Objective To explore the relationship between the genesis of dyskinesia and the degree of substantia nigra lesion in Parkinson disease(PD).Methods The hemi-parkinsonian rat model was established by injecting 6-OHDA stereotaxically to right medial forebrain bundle(MFB). Then the hemi-parkinsonian rat was injected intraperitoneally with levodopa methylester(25 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),twice a day)for 21 days,the abnormal involuntary movements were estimated.After being sacrificed,the midbrain was removed,and the injured degree of dopaminergic neurons at substantia nigra was observed by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry staining.The relationship between the abnormal involuntary movement scores and dopaminergic neurons loss at substantia nigra was evaluated by sigmoid equation analysis by using Excel software.Results The apomorphine-induced rotation rate above 7 r/min was found in 10 of 25 rats,those rats were regarded as successful hemi-parkinsonian model rats.After the treatment with levodopa methylester,8 of 10 rats displayed abnormal involuntary movements,including stereotype and contralateral rotation,the types of movements varied.Abnormal involuntary movements were appeared in the rats with dopaminergic neurons loss above 90%.The positive relationship was observed between the degree of lesion in substantia nigra and the severity of abnormal involuntary movements.Conclusions The severe loss of dopaminergic neurons at substantia nigra probably plays a role in the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patient with Parkinson disease.

Objective To investigate cellular and behavioural effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8- OH-DPAT in a rat model of levodopa-induced motor complications.Methods The hemi-parkinsonian rat model was produced by stereotaxically injecting 6-OHDA to right medial forebrain bundle(MFB).Two sets of experiments were performed.First,rats were intrapefitoneally treated with levodopa 50 mg/kg plus benserazide 12.5 mg/kg twice a day for 22 days.On day 23,rats intraperitoneally received either 8-OH- DPAT(1 mg/kg)or 8-OH-DPAT plus WAY-100635(0.1 mg/kg)or dissolvent with each levodopa dose as controls.In the second set,rats were intraperitoneally treated either with levodopa(50 mg/kg)plus 8-OH- DPAT(1 mg/kg)or levodopa 50 mg/kg plus dissolvent,administered twice daily for 22 consecutive days. Rotational duration and frequency of off period were estimated.After sacrificed,subcellualr distribution of GluR1 and GluR1Ser845 phosphorylation was observed by Western blot.Results 8-OH-DPAT,reversing the shortened rotational duration induced by levodopa,prolonged the rotational duration by 27.8%?6.1% and reduced the frequency of failures to levodopa by 7.2%?1.7%.Co-administration of WAY-100635,a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist,with 8-OH-DPAT eliminated the effect of 8-OH-DPAT on motor complications, indicating that the observed 8-OH-DPAT responses were probably mediated via the 5-HT1A autoreceptor. Moreover,8-OH-DPAT could regulate subcellular distribution of GluR1 and reduce hyperphosphorylation of GluR1 Ser845 by 22.1%?3.5%,which was closely associated with levodopa-induced motor complications. Conclusions These results suggest that pharmaceuticals stimulating 5-HT1A receptors could be useful in the treatment and prevention of the motor complications in parkinsonian patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer septal occluder for transcatheter closure in patients with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II).

METHODSPatients with clinically confirmed ASD II were recommended for transcatheter closure of ASD II.

RESULTS30 ASD II patients (20 females) underwent transcatheter closure at a median age of 18.4 years (5-55 years). Both the stretched diameters of ASDs and the sizes of the devices were from 18 to 34 mm (25 +/- 7 mm). The successful placement rate was 100%. The rest shunt documented by color Doppler, was immediately after implantation in 40% of patients, in 9.9% after 24 hours, and in 3.3% trace at 3 months. No serious complications were observed. There was improvement in symptoms and in cardiac size. Septal motion abnormalities normalized in all patients after 3 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONThe Amplatzer septal occluder is a safe and effective device for transcatheter closure of ASD II. Long-term follow-up is still required before widespread clinical use can be recommended.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Instruments

OBJECTIVEIn order to assess Berberis, a simple and effective high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was established.

METHODBy applying HPLC with gradiation elution, this method was developed for determination of four kinds of alkaloids including berbamine, Jatrorrhizine, berberine and palmatine in methanolic extracts from root bark, root, stem bark and stem of Berberis.

RESULTThe alkaloids berbamine, jatrorrhizine, berberine and palmatine shown good linear correlations in the range of 0.028-4.74 microg (r = 0.9998); 0.012-2.0 microg (r = 0.9996); 0.026-0.52 microg (r = 0.9999); 0.015-2.56 microg (r = 0.9998), respectively. The correlation coefficients of the calibration curve for the analytes exceeded 0.9998.

CONCLUSIONThe optimized HPLC method was applied to analyze various samples, and the results shown that the content of alkaloids were obvious difference in Berberis from different area, different species and different parts.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; Benzylisoquinolines ; analysis ; Berberine ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Berberis ; chemistry ; classification ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ecosystem ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Species Specificity

Objective To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of visual hallucination among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and analyse the potential risk factors. Methods One hundred and twenty-eight patients with PD were administered self-prepared visual hallucination questionnaires, and prevalence of visual hallucination was surveyed. The differences in sex, age, disease duration, Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores, Hoehn & Yahr stage, types of medicine used and levodopa equivalent doses (LDE) were compared between the patients with visual hallucination and those without visual hallucination. The prevalence of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) was investigated in patients with visual hallucination. Results Eighteen patients (14.06%) experienced visual hallucination, among whom 10 (55.56%) experienced visual hallucination no less than one time per day, 11 (61.11%) "saw" the shadow of human figure and 15(83.33%)were complicated with RBD. There were significant differences in MMSE scores, Hoehn & Yahr stage, female proportion and usage of dopamine agonists between patients with visual hallucination and those without visual hallucination(P<0.05). Conclusion Visual hallucination is a common non-motor symptom among patients with PD, and cognitive function, disease severity and usage of dopamine agonista may be related to visual hallucination.

OBJECTIVECoronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Some studies suggested that CHD begins in childhood. Obesity and dyslipidemia are important risk factors of coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein (apo)E gene associated with dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease. The present study was designed to investigate the expression status of apoE gene in peripheral blood monocyte and association of apoE gene expression with lipids in children with obesity.

METHODSAmong 32 children with obesity and 32 healthy children without obesity or overweight, ApoE gene expressions were determined by competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood monocyte. The concentrations of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoA I, apoB(100) and apoE were measured.

RESULTSExpression of apoE gene was detected in peripheral blood monocyte. Expression of apoE gene was significantly reduced in children with obesity as compared with control group (0.29 +/- 0.14 moles/mole GAPDH mRNA vs. 0.36 +/- 0.10 moles/mole GAPDH mRNA, t = 2.15, P < 0.05). The more severe was the degree of obesity, the more significantly reduced the expression of apoE gene; the degree of obesity was negatively correlated with the levels of expression of apoE gene (correlation coefficient = -0.40, P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and apoB(100) were higher, and those of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apoA I and apoE were lower in children with obesity [(1.68 +/- 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.99 +/- 0.54) mmol/L, (4.47 +/- 0.91) mmol/L vs. (3.33 +/- 0.90) mmol/L, (2.23 +/- 0.71) mmol/L vs. (1.13 +/- 0.96) mmol/L, (94.48 +/- 9.97) mg/dl vs. (83.81 +/- 15.64) mg/dl, (1.47 +/- 0.39) mmol/L vs. (1.73 +/- 0.36) mmol/L, (112.71 +/- 27.86) mg/dl vs. (134.80 +/- 45.36) mg/dl, (24.50 +/- 10.92) mg/L vs.(35.07 +/- 9.79) mg/L, respectively, P < 0.05]. ApoE gene expression was associated with plasma lipids metabolism in children with obesity. The quantity of apoE gene expression was inversely associated with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, positively correlated with apoE (correlation coefficient = -0.33, 0.35, respectively, P < 0.05). The quantity of apoE gene expression was not associated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoA I, and apoB(100) (correlation coefficient = -0.19, -0.11, 0.16, 0.09, 0.18, 0.22, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExpression of apoE gene was significantly reduced in peripheral blood monocyte in children with obesity. The quantity of apoE gene expression was associated with degree of obesity and abnormality of blood lipids.

Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Child ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gene Expression ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare differences of angiogenesis among collagen- chitosan, collagen-sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffolds and acellular dermal matrix after these three different scaffolds with silicone membrane were transplanted on the wounds of full thickness burn, and the wound repair of different scaffolds with epidermis grafting on.

METHODSAngiogenesis in different dermal scaffolds, the wound surface and epidermis survival were observed in 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the three different scaffolds were respectively transplanted on wounds of full thickness burn with debridement in 6 Bama miniature pigs (total 18 pigs in 3 groups). At the same time, CD34 positive signals (neo-forming microvessels) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The wounds without any scaffold transplantation were studied as the control.

RESULTSAngiogenesis had been fundamentally finished in 2 weeks after implantation of collagen- sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold. And fundamental angiogenesis in collagen- chitosan porous scaffolds and acellular dermal matrix needed at least 3 weeks. Neo-forming micro-vessels perpendicular to wound beds with these three different scaffolds were more than those in the control wounds without scaffold. CD34 positive signals (neo-forming micro-vessels) were significantly higher in wounds at the second week than those in wounds at the first week. And those in wounds at the third week were significantly higher than those in wounds at the second week in all wounds with different scaffold transplantations and the control wounds. CD34 positive signals in the group of sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week after the scaffold transplantation were significantly higher than those corresponding signals in the other three groups. Epidermis on the sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold which had been transplanted on burn wound for 1 week could survive perfectly, however, epidermis on the collagen- chitosan porous scaffold or acellular dermal matrix could not survive until these two scaffolds had been transplanted on the burn wounds for at least 2 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSThese three different scaffolds could repair the full thickness skin defects caused by burn, and angiogenesis of sulfonated carboxymethyl chitosan porous scaffold is the best.

Animals ; Burns ; surgery ; Chitosan ; analogs & derivatives ; Collagen ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Silicones ; Skin Transplantation ; Skin, Artificial ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tissue Scaffolds

To investigate the role of potassium channels in the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by cigarette smoking, the alteration in expression of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (BKca) and voltage-dependent delayed rectifier potassium channel (Kv1.5) in bronchial smooth muscle cells were investigated in chronic cigarette smoking rats. Airway responsiveness was determined, hematoxylin and eosin staining, immuno-histochemistry, in-situ hybridization and western blot techniques were used. The results showed: (1) Chronic cigarette smoking down-regulated the protein synthesis and mRNA expression of BKca and Kv1.5 in bronchial and bronchiolar smooth muscles. (2) BKca decreased more markedly than Kv1.5 in bronchi, but there was no difference between them in bronchioli. (3) No changes in the expression of these two potassium channel proteins were found in extracted cell membrane protein from lung tissue. The results suggest that chronic cigarette smoking can down-regulate the levels of BKca and Kv1.5 in rat bronchial smooth muscle cells in vivo, which might contribute to the mechanism of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by cigarette smoking.
Animals ; Bronchi ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Kv1.5 Potassium Channel ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; cytology ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoking ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Compound Salvia miltiorrhiza Injection (CSI) on aquaporin 3 (AQP3) expression in human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), and to explore its mechanisms for treating oligohydramnios.

METHODSThe hAECs selected from 8 human term pregnancies with oligohydramnios and no other complications (as the test group)and 8 human term pregnancies with normal amniotic fluid volume (as the control group) were primarily cultured. The mRNA and protein expressions of AQP3 in hAECs were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot with various concentrations of CSI (0.000, 0.001, 0.010, 0.020, 0.060, and 0.100 mg/mL, respectively) at different time points (0, 6, 12,24, and 48 h, respectively).

RESULTS(1) Compared with the control group, the AQP3 expression was down-regulated in the test group (P < 0.05). (2) The AQP3 expression in the two groups reached the peak when the concentration of CSI was 0.010 mg/mL, showing statistical difference when compared with other concentrations (P < 0.05). (3) The AQP3 expression reached the peak when 0.010 mg/mL CSI acted for 12 h, showing statistical difference when compared with other concentrations (P < 0.05). (4) The AQP3 expression was up-regulated in the two groups when 0.010 mg/mL CSI acted for 12 h. But the up-regulated AQP3 expression was more obvious in the test group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCSI could regulate the AQP3 expression in hAECs. CSI showed more obvious effects on the AQP3 expression in hAECs of oligohydramnios human term pregnancies.

Amnion ; cytology ; Aquaporin 3 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

OBJECTIVETo investigate biosynthetic and apoptotic mechanisms in repair of full thickness skin defect with collagen-chitosan porous scaffold transplantation, and to determinate differences between wound repair with the scaffold transplantation and scar healing without the scaffold transplantation.

METHODSThe full thickness skin defects were made on 10 Bama miniature pigs and the bilayer dermal equivalent (BDE) composed of collagen-chitosan porous scaffold and silicone membrane was transplanted on wounds. Surfaces of wounds were observed at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the BDE transplantation, and so were done the wound repairs after epidermis had been grafted for 2 weeks on surface of the scaffold which had been transplanted on skin defect wounds for 2 weeks. At the same time, TGF-beta1 expressions, apoptosis and self collagen replacement of scaffolds in wounds were detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and picrosirius red polarized light. Wounds without scaffold transplantation were studied as control.

RESULTS1) Wounds with the scaffold transplantation were different from granulation tissue. 2) The peak of TGF-beta1 expression in the scaffold wounds was from 1 to 2 weeks after BDE transplantation, and TGF-beta1 expressions decreased continuously from 3 to 4 weeks. TGF-beta1 expressions increased continuously in the control wounds from 1 to 3 weeks and decreased on 4 weeks. TGF-beta1 expressions in the scaffold wounds on 1st and 2nd week were significantly higher than those in the corresponding control wounds, whereas, TGF-beta1 expressions in the scaffold wounds on 3rd and 4th week were significantly lower than those in the corresponding control wounds. 3) Apoptosis increased continuously in the scaffold wounds from 2 to 4 weeks after BDE transplantation, and so did in the control wounds from 3 to 4 weeks. However, apoptosis signals in the scaffold wounds on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week after BDE transplantation were significantly more than those in the corresponding control wounds, and there was no difference between apoptosis signals in the scaffold wounds on 1st week after BDE transplantation and those in the corresponding control wounds. 4) Observation by picrosirius red polarized light method: self collagen began to synthesize in the scaffold wounds on 1st week after BDE transplantation, and scaffolds had been replaced by self collagen from 2 to 3 weeks after BDE transplantation.

CONCLUSIONSCollagen-chitosan porous scaffold plays a very important role in wound healing of full thickness skin defect. The mechanisms of wound repair by dermal scaffold are different from those by granulation and scar healing. It has a good future in repairing skin defect.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Chitosan ; metabolism ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Dermis ; Extracellular Matrix ; Female ; Skin Irritancy Tests ; Skin, Artificial ; Stents ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tissue Engineering ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Wound Healing