Aim To investgate the mechnism through which ginkgolides affect learning and memory capabilities of the Alzheimers disease-like rats. Methods Okadaic acid(OA)was injected into the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus and the rats were gavaged with ginkgolides. The learning and memory abilities of the rats were assessed through Morris water maze behavioral test, and the expressions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and ChAT were observed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Results Compared with the control rats, the capabilities of learning and memory were lowered significantly(P

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)gene susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)by familial studies.Methods PCR-based re- striction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP)was applied to genotype single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) G261T of the ACE gene.A total of 119 patients with SLE from 119 families were recruited.In addition,316 family members of these patients were also genotyped.A family-based association study was carried out to ex- plore the association between gene polymorphism and SLE.We studied the SNP encoding non-synonymous substitution in the ACE gene with respect to genetic susceptibility to SLE.Results Among 119 SLE patients. the frequency of ACEG261TG,T alleles was 44.8%.55.2% respectively,the frequency of ACEG261T GG,GT and TT genotypes was 13.9%,62.0%,24.1% respectively,Univariate(single-marker)family-based association test(FBAT)demonstrated that variant alleles at the SNP,rs4303,exon 5 of ACE gene were significantly asso- ciated with genetic susceptibility to SLE in Additive Model(Z=2.877,P=0.004),Dominant Model(Z=2.557, P=0.011).Recessive Model(Z=2.202,P=0.028).Transmission-disequilibrium test(TDT)and sib transmission -disequilibrium test(STDT)showed an excess of the allele of T from heterozygous parents to affected offspring or higher frequency of the allele of T in the patients than their normal siblings(X~2=11.66,P=0.001).Conclu- sion Our findings suggest that the ACE gene may he the susceptible gene to SLE in Chinese population,and the individuals carrying ACE-261T allele is significantly associated with susceptibility to SLE.

Objective To investigate the effect of partial body-weight supported treadmill training ( PBW- STT) on function of lower limbs, walk function, ADL performance and quality of life of hemiplegic patient induced by cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 132 cerebral infarction patients were divided into a control group (n = 69) and a training group( n = 63) randomly. Both groups accepted routine rehabilitation therapy, and the training group accepted PBWSTT at the same time in addition. Both groups were evaluated with regard to their walking ability, func- tion of lower limbs, ADL performance and their quality of life by using Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) , Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) , Barthel index (BI) and SF-36 before and after rehabilitation treatment. Results The function of lower limb, walking ability, ADL performance and the quality of life of both groups were improved significantly after treatment, and those in the training group were improved to a significantly greater extent than those in the control group ( P

Objective To explore the effects and safety of hemoperfusion(HP) therapy on tetramine poisoning in infants.Methods Thirty-five infants with tetramine poisoning were divided into two groups: HP group(n=18) and non HP group(n=17).The changes of blood tetramine concentration and clinical symptom improving of both groups after the treatment were observed together with the adverse effects of HP group.Results The average blood tetramine concentration of HP group was higher than that of non HP group(342.2?333.4 vs 117.9?50.8 ?g/L,P

This study was purposed to explore whether the blood transfusion of surgical patients can increase the severity of postoperative infection by a retrospective analysis of patients with postoperative infection in Chinese PLA General Hospital. By using a software "clinical transfusion database" developed by our department, 150 infected surgical cases were retrieved and divided into deep infection group and superficial infection group according to the infected location. These two groups were compared in term of the patient's age, duration of hospitalization, red blood cell transfusion volume, none-red cell transfusion volume, transfusion frequency and average transfusion volume. The results showed that red blood cell transfusion volume or none-red cells transfusion volume of patients with superficial infection was 4.50 (0 - 59) U or 2.95 (0 - 119.6) U, and that of deep infection was 9.00 (0 - 153) U and 8.05 (0 - 136.6) U, the differences was significant (P < 0.05). Between two groups, the transfusion frequency showed the most significant difference, median in the patients with superficial infection was about 2 (1 - 31) times, less than the deep infection group about 4 (1 - 49) times (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between two groups in the average transfusion volume. It is concluded that perioperative blood transfusion volume and frequency of surgical patients seems to display a positive correlation with the degree of postoperative infection.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Infection ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Transfusion Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of time-concentration of bisphenol A (BPA) in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after single oral BPA administration.

METHODSA total of 66 specific pathogen free (SPF) SD male rats were divided into 10 experimental groups and control group (n = 6). The experimental group rats were treated with BPA of 300 mg/kg by oral gavage and blood samples were taken from one group at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, 60, 84 h time point after oral administration, respectively. The serum BPA concentration was determined by fluorescence-high performance liquid chromatography (FL-HPLC) analysis.

RESULTSAfter oral administration of 300 mg/kg, the total serum BPA concentration of 17.13 microg/ml was the highest in rats at 1 h, then decreased, but it increased to 15.18 microg/ml again at 24 h, then gradually decreased to 0.51 microg/ml at 84 h. The level of serum free BPA was lower than that of total serum BPA after oral administration, the serum free BPA was 0.57 microg/ml at 0.5 h after oral administration. The serum free BPA level decreased to 0.06 microg/ml at 1 h, 0.03 microg/ml at 4 h, 0.01 microg/ml at 36 h after oral administration. The free BPA was only 4.15% (0.57/13.73) in total BPA in serum at 0.5 h after oral administration of 300 mg/kg BPA.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that conjugated BPA was the main metabolite of BPA in rat serum after single oral administration. Enterohepatic circulation of BPA glucuronide in rats may results in two peak levels of total BPA in serum.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Male ; Phenols ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serum ; metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical results of percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation for the treatment of calcaneal fractures, and to compare therapeutic effects between close reduction hollow screw internal fixation and open reduction plate internal fixation.

METHODSFrom August 2007 to May 2010, 53 patients with calcaneal fractures were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into two groups, 25 patients in group A (PR group) treated with percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation, including 17 males and 8 females, with an average age of (39.4 +/- 9.9) years. While 28 patients in group B (OR group) treated with open reduction and plate internal fixation, including 18 males and 10 females, with an average age of (38.6 +/- 10.2) years. According to Sanders classification, there were 18 patients with type II fractures, 29 patients with type III and 6 type IV. In both groups, operative time, blood loss, postoperative complications and radiology were recorded. Functional recovery was evaluated by Maryland score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from nine months to thirty-five months (averaged 20.4 months). There were no significant differences in sex, age, fracture type, fracture classification, initial Böhler angle, or late complications between the two groups. But significant difference can be seen between operative time, blood loss, and skin complications (in group A no nonunion and skin complications occurred, but subtalar posttraumatic arthritis occurred in 1 case; in group B, 3 patients had complications of skin necrosis, 1 patient suffered from a delayed union due to large defect filled with artificial bone, and 1 patient got subtalar posttraumatic arthritis). No difference were found in the latest X-ray film. According to Maryland score, in group A, 8 got an excellent result and 12 good. In group B, 10 got an excellent and 14 good. There were no significant differences between the two groups in Margland score.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggest that in comparison with open reduction, percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation minimizes complications and achieves good results. Further study of this technique is needed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Calcaneus ; surgery ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Wnt3a-transduced mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on the proliferation of T lymphocytes.

METHODSMSC were isolated from C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow and expanded in vitro, then identified by flow cytometry and their differentiation capacity into osteocytes and adipocytes were determined. Recombinant plasmids containing Wnt3a gene, were transfected with lipofectamine into HEK293 cells by the AdEasy system. Viral particles were collected to infect MSC and adenovirus vector expressing GFP (Ad-GFP) was used as control. The expression of GFP in MSC was observed using fluorescence microscopy and the protein levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin were determined by Western blot. Wnt3a-transduced and Ad-GFP transduced MSC were separately cocultured with spleen lymphocytes stimulated by ConA, at the ratio of 1:100, 1:50 or 1:10 respectively. The proliferation rate of T lymphocytes was estimated by Cell Cout Kit-8 (CCK-8) and the level of cytokine by ELISA.

RESULTSFCM analysis showed that the MSC were highly positive for CD90.2, CD44 and negative for CD34, CD45, they could differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes after induction; The titer of recombinant adenoviruses was up to 1 × 10(10) pfu/ml. After infected with the adenoviruses, MSC had the strongest GFP expression at 72 h and the efficiency of infection was 50%-60%. The expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin protein in the Wnt3a-transduced MSC were significantly increased. MSC could suppress the proliferation of T lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. When MSC cocultured with spleen lymphocytes at 1:10 ratio, T lymphocyte proliferation rate and the level of IFN-γ were (55.41 ± 1.75)% and (326.70 ± 14.41) pg/ml respectively in Ad-GFP transduced MSC group, while in Wnt3a-transduced MSC group, they were (37.27 ± 2.66)% and (218.80 ± 12.93) pg/ml respectively. There was no effect on the production of IL-2.

CONCLUSIONCompared to Ad-GFP transduced MSC, Wnt3a-transduced MSC exhibit a more potent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of T lymphocytes.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Transduction, Genetic ; methods ; Wnt3A Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the surgical techniques and clinical effect of Ni-Ti patellar concentrator combined with Herbert screw and wirerope in treating comminuted patellar inferior pole fractures.

METHODSFrom March 2008 to June 2010,34 patients with comminuted patellar inferior pole fracture were treated with Ni-Ti patellar concentrator combined with Herbert screw and wirerope. Of them, there were 19 males and 15 females with an average age of 38.6 years old(ranged from 22 to 75). Early functional exercise was guided postoperatively and the patients were regularly followed up and their outcomes were assessed.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with an average of 13.5 months (ranged,7 to 20). All fractures healed. According to Böstman Clinical Rating System, the average score was 28.43 +/- 2.34,and excellent results in 21 cases,good in 13 cases and no poor case.

CONCLUSIONNi Ti patellar concentrator combined with Herbert screw and wirerope for the treatment of comminuted patellar inferior pole fracture is an effective method and of great value to clinical application.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Bone Wires ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Fractures, Comminuted ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nickel ; Patella ; injuries ; surgery ; Titanium ; Young Adult

AIMTo investigate the effects of surface modification of lactose carrier on performance of dry powder inhalations (DPIs).

METHODSModified lactose surface was prepared using a "particle smoothing" process to obtain smooth carrier surface and low surface energy with the presence of magnesium stearate, colloidal silica dioxide and talc. Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was used to assess the surface energy of treated lactose, and the in vitro deposition of carrier-based IFNa-2b DPIs was evaluated with twin stage impinger.

RESULTSThe flowing property of lactose was greatly improved and the surface energy decreased by the "particle smoothing" process. Decreasing surface energy resulted in greater aspiration fraction of IFNa-2b.

CONCLUSIONIGC is a potentially useful tool for rapid formulation design and screening.

Administration, Inhalation ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Drug Carriers ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Lactose ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Powders ; Recombinant Proteins ; Stearic Acids ; chemistry ; Surface Properties ; Talc ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods