Objective To evaluate the value of prenatal gene diagnosis for thalassemia. Methods 128 fetuses suspected with thalassemia were performed amniocentesis or cordocentesis for gene diagnosis. Results No severe complications occurred during all procedures. 32 fetuses had normal genotype. 38 were heterozygous and 27 were homozygous of ?- thalassemia; 18 were heterozygous, 4 were homozygous and 9 were double heterozygous of ?-thalassemia. The types and frequencis of ?-thalassemia mutation were CD 41-42(47.5%), IVS-Ⅱ-654(42.5%), 17(A-T)(7.5%) and -28 (A-G)(2.5%) in turn. Pregnancies of 40 fetuses with severe thalassemia were terminated in time. Conclusions The screening and prenatal diagnosis of high risk fetus for thalassemia is safe, effective and accurate. It should be used as an obstetrical routine examination at the region with high thalassemia occurrence.

AIM:To evaluate the expression level of CXC chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient ( ApoE-/-) mice induced by high-fat diet ( HFD) and the effects of atorvastatin on it .METH-ODS:ApoE-/-male mice (8-week-old) were used and were randomly divided into 3 groups following 1-week normal ro-dent diet:normal diet control (NDC) group , HFD group and HFD+statins (HFD+Sat) group.HE staining and oil red O staining were used to observe the atherosclerotic lesion burdens in the aortas .The expression of CXCR7 on the aortas was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry .The expression of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( eNOS) in the aorta was determined by Western blot .RESULTS: Few lesions were found in the aortas in NDC group .Apparent atherosclerotic plaque burdens were seen in HFD group and HFD +Sat group, while the atherosclerotic plaque burdens in HFD+Sat group were notably reduced compared with HFD group .The protein levels of CXCR7, eNOS and Akt in aorta in HFD group and HFD+Sat group were significantly decreased compared with NDC group , while those in HFD+Sat group were increased compared with HFD group .The protein level of p-eNOS in the aorta and the concentration of NO in the plas-ma in HFD group were decreased compared with NDC group and HFD +Sat group.CONCLUSION: In ApoE-/-mice, HFD increases the lipid level and promotes the development of atherosclerosis by downregulating the expression of CXCR 7, Akt and eNOS.Atorvastatin reverses the above effect of hypercholesterolemia on the expression of CXCR 7, Akt and eNOS, thus playing the role in treating atherosclerosis .

Objective To investigate the changes in trafficking of GluRl-containing AMPA (GluR1-AMPA) receptor and GluR2-AMPA receptor from cytoplasm to cell membrane in the spinal cord dorsal horn in a rat model of incisional pain.Methods Thirty-two adult male SD rats aged 6-8 weeks weighing 280-300 g were randomly divided into 2 groups:control group (group C,n =8) and incisional pain group (group Ⅰ,n =24).An 1 cm long incision was made in the plautar surface of right hindpaw according to Brennan et al.in group Ⅰ.Cumulative pain score (CPS) and paw-withdrawal threshold to yon Frey stimuli (PWT) were measured at 3 h and day 1 and 3 afar incision ( T1,2,3 ).The animals were sacrificed after pain behavior assessment.Their lumbar segments of the spinal cord (L3-6) were removed.The expression of GluR1 and GluR2 in cell membrane and cytoplasm in spinal cord dorsal horn was determined by Western blot analysis.The co-expression of Stargazing with GluR1 and GluR2 in the spinal cord dorsal horn was examined by co-immuno-precipitation.Results The CPS was increased and PWT decreased; the GluR1 expression in cytoplasm was decreased while the expression of GluR1 in cell membrane and the co-expression of Stargazing with GluR1 were up-regulated in group Ⅰ as compared with group C.There was no significant change in the expression of GluR2 in cytoplasm and cell membrane and the co-expression of Stargazing with GluR2 in group Ⅰ as compared with group C.Conclusion GluR1-AMPA receptor transfers from cytoplasm to cell membrane but GluR2-AMPA receptor does not in rats with incisional pain.

Objective:To provide reference for the treatment of lipoprotein glomerulopathy and to investigate the participation of clinical pharmacists in the whole treatment course. Methods: Three different treatment regimens, including immunosuppressive thera-py, dual plasma filtration therapy and lipid-lowering combined with reducing urinary protein therapy was respectively adopted for one patient with lipoprotein glomerulopathy, and the efficacy was evaluated. Clinical pharmacists assisted physicians in deciding treatment regimen, performed pharmaceutical care, adjusted medication and analyzed the prognosis of the patient during the follow-up. Results:1. Immunosuppressive therapy was ineffective for the patient;2. The dual filtration acted quickly, while the expense was high and the disease was easy to relapse;3. The third therapy was relatively safer and more economical with long-term effect. Conclusion:Combi-nation therapy of lowering lipid and reducing urinary protein is the most suitable treatment regimen for the patient with lipoprotein glo-merulopathy. Clinical pharmacists play an important role in the whole course of treatment to assist physicians in obtaining the maximum benefit of patients.

Objective To evaluate the effect of pretreatment with botulinum toxin A injected intrath?ecally or locally at the incision site on the neurokinin?1 ( NK?1) receptor internalization in the spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of incisional pain. Methods Male Sprague?Dawley rats, weighing 280-300 g, aged 6-8 weeks, were used in the study. The experiment was performed in two parts. ExperimentⅠ Twenty?seven rats with no sign of nerve injury at day 7 after successful catheterization were selected and divided into 3 groups (n=9 each) using a random number table: control group (C1 group), incisional pain group (IP1 group) and intrathecal botulinum toxin A group (BoNT∕A1 group). At 24 h before operation, botulinum tox?in A 0.5 U ( in 10μl of normal saline) was injected intrathecally in group BoNT∕A1, and normal saline 10μl was injected intrathecally in group IP1. ExperimentⅡ Twenty?seven rats were selected and divided into 3 groups (n=9 each) using a random number table: control group (group C2), incisional pain group (IP2 group) and locally injected botulinum toxin A at the incision site group (BoNT∕A2 group). At 24 h before op?eration, botulinum toxin A 2 U ( in 0.4 ml of normal saline) was injected subcutaneously at the incision site and into the plantar surface, and normal saline 0.4 ml was injected subcutaneously at the incision site and into the plantar surface in group IP2. Six rats in each group were selected, and the cumulative pain score (CPS) was recorded, and the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold ( MWT) in the right hindpaw was measured be?fore administration, before operation, and at 3 h and 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after operation. At 3 h after opera?tion, 3 rats in each group were selected and sacrificed, and the lumbar segment ( L4,5 ) of the spinal cord was removed for determination of the expression of NK?1 receptors in the spinal dorsal horn by immunofluores?cence. Results ExperimentⅠ Compared with group C1, the CPS was significantly increased at 3 h and 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after operation, the MWT was significantly decreased at 3 h and 1 and 3 days after opera?tion, and the expression of NK?1 receptors in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly up?regulated in group IP1, and the CPS was significantly increased at 3 h and 1, 3 and 5 days after operation, the MWT was sig?nificantly decreased at 3 h after operation ( P<0.05) , and no significant change was found in the expression of NK?1 receptors in the spinal dorsal horn in group BoNT∕A1 (P>0.05). Compared with group IP1, the CPS was significantly decreased, and the MWT was significantly increased at 3 h and 1, 3, and 5 days after oper?ation, and the expression of NK?1 receptors in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly down?regulated in group BoNT∕A1 (P<0.05). ExperimentⅡ Compared with group C2, the CPS was significantly increased at 3 h and 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after operation, the MWT was significantly decreased at 3 h and 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after operation, and the expression of NK?1 receptors in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly up?regu?lated in group IP2, and the CPS was significantly increased at 3 h and 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after operation, the MWT was significantly decreased at 3 h after operation ( P<0.05) , and no significant change was found in the expression of NK?1 receptors in the spinal dorsal horn in group BoNT∕A2 ( P>0.05) . Compared with group IP2, the CPS was significantly decreased at 3 h and 1, 3, and 5 days after operation, the MWT was signifi?cantly increased at 3 h and 1 and 3 days after operation, and the expression of NK?1 receptors in the spinal dorsal horn was significantly down?regulated in group BoNT∕A2 (P<0.05). Conclusion Pretreatment with botulinum toxin A injected intrathecally or locally at the incision site can inhibit the internalization of NK?1 re?ceptors in the spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of incisional pain.

The intestinal microecosystem is composed of natural microflora, intestinal epithelial cells, and intestinal mucosal immune system. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic stress-induced liver injury associated with insulin resistance and genetic susceptibility. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence showing the involvement of imbalanced intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Overgrowth of intestinal microflora, increased permeability of intestinal mucosa, intestinal endotoxemia, and production of inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the development of NAFLD. Further studies on the relationship between intestinal microflora imbalance and the pathogenesis of NAFLD may shed light on the treatment and prevention of NAFLD.

Objective This study was aimed at investigating the ability of temporal gap detection (TGD) in listeners with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD ) .Methods The temporal gap detection thresholds were measured for subjects using a TGD program developed by University of California ,Irvine .Three groups of subjects were recruited in this study ,including 12 subjects with normal hearing ,12 subjects with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) ,and 15 subjects with ANSD .The differences of TGD thresholds among the three groups of subjects were analyzed using a one - sample ANOVA method .Results No significant difference of the TGD thresh‐old was observed between two ears for all the subjects .The mean and standard deviation of the gap - detection threshold for both ears was about 3 .9 ± 1 .1 ms ,3 .6 ± 1 .1 ms ,and 13 .7 ± 9 .9 ms for normal - hearing subjects , subjects with SNHL ,and subjects with ANSD ,respectively .The TGD threshold in subjects with ANSD was sig‐nificantly higher than those of in normal hearing group (P< 0 .01) and SNHL group (P< 0 .01) ,while no signifi‐cant difference was found in TGD thresholds between normal - hearing subjects and subjects with SNHL .Conclusion For listeners with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder ,their ability to resolve temporal information was de‐graded with a large individual variability .

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol on the phosphoryhtion of α-amino-3-hydroxy5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate(AMPA)receptor GluR1 subunits at Serine-831 and Serine-845 sites in the spinal cord dorsal horn in a rat model of visceral pain.Methods Thirty male SD rars,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 200300 g,in which intrathecal catheters were successfully placed without complications,were randomly divided into 3 groups(n-=10 each):sham operation group(group Ⅰ),visceral pain group(group Ⅱ)and propofol group (group Ⅲ).Visceral pain was induced by injection of 10％ capsaicin 50μl via the rectum in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ.While the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group Ⅰ.Group Ⅲ received intrathecal injection of propofol 20 tg at 10 min before injection of capsaicin.While the equal volume of dimethyl sulfoxide was given instead of propofol in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ.The cumulative pain score was recorded during 30 min after capsaicin injection.The rats were then sacrificed,and the lumbar segment(L3-6)of the spinal cord was removed for determination of the expression of GluR1 subunits and phosphorylation of GluR1 subunits at Serine-831 and Serine-845 sites in the spinal cord dorsal horn.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,the cumulative pain score and phosphorylation of GluR1 subunits at Serine-831 sites and Serine-845 in the spinal cord dorsal horn were significantly increased(P ＜0.05 or 0.01),but there were no significant differences in the expression of GluR1 subunits in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group Ⅱ,the cumulative pain score and phosphorylation of GluRl subunits at Serine831 and Serine-845 sites in the spinal cord dorsal horn were significantly decreased in group Ⅲ(P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).Conclusion Propofol can attenuate the visceral pain through the inhibition of the phosphorylation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunits at Serine-831 and Serine-845 sites in tte rat spinal cord dorsal horn.

Objective Methylation of anti-oncogene can be demethylated by related drugs which can help the inactivated gene to express again .This study aims to study the effects of the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine on the growth of human thyroid papillary cancer cell line TPC-1 and mRNA and protein expres-sion of KLF4.Methods TPC-1 cells were treated with different concentration of 5-Aza-CdR.MTT was used to detect the influence of 5-Aza-CdR on cell proliferation .RT-PCR was used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of KLF4.Results After being treated with 5-Aza-CdR for 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours, the growth of TPC-1 cells was inhibited and the inhibition was in time and concentration depended manner .After treatment with 5-Aza-CdR, mRNA and protein expression levels of KLF 4 were increased, and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion 5-Aza-CdR can inhibit the cell viability of TPC-1 cells through upregulat-ing KLF4 expression , which may provide experimental basis for 5-Aza-CdR in treating thyroid cancer .

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the ability of lexical tone perception in listeners with sensorineural hearing impairment and auditory. neuropathy spectrum disorder. METHOD: Three groups of subjects were recruited in this study, including 11 subjects with normal hearing, 14 subjects with sensorineural hearing impairment, and 25 subjects with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. Ten monosyllabic syllables were selected, and combined with four lexical tones which were made up of 40 tone tokens as the original test materials. Then, these original words were recorded using one adult male and one adult female native Beijing Mandarin speaker. The speakers were asked to record these 40 monosyllabic words multiple times, and the 80 tokens in which the durations of four tones in each monosyllabic word were within 5ms precision were chosen as the test tone tokens. The subjects were asked to perform a four-alternative forced-choice study and select which tone they had heard. RESULT: The mean and standard deviation of the tone perception correct scores for normal-hearing subjects, subjects with sensorineural hearing impairment, and subjects with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder were (97.3 ± 2.8)%, (88.0 ± 9.9)%, and (65.7 ± 17.1)%, respectively. Significant differences in tone perception scores were found to be between subjects with normal hearing and subjects with sensorineural hearing impairment (P < 0.01) and between subjects with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (P < 0.01). In addition, a significant difference was found to be between subjects with sensorineural hearing impairment and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (P < 0.05). A significantly negative correlation was observed between tone perception score and pure tone hearing thresholds for both subjects with sensorineural hearing loss (r = -0.756, P < 0.01) and subjects with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (r = -0.546, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION As the hearing loss became more severe, the ability to perceive lexical tone for both subjects with sensorineural hearing loss and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder reduced. Subjects with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder had more degraded ability to perceive lexical tone and a larger individual difference, in comparison with subjects with sensorineural hearing loss.
Adult ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss, Central ; physiopathology ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Speech Perception