Aphasia is one of the major complications after stroke, which needs an effective assessment. Event-related potential (ERP) has been widely researched in neurology, the endogenous components, such as P300, N400, mismatch negativity (MMN), contingent nega-tive variation (CNV) have been widely used in diagnosis and evaluation of the impairment of brain function, including the language func-tion. This paper discussed the application of different endogenous components of ERP in aphasia after stroke, especially the comparative analysis of N400 and P300.

A new kind of curcin (curcin 2), induced by several kinds of stresses from Jatropha curcas leaves, under the control of the 35S CaMV (cauliflower mosaic virus) promoter, was introduced into tobacco genome by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method. Curcin 2 protein was only detected in the transgenic tobacco plants transformed with the cur2p fragment (coding premature curcin 2 protein), but not in the plants transformed with cur2m fragment (coding mature curcin 2 protein). The transgenic lines expressing curcin 2 showed increased tolerance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

Aim To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of madecassoside from hydrocotyle sibthorpioides (MHS)on learning and memory impair-ment induced by D-galactose (D-gal)in mice.Meth-ods Totally 75 SPF Kunming male mice were divided into normal control group,model group,low-,middle-and high-doses of MHS treated groups.The dementia models were induced with D-gal.The learning and memory functions were tested by Morris water maze, the level of Aβ1 -42 and its related proteins in the hip-pocampus was determined by Western blot,and the ex-pression of Aβ-related genes were determined by RT-PCR.Results Compared with model group,MHS markedly decreased the content of Aβ1 -42 ,inhibited the expression of APP,BACE1 and CatB,but promo-ted the expression of NEP and IDE.In addition,AHS significantly increased the expression of plasticity-relat-ed proteins including PSD-95,p-NMDAR1,p-CaMKII, p-PKACβ,PKCγ,p-CREB and BDNF.Conclusions MHS could remarkably ameliorate the learning and memory impairment induced by D-gal in mice,which may be due to its ability to inhibit the Aβgeneration and deposition and promote synaptic plasticity related protein expression.

Objective To examine the impact of chronic diseases and blood biomarkers on daily living activities of hospitalized nonagenarians.Methods We used data from 161 nonagenarians who had been admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine from January to December 2014.Patients were divided into three groups:the mild dependence group,the moderate dependence group and the severe dependence group,based on the Barthel Index.Data were collected from patients' medical records.Differences in chronic disease characteristics and biomarkers between the three groups were compared and multiple regression and correlation analysis was also carried out.Results Compared with the mild independence group,patients in the severe dependence group were older(92.6 ± 2.6 vs.91.2 ±1.7 years,P＜ 0.05)and had lower levels of sodium(138.0 ± 5.0 vs.140.9 ± 3.7 mmol/L),albumin(35.4 ± 4.2 vs.39.2 ± 4.3 g/L),prealbumin,total cholesterol,low density lipoprotein cholesterol,and total iron binding (34.8 ± 7.9 vs.43.2 ± 7.4 mmol/L) respectively,P＜ 0.01 or 0.05),and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [22.0 (31.6) vs.2.6 (6.6) g/L,P＜ 0.01].Multivariate linear regression showed that albumin (β=0.23,P =0.011),sodium (β=0.21,P=0.003),total iron biding capacity(β=0.26,P=0.003),and age (β=-0.15,P =0.036) were significantly associated with daily living activities.Conclusions Higher proportions of hospitalized nonagenarians suffer multiple diseases.Activities of daily living are significantly associated with albumin,total iron biding capacity,and sodium.While the number of diseases has no influence on activities of daily living,good nutritional status and electrolyte balance are very important to nonagenarians.

Objective To further understand the cellular events of myocarditis,we have examined the myocardial mitochondria structure and activity of ATPase in mice with myocarditis,and observe the interventional effect of different doses of carptopril.Methods Sixty male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:infected coxsackie B3 virus(CVB3)group,infected CVB3 and treated with carptopril(in a dose of 10,30,or 100 mg/kg,twice a day)groups and control group.Captopril was administered after infection.The activity of Na+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase(Na+-K+-ATPase)and Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase(Ca2+-ATPase)of myocardial mitochondrial as well as the morphological of myocardial mitochondrial were investigated on day 14.Results The activity of mitochondrial Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase were significantly higher(Pa0.05).Conclusions The favorable effects of captopril exerts on myocyte mitochondria were shown in a dose-dependent manner.Thirty and 100 mg/kg,twice a day captopril protecs the membrane integrity and thus plays a role at the recovery of depressed mitochondrial Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activity and also in myocytes injury.

Objective To explore an effective methods for percutaneous biopsy needle fixing which is guided by CT.Methods After the biopsy needle gets to the destination along with the aforehand route,the unique designs of hollow cylinder and the strip can fix the biopsy needle effectively.Results In 342 cases of CT-GUIDED percutaneous biopsy,329 cases get to the pathological organize which can make accord with pathological diagnosis requirement,and the rate of success is up to 95.9%.It can replace the artificial fixed device.Conclusion The simple gassiness retainer is a very practical assistant apparatus in CT interventionao radiongy,and prevents medical worker and patient relatives from contacting the danger of the X-ray,which worth popularizing and applying.

To study the protective effect and the mechanism of asiatic acid (AA) from Potentilla chinensis on alcohol hepatic injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal control group, the AA control group (8 mg · kg(-1) AA), the model group (5.0-9.0 g · kg(-1) alcohol) and high, medium and low-dose AA-treated groups (alcohol + 8, 4, 2 mg · kg(-1) AA). Each group was orally administered with the corresponding drugs once a day for 24 weeks. Approximately 1. 5 hours after the final administration, all rats were killed, and their blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected. The AST and ALT in rat serum and the contents of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MDA in hepatic tissues were detected. The expressions of NF-κB, TLR4, CD14, MyD88, TRIF and protein expression in hepatic tissues were measured by western blot. The pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by histological examination. The results showed that compared with the model group, the AA-treated groups showed significant decreases in serum ALT, AST and MDA and increases in the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, GSH-Rd and MPO. Moreover, AA markedly inhibited the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, TLR4, CD14, MyD88 and NF-κB. The histological examination showed alleviated hepatic issue ijury to varying degrees. In short, asiatic acid (AA) from P. chinensis could protect alcohol-induced hepatic injury in rats. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB inactivation and the reduction of inflammatory response.
Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; prevention & control ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; physiology ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; Potentilla ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective To investigate the role of scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) signaling pathway in serum amyloid A (SAA)-induced angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods The expression and location of SR-B1 in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissues were observed by immunohistochemistry.And SR-B1 expression in the resting human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was detected by immunoflourescence.Wound repair assessement and tube formation assessement were employed to evaluate the effect on cell migration and tube formation stimulated by SAA and/or anti-SR-B1 antibody.The t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis.Results ① SR-B1 was significantly highly expressed in RA tissue samples (A=6 788±819) when compared to the minimal expression in OA (A =31 849±6 977,t=3.567,P＜0.01).Positive staining of SR-B1 was observed in RA synovial vascular endothelial cells and perivascular areas.② Strong staining for SR-B1 was observed in all HUVECs tested.③ Significant wound healing induced by SAA (MI=2.50±0.17) was found compared with the untreated controls (MI=1.00±0.09,q=14.38,P＜0.01),and the effects were inhibited in the presence of anti-SR-B1 antibody (MI=1.16±0.14,q=13.02,P＜0.01).④ Compared to the untreated group (branch point number:6.6±0.8),there was an enhanced formation of branched and capillary-hke tube structure followed by SAA stimulation (branch point number:19.0±1.1,q=25.04,P＜0.01) after culturing for 72 h,whereas,tube formation decreased markedly upon pre-treated with anti-SR-B1 antibody (branch point number:7.6±1.3,vs SAA,q =23.32,P＜0.01).Conclusion Our present study suggests that serum amyloid A may induce angiogenesis via SR-B1 signaling pathway in RA.

Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Occupational Health Services ; organization & administration ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Risk Assessment ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; standards

Objective To investigate the guiding value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) level in antibiotic treatment of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods A total of 120 patients with SAP after acute cerebral hemorrhage were enroled and were randomly divided into either a conventional treatment group ( n=59) or a PCT guided group ( n=61). In accordance w ith the guidelines for the use of antibiotics in China, the conventional treatment group w as treated w ith antibiotics and the course of antibiotics w as determined by the treating physician. The serum PCT of the PCT group w as monitored continuously after using antibiotics for 5 days. When PCT w as < 0.25 μg/L and the body temperature of the patients w as normal, the antibiotics w ere stopped. When PCT w as ≥0.25 μg/L, the antibiotics w ere used continuously. When PCT w as <0.25 μg/L, but stil had a fever, and the antibiotics w ere used continuously til the temperature w as normal. The course of antibiotics, length of hospitalization, and 30-d mortality of both groups w ere compared. At day 90 after treatment, the modified Rankin scale (mRS) w as used to evaluate the neurological outcome. The mRS score 0-2 w as good outcome and >2 w as poor outcome. They were folowed up for 6 months after discharge. A Kaplan-Meier survive curve was use to compare the survival rate of both groups. Results The course of antibiotics ( 8.95 ±2.73 d vs.13.26 ± 4.11 d;t=6.407, P<0.001) and the length of hospitalization ( 15.64 ±2.63 d vs.18.36 ±4.27 d; t=3.967, P<0.001) of the PCT group w ere significantly shorter than those of the conventional treatment group. There w ere no significant differences in the proportions of 30 d mortality ( 9.8%vs.10.1%; χ2 =0.003, P=0.951) and 90 d good outcome ( 60.6%vs.59.3%; χ2 =0.022, P=0.881) betw een the PCT guided group and the conventional treatment group. At the end of the 6-month folow-up period, a total of 13 patients (12.0%) died, including 6 in the conventional treatment group and 7 in the PCT group. The Kaplan-Meier analysis show ed that there w as no significant difference in the 6-month survival rate betw een the 2 groups (χ2 = 0.070, P= 0.791 ). Conclusions Monitoring the serum PCT level for guiding antibiotic treatment of SAP after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is safe, and it may shorten the course of antibiotics and reduce the length of hospitalization.