Genomics ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; genetics

Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; etiology ; Homocysteine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective To investigate the influence of the different degree of internal carotid stenosis on the white matter lesion and cognition of Binswanger disease.Methods A total of 108 elderly patients with Binswanger disease from Department of Geriatric Neurology of Qilu Hospital were recruited during December 2013 and June 2014.At the end of follow-up,6 cases showed acute eerebrovaseular disease,39 (＜ 10 ％) had no internal carotid stenosis,31 (10 ％-49 ％) had mild internal carotid stenosis,32 (50％-70％)had moderate internal carotid stenosis through B ultrasound examination and MRI and MRA examination on internal carotid artery and brain.The B ultrasound examination of internal carotid artery included intima-media thickness (IMT),plaque index and the peak systolic velocity (PSV).Cognitive function of Binswagner disease was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA).The white matter lesion was assessed by reformed visual Scheltens scale.The relationship among IMT,plaque index,PSV,white matter lesion,and cognitive function was investigated.The variation of cognition was observed after 1 year.Results There were statistically significant differences in IMT,PSV,plaque index,reformed Scheltens scale scores between groups of non,mild,moderate internal carotid stenosis (all P ＜0.05).The IMT was thicker in moderate internal carotid stenosis group than in mild internal carotid stenosis group (P＜0.05).The differences in PSV,plaque index,and reformed Scheltens scale scores between mild and moderate internal carotid stenosis groups were not significant (P＞0.05).There were positive correlation between PSV and reformed Scheltens scale scores (r=0.630,P =0.020).There were negative correlation between PSV and MMSE scores (r=-0.970,P=0.040).The scores of MMSE and MOCA both were declined after 1 year in three groups (0.61 ± 0.60,0.68 ± 0.81),(0.70±0.60,0.93±0.69),(1.06±0.68,1.13±0.76).The declination of MMSE and MOCA of BD patients was higher in moderate internal carotid stenosis group than in non internal carotid stenosis group (P＜0.05).The differences in the declination of MMSE and MOCA between moderate and mild internal carotid stenosis groups were not significant (P＞ 0.05).Conclusions Internal carotid stenosis is one of risk factors for the cognitive impairment of BD,the abnormal IMT and PSV are both correlated with white matter lesion and cognitive impairment in BD.Early standardized therapy can postpone the rate of cognitive impairment in BD.

Objective To investigate the usage of distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAE) in normal infants hearing screening.Methods One hundred infants(200 ears) without clinical condition of illness were checked in GSI 70 DPOAE screening.The pure tones were 2,3,4 kHz,the OAE screener scored the test result as a pass,when the responses were above the PASS/REFER line and the signal-to-noise was at least 10 dB.Results Ninty-four infants(188 ears) passed hearing screening. Four infants(8 ears) with ceruminous impaction didn′t pass screening;after extracting impacted cerumen from the external auditory meatus,the 4 infants(8 ears) passed screening.Two infants(2 ears) with secretory otitis media didn′t pass screening,but after medicine treatment for 1 week,they passed screening too.Conclusion DPOAE has advantages in infants hearing screening.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2006,21(3):168-169

AIMTo determine the protective effect and influence on NOS expression of Montelukast sodium--a leukotriene antagonist on myocardial necrosis in rats.

METHODSMyocardial ischemia and necrosis were induced in rats by isoproterenol (2 mg.kg-1, s.c., qd for 2 d). Serum activity of LDH, CK, MDA, NO content in myocardium and scope of myocardial necrosis were measured. nNOS, iNOS and eNOS were investigated by immunohistochemical evaluation.

RESULTSDecreased serum level of LDH, CK, MDA and attenuated myocardial necrosis area were found in rats pretreated with Montelukast sodium 10 and 30 mg.kg-1. Montelukast sodium 30 mg.kg-1 also enhanced NO content in myocardium. Montelukast sodium activated the eNOS expression and reduced the iNOS expression.

CONCLUSIONMontelukast sodium is cardioprotective during myocardial injury in rats by halting the leukotrienes-induced inflammatory response and upregulating the eNOS expression as well as downregulating the iNOS expression. This may represent an approach to the treatment of myocardial ischemia with leukotriene antagonists.

Acetates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Female ; Isoproterenol ; Leukotriene Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Necrosis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Quinolines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase induced (EMMPRIN) in the interface tissue, and explore the role of EMMPRIN in the aseptic loosening of prostheses.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was performed to characterize the EMMPRIN-expressing cells at sites of interface tissue around aseptic loosened hip prostheses in 16 cases. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to study the existence of EMMPRIN mRNA in interface tissue samples. And it was followed up by computer assisted image analysis in order to detect the A values of their expression. Synovium of hip joint of 8 femoral neck fracture were in control group.

RESULTSStrong immunostaining of EMMPRIN was found in the macrophages and fibroblasts of lining-like layers and vascular endothelium of synovial membrane-like interface tissue around loosened prostheses. Expression of EMMPRIN was significantly higher in interface tissue than the control synovium (z=-3.252, P=0.001). RT-PCR of interface tissue samples disclosed the presence of EMMPRIN mRNA of 14 cases. In interface tissue, the A value of EMMPRIN increased significantly compared to control synovium (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONOver-expression of EMMPRIN up-regulates the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) in the interface tissue. And it can promote the bone destruction around prostheses. Thereby it may be one of methods to prevent and treat aseptic loosening of prostheses by repression the biology activity of EMMPRIN.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Basigin ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Osteolysis ; physiopathology ; Prosthesis Failure ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Synovial Membrane ; metabolism

Adolescent ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fistula ; congenital ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the seroprevalence of human T-cell leukaemia virus type I/II (HTLV-I/II) infection in adult population in the east coastal areas of Fujian and to explore the possible risk factors of HTLV-I/II.

METHODSA total number of 3259 blood samples from drug users, sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients, prostitutes and blood donors for serologic assays during 1999 to 2002, were collected. All samples were screened for HTLV-I/II antibody, using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. All of the positive samples were confirmed by western blot (WB) kits. Statistical analysis was done by Epi software, and chi(2) test by Fisher's exact test. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTSThe overall seroprevalence rate of HTLV-I/II in healthy populations was 0.06% including, 0.32% in drug users, 0.58% in STD patients and prostitutes respectively. HTLV-II had not been found. The seropositive rates for HTLV-I in STD patients and prostitutes were significantly higher than the findings among healthy populations (P < 0.05). There were no different seroprevalence rates between drug users and healthy populations (P > 0.05). No significant changes in HTLV-I prevalence rates were found in the different age groups as well as in Fuzhou and Linde cities (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe result suggested that in the east coastal areas of Fujian province, HTLV-I was the main prevalent virus. The seroprevalence of HTLV-I was very low, with no HTLV-II. Neither age nor gender seemed to be HTLV-I risk factor in the east coastal areas of Fujian province, but the increase of exposure to sex might be one.

China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; isolation & purification ; Female ; HTLV-I Antibodies ; blood ; HTLV-I Antigens ; immunology ; HTLV-I Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; HTLV-II Antibodies ; blood ; HTLV-II Antigens ; immunology ; HTLV-II Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVEMutations in CACNA1A, which encodes the P/Q-type calcium channel subunit, are responsible for at least 3 allelic diseases, namely type 2 episodic ataxia (EA-2), familial hemiplegic migraine?type-1 (FHM1), and spinocerebellar ataxia type-6?(SCA 6). Herein we present a case of ataxia with episodic tremors in a 19-year-old man with a missense mutation of CACNA1A gene and summarize the clinical features, genetic analysis and treatment in this case and in his affected family members.

METHODSPhysical examinations were conducted for the patient and his affected family members. DNA sample from the proband was analyzed with next-generation sequencing technology to identify the causative mutation. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the gene mutation in the family members.

RESULTSPhysical examinations of the patient revealed signs of ataxia, drunken gait, and tremor of his head and body. Four other members in his family had similar but much milder symptoms. A heterozygous missense mutation in CACNA1A (NM_001127221.1 c.4034G->A, p.R1345Q, exon 25) was identified in the proband, which was confirmed in the affected family members. The proband did not respond to methazolamide treatment, but his tremor symptom was well controlled with flunarizine, a calcium channel blocker.

CONCLUSIONBased on the clinical features, mutation analysis and treatment response, we suggest that this patient with a missense CACNA1A mutation, R1345Q, has a new type of ataxia with episodic tremor other than any of EA2, FHM1, or SCA 6.

Ataxia ; genetics ; Calcium Channels ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Tremor ; genetics ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDOsteochondral lesion repair is a challenging area of orthopedic surgery. Here we aimed to develop an extracellular matrix-derived, integrated, biphasic scaffold and to investigate the regeneration potential of the scaffold loaded with chondrogenically-induced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the repair of a large, high-load-bearing, osteochondral defect in a canine model.

METHODSThe biphasic scaffolds were fabricated by combining a decellularization procedure with a freeze-drying technique and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Osteochondral constructs were fabricated in vitro using chondrogenically-induced BMSCs and a biphasic scaffold, then assessed by SEM for cell attachment. Osteochondral defects (4.2 mm (diameter) × 6 mm (depth)) were created in canine femoral condyles and treated with a construct of the biphasic scaffold/chondrogenically-induced BMSCs or with a cell-free scaffold (control group). The repaired defects were evaluated for gross morphology and by histological, biochemical, biomechanical and micro-CT analyses at 3 and 6 months post-implantation.

RESULTSThe osteochondral defects of the experimental group showed better repair than those of the control group. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the macroscopic and histologic grading scores of the experimental group were always higher than those of the control group, and that the scores for the experimental group at 6 months were significantly higher than those at 3 months. The cartilage stiffness in the experimental group (6 months) was (6.95 ± 0.79) N/mm, 70.77% of normal cartilage; osteochondral bone stiffness in the experimental group was (158.16± 24.30) N/mm, 74.95% of normal tissue; glycosaminoglycan content of tissue-engineered neocartilage was (218 ± 21.6) µg/mg (dry weight), 84.82% of native cartilage. Micro-CT analysis of the subchondral bone showed mature trabecular bone regularly formed at 3 and 6 months, with no significant difference between the experimental and control groups.

CONCLUSIONThe extracellular matrix-derived, integrated, biphasic scaffold shows potential for the repair of large, high-load-bearing osteochondral defects.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bone Regeneration ; physiology ; Cartilage, Articular ; surgery ; Dogs ; Extracellular Matrix ; chemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry ; X-Ray Microtomography