AIM:Scopolamine blocks cholinergic transmission and impairs learning and memory in mice．The purpose of this study was to evaluate the memory-improving properties of curcumin on scopolamine-induced memory im-pairment in mice．METHODS：The mice of memory impairment were induced by scopolamine．Step down test and Morris water maze test were used to observe the earning and memory ability in curcumin-treated ice．Biochemical assessments of AChE，MDA，and GSH-Px levels in brains were performed．RESULTS：Oral administration of curcumin ignificantly reduced the numbers of step-down rrors(P<0．05)and prolonged the step-down latency induced by scopolamine(P<0．05)．The escape latency time in mice treated with curcumin Was remarkably educed compared to that in scopolamine group by Morris water maze test(P<0．05)．After the platform was removed，the total time that the mice swam in the tar-get quadrant Was also longer in curcumin group than that in model group(P<0．05)．The data also indicated that curcumin significantly inhibited AChE ctivity(P<0．01)and prevented oxidative stress characterized by the significant reduction in MDA content and the significant increase in GSH-Px activities in the brain(P<0．01)．CONCLUSl0N：Curcumin in-duces cognitive improvement by enhancing the function of cholinergic system and its antioxidant activity．

OBJECTIVEto investigate the changes of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) in the cerebral cortex following acute bromoxynil intoxication in mice and the protective effect of sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate (Na-DMPS).

METHODS30 ICR mice were randomly divided into blank control group (10), exposure group (10) and Na-DMPS protection group (10). The levels of GABA and Glu in the cerebral cortex were measured by RP-HPLC. The glutamine (Gln) level and the glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate decarboxylation enzyme (GAD), γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activity in the cerebral cortex were determined by UV colorimetric.

RESULTScompared with the control group [GABA: (3.41 ± 0.12) micromol/g, Glu (14.00 ± 0.16) micromol/g, Gln (1.25 ± 0.19) micromol/g, GAD (13.50 ± 0.25) micromol × g(-1) × h(-1), GABA-T (25.51 ± 0.21) micromol × g(-1) × h(-1), GS(142.19 ± 1.31) U/mg pro], the level of GABA [(3.14 ± 0.14) micromol/g] was decreased (P < 0.05), whereas the level of Glu [(17.54 ± 0.40) micromol/g] and Gln [(3.35 ± 0.27) micromol/g] were increased (P < 0.05), the activity of GAD [(11.93 ± 0.15 micromol × g(-1) × h(-1)], GABA-T [(24.15 ± 0.22) micromol × g(-1) × h(-1)], GS [(140.75 ± 1.01) U/mg pro] was decreased (P < 0.05) in acute intoxication group; Compared with the acute intoxication group, the level of GABA [(3.52 ± 0.30) micromol/g] was increased (P < 0.05), whereas the level of Glu [(14.20 ± 0.32) micromol/g] and Gln [(1.32 ± 0.17) micromol/g] were decreased (P < 0.05), the activity of GAD [(13.01 ± 0.45 micromol × g(-1) × h(-1)], GABA-T [(25.19 ± 0.26) micromol × g(-1) × h(-1), GS [(142.35 ± 1.20) U/mg pro] was increased (P < 0.05); In contrast, the levels of GABA, Glu, Gln and the activity of GAD, GABA-T, and GS in Na-DMPS protection group were not significantly different in comparison with control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONthe central toxic effects of mice with acute bromoxynil intoxication may be related to the changes of GABA and Glu content in the cerebral cortex;Na-DMPS can protect mice from bromoxynil-induced central toxic effects and GABA and Glu abnormal change in the cerebral cortex.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nitriles ; poisoning ; Toxicity Tests, Acute ; Unithiol ; pharmacology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the expression and prognostic significance of CD151, c-Met and integrin alpha 3, alpha6 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods The expression of CD151, c-Met and integrin alpha3, alpha6 in 71 patients with PDAC and 10 samples of normal pancreas tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship between the expression of CD151, c-Met and integrin alpha 3, alpha 6 and the clinicopathological features, prognosis of these patients was analyzed. Results The positive expression rates of CD151, c-Met and integrin alpha 3, alpha 6 in PDAC were 81.69% (58/71) , 69.01% (49/71), 69.01% (49/71) and 84.51% (60/71) , and there was no expression in normal pancreas tissues. The expressions of CD151, c-Met were significantly associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The expression of CD151 was positively correlated with the expressions of c-Met and integrin alpha3, alpha6 (r =0.583, P =0.000, r = 0.457;P =0.000, r = 0.671 ;P =0.000). Univariate analysis suggested the expression of CD151, c-Met and integrin alpha3, alpha6 was associated with survival (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis suggested the expression of CD151, c-Met was the independent prognostic factor for post-operative survival. Conclusions CD151, c-Met and integrin alpha3, alpha6 play a role in the development, metastasis and prognosis of PDAC, and they might be new markers to predict biological behavior and the prognosis of PDAC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; virology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; pathology ; virology ; Colposcopy ; Cytodiagnosis ; DNA Probes, HPV ; DNA, Viral ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; virology ; Vaginal Smears ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) on brain tissue oxygen and glucose metabolism of the brain tissue in peri-operative period of the craniocerebral operation.

METHODSFifty patients scheduled for neuro-surgery were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group equally. Anesthesia applied after induction on all patients was continuous sevoflurane inhalation and intermittent intravenous injection of sulfenany and vecurnium bromide, but to the treatment group TASE was applied additionally from 30 min before anesthesia to the end of operation. Blood samples were taken from artery and jugular venous bulb at different time points, i. e. before induction (T0) , before skin incision (T1) , at the end of operation (T2) , and 10 min after extubation (T3) , for blood-gas analysis. The difference of oxygen, glucose and lactate contents between blood samples of arterial and jugular bulb (Da-jvO2, Da-jvGlu and Da-jvLac) at respective time point were determined and calculated.

RESULTSDa-jvO2 decreased in both group at T1, T2 and T3, and all lower than that at T0 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but significant difference was shown in comparison of the index at T2 and T3 with the same time points in the control group in the treatment group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) , and that between groups at T2 and T3 (P < 0.01). Da-jvGlu in the treatment group decreased at T2 and T3 (P < 0.05), but keep unchanged relatively in the control group before and after anesthesia, inter-group comparison showed it was lower at T2 and T3 in the treatment group than that in the control group respectively (P < 0.05). Da-jvGlu in the treatment group at T1, T2, and T3 were all lower than that at the same time points (P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONTAES can significantly decrease the oxygen and glucose metabolism of the brain tissue in the perioperative period of the craniocerebral operation.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen Consumption ; Perioperative Care ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; methods ; Young Adult

Adenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ear Neoplasms ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Endolymphatic Sac ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Paraganglioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Point Mutation ; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein ; genetics ; von Hippel-Lindau Disease ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism

In order to explore if mature neurons derived from neural stem cells have the potentiality to divide, we utilized the chemical digestion method to disperse the adult rat brain tissue into single cells, and culture them in serum-free medium. After being cultured for about eight days in vitro, the neural stem cells were induced to differentiate into neurons. The neurons were further induced to divide. Utilizing the method of serial photograph and NF-160 immunocytochemistry, the processes of division of some neurons were recorded. At the same time, PCNA+NF-160 (or Chat, GABA, GAD) double label were used to investigate if the dividing-neurons were mature ones. After the neural stem cells were induced to differentiate in vitro for eight days, they possessed the shape and character of mature neurons. The differentiated neuron had a big nucleus and one or two distinct nucleolus in the nuclear. Within the perikaryon,there were a large amount of dense and Nissl body-like structure. Several long processes emerged from various locations of the cell body. Then, EGF and bFGF were added into the medium to induce division. After two days of induced-division, neuron-like cells were observed to divide; moreover, the number of neuron-like cells in the region increased continually. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated these cells were NF-160-positive. Serial photographs of dividing-process of neuron-like cells were obtained and their daughter cells were also NF-160-positive. After PCNA+NF-160 (or Chat, GABA, GAD) double label, some cells showed brown cell plasma and black nucleus. The above-mentioned results indicate that neurons, which were previously thought to be end-differentiated, can be re-called into cell cycle under appropriate conditions. Mature neurons still have the potential to divide, proliferate and self-renew.
Animals ; Brain ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Division ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Photography ; methods ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Objective To summarize the success of congenital penile curvature. Methods 401 cases of con-genital penile curvature,whose average age is 2. 5 years ,ranging from 1 year to 26 years old. Of all cases ,383 patients who have both hypespadias and penile cun, ature, only 18 patients are congenital penile curvatures. 295 paitents are slight curvature,85 patients are moderate curvature and 21 patients are severe curvature. Curvature correction was per-formed on a case-by-case basis by solution fibric trabs of ventrial urethra and surrounding,skin de-gloving, ff necessa-ry,dorsal plication,and confirmed by Gittes test. Results . Curvature correction was possible by mobilization of ure-thra after penile degloviag,only a few need dorsal plieation. Followup for 6 months to 2 years,396 patients are success at once. The others after a second surgery had 100% success. Conclusions Solution fibrie trabs of ventrial urethra and surrounding, skin de-gloving, if necessary,dorsal plication ,is the first choice to repair of the congenital penile cur-vature and have good results.

Objective To investigate the mRNA expression and methylation status of IL-13 receptor(IL-13R)α1 gene in peripheral T lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods Venous blood samples were obtained from 10 SLE patients(5 in active phase,5 in inactive phase)and 6 normal human controls.CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were isolated from these samples via magnetic activated cell sorting(MACS).Real-time quantitative PCR was used to test the mRNA expression of IL-13Rα1 gene,and methylation specific PCR to detect the methylation status.Results The expression level of IL-13Rα1 mRNA was 2.224±0.251,1.712±0.132.and 1.104±0.044 in CD4+ T cells of active SLE patients,inactive SLE patients and controls,respectively;the difference between the three groups was statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The expression level of IL-13Rα1 mRNA in CD8+T cells was significantly higher in active SLE patients than that in the normal controls(1.672±0.142 vs 1.238±0.106,P＜0.05),while no difference was noted between inactive and active SLE patients or normal controls.The methylation index of IL-13Rα1 gene was 0.454±0.023.0.635±0.065.0.844±0.097 in CD4+T cells of active SLE patients,inactive SLE patients and normal controls,respectively,and the difference between the three groups was significant(all P＜0.05),while no significant difference was observed in the methylation index in CD8+T cells among these groups(P＞0.05).The IL-13Rα1 mRNA expression in CD4+T and CD8+T cells was positively correlated with SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI)score(r=0.79,0.76,P=0.007,0.02 respectively).A negative correlation was found between the methylation level Of IL-13Rα1 in CD4+T cells and SLEDAI score(r=-0.89.P＜0.0 1).as well as between the IL-13Rα1 mRNA expression and its methylation level(r=-0.84,P＜0.0 1).Conclusion The development of SLE may be related to the overexpression of IL-13Rα1 gene induced by DNA hypomethylation in T cells.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the CT manifestations of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and explore the value of CT in the diagnosis and therapeutic effect evaluation of these tumors.

METHODSA retrospectively analysis of the medical imaging data was conducted in 39 cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors confirmed by surgery and pathology in comparison with the pathological findings.

RESULTSOf the 39 patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, 2 had esophageal stromal tumors, 23 had gastric stromal tumor, 7 had duodenal stromal tumor, 4 had jejunal stromal tumors, 2 had ileal stromal tumors, and 1 had colon stromal tumor. Twenty-five patients were found to have highly malignant tumors, and 11 had low-grade tumors, with the other 3 having tumors of unidentifiable nature. CT displayed exogenous or endogenous mass in these cases, and the tumors had a maximum diameter ranging from 3 to 45 cm (<5 cm in 12 cases and >or=5 cm in 27 cases). Of the 27 cases with a tumor diameter over 5 cm, 23 had malignant stromal tumors, and the tumor mass showed heterogeneous density with central necrosis and cystic and the solid portion of the tumor exhibited mild to moderate enhancement. Six patients were found to have intratumoral punctate calcification, and 17 with malignant tumors showed high peripheral enhancement, with the solid portion of the tumors showing delayed enhancement. The 6 patients with unresectable tumors received chemotherapy resulting in significantly reduced tumor diameter and cystic and necrotic foci in the tumor.

CONCLUSIONMulti-slice spiral CT allows precise localization and qualitative assessment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and also helps in the evaluation of the therapeutic effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods