Objective To study the imaging of central pentine myelinolysis (CPM) and extrapontine myelinolysis(EPM) after liver transplantation and value of DWI. Methods Eight patients after liver transplantation with CPM and EPM were included in our study, 4 cases of female and 4 cases of male.MR examinations were performed on Philips 1.5 T MRI system. The sequences included SE T1 WI, FSE T2Wl,axial SE-EPI DWI,TR/TE 6225/118.7 ms, ETL 128, FLIP 90°, thickness 5 nun, matrix 128 ×128,b=1000 mm2/s. Results Four of B type hepatitis and cirrhosis and 1 case combined with hepatic carcinoma, 1 of C type hepatitis with cirrhosis from schistosome,2 of C type hepatitis and cirrhosis, 1 of cholangiogenic cirrhosis. MR demonstrated prolongation of T1 and T2 with a shape of butterfly, round or quadrangle on the brain stem sparing of the corticospinal tract and peripontine tissue. The lesion manifested high signal intensity both on DWI and ADC map indicating T2 effect and vasogenic edema. Follow up MR in 2 cases 2 months later showed more prolongation of T1 and T2 than the first time and the lesion manifested iso-intensity signal on DWI and high signal intensity on ADC map suggesting increased diffusivity. Abnormal signal intensities were detected on the bilateral caudate head, globus pallidus, putamen and cerebral cortex in 3 cases. Conclusion CPM should be considered when prolongation of T1 and T2 with a shape of butterfly, round or quadrangle on the brain stem, sparing of the corticospinal tract and peripontine tissue was detected for patients of pest-transplantation. When combined with other area abnormality, EPM and CPM should be considered. DWI can early and sensitively show the lesion.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Zuogui Pill (, ZGP) and Yougui Pill (, YGP) on the expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling of axonal regeneration in the Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), in order to explore the possible mechanism of ZGP and YGP on promoting axonal regeneration.

METHODSThe rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC), model (MO), prednisone acetate (PA), ZGP and YGP groups. The EAE model of rat was established by injecting antigen containing myelin basic protein (MBP)68-86. The brain and spinal cord were harvested on the 14th and 28th day post-immunization (PI), the protein and mRNA expression of BDNF and PKA in the brain and spinal cord of rats were detected by Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the cAMP levels were detected by using enzyme-immunoassay method.

RESULTS(1) On the 28th day PI, the mRNA expression of BDNF in brain white matter and spinal cord of rats in ZGP and YGP groups were up-regulated, especially in YGP group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (2) On the 14th day PI, the cAMP levels in brain white matters significantly increased in PA and YGP groups compared with MO group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the cAMP level in YGP group was higher than that in ZGP group (P<0.05). The cAMP level in spinal cord also significantly increased in YGP group compared with MO, PA and ZGP groups, respectively (P<0.01). (3) On the 14th day PI, the PKA expression in spinal cord of rats in ZGP group was significantly decreased compared with MO and YGP groups, respectively (P<0.05). (4) On the 28th day PI, there was a positive correlation between cAMP and PKA expression in the brain white matter of YGP rats.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that ZGP and YGP may promote axonal regeneration by modulating cAMP/PKA signal transduction pathway, but the targets of molecular mechanism of ZGP may be different from those of YGP.

Animals ; Axons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tablets

The secondary structure of Capsid protein was predicted by the methods of Chou-Fasman,Garnier-Robson and Karplus-Schultz based on the sepuence of capsid protein gene of Swine Vesicular Disease Virus (SVDV) and hydrophilicity. Surface probility plot and antigenic index for capsid protein were obtained by the methods of Kyte-Doolittle, Emini and Jameson-wolf, respectively, Combining the results according to these methods, the B cell epitopes for capsid protein of SVDV were predicted. The results showed that there are much flexible region such as coil region and turn region in capsid protein of SVDV, there are more predominant B cell epitopes in VP1 than in VP2 and VP3. This study would be helpful for identification of B cell epitopes for capsid protein using experimental methods and research of reverse vaccine of SVDV.

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibition effect of HIF-1α specific siRNA expression vector pSUPERH1-siHIF-1α on retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODSThe mouse model of ROP was prepared by the method Smith described. Forty-eight ROP mice were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group that was intravitreously injected with pSUPERH1-siHIF-1α and a control group that was injected with pSUPER retro vector. The levels of HIF-1α and vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) in the retina were examined by Western blot. The retinal neovascularization was evaluated by angiography using FITC Dextran and quantitated histologically.

RESULTSThe levels of HIF-1α and VEGF in the retina in the experimental group were reduced 90% and 65% respectively compared with those in the control group. Meanwhile, the number of retinal neovascular endothelial nucleus outbreaking the inner limit membrane in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared with that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe development of retinal neovascularization of ROP can be markedly inhibited by RNA interference targeting HIF-1α.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; analysis ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; Infant, Newborn ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Retinal Neovascularization ; prevention & control ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; therapy ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo establish the method of fingerprint analysis on volatile oil in rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii by GC-MS, and to study the main characteristic components.

METHODThe main components of 10 samples were determined by GC-MS.

RESULTThe injector temperature was 250 degrees C. The interface temperature was 230 degrees C. The column flow was 1.3 mL x min(-1). The column pressure was 80 kPa. The detector volt was 1.4 kV. The temperature rate was 3 degrees C x min(-1). And the main characteristic components were composed of the methyleugenol (2.13%), cis-methylisoeugenol (4.48%), trans-methylisoeugenol (0.82%), gamma-asarone (4.51%), beta-asarone (66.15%), alpha-asarone (6.35%). And the RSD of precision and reproducibility and stability was almost in the range of 5%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is reliable, accurate and can be used for fingerprint analysis of volatile oil of Acorus tatarinowii.

Acorus ; chemistry ; Anisoles ; analysis ; Eugenol ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo identify the interaction partners of a new splicing product of LMO2 gene (LMO2-C), and study its function in K562 cells.

METHODSMaltose binding protein (MBP) pull down and mammalian two-hybrid assay (MTHA) were used to identify the interaction partners of LMO2-C in K562 cells. Semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of hematopoietic specific gene glycoprotein (GPA) in K562 cells.

RESULTSMBP-LMO2-C fusion protein was expressed and purified in soluble form successfully. Endogenous GATA1 and LDB1 proteins were confirmed to bind to LMO2-C by MBP pull down analysis. The MTHA also showed that LMO2-C had comparable binding affinities to LDB1 with LMO2-L, and over expression of LMO2-C prevented LMO2-L from binding to LDB1, the inhibition rate being (81.13 +/- 0.68)%. RT-PCR results showed that the expression level of GPA was reduced [(51.00 +/- 1.58)%] in K562 cells while LMO2-C overexpressed.

CONCLUSIONLMO2-C can bind endogenous GATA1 and LDB1 protein in K562 cells and down regulates the expression of GPA.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; GATA1 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; LIM Domain Proteins ; Maltose-Binding Proteins ; Metalloproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Periplasmic Binding Proteins ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; RNA Splicing ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect and related signaling pathways of ginsenoside Rb1 in the treatment of coronary artery lesion (CAL) in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, an aspirin group, a low-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group (50 mg/kg), and a high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group (100 mg/kg), with 12 mice in each group. All mice except those in the control group were given intermittent intraperitoneal injection of 10% bovine serum albumin to establish a mouse model of KD. The mice in the aspirin group, the low-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group, and the high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group were given the corresponding drug by gavage for 20 days after modeling. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of coronary artery tissue. ELISA was used to measure the levels of the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in serum and coronary artery tissue. Western blot was used to measure the relative expression levels of proteins involved in the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR autophagy signaling pathway and the PI3K/Akt oxidative stress signaling pathway in coronary artery tissue. RESULTS: The observation of pathological sections showed that compared with the model group, the high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group had significant improvement in the symptoms of vascular wall thickening, intimal edema, fiber rupture, and inflammatory infiltration of endothelial cells. Compared with the control group, the model and low-dose ginsenoside Rb1 groups had significant increases in the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in serum and coronary artery tissue (P<0.05); the model group had significant increases in the expression levels of P-AMPK/AMPK, P-mTOR/mTOR, and P-P70S6/P70S6 in coronary artery tissue (P<0.05) and significant reductions in the expression levels of P-PI3K/PI3K, P-AKT/AKT, and P-GSK-3β/GSK-3β in coronary artery tissue (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the aspirin group and the high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group had significant reductions in the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.05); the low- and high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 groups had significant reductions in the expression levels of P-AMPK/AMPK, P-mTOR/mTOR, and P-P70S6/P70S6 (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner between the two groups (P<0.05); the low-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group had no significant change in the expression level of P-PI3K/PI3K (P>0.05) and had significant increases in the expression levels of P-AKT/AKT and P-GSK-3β/GSK-3β (P<0.05), while the high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group had significant increases in the relative protein expression levels of the above three proteins (P<0.05). Compared with the low-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group, the aspirin group and the high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group had significant reductions in the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.05); the high-dose ginsenoside Rb1 group had significant increases in the expression levels of P-PI3K/PI3K and P-AKT/AKT (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ginsenoside Rb1 can effectively alleviate CAL in a mouse model of KD in a dose-dependent manner, possibly by regulating the AMPK/mTOR/P70S6 autophagy signaling pathway to inhibit CAL inflammation and regulating the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β oxidative stress signaling pathway to exert a biological activity of protection against coronary artery endothelial cell injury.
Animals ; Coronary Vessels ; Endothelial Cells ; Ginsenosides ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

Humanistic care centered on the interests and needs of patients, is an important means to maintain the doctor-patient relationship and to build a harmonious society. However, there are still some problems in the major public hospitals, such as inadequate communication and coordination, complicated and time-consuming medical procedures, and so on. Based on this, this paper discussed the problems existing in public hospitals in Anhui Province, and put forward some measures, such as strengthening doctor-patient communication, caring for doctor-patient personnel, and constructing hospital culture, so as to perfect the humanistic care system.

BACKGROUNDType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has traditionally been considered to affect mainly the elderly; however, the age at diagnosis has gradually reduced in recent years. Although the incidence of young-onset T2DM is increasing, it is still not fully clear the onset characteristics and risk factors of early-onset T2DM. The aim of this study was to describe the initiating characteristics of early-onset T2DM in Chinese patients and evaluate the risk factors for diabetes mellitus.

METHODSThis cross-sectional controlled study was performed using a questionnaire survey method in outpatients of multiple centers in China. A total of 1545 patients with T2DM with an age at onset of <40 years were included, and the control group consisted of subjects aged <40 years with normal blood glucose level.

RESULTSIn patients with young-onset T2DM, the mean age and initial hemoglobin 1Ac at diagnosis were 32.96 ± 5.40 years and 9.59 ± 2.71%, respectively. Most of the patients were obese, followed irregular diet pattern and sedentary lifestyle, had life or work pressure, and had a family history of diabetes mellitus. Compared with subjects with normal blood glucose level, logistic regression analysis showed that waist-to-hip ratio (odds ratio [OR] 446.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 42.37-4714.87), family history of diabetes mellitus (OR 23.46, CI 14.47-38.03), dyslipidemia (OR 2.65, CI 1.54-4.56), diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.02, CI 1.00-1.04), and body mass index (OR 0.95, CI 0.92-0.99) are independent factors for early-onset T2DM.

CONCLUSIONSWe observed that abdominal obesity, family history of diabetes mellitus, and medical history of hypertension and dyslipidemia are independent risk factors for early-onset T2DM. It is, therefore, necessary to apply early lifestyle intervention in young people with risk of diabetes mellitus.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; etiology ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of cryptococcal latex agglutination test in the diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in children.

METHODSThe clinical data of 10 children with cryptococcal meningitis were retrospectively studied. Cryptococcal meningitis was confirmed based on clinical manifestations, India ink stain, cryptococcal latex agglutination test or cryptococcal culture. The outcome of antifungal treatment and the changes of latex agglutination test titer were followed up for 2 to 4 years.

RESULTSLatex agglutination test and/or India ink stain were positive (titer 1 : 64-1 : 1024) in 8 patients in the first examination of cerebrospinal fluid. In the other 2 patients, latex agglutination test was positive (titer 1 : 256) in the fourth examination of cerebrospinal fluid in one, and India ink stain was positive in the eleventh examination in the other. After antifungal treatment, six patients were cured, two patients died, and two patients were lost to follow-up. The positive cryptococcal latex agglutination test (titer 1 : 2-1 : 16) was seen respectively in six, three, two and one cured patients 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 4 years later.

CONCLUSIONSThe cryptococcal latex agglutination test of cerebrospinal fluid is valuable for the quick and early diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis; however, the decision of withdrawal of antifungal treatment should not rely on the results of the test.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Latex Fixation Tests ; methods ; Male ; Meningitis, Cryptococcal ; cerebrospinal fluid ; diagnosis ; drug therapy