Objective To identify the diffusion alterations of deep gray matter(GM) and white matter (WM) among Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy people by atlas?based analysis (ABA), and to investigate the respective relationship with cognitive function. Methods Twenty?one AD patients (AD group), 8 MCI patients (MCI group) and 15 normal controls (control group) were performed by conventional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The raw data of DTI was processed by using DTI studio software to generate the fractional anisotropy (FA) images. Then ABA was used to quantify the FA value in 58 deep GM and WM structures. The differences of FA value among three groups were compared by using one way ANOVA, with a post?hoc analysis. In AD and MCI groups, the partial correlation was further investigated between mini?mental state examination (MMSE) score and FA value in the brain regions that have significant differences between AD and MCI group or between MCI and control group. Results Compared with control group, AD patients showed wide?spread FA decrease in most deep GM and WM regions (corrected P<0.05). The FA values of the hypothalamus, the fornix, the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) and the cingulum in AD group were significantly lower than those in MCI group (corrected P<0.05). The FA value of the right splenium of corpus callosum (SCC) in MCI group was significantly lower than that in control group (MCI:0.550±0.018 vs. Control:0.585±0.026, P<0.05). In AD and MCI group, the FA values of the left hypothalamus, the right hypothalamus, the left cingulum, the right cingulum, and the left SLF were positively correlated with MMSE scores(r=0.502, 0.515, 0.535, 0.527, 0.512; P<0.05). No significant correlation was found between the FA value of the right SCC, the right SLF, the right fornix/stria terminalis, the right fornix and MMSE scores(P>0.05). Conclusion Based on ABA, this study found the diffusion changes not only in the WM but also the deep GM in AD patients, but only WM diffusion disruptions in MCI group. The decreased FA value in the right SCC appeared early, but had no correlation with the cognitive impairment. The FA value in the hypothalamus, the fornix, the SLF and the cingulum decreased with the disease progression, and correlated positively with the cognition decline.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are important signaling transduction components well conserved in eukaryotes and play essential roles in various physiological, developmental and hormonal responses in plant. In the present study, a MAPK gene, designated as DoMPK4 (GenBank accession No. JX297597), is identified from a rare endangered medicinal orchid species D. officinale using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) methods. The full length cDNA of DoMPK4 is 1 518 bp in length and encoded a 369 aa protein with a molecular weight of 42.42 kD and an isoelectric point of 5.55. DoMPK4 protein contained a serine/threonine protein kinase active site (158-170), a MAP kinase site (71-174), and eight conserved motifs. DoMPK4 had a transmembrane (214-232) but no signal peptide. Multiple sequence alignment showed that DoMPK4 shared high identities (74.9%-80.6%) with MAPK proteins from various plants. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that DoMPK4 belonged to group A of the MAPK evolutionary tree, and is closely related to monocots. Real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that DoMPK4 is differentially expressed among the five organs including leaf, stem, root, seed, and protocorm-like body (PLB). The transcription level of DoMPK4 is the highest in the PLBs with 17.65 fold, followed by seeds, roots, and stems with 5.84, 2.28, and 1.64 fold, respectively. The progressive enhancement of DoMPK4 transcripts in the developing PLBs compared to that in the germinating seeds, suggests a role of DoMPK4 during the development of embryogenic PLBs formation in D. officinale.
Amino Acid Sequence ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; enzymology ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; metabolism ; Plant Stems ; metabolism ; Seeds ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment

The zinc-regulated transporters (ZRT), iron-regulated transporter (IRT)-like protein (ZIP) plays an important role in the growth and development of plant. In this study, a full length cDNA of ZIP encoding gene, designed as DoZIP1 (GenBank accession KJ946203), was identified from Dendrobium officinale using RT-PCR and RACE. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DoZIP1 consisted of a 1,056 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoded a 351-aa protein with a molecular weight of 37.57 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.09. The deduced DoZIP1 protein contained the conserved ZIP domain, and its secondary structure was composed of 50.71% alpha helix, 11.11% extended strand, 36.18% random coil, and beta turn 1.99%. DoZIP1 protein exhibited a signal peptide and eight transmembrane domains, presumably locating in cell membrane. The amino acid sequence had high homology with ZIP proteins from Arabidopsis, alfalfa and rice. A phylogenetic tree analysis demonstrated that DoZIP1 was closely related to AtZIP10 and OsZIP3, and they were clustered into one clade. Real time quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that the transcription level of DoZIP1 in D. officinale roots was the highest (4.19 fold higher than that of stems), followed by that of leaves (1.12 fold). Molecular characters of DoZIP1 will be useful for further functional determination of the gene involving in the growth and development of D. officinale.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Iron ; metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Zinc ; metabolism

Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnosis ; etiology ; genetics ; Child ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Job Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Mutation ; Radiography ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics

Factors influencing the temperature-sensing accuracy of an ablation catheter are analyzed, in this paper, from the two aspects of the thermocouple temperature sensor, which are the TC length and the TC hole's diameter of the ablation electrode. Meanwhile, differences between products from different companies are given too.
Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Electrodes ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and treatments of urothelial-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate (UMAP).

METHODSWe reported a case of UMAP, reviewed relevant literature, and analyzed the clinicopaothological features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.

RESULTSThe patient was a 60-year-old male and underwent transurethral resection of the prostate for dysuria. Postoperative pathology indicated mucinous adenocarcinoma and sigmoidoscopy revealed no primary colon cancer. Immunohistochemical staining showed the negative expressions of PSA and P504s and positive expressions of CK7, CK34 β E12, CK20, and CDX2. Thus UMAP was confirmed and treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Then the patient was followed up for 30 months, which showed desirable therapeutic result, with neither local progression nor distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONUMAP has a bad prognosis and its diagnosis depends on pathological and immunohistocchemical examinations. It responds well to radical prostatectomy but is not sensitive to endocrine therapy. Radiotherapy can be considered for those who are not fit to receive radical prostatectomy.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Racemases and Epimerases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo compare the influence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection on the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by observing clinical features, the relationship between the number of HBV DNA copies in serum, the degree of hepatic function impairments and prognosis of chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis E superinfection.

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 115 CHB patients with hepatitis E (HE) superinfection were studied and compared. 74 liver tissue biopsy samples of the CHB and 51 of the CHB-HE sufferers were obtained. HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc, anti-HBc-IgG, anti-HBc-IgM, HBV DNA and anti-HEVIgM were detected respectively by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSThe number of HBV DNA copies in sera in the CHB-HE group and the severity of the clinical features were significantly higher than those in the CHB group. The former group had a poorer prognosis with a 49.6% occurrence rate of severe hepatitis and a 25.2% death rate while in the latter group the corresponding rates were just 4.4% and 1.7%.

CONCLUSIONRe-infection with HEV, in those CHB patients, severely damaged their hepatic functions and increased their mortality; the older the patient and the higher the level of HBV DNA, the poorer the prognosis.

Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Hepatitis E ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Superinfection

Morphological characteristics of hyphal interaction between Grifola umbellata (Pers. Ex Fr.) Pilat and its companion fungus which related to sclerotia formation from hyphae were investigated by external observations, light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). External observations showed that a dense antagonism line was formed by both G. umbellata and companion fungus after their hyphae contacted each other in dual culture. Many hyphal strands emerged on the colony of G. umbellata and differentiated to sclerotia from where hyphal strands crossed. Light microscope observations revealed the process of antagonism line formation. Mature antagonism with structural differentiation, was composed of three main layers: the rind, the rind underlayer and the hypha layer. TEM observations showed that after colonies hyphal contact, a series of reactions always occurred in both G. umbellata and companion fungus. Cells in the center of antagonism line were dead. Cells of G. umbellata adjacent to the antagonism line were usually large and hollow, with unilateral thickened wall, whereas those of companion fungus were empty, with thin or thick wall. Both hyphal interaction at the antagonism line may be one of the main reasons for sclerotia of G. umbellata differentiation from hypha.
Friends* ; Fungi* ; Grifola* ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission

Objective To investigate the effects of Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and its residues on PSGL-1 and proinflammatory cytokines in Coxsackie virus A16 (CoxA16) mouse model; To discuss its antiviral mechanism of action. Methods Totally 150 ICR mice at age of 7 days were randomly divided into normal group, model group, all-side group, aromatic residual group, clearing residual group and removing residual group, with 25 mice in each group. Except for normal group, other groups were injected intraperitoneally with 20 μL of 107TCID50 CoxA16 standard stock solution to establish models. Except for normal group and model group, other groups were given relevant medicine for intervention. The expressions of PSGL-1, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-4 and histopathological observation were detected after 10 days of medication. Results Except for the normal group, the existence of a large number of CoxA16 in other groups of mouse muscle tissues proved successful modeling. HE staining showed that Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and residual could reduce damage to the muscle by CoxA16 virus. Compared with the normal group, the expression of PSGL-1 protein in the model group increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, all-side group, aromatic residue group, clearing residual group, removing residual group inhibited the expression of PSGL-1 protein, reduced the inflammatory factors of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-4 (P<0.01). Conclusion Ganlu Xiaodu Pills and its residues have anti-inflammatory effects, and the all-side group shows the best efficacy.

In order to study the constituents and pharmacology of Tripterygium plants (Tripterygium willfordii Hook.f), a variety of chromatography methods were used. Four compounds were isolated from Tripterygium plant and their structures were elucidated by UV, IR, MS, HR-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D-NMR techniques. The isolated compounds were named as triptonide (1), neo-triptetraolide (2), 2alpha-hydroxytriptonide (3), and 15-hydroxytriptonide (4), separately. Compounds 3, 4 belong to new diterpenoids, which can inhibit the growth of K562 cells (leukemia cells) and HL60 cells (acute myeloid leukemia cells).
Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification