OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Baichanting Compound (BC) on dopamine (DA) in striatum of Parkinson's disease (PD) mice, and to screen the optimal component proportion.

METHODSThe PD model was established in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced C57BL/6 mice. By using uniform design, they were intervened by three extracts of BC in different proportions [Acanthopanax senticosus extract (X1): white peony root extract (X2): Uncaria rhynchophylla extract (X3) = 30.00: 34.92: 82.50, 48.00: 19.98: 72.19, 18.00: 44.88: 61.88, 36.00: 29.94: 51.56, 54.00: 15.00: 41.25, 24.00: 39.90: 30.94, 42.00: 24.96: 20.63). Equal volume of 5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium was administered to mice in the model group and the normal group by gastrogavage. All medication was lasted for 20 successive days. The dopamine (DA) content was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Except 10 in the normal group, 20 PD model mice were screened and divided into the model group and the BC group (with the optimal proportion) according to random digit table. BC extract in optimal proportion was administered to mice in the BC group by gastrogavage, while equal volume of 5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium was administered to mice in the model group and the normal group by gastrogavage. All medication was lasted for 20 successive days. Praxiology was observed in each group. DA content in striatum was also detected. Results Compared with the normal group, the DA content in striatum decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01), suggesting a successful PD modeling. Compared with the model group, the DA content in striatum increased significantly in 1 and 2 groups (P<0.05). According to results of quadratic polynomial stepwise regression statistics, the regression equation obtained was: Y = 0.265 + 0.026 X 2 - 0.056 X 3 + 0.334 x 10(-3) x X1 x X3 + 0.691 x 10(-3) X X3(2). X3 extract was the main factor influencing the effectiveness (P < 0.01). The optimal proportion of BC was predicted by the regression equation: X1 = 54.00 mg/(kg x d), X2 = 44.88 mg/(kg x d), the X3 = 82.50 mg/(kg x d). The pole climbing time was shortened, times of autonomic activities increased, DA content was elevated, all with statistical difference in BC groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBC could increase DA content in PD model mice with the optimal proportion as 54.00: 44.88: 82.50.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Motor Activity ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cerebral Cortex ; injuries ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To analyze the situation of smoking control calls at 12345 citizens′ hotline in Shanghai and investigate the smoking control hotspots concerned by citizens, the handling efficiency and quality of the hotline management, especially after the tobacco control ordinance was amended. Methods Statistical analysis was made on 48 945 smoking control calls, and data model established by natural language processing. Results After amendment of the tobacco control ordinance, there was a great increase in the number of smoking control calls, which reached a peak in 2017, and became 6.7 times that of 2016.Complaint report was the most important part of tobacco control calls, accounting for 76.24% of the total.Work and dining places were the main venue for complaints, while restaurants and offices were with the largest number of calls.The proportion of health departments in all responsible departments was the largest, accounting for 29.71%.Criticism and education were still the main way to deal with the problem, which was far from meeting the demands of citizens in this regard. Conclusion Publicity can mobilize the enthusiasm of the citizens to participate in tobacco control.The working efficiency and quality of responsible departments still needs to be improved.Citizen′s appeal can serve as a reference for future amendments to the law.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, surgical treatment and prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST).

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 84 patients with GIST undergone resection between April 1997 and June 2008 were analyzed retrospectively, and the prognosis was evaluated.

RESULTSOut of 84 cases, 42 tumors located in stomach, 24 in small intestine, 18 in other sites. Tumor sizes ranged from 0.5 to 25 cm(average 5.6 cm). Positive rate of CD117 expression determined by immunohistochemical methods was 96.4%. Seventy-nine cases underwent complete tumor resection, while 5 cases received palliative resection or biopsy. Seventy-eight patients were followed up and their 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates were 92.0%, 79.2%, 72.0% respectively. The Fletcher's classification of malignancy risk groups for GIST was related to the survival rates(P=0.001). The differences of survival rate among very low risk group, low risk group and high-risk group were significant(P=0.003, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSComplete tumor resection in the initial operation of GIST should be emphasized. The Fletcher's classification of malignancy risk groups for GIST is related to the survival rate. Extended surgical resection is required for GIST of higher malignancy risk.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo examine the expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 in various cervical diseases and investigate their association with cervical cancer.

METHODSThe expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 in cervical tissues sampled from patients with cervical cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and chronic cervicitis were detected using SP immunohistochemistry. The association of the expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 with the clinicopathologic indices of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of HLA class I antigen in cervical cancer, CIN, and chronic cervicitis were 22.6%, 100.0%, and 100.0%, and the positive expression rates of CD8 were 22.6%, 95.5%, and 100.0%, respectively. The positive rates of HLA class I antigen and CD8 were significantly lower in patients with cervical cancer (P<0.01). Patients with stage I cervical cancer had significantly higher positive rates of HLA class I antigen and CD8 than those with stage II cervical cancer (46.7% vs 0.0%, 46.7% vs 0.0%, both P<0.01). The expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 decreased with the progression of the clinicopathological stages, and may even become undetectable. The expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 were not related to the differentiation degree of the tumor or lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). A positive correlation was found between HLA class I antigen expression and CD8 expression.

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of HLA class I antigen and CD8 are down-regulated or deleted in CIN and cervical cancer, and they may play important roles in the development and progression of CIN and cervical cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; CD8 Antigens ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; immunology ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignant tumor of the head and neck, and recurrence is an important prognostic factor in patients with OSCC. We explored the factors associated with recurrence of OSCC and analyzed the survival of patients after recurrence. Clinicopathologic and follow-up data of 275 patients with OSCC treated by surgery in the Cancer Institute and Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between 2002 and 2006 were analyzed. Recurrence factors were analyzed with Chi-square or Fisher's exact test and multivariate analysis. The prognosis of patients after recurrence was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. The recurrence rate was 32.7%. The recurrence time ranged from 2 to 96 months, with a median of 14 months. Univariate analysis showed that T stage, degree of differentiation, pN stage, flap application, resection margin, and lymphovascular invasion were factors of recurrence (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that T stage, degree of differentiation, and pN stage were independent factors of recurrence (P < 0.001). The differences in gender, age, tumor site, region of lymph node metastasis, and perineural invasion between the recurrence and non-recurrence groups were not significant (P > 0.05). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests showed that the 2- and 5-year survival rates were significantly lower in the recurrence group than in non-recurrence group (67.6% vs. 88.0%, 31.8% vs. 79.9%, P < 0.001). Therefore, to improve prognosis, we recommend extended local excision, flap, radical neck dissection, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for patients more likely to undergo recurrence.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Survival Rate ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the genetic defect underlying congenital afibrinogenemia in a Chinese family.

METHODSPlasma fibrinogen (Fg) was assessed by both Clauss method and immunonephelometry. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of the proband and 13 members of her family. All the exons and exon-intron boundaries of the three fibrinogen genes (FGA, FGB, FGG) were amplified by PCR followed by direct sequencing. Restriction endonuclease analysis was performed for the PCR products of the family members and 50 healthy donors to exclude gene polymorphism.

RESULTSNo Fg was detected in the plasma of the proband and her father by Clauss method, while low levels (< 0.02 g/L) were detected by immunonephelometry. A homozygous C to T mutation was found in the two cases at nucleotide 3108 in exon 4 of FGA gene, resulting in a null mutation which encoded severely truncated alpha-chains owing to its premature termination at the Gln 150 codon. The C-->T mutation eliminated a unique recognition site for restriction enzyme RsaI. The PCR amplified fragments of the proband and her father could not be digested by RsaI, showing that they are homozygous. Her mother and some family members are heterozygous at this site since the fragment could partly be digested, while the same fragment of controls could be completely digested as expected.

CONCLUSIONThe Gln (CAG)-->150stop (TAG) nonsense mutation in FGA gene is a novel genetic defect of congenital afibrinogenemia which, to our knowledge, has not been described before.

Adolescent ; Afibrinogenemia ; congenital ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Codon, Nonsense ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree

AIMTo observe the impairment of homocysteine (Hcy) on neurons in vitro and the related mechanisms.

METHODSWe examined the consequences of treatment of cultured rat cortical and hippocampal neurons with Hcy and detected the neurons' apoptosis, calcium influx, DNA damage and oxidative injury.

RESULTSPrimary cortical and hippocampal neurons were treated with Hcy (250 micromol/L) for 4 h resulted in apoptosis time-dependently. S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) could significantly, but MK-801, an NMDA receptor inhibitor, couldn't repress the Hcy induced neuron apoptosis. Hcy could induce neuron calcium overload through activating the NMDA receptors. The DNA of neurons was damaged by Hcy because the methylation reactions were inhibited. Hcy treatment also induced MDA level significantly increased, but did not affect the neurons' T-AOC.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that Hcy compromises neuronal homeostasis by multiple, divergent routes, including DNA damage, neuron exitotoxicity, and oxidative injury. Hcy mediated neuron apoptosis was mainly due to DNA damage.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Homocysteine ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMTo explore the effects of different doses of tyrosine modulation on behavioral performances in open field test of psychological stress rats.

METHODSThe animal model of psychological stress was developed by restraint stress for 21 days. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 10) as follows: control group (CT), stress control group (SCT), low, medium and high-doses of tyrosine modulation stress groups (SLT, SMT and SIT). The changes of behavioral performances were examined by open-field test. Serum levels of cortisol, norepinephrine and dopamine were also detected.

RESULTSThe levels of serum cortisol were all increased obviously in the four stress groups, and their bodyweight gainings were diminished. The behavioral performances of SCT rats in open-field test were changed significantly in contrast to that of CT rats. However, The behavioral performances of SMT and SHT rats were not different from that of CT rats. In addition, the serum levels of norepinephrine and dopamine were downregulated obviously in SCT and SLT groups, and no differences were observed in other groups.

CONCLUSIONPsychological stress can impair body behavioral performances, and moderate tyrosine modulation may improve these abnormal changes. The related mechanisms may be involved with the changes of norepinephrine and dopamine.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Dopamine ; blood ; Male ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Restraint, Physical ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Tyrosine ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on climacteric syndrome (CS) and its mechanism.

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into a catgut implantation group and a western medicine group, 30 cases in each group. The catgut implantation group was treated by catgut implantation at Shenshu (BL 23), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The western medicine group was treated by oral administration of Diethylstilbestrol tablet. Their therapeutic effects and changes of content of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotrophic hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in serum were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.3% in the catgut implantation group and 70.0% in the western medicine group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). After treatment, the beta-EP concentration in the catgutation implant group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), the FSH concentration was significantly reduced and E2 concentration was significantly increased as compared with those in the western medicine group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCatgut implantation at acupoint has an obvious therapeutic effects on CS. It can significantly improve the ovaries function and has a favorable regulative action on the endogenous opioid peptides.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Catgut ; Female ; Gonadal Hormones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Premenopause ; metabolism ; Prostheses and Implants ; beta-Endorphin ; metabolism