Objective To investigate the relation between the cellular immune function and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA) and the mechanism of active immunotherapy on URSA patients.Methods The flow cytometry(FCM) was used to detect CD3+ ,CD4+ ,CD8+ T lymphocyte and CD16+CD56+ natural killer(NK) cell subsets and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ of peripheral blood(PBL).112 cases with URSA(76 cases treated with active immunotherapy) and 30 cases of normal fertiled(NF) women were studied.The percentages of T lymphocyte and NK cell subsets before and after therapy were compared among 76 cases wtih URSA treated by active immunotherapy.The rate of next successful pregnancy of URSA patients treated with and without active immunotherapy was compared.Results The percentages of CD3+ and CD16+CD56+ cell subsets as well as the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ of the URSA patients were significantly higher than those of NF cases(P <0.05).After active immunotherapy,the percentages of CD3+ and CD56+CD16+ cell subsets as well as the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ of URSA cases were significantly decreased(P <0.05 ).The rate of next successful pregnancy of URSA cases with and without active immunotherapy were 88.2% and 31.2% respectively,the difference was significant(P< 0.05).Conclusion The changes in the percentages of T lympyocyte and NK cell subsets have something to do with URSA.Active immunotherapy can effectively regulate the cellular immune function and increase the rate of next successful pregnancy of URSA patients.

OBJECTIVEOver the last few decades, diabetic cardiomyopathy has been identified as a significant contributor in cardiac morbidity. However, the mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy have not been clarified.

METHODSIn the present study, a diabetic rat model was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The myocardial CD147 expression and extent of glycosylation, as well as thematrixmetalloproteinases(MMPs) expression and activity, were observed in the diabetic and synchronous rats.

RESULTSThe results showed that CD147 located on sarcolemma of cardiomyocytes. The myocardial CD147 expression and glycosylation were significantly increased in the diabetic rats as compared with the control. Expression of MMP-2 protein, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity were also increased in left ventricular myocardium in the diabetic rats. Tamoxifen only inhibited the enhanced expression of myocardial CD147 in the diabetic rats, but not in synchronous control rats. Tamoxifen inhibited glycosylation of myocardial CD147 in both diabetic and control rats. The inhibition of tamoxifen on CD147 glycosylation was stronger than on the expression in the myocardium. The extent of myocardial CD147glycosylation was positively related toMMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Tamoxifen induced an inhibition of myocardial MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in the control and diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that myocardial CD147 expression, especially the extent of glycosylation, regulates MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, then accelerates cardiac pathological remodeling inducing diabetic cardiomyopathy. Tamoxifen inhibits myocardial CD147 glycosylation and further depress the activity of MMPs. Therefore, tamoxifen may protect the diabetic rats against diabetic myocardium.

Animals ; Basigin ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies ; drug therapy ; Glycosylation ; Heart ; drug effects ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Rats ; Sarcolemma ; metabolism ; Tamoxifen ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical effectiveness of implanting miniscrew serving as anchorage instead of molars in treating maxillary dental arch crowding and protrusive patients mandibular molars complete missing.

METHODSEight adult patients aged from 22 to 38, whose maxillary dental arch were crowding and protrusion, with mandibular molars missing were chosed. At the missing side, a miniscrew was implanted on the buccal surface, 11-13 mm away from the distal end of the second premolar. After implanting, a self-made miniscrew traction cap was attached to its supergingival section by keyway retention. Premolars and anterior teeth were tracted in turn to distal end. Intermaxillary traction II was made necessarily on the traction cap.

RESULTSSuccessful results were acquired after treating together with normal overbite, overjet and right occlusion relation. It took 24 months in the longest course, 15 months in the shortest course and 20.8 months on average.

CONCLUSIONThe implanting miniscrew anchorages could be used in maxillary dental arch crowding and protrusive patients with single molars complete missing.

Adult ; Bicuspid ; Bone Screws ; Cephalometry ; Dental Arch ; Humans ; Molar ; Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures ; Overbite ; Tooth Movement Techniques

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the predictive value of Holter ECG recordings for patients with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSHolter recordings was performed in 76 patients who were diagnosed OSAHS by polysomnography (PSG) within one month from Jan. 2008 to July 2009 in our hospital. Twenty-eight patients were identified as mild OSAHS (AHI < or = 20) and forty-eight patients were moderate-to-severe OSAHS (AHI > 20). The indexes of heart rate variability (HRV), total scores of thirteen sleep apnea risk indexes of Holter recordings and BMI were analyzed by bivariate Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSClinical features (eg. Gender, age, complicated with hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, and taken beta-blocker), total scores, the sum of thirteen sleep apnea risk scores collected by Holter recordings (5.64 + or - 2.33 vs. 6.42 + or - 2.22, respectively, P > 0.05) were similar between patients with mild OSAHS and moderate-to-severity OSAHS. VLF/Total Power > 70%, the difference of daytime/nighttime LF Power < -70 and BMI were independent predictors of moderate-to-severe OSAHS with OR 3.98 (1.087 - 14.596), 3.69 (1.106 - 12.285) and 1.28 (1.062 - 1.544), respectively (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSVLF/Total Power and the difference of daytime/nighttime LF Power and BMI could be used as screening parameters to recognize patients with moderate-to-severe OSAHS.

Aged ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical feature of a Chinese family with muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB) and the mutation of protein O-linked-mannose beta-1, 2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 gene (POMGNT1).

METHODSClinical data of the proband and his family members were collected. Genomic DNA from the patient and his parents was extracted using standard procedures from the peripheral blood leukocytes. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA direct sequencing were employed to analyze all of the exons to determine the mutation, and the relationship between genotype and phenotype was analyzed.

RESULTSThe proband was diagnosed as floppy baby, presented with delayed psychomotor development and myopathic face. His serum creatine kinase (CK) level elevated moderately and brain MRI showed cerebral and cerebellar gyrus abnormalities with white matter signal intensity changes, cerebellar cysts and cerebellar and brain stem hypoplasia, consistent with congenital muscular dystrophy with eye brain disorder. Further test with DNA detected a compound heterozygous mutation of c.1896 1 G to C before exon 22 which may induce splicing error, and missense mutation c.1319T to G, p.L440R in exon 16. Both parents had a heterozygous mutation at the mutation sites.

CONCLUSIONAccording to our study, the family is diagnosed as MEB. The proband carried compound heterozygous mutations in the POMGNT1 gene, and his parents are heterozygous carriers, which is consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. The child is definitely diagnosed as having muscle eye brain disease.

Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Base Sequence ; Brain ; pathology ; Child, Preschool ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; genetics ; N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases ; genetics ; Phenotype ; Sequence Alignment ; Walker-Warburg Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics

Objective To investigate the effect of hand robot-assisted training based on motor imagery on upper limb function of stroke patients.Methods From November, 2016 to May, 2018, 55 hemiplegic patients with upper limb dysfunction were randomly assigned to control group (n = 25) and experimental group (n = 30). The control group received routine hand motor training, while the experimental group received hand robot-assisted training, for four weeks. They were assessed with simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) before treatment (t0), one week of treatment (t1), immediately after treatment (t2) and 2 months after treatment (t3).Results The score of WMFT improved in the experimental group at t1 (P ＜ 0.05), with no significant difference between groups (Z =-0.901, P＞ 0.05). The scores of FMA, WMFT and MBI improved in both groups at t2 and t3 (P ＜ 0.05), and the scores of FMA and MBI improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (Z＞-2.073, t＞ 2.034, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Hand robot-assisted training based on motor imagery can promote recovery of upper limb function in stroke patients more effective than routine hand function training.

In vertebrate visual system, retina is the first stage for visual information processing. Retinal ganglion cells are the only output neurons of the retina, and their firing activities are dependent on visual stimuli. Retinal ganglion cells can effectively encode visual information via various manners, such as firing rate, temporal structure of spike trains, and concerted activity, etc. Adaptation is one of the basic characteristics of the nervous system, which enables retinal neurons to encode stimuli under a wide variety of natural conditions with limited range in their output. This article reviews the recent studies focused on the coding properties and adaptation of retinal ganglion cells. Relevant issues about dynamical adjustment of coding strategies of retinal ganglion cells in response to different visual stimulation, as well as physiological property and function of adaptation are discussed.
Photic Stimulation ; Retina ; Retinal Ganglion Cells

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethral Stricture ; surgery ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDRapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known regarding the relation between the severity of RBD and the different domains of cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was: (1) to investigate the domains of cognitive impairment in patients with PD and RBD, and (2) to explore risk factors for PD-mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and the relationship between RBD severity and impairment in different cognitive domains in PD.

METHODSThe participants were grouped as follows: PD without RBD (PD-RBD; n = 42), PD with RBD (PD + RBD; n = 32), idiopathic RBD (iRBD; n = 15), and healthy controls (HCs; n = 36). All participants completed a battery of neuropsychological assessment of attention and working memory, executive function, language, memory, and visuospatial function. The information of basic demographics, diseases and medication history, and motor and nonmotor manifestations was obtained and compared between PD-RBD and PD + RBD groups. Particular attention was paid to the severity of RBD assessed by the RBD Questionnaire-Hong Kong (RBDQ-HK) and the RBD Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ), then we further examined associations between the severity of RBD symptoms and cognitive levels via correlation analysis.

RESULTSCompared to PD-RBD subjects, PD + RBD patients were more likely to have olfactory dysfunction and their Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores were higher (P < 0.05). During neuropsychological testing, PD + RBD patients performed worse than PD-RBD patients, including delayed memory function, especially. The MCI rates were 33%, 63%, 33%, and 8% for PD-RBD, PD + RBD, iRBD, and HC groups, respectively. RBD was an important factor for the PD-MCI variance (odds ratio = 5.204, P = 0.018). During correlation analysis, higher RBDSQ and RBDQ-HK scores were significantly associated with poorer performance on the Trail Making Test-B (errors) and Auditory Verbal Learning Test (delayed recall) and higher RBD-HK scores were also associated with Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (copy) results.

CONCLUSIONSWhen PD-RBD and PD + RBD patients have equivalent motor symptoms, PD + RBD patients still have more olfactory dysfunction and worse daytime somnolence. RBD is an important risk factor for MCI, including delayed memory. Deficits in executive function, verbal delayed memory, and visuospatial function were consistently associated with more severe RBD symptoms.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; complications ; REM Sleep Behavior Disorder ; complications

BACKGROUNDAngiotensin type 1 receptor (AT 1 R) antagonists are extensively used for blood pressure control in elderly patients with hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of AT 1 R antagonist valsartan on platelet aggregation and the occurrence of cardio-cerebral thrombotic events in elderly patients with hypertension.

METHODSTwo-hundred and ten patients with hypertension and aged > 60 years were randomized to valsartan (n = 140) or amlodipine (n = 70) on admission. The primary endpoint was platelet aggregation rate (PAR) induced by arachidonic acid at discharge, and the secondary endpoint was the rate of thrombotic events including brain infarction and myocardial infarction during follow-up. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were stimulated by angiotensin II (Ang II, 100 nmol/L) with or without pretreatment of valsartan (100 nmol/L), and relative expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and thromboxane B 2 (TXB 2 ) and both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) activities were assessed. Statistical analyses were performed by GraphPad Prism 5.0 software (GraphPad Software, Inc., California, USA).

RESULTSPAR was lower after treatment with valsartan (11.49 ± 0.69% vs. 18.71 ± 2.47%, P < 0.001), associated with more reduced plasma levels of COX-2 (76.94 ± 7.07 U/L vs. 116.4 ± 15.89 U/L, P < 0.001) and TXB 2 (1667 ± 56.50 pg/ml vs. 2207 ± 180.20 pg/ml) (all P < 0.001). Plasma COX-2 and TXB 2 levels correlated significantly with PAR in overall patients (r = 0.109, P < 0.001). During follow-up (median, 18 months), there was a significantly lower thrombotic event rate in patients treated with valsartan (14.3% vs. 32.8%, P = 0.002). Relative expression of COX-2 and secretion of TXB 2 with concordant phosphorylation of p38MAPK and NF-kB were increased in HAECs when stimulated by Ang II (100 nmol/L) but were significantly decreased by valsartan pretreatment (100 nmol/L).

CONCLUSIONSAT 1 R antagonist valsartan decreases platelet activity by attenuating COX-2/TXA 2 expression through p38MAPK and NF-kB pathways and reduces the occurrence of cardio-cerebral thrombotic events in elderly patients with hypertension.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; Male ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Thrombosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Thromboxane B2 ; blood ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan