Objective The quantitative pharmacoelectroencephalography ( QPEEG ) of many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), such as carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenobarbital and topiramate but not levetiracetam (LEV), have been studied. This study is to investigate the effect of LEV on QPEEG. Methods One dose of LEV at l g was administrated to 12 healthy adults (6 males, average age at 26 years, average height at l.67 m). The EEG samples (of 180 seconds each) were obtained prior to and at regular intervals ( 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 24 hours) after administration of LEV. The EEG activity was processed with the power spectral analysis and separated into different frequency bands. The absolute powers of both occipital and frontal lobes were calculated through 30 seconds epochs without artifacts for each recording. The statistical difference between baseline pre-drug control and each post-drug assessment was evaluated by the Wilcoxon matched-paired rank test. Results The power of α1-band and β-band increased bilaterally over both frontal and occipital lobes after the administration of LEV. There was no change of α2-band over bilateral frontal lobes, but increased in double peaks shape with the low point at the 6 hours after the administration. The power of α1-band showed the significant change after the administration at the 1.5 hours (18.8950, Z= -3.059, P=0.002) in the left front, 3 hours (18.6150, Z= -2.981, P =0.003)in the right front, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 hours (61.0233, 53.9425, 47.6192 and 51.8250 respectively, Z =-3.059, -3.059, -2.903 and -3.059, all P ＜ 0.01 ) in the left occipital, and 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 hours (53.5358, 56.8092, 50.3500 and 47.1733 respectively, Z = -2.903, -3.059, -3.059 and -2.981,all P ＜ 0.01 ) in the right occipital. The power of α2-band showed the significant change after the administration at the 3 hours (73.5450, Z = - 3.059, P = 0.002) in the left occipital, and 1, 3 hours (80. 6808 and 87. 1750, Z = -2.903 and - 3.059, P = 0.004 and 0.002 respectively ) in the right occipital. The power of β-band showed the significant change after the administration at the 3 hours (3.8000, Z = -3.059, P = 0.002) in the left front, 1.5, 2 and 3 hours (4.0408, 4.3217 and 4. 1050,Z= -2.903, -3.059 and -3.061, all P＜0.01) in the right frontal, 3 hours (9.1408, Z= -3.059,P =0.002) in the left occipital, and 1.5, 3 hours (8.9267 and 9.3033, Z = -2.981 and -2.981, both P = 0.003) in the right occipital. Conclusions LEV can change the background activity of QPEEG. The changes are different from those of the other AEDs.

Objective To establish an infection model using Caenorhabditis elegans (C.elegans)-extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (XDRKP)system.Methods Clinically isolated XDRKP strains were used to infect C.elegans in the liquid killing assay,the nematode survival and the number of bacteria in C.elegans digestive tract was observed.Results C.elegans was significantly retarded after being infected by XDRKP,different concentra-tions of XDRKP led to different patterns of the worm death.Log-rank test showed that survival curves of C. elegans infected with 1 .5×106 CFU/mL of XDRKP and E.coli OP50 (control)were not significantly different (χ2 =0.08,P >0.05);survival curves of C.elegans infected with 1 .5 ×107 CFU/mL,1 .5 ×108 CFU/mL of XDRKP and E.coli OP50 were significantly different(χ2 =229.37,275.98,respectively,both P <0.001).The survival rates of 1 .5×108 and 1 .5 ×107 CFU/mL XDRKP groups were both lower than that of the control group.Supernatant suspension obtained from test was performed bacterial culture,identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, XDRKP was determined.After being infected with XDRKP 4,6,12,and 24 hours,the total number of bacteria in C.elegans were(0.28±0.02)×105 CFU/mL,(0.50 ±0.38)×105 CFU/mL,(1 .73 ±0.56)×105 CFU/mL,and (2.62±0.53)×105 CFU/mL,respectively,the number of bacteria in C.elegans digestive tract was significantly different at different time points (F =1 363.39,P <0.001).Conclusion The infection model of C.elegans-XDRKP is established successfully.

Objective To investigate the effects of postoperative sleep deprivation on the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in hippocampi of aged rats.Methods Forty-eight male Wistar rats,aged 20 months,weighing 500-600 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =12 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) ; operation group (group O) ; sleep deprivation group (group S) ; postoperative sleep deprivation group (group OS).Sleep deprivation was induced in the rats by housing them on small platforms over water.They fell into the water if they lost muscle tone.All the rats had free access to food and water.In group OS,splenectomy was performed,and all the rats underwent 24 h sleep deprivation after the rats were awake.All the rats underwent 24 h sleep deprivation at the corresponding time point in group S.Morris water maze test was carried out at 24 h after operation.The number of ChAT positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region was counted after completion of Morris water maze test.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened,and the frequency of crossing the original platform and the number of ChAT positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were decreased after operation in O and OS groups,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in group S.Compared with group O,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened,the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased,and there was no significant difference in the numberof ChAT positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region in group OS,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in group S.Compared with group S,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened,and the frequency of crossing the original platform and the number of ChAT positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were decreased after operation in group OS.Conclusion The mechanism by which postoperative sleep deprivation induces cognitive decline is not related to the expression of ChAT in hippocampi of aged rats.

Human tissue kallikrein-binding protein (Kallistatin, KAL), a secretory protein that participates in the regulation of multiple signaling pathways by binding to the extracellular receptor, however, at present has not been reported about the intracellular activity, and whether it has the similar biological activity with extracellular activity. Here we constructed no signal peptide KAL (NSK) into the adeno-associated virus vector to explore the intracellular activity of KAL. Both the endothelial cell and lung cancer cells could express KAL, but not secreted after rAAV2-NSK transfection. The proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were inhibited, but the apoptosis rate was not affected. The proliferation rates, mobility and tubule formation of all the three tested lung cancer cells, such as NCI-H446, NCI-H460 and A549, were inhibited to different extents. This cellular study not only confirmed the intracellular activity, but also suggested it may serve as a kind of "balance factor" in multi-targeted controlling, which may provide a new train of thoughts to explain the regulatory contradiction in PI3K-Akt signaling pathways by KAL.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Dependovirus ; Genetic Vectors ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Serpins ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

ObjectiveTo discuss the selection of surgical approach,operative methods,and stability of reconstitution of affection of cervicothoracic junction.MethodsFrom January 2001 to February 2009,86cases with affection of cervicothoracic junction were treated surgically.The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 43.1 years (range,17-70).Fifty-seven patients were treated with anterior approach (fixation with autologous bone grafts was done in 38 patients,Cage fixation in 5,titanium mesh in 14),21 with posterior approach(the fixation of lateral mass screw combined with pedicle screw was used in 12 patients,fixation with pedicle screw in 9),and 8 with anterior combined posterior approach.The neurological function of 53 cases of injury of cervicothoracic junction was assessed by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) criteria,and the rest was assessed by Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) criteria; bone arthrodesis and restoring lordosis of cervical spine were assessed by Bohlman radiographic criteria.ResultsSixty-nine cases were followed up for an average of 12.4 months(range,3-45).ASIA score increased from 1.8 preoperatively to 2.3 postoperatively,and JOA score increased from 10.3 preoperatively to 12.8 postoperatively.Bone fusion reached in all patients,and lordosis of the cervical spine of 62 cases was restored.One case with respiratory dysfunction,1 case with cerebrospinal fluid leakage,2 cases with hoarseness,and 1 case with loose lateral mass screw were found after the surgery.ConclusionThe advantages of surgical reconstitution of the cervicothoracic junction included promoting recovery of neurological function,restoring the alignment and lordosis of the cervical spine,decreasing the rate of complication,which were dependent on the suitable surgical indications,surgical approach,and way of surgical reconstitution.The selection of reconstituted methods depends on disease,lesion site,type and degree of injury,experience of doctor,decompression and spinal stabilization synthetically.

Objective To identify the disease-causing gene mutation and investigate the genotypephenotype correlation in a Chinese pedigree with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Methods In this study we collected a large multigenerational Chinese family with FHCM.Total genome DNA was extracted from 67 subjects' peripheral leucocytes.The exons and boundary introns of MYH7 gene was amplified by PCR and directly sequenced by ABI PRISM 3700 DNA sequencer.Then,the mutation was examined.Results Fourteen family members had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,including 4 deceased 2 of whom died from sudden death at young age.Analysis by echocardiography showed all the 10 living affected individuals have a maximal leftventricular-wall thickness of at least 13 mm.Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) which had been reported in NCBI SNP database,were found mutated.No mutation co-seperated with the disease was identified.Conclusion FHCM of this family was not caused by MYH7 mutation.Other genes should be screened to further identify the disease-causing gene mutation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Fifteen compounds were obtained from the twigs and leaves of Caesalpinia minax. Their structures were identified as apigenin (1), 5,7,3',4'- tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone (2), luteolin-5, 3 '-dimethyl-ether (3), thevetiaflavon (4), apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronide (5), bonducellin (6), 7-hydroxy-3-( 4-hydroxybenzylidene )-chroman-4-one (7), 3-deoxysappanchalcone (8), 5-acetonyl-7-hydroxy-2-methyl chromone (9), 4-(trans)-acetyl-3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl-dihydronaphthalenone (10), 4-(cis)-acetyl-3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl-dihydronaphthalenone (11), vanillic acid (12), omega-hydroxypropioquaiacone (13), syringaresinol (14) and uracil (15). All compounds were isolated from C. minax for the first time. Compounds 1-14 were phenolic compounds and compounds 1-5, 9-13 and 15 were isolated from the genus Caesalpinia for the first time.
Caesalpinia ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Phenols ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

The rat model of multi-infarct was adopted in this study to elucidate the protective mechanism of Sailuotong capsule (Sailuotong) in recovery period of multiple cerebral infarction. The effects of Sailuotong on levels of Glu, GABA and the expression of NMDA receptor subtypes including NR1, NR2A and NR2B, were detected. The multi-infarct model rats were established by injecting embolizing microsphere via internal carotid artery, and were given Sailuotong treatment (16.5 and 33.0 mg x kg(-1)) for 60 days. The pathological changes in brain ultrastructure were observed by transmission electron microscope. The levels of Glu and GABA in brain tissue were measured with high performance liquid chromatography. The expression of NMDA receptors including NR1, NR2A and NR2B in neurons was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Compared with the sham rats, abnormal changes were observed in ultrastructures of neurons, neuroglia cells and synapses of model rat brains. Moreover, significant decrease of Glu and GABA, as well as the elevated expression of NR1, NR2A and NR2B were detected in brain tissues. Sailuotong (16.5 and 33.0 mg x kg(-1)) could improve ultrastructure of cerebral tissue, facilitate synthesis of Glu and GABA, and down-regulate expression of NR1, NR2A and NR2B in neurons. The results demonstrated that Sailuotong could exert neuroprotective effects to some extent in the recovery phase of multiple cerebral infarction by promoting expression of NMDA receptors and synthesis of Glu and GABA.
Animals ; Capsules ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Cerebral Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; classification ; metabolism ; Synapses ; metabolism ; pathology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of intrauterine hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on peripheral blood mononuclear cells function of secreting interferon-gamma and interleukin-4.

METHODSPregnant women were systematically screened for HBsAg and HBeAg when attending the antenatal clinic at the Qinhuangdao Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Totally 67 pairs of mothers and infants were enrolled into this study after obtaining the women's consent. Venous blood samples were collected from the infants within 6 hours after birth and before HBIG injection and HBVac immunization. Blood sample was taken from the mother at or after the time when the infant was born. HBV DNA in plasma and PBMC from mothers and their newborns were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). According to HBV DNA in PBMC of newborns, they were divided into two groups. The PBMCs isolated from newborn were cultured with purified HBsAg or phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The supernatant interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma level was measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSIn 19 newborns PBMC was positive for HBV DNA. Maternal PBMC HBV DNA positivity was associated with high rate of intrauterine HBV infection in the infants (chi2 = 7.58, P < 0.01). Compared with the infants whose PBMC HBV DNA was negative, the infants with PBMC positive for HBV DNA expressed a lower level interferon-gamma secretion after purified HBsAg stimulation (t = 4.71, P < 0.01), however, no significant difference was seen after PHA stimulation (t = 1.21, P > 0.05). The supernatant IL-4 level detected after stimulation with purified HBsAg was higher in the newborns whose PBMC HBV DNA was positive as compared with those negative for PBMC HBV DNA (t = -8.51, P < 0.05). The level of IL-4 did not show any significant difference after stimulation with PHA between the PBMC HBV DNA negative and positive groups (t = -2.40, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInfection with HBV of maternal PBMC is responsible for perinatal newborn's PBMC HBV infection and it may be an important route of HBV vertical transmission. Infants whose mothers were positive for HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were at extraordinarily high risk for hepatitis B virus infection. PBMC infected with HBV could influence the status of humoral and cellular immunity resulting in persistent HBV infection and recurrent mother to infant transmission of HBV. Low responses of interferon-gamma and high interleukin-4 transcription upon specific stimulation exist in infants whose PBMC were positive for HBV DNA in uterus may contribute to immune tolerance to HBV.

DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; transmission ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Interleukin-4 ; secretion ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; virology

BACKGROUNDMicrovascular Decompression (MVD) operation is the most reliable treatment for hemifacial spasm (HFS), but it causes many complications. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the factors relavent to the effects and postoperative complications of microvascular decompression on hemifacial spasm.

METHODSA total of 1200 HFS patients treated with MVD were studied retrospectively. The root exit zone (REZ) of the facial nerve was exposed through the infraflocculus approach, the offending vessels were identified and separated from the REZ, and a Teflon graft was interposed between the offending vessels and the brain stem. Brain stem auditory evoked potential (AEP) was monitored intraoperatively.

RESULTSThe offending vessels can be identified in all patients. The anteroinferior cerebellar artery was the main offending vessel (42.6%). Patients with vertebral artery compression had a multiple vascular compression fashion. Follow-up for 2 - 10 years (mean 4.2 years) showed that 88.7% patients were cured and 5.6% relieved, with an effective rate of 94.3%. Recurrence rate was 3.2%, and the ineffective rate was 2.6%. The most frequent complication was hearing dysfunction (2.8%).

CONCLUSIONSMVD is the most definitive treatment method of HFS. The key procedures of this operation include adequate exposure of the REZ, identification of the offending vessels, and proper positioning of Teflon grafts. Complications can be reduced effectively by utilizing a real-time AEP monitoring during the operation.

Adult ; Aged ; Decompression, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Female ; Hemifacial Spasm ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies