Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Facial Pain ; therapy ; Female ; Headache ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Toes

Objective To prospectively study the difference of urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase( UN-AG) and retinol binding protein(URBP) in contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Methods The clinical data of 150 patients undergoing coronary angiography were documented. The urine and blood samples before,24 hours after and 48～72 hours after the procedure were collected;Serum creatinine (SCr) and urinary ereatinine (UCr)were tested by enzymic method. UNAG and URBP were tested by ELISA in CIN and control group. CIN was defined as an increase in SCr of ≥44 μmol/L or >25% from baseline 48 ～72 h after the procedure. 27 age- , sex- , results of coro-nary angiography-matched cases were taken as control group. Results CIN was diagnosed in 13 of 150 patients (8.7%). In CIN group, UNAG/UCr were significantly higher than that in control group[ 1.97 (1.06,2.64) U/mmol vs 1.07 (0, 68,1.88 ) U/mmol, Z = 2.076, P = 0.039 ] before ;24 hours after the procedure, UNAG/UCr was signifi-cantly up-regulated in CIN group from baseline level [ 2.82 ( 1.88 ,4.26) U/mmol vs 1.97 (1.06,2.64) U/mmol, Z =2.607,P =0. 009]. ROC curve analysis showed that baseline UNAG could be used as an early predictor for CIN, the AUC =0. 776 ,P =0.023 ;when cut off value = 8.08 U/L,the sensitivity and specificity of UNAG were 0. 771 and 0. 713 respectively. The percentage of patients of UNAG over 8.08 U/L in CIN group was significantly higher than that in control group[77.1% (10/13) vs 29.6% (8/27) ,Z =2. 564,P =0. 011 ] ,the related risk factor is 5.58,95% CI was 1.24 ～ 25.08. Conclusion UNAG could be used as a predictor of CIN before the procedure and its postprocedure 24 h level maybe useful in early diagnosis after the procedure.

AIM: To analyze the effect of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) on nitrogen monoxide (NO) and expression of cysteine-containing, aspartate-specific proteases-3 (caspase-3) in retinal tissues of model rats with optic nerve crush injury.METHODS: A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, model group and PEDF group, with 20 rats in each group.Except the blank control group, the optic nerve crush injury rat models were established in the other groups, and left eyeballs were taken as samples.After successfully modeling, the model group were treated with intravitreal injection of 5μL of balanced salt solution while PEDF group were treated with intravitreal injection of 5μL of PEDF (0.2μg/μL).Two weeks later, the retinal tissues were collected, and changes of shape were observed under microscope after HE staining.The changes of NO level were measured by colorimetry assay, the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and caspase-3 protein was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western-blot.RESULTS: HE staining showed that retinal tissues of the blank control group arranged neatly and clearly.Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) arranged in a monolayer, and cells were oval, uniform in size and distribution, the cell nuclei were clear, closely arranged, with clear boundaries.The retinal tissues of the model group were sparse in shape, RGCs showed vacuolar changes, the overall number of cells was reduced, and cell nuclei of residual RGCs showed pyknosis and uneven staining.RGCs in PEDF group were with slightly edema and arranged closely, and the degree of injury was significantly milder than that in the model group.Levels of Caspase-3 mRNA and protein and NO levels in the three groups showed the model group > PEDF group > blank control group (all P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The application of PEDF can down regulate the expression of Caspase-3 and NO in rates with optic nerve injury and reduce RGCs injury.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of adenosine A2A receptor knockout (A(2A)RKO) on relationship between continuous activation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (P-JNK) and expression of nerve cell apoptosis in hippocampus CA1 domain of newborn mice after hypoxia/ischemia brain damage(HIBD) and its potential mechanism.

METHODSA(2A)RKO mice and adenosine A2A receptor wildtype (A(2A)RWT) littermates (n = 80) were divided into Sham operation group (S) and model group (M), 1, 3 and 7 day after HIBD, totally 8 groups. HIBD was developed with 7 day-old neonatal mice according classical Rice-Vannucci method. It was tested the effect of A(2A)RKO on short-term neurofunctional outcomes consisted of three developmental reflexes (righting, geotaxis and cliff aversion), the changes of brain pathology with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining, the expressions of nerve cell apoptosis with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling(TUNEL) staining and P-JNK were observed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe neurological behavior injuries and brain histopathological damages and nerve apoptosis cells were aggravated in A(2A)RKO newborn mice after HIBD. The positive expressions of P-JNK were significantly higher in the ischemic hippocampus CA1 domain after HIBD than ones in group S respectively (P < 0.01), reaching to peak at 1 day and then began gradually decreasing. P-JNK expression in model knockout(MKO) at 1, 3 and 7 day increased greatly compared to those in the previous time point of corresponding model wildtype (MWT) (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P > 0.05); there was a positive correlation between the expressions of P-JNK and nerve cell apoptosis after HIBD in newborn mice(r = 0.837, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEarly continuous activation of P-JNK might be involved in the aggravated nerve apoptosis cells and brain damage induced by A(2A) RKO newborn mice after HIBD.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptor, Adenosine A2A ; genetics

Objective To investigate the value of 1H-MRS technology combined with linear combination model (LCmodel) software in diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD) cognitive impairment.Methods Thirty-five PD patients (PD group) and 22 matched healthy subjects (control group) were collected.Patients in PD group were divided into PDN and PDMCI subgroups according to whether having cognitive impairment or not.The concentration of metabolites of posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG)was applied with 1H-MRS technology combined with LCmodel software.The differences of metabolites were compared between the two groups,and the correlations between metabolites level and cognitive status were analyzed.Results The absolute concentrations of metabolites in PDN subgroup were not significantly different from those in control group (all P＞0.05).The absolute concentrations of total creatine (tCr),N-acetyl aspartate (NAA),myo-inositol (mI) and glycerophosphocholine+ phosphocholine (tCho) in PDMCI subgroup were lower than those in control group (all P＜0.05).The absolute concentration of tCr in PDMCI subgroup was lower than that in PDN subgroup (P＜0.05).There was positive correlation among the absolute concentration of tCr (r=0.444,P=0.01),glutathione (GSH;r=0.393,P=0.024) and MMSE scores,as well as among the absolute concentration of tCr (r=0.367,P=0.035),GSH (r=0.376,P=0.031),tCho (r=0.375,P=0.031) and MoCA scores.Conclusion 1 H-MRS technology combined with LCmodel software can quantitatively analyze the changes of metabolites in PCG,therefore being helpful to evaluating PD cognitive impairment.

objective To investigate the effects of knocking down of miR-19a and miR-19b on the biological characteristics of SNB19 glioblastoma cells. Methods Oligonucleotides inhibitor of miR-19a and miR-19b (miR-19a inhibitor or miR-19b inhibitor) mediated by lipofectamine2000 were transfected to SNB19 cells to knock down miR-19a and miR-19b; control group (without transfection),group D (performing transfection with nonsense sequence) and group E (performing transfection with both miR-19a inhibitor and miR-19b inhibitor) were established. Real time PCR was conducted to detect the expressions ofmiR-19a and miR-19b in these groups after the transfection. The cell proliferation rate and cell cycle kinetics were detected by 3-(4, 5-Dime- -thylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively; the cell invasive ability was evaluated by Transwell assay.Results As compared with those in control group and group D, the expressions of miR-19a and miR-19b, proliferation activity and invasive ability of cells in the miR-19a/19b inhibitor transfected cells (group A/B) were significantly reduced (P＜0.05). The expressions of miR-19a and miR-19b and the proliferation activity and invasive ability of cells 2, 3, 4 and 5 d after the transfection in group E were significantly reduced as compared with those in group A/B (P＜0.05). Delayed cell cycle in group A/B and group E was noted as compared with that in control group and group D; and group E enjoyed more obviously delayed eell cycle than group A/B (P＜0.05). Conclusion MiR-19a and miR-19b might be oncomiRs, and may be candidate target miRNAs for gene therapy of glioma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Rural Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Sampling Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influencing factors on cerebral stroke in Zhangwu county, Liaoning province, a region with high hypertension prevalence rate.

METHODSBy cluster sampling method, 5208 adults ( > 18y. ) from 11 villages of 6 towns were registered. General information, common risk factors of cerebral stroke about these persons was recorded. Blood pressure together with several biochemistry indicators was determined. Data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 software.

RESULTSStandardized prevalence of cerebral stroke in this region was 3.10%, and the difference between males and females was significant. Prevalence rate was increasing with age. Multiple-factor analysis revealed that the incidence rate of cerebral stroke was related to high blood pressure, high diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-DL-C (LDL-C) level with OR values of 95% CI as 2.958 (1.783-4.907), 2.803 (1.934-4.062), 1.154 (1.056-1.261), 1.080 (1.063-1.097), 0.390 (0.235-0.647) and 1.422 (1.008-2.006) respectively.

CONCLUSIONHigh blood pressure, in particular high diastolic pressure, pulse pressure and LDL-C level were main risk factors of cerebral stroke in Zhangwu countryside. However, HDL-C level was a protective factor. No new risk factors were discovered.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; blood ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Young Adult

A 14-year-old female (social gender) patient was admitted to the hospital due to severe hypertension for 11 days. The patient had primary amenorrhea. The blood pressure was 146/90 mm Hg. The skin color was slightly black. The development of secondary sexual characteristics was poor. The labia majora could be observed in the vulva. However, the labia minora, clitoris, vagina, and hymen were absent. The levels of renin, cortisol, and sex hormone were low, while the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and gonadotropin were high. The levels of blood potassium and aldosterone were both normal. Radiography indicated retardation of bone age. Ultrasound examination revealed that the ovary and uterus were both absent. The patient had bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and cryptorchid testes located in both inguinal canals. The patient had a 46,XY karyotype. Whole genome sequencing revealed two homozygous mutations, c.985T>C and c.987delC, in exon 6 of the CYP17A1 gene of the patient and heterozygous mutations in the same sites of the parents. The patient was diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia-17α-hydroxylase deficiency. After treatment with hydrocortisone for 2 months, blood pressure returned to normal and the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone was reduced. According to the request of the patient and the parents, hydrocortisone was replaced with estrogen to allow the patient to live as a female. The patient also received surgical excision of cryptorchid testes to prevent gonadal malignancy. It is concluded that in the differential diagnosis of pediatric hypertension, sexual development should be considered and the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol should be evaluated. The rare disease 17α-hydroxylase deficiency should be considered for patients with low-renin hypertension and gonadal dysgenesis.

Cockayne syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease. This paper reports a case of Cockayne syndrome confirmed by gene analysis. The baby (male, 7 years old) was referred to Peking University Third Hospital with recurrent desquamation, pigmentation and growth and development failure for 6 years, and recurrent dental caries and tooth loss for 2 years. Physical examination showed very low body weight, body length and head circumference, yellow hair, a lot of fawn spots on the face, skin dry and less elastic, and subcutaneous lipopenia. He had an unusual appearance with sunken eyes, sharp nose, sharp mandible, big auricle and dental caries and tooth loss. Crura spasticity and ataxia with excessive tendon reflexion, and ankle movement limitation while bending back were observed. He had slured speech. The level of serum insulin like growth factor I was low, and the results of blood and urinary amino acid analysis suggested malnutrition. The results of blood growth hormone, thyroxin, parathyroxin, liver function, renal function, lipoprotein profile and blood glucose and electrolytes were all within normal limit. An electronic hearing examination showed moderate neural hearing loss. The sonogram of eyes revealed small eye axis and vitreous body opacity of right side. MRI of brain revealed bilateral calcification of basal ganglia and generalized cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, and brainstem and callus were also atrophic. Genetic analysis confirmed with CSA gene mutation. So the boy was definitely diagnosed with Cockayne syndrome. He was discharged because of no effective treatment.
Child ; Cockayne Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male