Neuronal α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are the most widespread subtypes in central nervous system, α4β2 nAChRs mainly exist in procerebrum, parietal lobe cortex, temporal lobe cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglion and cerebellum. Researches on gene knock-out mice have demonstrated that α4β2 receptors participate in the development, aging, neuron survival, pain, and learning and memory, and are also involved in gamma-aminobutyric acid release and dopaminergic function. Studies have disclosed that α4β2 nAChRs relate to the development of variety of neurological diseases, including pain, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Neuronal?_4?_2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors(nAChRs) are the most widespread subtypes in central nervous system.?_4?_2 nAChRs mainly exist in procerebrum,parietal lobe cortex,temporal lobe cortex,hippocampus,basal ganglion and cerebellum.Researches on gene knock-out mice have demonstrated that?_4?_2 receptors participate in the development,aging,neuron survival,pain,and learning and memory,and are also involved in gamma-aminobutyric acid release and dopaminergic function.Studies have disclosed that?_4?_2 nAChRs relate to the development of variety of neurological diseases,including pain,Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Objective To investigate the relationship between gene polymorphism of transcripion factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) at positions rs290487, rs11196205, rs11196218 and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Chinese women.Methods In 1140 unrelated pregnant Northern Chinese women (335 women with GDM, 158 gestational cases with impaired glucose tolerance and 647 pregnant non-diabetic controls) ,three single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs290487, rs11196205, and rs11196218) in the TCF7L2 gene were genotyped using ligase detection reaction (LDR).In the present study, cases with GDM and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were indistinguishable clinically and biochemically, and were combined into case group.Results The frequency of C allele of rs290487 was 41.6% in case group, being significantly higher than that in control group (36.3%, P=0.012).There was significant difference in the frequency of CC genotype between case group and control group (18.7% vs 14.0%, P=0.033).Compared with T allele carriers, CC genotype carriers had a 1.418-fold increased risk of GDM (95% CI 1.028-1.955).After adjusting for age, body mass index, family history of diabetes,systolic blood pressure,and diastolic blood pressure, pregnant women with CC genotype carriers of rs290487 were more prone to hyperglycemia compared with the T allele carriers (OR 1.518, 95% CI 1.064-2.166).Conclusions The TCF7L2 rs290487 variant may contribute to the genetic predisposition to GDM.CC genotype is likely to be associated with an increased risk of GDM in the pregnant Chinese women.

Objective To detect the level of serum cystatin C(CysC),macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF),urinary podocytes(UPC) and explore the correlation between the levels of the three and therapeutic effect in children with primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS).Methods The serum CysC,MIF levels were detected in 38 children with PNS,which were treated before and after remission by double-antibody sandwich sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Podocyte-specific marker protein-Podocalyxin(PCX) was detected by immunofluorescene to definite UPC before and after remission and compare with those of healthy control group(n=15).Results Compared with control group,the levels of serum MIF were significantly increased in 22 patients responded sensitively to prednisone prior and post treatment(Pa0.05),however,CysC,MIF and UPC significantly increased after treatment in 16 steroid-resistant children(Pa0.05), MIF significantly decreased(Pa0.05)in steroid-resistant children after treatment.In 16 children with steroid-resistant, complete remission of PNS as cyclophosphamide pulse treatment being added in 10 patients,which CysC, MIF,UPC were significantly higher than those in control group(Pa

Objective To explore the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) in kidney of diabetic rats,the influence of protein kinase C ? inhibitor LY333531 on the expression of VEGF and MIF.Methods Thirty wistar rats were divided at random into three groups:normal control group(NC group);diabetic model group(DM group),the rats models of diabetic mellitus were induced by streptozotocin(SIZ);LY333531 treated group(LT group),which were given LY333531 [10 mg/(kg?d)] by gastric perfusion after DM model inducing success.At the 10th week,the levels of blood glucose(BG),24 hours urine albumin excretion rate(AER),urine VEGF,and MIF were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Glomerular cellularity and extracellular matrix(ECM) were observed by light microscope.The expression levels of VEGF and MIF in the kidney tissues in three groups of rats were detected using immunohistochemistry.Results BG,AER,VEGF,MIF in DM group were significantly higher than those in control group(Pa0.05).There was strongly stained of VEGF,MIF in glomerular mesangium in DM group,weakly positive in LT group by immunohistochemistry.The expression of VEGF and MIF in DM gorup significantly increased than those in NC group(P0.05).Conclusions The expression levels of VEGF and MIF in kidney tisues of diabetic rats significantly increase and correlation with the degree of renal tissue injury.LY333531 can contribute to cut down BG,decrease AER,VEGF,MIF excrection in urine,inhibit glomerular cellularity and ECM proliferation,inhibit expressions of VEGF and MIF to protect kidney.

Objective To explore the effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on Nephrin protein expression in renal of diabetic rats.Methods Diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin(STZ).Groups were divided as follows:diabetic group(DM group),1,25-(OH)2D3 treated group[1,25-(OH)2D3 group] and control group.At the 12th week,haematuria and proteinuria were determined and the kidneys were removed by histopathology,immunostaining,and the expression of Nephrin mRNA and protein in renal cortex were detected by reversed transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Compared with control and 1,25-(OH)2D3 groups,urine erythrocyte and protein excretion and glomerlar cellularity in DM group statistically increased(P0.05).Conclusion The effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 is in relieving haematuria and proteinuria and up-regulate the expression of nephrin mRNA and protein to protein kidney.

We were introducing a log-linear model for case-parent triad study.Data from a previous study of the association between MTHFR C677T aud cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) was analyzed,in order to investigate the maternal effect,fetal effect and their interaction,using a series of log-linear models.Our results showed that mothers who were carrying two copies of MTHFR C677T variant alleles appeared to have reduced the risk of CL/P in offspring,comparing to those with homozygous of wild-type allele.With S2=0.43 (95％ CI:0.19-0.95).No significant association was found for fetal genotype and maternal-fetal iuteraction with CL/P.Log-linear model method seemed to be useful in the estimation of maternal effect,fetal effect and maternal-fetal interaction,in the case-parent triad study design.This approach showed specific benefit in studies that related to genetic effects on complex diseases such as pregnancy complications and diseases originated from fetus.

Objective To explore the clinical effect and application value of four-point internal fixation technique (internal fixation of C_1-C_2 transarticular screws combined with Apofix laminar clamp technique) for traumatic atlantoaxial instability.Methods A total of 16 patients with traumatic atlanto- axial instability,who had reducible atlantoaxial dislocation with reduction after traction and irreducible at- lantoaxial dislocation with traction reduction after anterior laxation,were treated with four-point internal fixation technique using autologous bone grafts.Results All patients' symptoms were improved to some extent,and no severe complications,such as injury of nerve blood vessels were found.All patients were followed up for 8-26 months (average 16 months).Bony fusion was obtained in all cases.The spinal cord function improvement was marked in 5 cases (31%),good in 8(50%),mild in 2(13%),but un- changed in 1 (6%).No deterioration occurred in all cases.There was no loosening or breakage of screws and clamps.Conclusion Fixation of C_1-C_2 transarticular screws combined with Apofix laminar clamp technique can atlain four-point internal fixation,and can provide three-dimensional stability of atlantoaxial complex and excellent biomechanics environment for bony fusion if the structure of the posterior arch of C_1-C_2 is intact.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of major histocompatibility complex classⅡgene in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Methods Two-hit porcine model of MODS was duplicated in 18 swine that were randomly assigned into experimental group(Group M,n=9) and control group(Group C,n=9).The Group M was given compound factors including hemorrhagic shock,reperfusion injury and endotoxemia,and the Group C only underwent anesthesia and arterious/ve- nous eannula.After seven days,the animals were killed to remove splenic tissues fro extracting total RNA by Trizol method.The primer of SLA-DQA(MHC classⅡgene of swine)was designed to construct cD- NA by reverse transcription and the quantity of SLA-DQA mRNA detected with real time fluorescent quan- titative polymerase chain reaction(real time FQ-PCR).The standard curve was described by UVP com- puter image analysis system.Results The mortality of Group M was 78%(7/9),and the incidence rate of MODS was 89%(8/9).The expressing quantity of Group M was(1.376?1.006)?10~3,signifi- cantly lower than(5.330?3.053)?10~3 of Group C(P＜0.01).Conclusion Duplication of por- cine MODS model is satisfactory.Down-regulation of MHC classⅡgene may be due to control of classⅡtransactivator(CⅡTA)and release of multiple eytokine,such as TNF-?and IL-10.

AIMTo investigate the in vitro influencing factors on drug release from matrices with sodium alginate as the hydrophilic polymer.

METHODSSodium alginate hydrophilic matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method with theopylline as a model drug. The in vitro influencing factors on drug release behavior from matrices were studied by investigating the swelling, water uptake and erosion characteristics of pure sodium alginate matrices.

RESULTSThe results showed that drug release rate and drug release mechanism were both related to the viscosity of sodium alginate used in matrices, pH values and ionic strength of dissolution media and rotation speeds.

CONCLUSIONSodium alginate can be tailor-made to suit the demands of applicants in sustained delivery systems as a good candidate of hydrophilic polymer.

Alginates ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glucuronic Acid ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Hexuronic Acids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Solubility ; Tablets ; Theophylline ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Viscosity