TGF ? 1 protein. The microglia was demonstrated by histochemical staining with isolectin-B4.? Result Dexamethasone treatment after ischemia increases the infarct volume significantly. The expression of TGF ? 1 and the changes of microglia were mainly located at the border zone of the infarct. The accumulation of the isolectin-positive microglia began at 12 h,peaked at 2d, decreased at 5 d. The densities of microglia in the groups treated with dexamethasone after ischemia decreased significantly at 12 h,24 h and 3 d as compared with the control groups, and disappeared at 5 d.The expression time-course of TGF ? 1 protein was two-phase. The first peak of expression was at 6 h; the second was from 24 h to 72h. The significant decrease in expression of TGF? 1 protein in rats treated with dexamethasone was observed at 6 h,24 h and 72h compared with that of control group. Conclusion The exceeding inhibition of the response of microglia and the two-phase expression of TGF ? 1 protein at the border zone of infarct may play a role in the neurotoxic effect of dexamethasone on cerebral ischemia.

A total of 120 medical students were surveyed to investigate the current status of communication between medical students and old patients and the awareness of medical laws. The questionnaire shows many students don't have enough knowledge of communication skills and medical laws. Furthermore, the most important reason of the medical disputes is the lack of communication between doctors and patients so the cultivation of communication skills and legal knowledge should be strengthened.

Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world.So far,there has been substantial progress toward understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of CVDs.There are multiple cell signaling cascades,some of which are beneficial or compensatory and others deleterious.The balance between these pathways determines the outcome as a diseased or non-diseased state.Protein phosphorylation,which is mediated by enzymes,called protein kinases,is a major mechanism for transducing external stimuli into intracellular signals.Electively targeting of signaling pathways using protein kinase inhibitors would have a potential advantage over receptor blockers.By now,there are types of protein kinase inhibitiors available for treating several diseases.The success of kinase inhibitors in cancer treatment has strongly supported application in the treatment of CVDs.Here,we will review several kinds of protein kinases as potential targets for CVDs and some difficulty in identifying a protein kinase as a putative therapeutic target for CVDs.

The value of combined application of both ECG-gated cine MRA and 3D-CEMRA in the detection of large intracranial aneurysms was evaluated and the findings were compared with those of conventional MRA and DSA. Twenty-four patients with 26 large intracranial aneurysms underwent MRI and DSA. All these aneurysms, diameter from 15 to 39 mm, were located at internal cerebral artery (n=12), vertebral artery (n=3), basilar artery (n=4), anterior cerebral artery (n=2), middle cerebral artery (n=2), anterior communicate artery (n=2) and posterior communicate artery (n=1). Thirteen cases of hematoma or cavernoma were studied as control group. All patients were examined on GE 1.5T MR system. ECG-gated cine MRA was performed with 2D multi-phase fast gradient-recalled echo sequence in a single section. All the images were analyzed with signal intensity VS time curve for differentiating intraaneurysmal blood flow from static tissue. The results were analyzed by statistic "t" test. 3D-CEMRA was performed with spoiled gradient-recalled echo and one dose of Gd-DTPA. All data was processed with multi-plannar reformat (MPR) and tomography for the demonstration of aneurysms in detail. All 26 aneurysms were demonstrated successfully by combined application of both cine MRA and 3D-CEMRA. Compared to DSA and conventional 3D-MOTSA, its sensitivity and specificity figures were both 100%. Cine MRA could differentiate the blood flow from the static tissue. The intensity VS time curves of intraaneurysmal blood flow offered fluctuating form and average signal change between systole and diastole period was about 89.8 +/- 37.4; However, under the control group, intraaneurysmal thrombus or cerebral hemorrhage or cavernomas had no significant signal change and the curves offered steady form with the average signal change being about 8.2 +/- 6.3. There was statistically significant difference between the intraaneurysmal blood flow and static tissue (P=0.025, <0.05). 3D-CEMRA was very useful in demonstrating the aneurysmal size, intraaneurysmal thrombus formation, neck and the detailed relationship of the aneurysm to the surrounding structures. It was concluded that the combined application of both cine MRA and 3D-CEMRA might be a valuable clinical tool for the detection of large intracranial aneurysms.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Contrast Media ; Evaluation Studies ; Image Enhancement ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods ; Intracranial Aneurysm/*diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography/*methods ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine

Objective To optimize the transfecfion parameters for transfecting small interfering RNA (siR-NA) to endothelium of mouse angioma (EOMA) cells mediated by lentiviral vector. Methods According to Poly-brene existing or not(8 μg/ml), series of multiplicity of infection (MOI) (1, 5, 10, 15, 20)and the time of infec-tion(4, 6, 12,24 h), EOMA cells were divided into 40 groups. 140 hours after transfection, cells were counted un-der fluorescent microscope to determine the percentage of the cells transfected under each condition. The cell viability was calculated by using Typan Blue. Results The percentage of positive cells was as high as 83% in the group with Polybrene (8 μg/ml), MOI(5) and the time of tranfectian (6 h), and the livability of EOMA in this group was 96%. After that, the transfection efficiency was not increased with the increasing of MOI, the time of transfection, but the mortality of EOMA was increased markedly. Conclusion The transfection efficiency and cell viability are dependent on the Polybrene(8 μg/ml),correct MOI (5)and the time of transfection (6 h).

Objective To study the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) and serum interleukin-6(IL-6) in wheezing children under 5 years of age.Methods A total of 224 wheezing children under 5 years of age were divided into API(asthma predictive index)-positive (n=116) and API-negative groups (n=108).Serum level of IL-6 and TLR4 expression on CD14+ monocytes were measured after wheezing was stable for one month.TLR4 expression on CD14+ monoeytes was quantified via flow-cytometry.Serum level of IL-6 was detected by ELISA.Results Serum level of IL-6 and TLR4 expression on CD14+ monocytes of API-positive group were higher than API-negative group [LR4(％):34.9±10.0 vs.30.2± 8.8;IL-6(ng/L):46.4±15.1 vs.40.5±13.6].There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of TLR4 and the content of serum IL-6 in two groups of wheezing children(P＜0.05).Conclusion TLR4 may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma through promoting the expression of IL-6.TLR4 may be a index to predicting asthma in wheezing children.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. So far, there has been substantial progress toward understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of CVDs. There are multiple cell signaling cascades, some of which are beneficial or compensatory and others deleterious. The balance between these pathways determines the outcome as a diseased or non-diseased state. Protein phosphorylation, which is mediated by enzymes, called protein kinases, is a major mechanism for transducing external stimuli into intracellular signals. Electively targeting of signaling pathways using protein kinase inhibitors would have a potential advantage over receptor blockers. By now, there are types of protein kinase inhibitiors available for treating several diseases. The success of kinase inhibitors in cancer treatment has strongly supported application in the treatment of CVDs. Here, we will review several kinds of protein kinases as potential targets for CVDs and some difficulty in identifying a protein kinase as a putative therapeutic target for CVDs.

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility,technique and clinical effect of applying laparoscopic plastic surgery in the treatment of horseshoe kidney.Methods Eleven patients with horseshoe kidney were admitted from Mar.2006 to Mar.2011.There were 5 males and 6 females with mean age of 27years (14 to 46 years).Clinical manifestations included lower-back pain in 8 cases,lower-back pain and hematuria in 2 cases,lower-back pain and fever in 1 case.There were 6 cases accompanied with kidney calculi.All the cases with calculus were in left kidney and there was 1 case with multiple calculi.There were 11 cases accompanied with left hydronephrosis.Of which,there were moderate hydronephrosis in 6 cases,severe hydronephrosis in 5 cases.There were 3 cases accompanied with mild right hydronephrosis.There were 2 patients with renal insufficiency,1 patient with urinary tract infection.The surgery procedures included laparoscopic isthmectomy and plastic surgery in 3 cases,isthmectomy and plastic surgery and pelviolithotomy in 6 cases,isthmectomy and vascular compression release in 2 cases.ResultsAll patients had successful surgeries with the mean operative time of 145 min (95 - 190 min).The average blood loss was 250 ml ( 100 -400 ml).Average postoperative hospital stay was 10 d (7 - 15 d).One patient suffered from urinary leakage after surgery and recovered after anti-inflammatory therapy and local drainage.One patient suffered from secondary hemorrhage controlled with DSA.All the patients were followed up with a mean of 17 months (6 -28 months).In 6 cases with moderate hydronephrosis,5 patients recovered to mild hydronephrosis and 1 case improved from preoperative renal hydronephrosis 3.5 cm to postoperative 3.0 cm.In 5 cases with severe hydronephrosis,3 patients improved to moderate hydronephrosis,2 patients to mild hydronephrosis.One patient with kidney stone had 0.4 cm residual stone.Three patients complained of occasional mild backache.One patient suffered from hematuria and urinary tract infection,recovered after antiinflammatory therapy for 2 weeks.The remaining 6 patients were in good conditions during the follow-up.ConclusionTransperitoneal laparoscopic plastic surgery is able to deal with horseshoe kidney isthmus malformation and comorbidities,and is another alternative for the treatment of horseshoe kidney.