ObjectiveTo observe the clinical sense of clock-drawing test(CDT) and Mini Mental Status Examination(MMSE) in Alzheimer's disease(AD). MethodsMMSE and CDT were used to assess the intellectual ability in AD group and control group. ResultsThe orientation force, immediate memory, ability of calculation, short-term memory and speech ability in AD group were significantly decreased than that of the control group(P<0.05). The score of CDT in AD group was markedly suppression than that of control group(P<0.01). ConclusionThe CDT and MMSE are the ideal cognitive screening test to determine the degree in Alzheimer's disease.

Objective To understand human rhinovirus (HRV) etiology of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in children in Shanghai area and establish a nested reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) assay.Methods Three hundred and forty-two naso- pharyngeal secretion (NPS) samples from ALRTI cases who were hospitalized were collected during January 2005—December 2005.Nested RT-PCR techniques were used to detect HRV-specific RNA.The PCR products were sequenced and data of nucleotides were analyzed.The proportion of HRV infection in children with ALRTI,the distribution of gender,age and season,and clinical char- acteristics were also investigated.Results Forty-six (13.5%) of 342 samples were HRV positive detected by nested RT-PCR.The sequences of 15 positive samples shared high homology of 83%- 97% with HRV sequence in GenBank.Within the 15 positive samples,nucleotide homology varied from 64.4% to 98.4%,and the ratio of genetic variation was from 1.6% to 48.3%./00.These 15 ampli- cons attribute to the two branches of HRV cladogram.The sequences of 15 amplieons were highly varied,in which single nucleotide mutation and several nearby nueleotides mutations were found. Ribonucleotide deletion and insertion in the nucleotide sequence was also found.HRV positive sam- ples were detected in 33 boys and 13 girls,respectively.The ratio of infection cases between boys and girls was 2.5:1.Of 46 HRV infected cases,27 (58.7%) were less than 12 months of age and 38 (82.6%) were less than 3 years old.HRV infected ALRTI occured all the year round and peaked from March to May.Of the patients whose NPS samples were HRV positive detected by nested RT-PCR,45 patients were diagnosed with bronchopneumonia and 1 was diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis.Fever of most patients was moderate.The peripheral blood leukocyte counts in thirty-nine (84.8%) patients were less than 10?10~9/L.Neutrophil percentages in thirty-seven (80.4%) patients were less than 0.50.C-reactive protein of thirty-six (78.3%) patients were less than 8 mg/L. All of these features were the characteristics of viral pneumonia.The complications were not common and conditions of most patients were not severe.All the children were cured.Conclusions This nes- ted RT-PCR technique is highly specific,rapid and convenient for the detection of HRV RNA in NPS of patients with ALRTI and the genome of HRV viruses is highly variable.The incidence of HRV infection predominates in children in Shanghai area.ALRTI of HRV is short of specificity and condi- tions of most patients are not severe and their prognoses are fine.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the effects of TNF-α on the expression of IP3R1 mRNA and protein in human mesangial cells (HMCs), and to elucidate the mechanism of TNF-α relating to IP3R1 expression in the occurrence of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). METHODS: HMCs were stimulated by tumor (TNF-α) with 100 ng/mL for different hours (2, 4, 8, and 24 hours). The expression changes of IP3R1 mRNA and protein were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Several inhibitors including D609, U73122, PP1, safingol, rottlerin and non-radioactive protein kinase C (PKC) were used to examine the mechanism of signal transduction of TNF-α-regulated IP3R1 in HMCs. RESULTS: The levels of IP3R1 mRNA at 2 hours after TNF-α exposure were significantly enhanced and peaked at 8 hours in HMCs (P<0.01), then descended at 24 hours (P<0.01). The levels of IP3R1 protein at 4 hours after TNF-α exposure were obviously increased and peaked at 24 hours after TNF-α exposure (P<0.01). Compared to the control group, safingol (PKCα inhibitor) and D609 (phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C inhibitor) significantly blocked the TNF-α-induced expression of IP3R1 mRNA (3.30±0.81 vs. 1.95±0.13,P<0.05; 2.10±0.49,P<0.01) and IP3R1 protein (3.09±0.13 vs. 1.86+0.39,P<0.01; 1.98±0.02,P<0.01). TNF-α promoted PKCα activation with maximal PKCα phosphorylation that occurred 8 hours after stimulation measured by non-radioactive PKC assay, and the effect was markedly attenuated by pretreatment with D609 or safingol. CONCLUSION: TNF-α increased the expression of IP3R1 and this was mediated, at least in part, through the PC-PLC/PKCα signaling pathways in HMCs.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of electroencephalograph(EEG)biofeedback on clinical symptoms and cognitive function of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Methods Twenty children aged(10.4?2.2)years old who were diagnosed as ADHD according to American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders the 4th ed received EEG biofeedback treatment.The treatment was administered by Autogenic A620 machine,? wave(4-8 Hz)was suppressed and sensory motor rate wave was strengthened(12-15 Hz)at the same time.The treatment was total 40 times.Before and after treatment,Conner's Behavior Rating Scale-parent questionnaire was administered to assess the clinical symptoms,wechsler memory scale(WMS)to assess the long-term memory,short-term memory and instantaneous memory,number cancellation test and stroop test were used to assess the cognitive process speed and selective attention,and continuous performance test(CPT)was administered to assess the attention and impulsiveness.The children in healthy control group who compared with ADHD children by one to one came from the primary or middle school near the hospital,the age difference between ADHD child and healthy control group was within 6 months.All the measurements were administered to the healthy control group.Results After the EEG biofeedback treatment,the score of behavior factor in Conners Scale decreased significantly(P0.05).Conclusions Forty sessions EEG biofeedback can improve clinical symptoms,attention,memory,selective attention and cognitive process speed of ADHD children significantly,some indicators even become normal.

Inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is a key enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step of de novo nucleotide synthesis in vivo. In recent years, it has become a therapeutic target for anti-virus, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-parasitic and other diseases. IMPDH inhibitors have been shown to inhibit viral prolife-ration in host cells by depleting guanosine 5′-monophosphate (GMP), the raw material required for viral replication in host cells, with broad-spectrum antiviral properties. In order to find novel anti-coronavirus drugs, this study screened 22 potential IMPDH inhibitors from 70 000 natural small molecule libraries based on IMPDH protein structure using molecular docking and ROC calculation for virtual screening. With ribavirin as the positive control drug, Huh7 cell and H460 cell models were used to verify the anti-coronavirus HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 activities of 22 selected target compounds. Among them, compounds 11, 12, 15 and 16 showed inhibitory activity against coronavirus HCoV-229E. The compounds 4, 12, 13 and 15 showed inhibitory activities against coronavirus HCoV-OC43. 12 and 15 showed significant inhibitory activity against both two coronaviruses, and their efficacy was similar to ribavirin at the same dose, which can be further studied as a lead compound for IMPDH inhibitors.

Computers ; Klebsiella ; isolation & purification ; Staphylococcus ; isolation & purification

The present study aims to investigate the effects of soluble endoglin (sEng) on invasive ability of cultured cytotrophoblasts of first trimester of pregnancy. Cytotrophoblasts of normal 6 to 8-week pregnancy were cultured by trypsin digestion method, and were incubated with cell culture medium without (control group) and with 10 μg/L sEng (sEng group), respectively for 24 h. The invasive ability was determined by transwell invasion assay, and expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that the invasive ability of cytotrophoblasts in sEng group was lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA and protein of cytotrophoblasts were significantly lower (P < 0.05). In conclusion, sEng may participate in the genesis of preeclampsia by affecting the invasive ability of cytotrophoblasts through regulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.
Antigens, CD ; pharmacology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endoglin ; Female ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Placentation ; physiology ; Pre-Eclampsia ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; Trophoblasts ; cytology

Objective To solve the problems of hospital high-value consumables during purchase,warehouse-in and-out management,utilization,charging and etc.Methods High-value consumables management was improved based on No.1 Military Medical Project high-value consumables management system and bar code technology.Results Integrated management,whole-course supervision,safe utilization,convenient and accurate charging were realized for high-value consumables.Conclusion Bar code technology contributes to reducing high-value consumables inventory,decreasing hospital cash flow pressure,achieving high value consumables used safely and zero error valuation of financial accounting.It can become an effective management mode of hospital high-value consumables.

OBJECTIVETo compare the event-related potentials (ERPs) waves of verbs and prepositions in the brain.

METHODSWe recorded ERPs in the brain while participants judged the legality of the collocation for verbs and prepositions.

RESULTSBoth verbs and prepositions elicited a negativity at the frontal site in 230-330 ms and 350-500 ms window. No difference was seen in 230-330 ms and 350-500 ms window; In difference waves, a negativity was elicited in the left and right hemisphere at about 270-400 ms and 470-600 ms window for both open and closed-class words.

CONCLUSIONThese may demonstrate that prepositions in modern Chinese are probably not a separate class from verbs and that N280 may be not a specific component for only prepositions (or closed-class words).

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain ; physiology ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Photic Stimulation ; Reading

OBJECTIVETo present a new method for reduction of the prominent malar complex by using the curved osteotomy through intraoral incision.

METHODSAccording to the anatomical characteristics of the malar complex, a new curved osteotomy was designed for reduction of the prominent malar complex. This method, that made malar arch move toward backside, inside and upside, lowered the whole malar complex and gain better contour of malar area.

RESULTSFrom 2001 to 2003, 41 patients were treated with the intraoral curved osteotomy [for reduction of the prominent malar complex. All patients obtained good results.

CONCLUSIONSThrough the intraoral approach, the curved osteotomy method could lower the whole prominent malar complex and get better contour of malar area.Intraoral curved osteotomy for reduction of the prominent malar complex could be an ideal method with better face contour, simpler technique, and fewer complications.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; surgery ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Young Adult ; Zygoma ; surgery