OBJECTIVETo investigate expression of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) protein and its role in carcinogenesis of brain tumors.

METHODStTG protein was detected by immunohistochemical method in 62 astrocytomas, 18 oligodendrogliomas, 30 benign meningiomas, 30 pituitary adenomas and 10 normal brain tissues.

RESULTS(1) In brain tumors, tTG protein expression was heterogeneous locating in tumor and endothelial cells. (2) Immunoreactivity of tTG protein was significantly different between different grades of astrocytomas. (3) Expression intensity of tTG protein in glioma was higher than that in benign brain tumors. (4) Strong expression of tTG protein in tumor cell was obtained around the necrosis foci and apoptotic cells in astrocytomas.

CONCLUSIONStTG protein expression contributed to tumor malignant progression in malignant brain tumors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Apoptosis ; Astrocytoma ; enzymology ; pathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Child ; Endothelial Cells ; enzymology ; Female ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligodendroglioma ; enzymology ; pathology ; Transglutaminases ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in the learning and memory functions and the hippocampal expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) in rats with status epilepticus and generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

METHODSStatus epilepticus (SE) and generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus (GNCSE) was induced by pentylenetetrazol kindling in SD rats, and the learning and memory function changes of the kindled rats were assessed by means of Morris water-maze test and Y-maze test with alternative electric stimulation. Immunocytochemistry was used for analysis pCREB protein expression in the hippocampus of the rats.

RESULTSIn Morris water-maze test, the rats with SE showed prolonged mean escape latency (P<0.05), shortened swimming time in the platform quadrant (P<0.05), and reduced number of times of platform crossing (P<0.05) in the short term after kindling. But these changes were reversed and became normal a month after the kindling (P>0.05). In the Y-maze test with alternative electric stimulation, the total error (TE) of SE rats increased significantly in the short term after epilepsy (P<0.05), but recovered the normal level a month after kindling (P>0.05). The GNCSE rats showed prolonged mean escape latency at only certain time periods (P<0.05) in the short term, but with swimming time in the platform quadrant and number of platform crossings similar to the control group (P>0.05). The short-term TE of GNCSE rats increased significantly (P<0.05), but in the long term, TE was similar to that in the control group (P>0.05). The expression of pCREB decreased significantly in SE group in comparison with the control group in the short term.

CONCLUSIONEpileptic seizures can lead to learning and memory function impairment in rats, and SE seems to cause greater impact than GNCSE on the learning and memory functions. pCREB might be involved in the pathophysiology of learning and memory deficit in epileptic rats.

Animals ; CREB-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Kindling, Neurologic ; Maze Learning ; Memory Disorders ; physiopathology ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Status Epilepticus ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; physiopathology

AIMSD rats were utilized for the purpose of the exploration of effects of status epilepticus (SE) on their emotional behavior, spatial learning and memory, and explorating its molecular mechanism.

METHODSForty maturity male SD rats, weighing (200 +/- 20) g were divided randomly and equally into SE group (SG) and normal control group (NG). The SG rats were induced by Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and the control animals received a saline (0.9%) solution. The change of emotional behavior in two groups were tested in elevated plus maze. Furthermore, Morris water maze was applied to evaluate the effects by SE on spatial learning and memory in rats. At the same time, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor NR1 subunit mRNA in the hippocampus was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIn elevated plus test, SE rats increased the times of visits as well as the time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze (P < 0.01). In Morris water maze, the mean escape latency for the SE rats looking for hidden platform in the place navigation test prolonged (P < 0.01). The efficiency of their search strategy was poor (P < 0.05). The swimming time in platform region and the percentage of their swimming time decreased (P < 0.01). The number of times they crossed the platform area decreased (P < 0.01). Meanwhile the expression of NR1 subunit mRNA in hippocampus was lower (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe experimental results showed that SE could result in the change of emotional behavior and damage of spatial learning and memory in rats. NR1 might be involved in the patho- and physiological process in causing these behavioral changes.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Pentylenetetrazole ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Status Epilepticus ; chemically induced ; metabolism

Objective To understand the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes cultured in vitro with Kashin-Beck disease(KBD) to provide the experimental evidences for treating KBD diseases with HA. Methods The articular cartilage samples collected from KBD patients were selected according to Diagnosis for Kaschin-Beck Disease(GB 16003-1995). And the normal cartilage samples were collected from victims of incidence (control). Chandrocytes were separated and cultured in vitro. Then varying dosages of HA were administered to chondrocytes and individed into 0,100,500 mg/L group, according to HA doages. The effect of HA on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes cultured/n vitro both KBD and the controls were investigated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT), Annexin V/PI staining on 2~(nd), 4~(th), 6~(th) day. Results In the control group, 500 mg/L group(0.140 ± 0.049) promoted chondrocyte proliferation significantly than 0 mg/L group (0.116 ± 0.021 ) at the 4~(th) day(P < 0.05), similar phenomenon was observed in KBD group in the 6~(th) day between 500 and 0 mg/L group(0.179 ± 0.081,0.128 ± 0.017, P< 0.05). In the KBD group, compared with 0 mg/L (12.860 ± 2.159), both 100 and 500 mg/L( 10.458 ± 1.143,7.877 ± 1.346) inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). In control, apoptosis rate of 500 mg/L group(4.045 ± 1.204) descreased compared with 0 mg/L group (7.128 ± 1.244, P < 0.05). Conclusion HA can promote the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of KBD chondrocytes cultured in vitro, and 500 mg/L HA play more effective role than that of 100 mg/L in promoting proliferation and inhibiting poptosis.

Primary systemic amyloidosis is a relatively rare disease, caused when abnormal extracellular deposition of fibrillary protein builds up in a variety of target organs, such as heart, kidneys, lungs liver, and so forth. The symptoms of the disease are usually vague, while many kinds of auxiliary or laboratory examinations especially pathologic biopsy can provide a clue for the diagnosis. Here we described a case who had purpura-like lesions in the initial stage, followed by progressive malfunctions in the kidneys, the heart, the lungs, as well as the liver. The final diagnosis was primary systemic amyloidosis determined by skin pathologic biopsy. And the disease led to a fatal outcome within three months after the diagnosis.
Amyloidosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Purpura ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDWilms' tumor (nephroblastoma) is a cancer of the kidneys that occurs typically in children and rarely in adults. Early diagnosis is very important for the treatment and prognosis of the disease. The aim of our study was to discover and identify potential non-invasive and convenient biomarkers for the diagnosis of Wilms' tumor.

METHODSNude mice were used to construct a Wilms' tumor model by injecting nephroblastoma cells into their bilateral abdomen. We collected 94 serum samples from mice consisting of 45 samples with Wilms' tumor and 49 controls. The serum proteomic profiles of the samples were analyzed via surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The candidate biomarkers were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography, identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and validated using ProteinChip immunoassays.

RESULTSWe finally retrieved two differential proteins (m/z 4509.2; 6207.9), which were identified as apolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin, respectively. The expression of apolipoprotein A-II was higher in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group (P < 0.01). By contrast, the expression of polyubiquitin was lower in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONApolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin may be used as potential biomarkers for nephroblastoma in children, and the analysis of apolipoprotein A-II may help diagnose and treat Wilms' tumor.

Animals ; Apolipoprotein A-II ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Polyubiquitin ; blood ; Proteomics ; methods ; Wilms Tumor ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThe causal agent for SARS is considered as a novel coronavirus that has never been described both in human and animals previously. The stability of SARS coronavirus in human specimens and in environments was studied.

METHODSUsing a SARS coronavirus strain CoV-P9, which was isolated from pharyngeal swab of a probable SARS case in Beijing, its stability in mimic human specimens and in mimic environment including surfaces of commonly used materials or in household conditions, as well as its resistance to temperature and UV irradiation were analyzed. A total of 10(6) TCID50 viruses were placed in each tested condition, and changes of the viral infectivity in samples after treatments were measured by evaluating cytopathic effect (CPE) in cell line Vero-E6 at 48 h after infection.

RESULTSThe results showed that SARS coronavirus in the testing condition could survive in serum, 1:20 diluted sputum and feces for at least 96 h, whereas it could remain alive in urine for at least 72 h with a low level of infectivity. The survival abilities on the surfaces of eight different materials and in water were quite comparable, revealing reduction of infectivity after 72 to 96 h exposure. Viruses stayed stable at 4 degrees C, at room temperature (20 degrees C) and at 37 degrees C for at least 2 h without remarkable change in the infectious ability in cells, but were converted to be non-infectious after 90-, 60- and 30-min exposure at 56 degrees C, at 67 degrees C and at 75 degrees C, respectively. Irradiation of UV for 60 min on the virus in culture medium resulted in the destruction of viral infectivity at an undetectable level.

CONCLUSIONThe survival ability of SARS coronavirus in human specimens and in environments seems to be relatively strong. Heating and UV irradiation can efficiently eliminate the viral infectivity.

Environment ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Pharynx ; virology ; SARS Virus ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Survival Analysis ; Ultraviolet Rays

BACKGROUNDAcute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is always associated with a high incidence and mortality. Because of the presence of some concomitant risk factors such as immobilization, bronchial superinfection, patients who are admitted for acute exacerbations of COPD are generally considered to be at moderate risk for the development of venous thromboembolism. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and the clinical manifestations of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

METHODSFrom March 2007 to March 2009, 520 consecutive patients were included in this study. On admission, color Doppler ultrasound of lower extremities in all cases was performed for diagnosing DVT. Patients with DVT were compared with those without DVT from such aspects as demographics, symptoms, physical signs and risk factors.

RESULTSAmong the 520 patients, DVT was found in 46 cases (9.7%). In patients with DVT, the duration of hospitalization was longer (P = 0.01), and the mechanical ventilation requirement increased (P < 0.001). Other indicators for patients with more possibility of DVT were immobility exceeding 3 days (P < 0.001); pneumonia as concomitance (P = 0.01); respiratory failure type II (P = 0.013); current smoking (P = 0.001). Lower extremity pain was more common in DVT cases in comparison to those without DVT (34.8% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe acute exacerbation of COPD patients, who were immobilized for over 3 days, complicated by pneumonia and had respiratory failure type II, had a higher risk of DVT. In addition, DVT detection awareness should be increased in cases that had a lower extremity pain.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; Risk Factors ; Venous Thrombosis ; epidemiology ; etiology

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of tendons layer overall release treatment by needle knife for the third lumbar transverse process syndrome (TLTPS). Methods Totally 66 cases of TLTPS patients were divided into control group and experimental groups by using random number table method, with 33 cases in each group. L3 spinous process opened 3 cm looking for tenderness. Control group received lumbar transverse pressure tender point knife release treatment. On the basis of control group, experimental group received tendons layer overall release treatment by needle knife. Both control group and experimental group received treatment once. VAS and ODI before treatment and after treatment of 1, 2 and 3 months were observed. Clinical efficacy was evaluated. Adverse reactions and complications were observed. Results The experimental group and control group lost 1 and 2 cases, respectively. Compared with before treatment, the VAS and ODI in both groups after treatment decreased (P<0.05). After treatment, the VAS and ODI in the experimental group were lower than those of the control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). The total effective rate of clinical efficacy was 96.88% (31/32) in the experimental group and 93.55% (29/31) in the control group, with experimental group better than the control group (Z=-2.756, P=0.006). There were no adverse reactions or complications in both groups. Conclusion Tendons layer overall release treatment combined with lumbar transverse pressure tender point knife release treatment for TLTPS can significantly improve the clinical efficacy of TLTPS, with long effects.

To study the differences and similarities in pharmaceutical characterization and pharmacodynamic characterization between the single decoction and merger decoction of Baihu and Guizhi. The same technology parameters were used to prepare Baihu and Guizhi single decoticon and merger decoction extracts, and then the differences and similarities in pharmaceutical characterization were analyzed based on their HPLC fingerprint, content of index components, and the extraction content. The pharmacodynamic differences and similarities were analyzed by inflammatory model and pain model. There was no significant difference in HPLC chromatographic peak, but the peak area value reflected the difference of quantity to some extent. It was found that the peak value of single Rhizoma anemarrhenae and Cassia twig decoction was less than the peak of their merger decoction, but the peak value of single honey-fried Licorice root decoction was greater than the peak of merger decoction． The contents of neomangiferin, mangiferin and timosaponin B Ⅱ among index components as well as extraction content in merger decoction were higher than those in single decoction． The contents of liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid as well as extraction content in merger decoction were lower than those in single decoction． There was no significant difference in the content of cinnamicacid and its extraction content between merger decoction and single decoction. According to the efficacy experiment, both of them showed significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. However, the merger decoction showed faster anti-inflammation effect, and longer analgesic effect. It can be concluded that the merger decoction and single decoction of Baihu and Guizhi have the same material basis, and the merger decoction is better for the dissolution of the active ingredients in this recipe, and is more beneficial to the therapeutic effect.