Objective To investigate the feature of cerebral glucose metabolism of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Methods Twenty-five DLB patients and Thirty-one PDD patients underwent positron emission tomography(PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) showing glucose metabolism. The region of interest (ROI) was selected from frontal cortex, temporal cortex, parietal cortex, occipital cortex, cerebellum cortex and corpora striata. 18F-FDG metabolism ratios between various cerebral regions and cerebellum cortex were compared as an indicator of regional cerebral glucose metabolic patterns.Results FDG metabolism ratio of frontal cortex, occipital cortex, parietal cortex, temporal cortex and corpus striatum decreased similarly in DLB and PPD (P>0.05). FDG metabolism ratio of occipital cortex decreased more significantly in DLB than in PDD (P<0.01). The decrease of FDG metabolism in corpus striatum of DLB was symmetric. For patients with PDD, FDG metabolism in corpus striatum contralateral to onset side decreased more significantly than that of corpus striatum ipsilateral to onset side (P<0.05). Conclusion There are similarities and discrepancies in cerebral glucose metabolism between DLB and PDD. These features may be useful in differential diagnosis between these two kinds of Lewy body disease.

In order to investigate the ability of PEG-PEI copolymers as gene carriers for delivery of VEGF165. A series of PEG-PEI copolymers with different PEG grafting was prepared and the cytotoxicity was evaluated. Simultaneously,the VEGF165 gene segment with HindⅢ and BamHⅠ site was obtained by PCR, which was cloned into pEGFP-C1. PEG-PEI/ pEGFP-VEGF165 complexes were formed by self-assembly and transfected HUVEc. Transfection efficiency was evaluated by measuring the percentage of cells expressing green fluorecensce protein. The VEGF expression was detected by ELISA, RT-PCR, and the effect of transfection on growth of endothelial cell was evaluated by MTT. The results suggested that the formation of PEG-PEI copolymers could help to reduce the cytotoxicity of PEI. After transfection, the strong expression of green fluorescence protein was observed by fluorescence microscopy. The transfection efficiency was influenced by the number of PEG side chains and N/P ratio. Of all copolymers tested, the transfection efficiency of PEG-PEI(5-25-1) at N/P = 30 reached a maximum, which was much higher than that of PEI. The expression of VEGF protein and mRNA increased significantly, and HUVEc proliferation was accelerated after transfection.These results indicates PEG-PEI copolymers can be used as effective gene carriers for delivery of pEGFP-VEGF165 gene.

Objective To investigate the relationship between metabolism of dopamine transporter and levodopa-responsiveness in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods Thirteen patients with PD of Hohen-Yahr stage Ⅱ were enrolled in this study.The acute consecutive levedopa/benserazide (50.0/12.5 mg,100.0/25.0 mg,150.0/37.5 mg)tests were used to assess the patients' motor responses.The dopamine transporter binding were assessed with 11C-CFT PET specific in putamen,eaudate nucleus and occipital cortex.The correlation between the improvement of UPDRS Ⅲ and 11C-CFT PET the uptaking capability was analyzed.Results The marked reduction of 11 C-CFT uptake was observed in posterior putamen in patients with PD.The reduction of tracers uptake in posterior putamen contralateral to onset side was more significant than the posterior putamen ipsilateral to onset side (P＜0.01 ).There was significant correlation between 11C-CFF uptake in posterior putamen contralateral to onset side and the improvement of UPDRS motor subscale in test with levedopa/benserazide 100.0/25.0 mg or 150.0/37.5 mg(r=0.513,r=0.572,P＜0.01 ).There was also significant correlation between 11C-CFT uptake in posterior putamen ipsilateral to onset side and the improvement of UPDRS motor subscale in test with levedopa/benserazide 100.0/25.0 mg or 150.0/37.5 mg (r=0.452,r=0.478,P＜0.01 ).There was no correlation between 11C-CFT uptake in basal ganglia and the improvement of UPDTRS motor subscale in test with levedopa/benserazide 100/25mg or 150/37.5 mg(P＞0.05 ).Conclusion There is correlation between metabolism of dopamine transporter and levedopa responsiveness in PD patients of Hoben-Yahr Ⅱ ,which is helpful for the investigation of the pathophysiology.

Background The experimental studies of venous thromboembolism (VTE) as an entity and the response of the pulmonary arterial endothelium after VTE are still rare.The objective of this study was to observe changes in the pulmonary arterial endothelium using a novel rat model of VTE.Methods Rats were allocated to the VTE (n=54) or control groups (n=9).The left femoral vein was blocked using a microvessel clip to form deep vein thrombosis (DVT).One,four or seven-day-old thrombi were injected into the right femoral vein to induce DVT-pulmonary thromboembolism (DVT-PTE).The rats were sacrificed 1,4 or 7 days later (Dn (1,4,7) Pn(1,4,7) subgroups (n=6)),and the lungs were examined using light and electron microscopy.Results On gross dissection,the rate of DVT formation was higher on day 1 (D1Pn:100％,18/18) than day 4 (D4Pn:83％,15/18; x2=5.900,P=0.015) or day 7 (D7Pn:44％,8/18; x2=13.846,P=0.000).On gross dissection,the positive emboli residue rate in the pulmonary arteries was lower in the D1Pn subgroup (39％,7/18) than the D4Pn (73％,11/15;x2=3.915,P=0.048) and D7Pn subgroups (100％,8/8; x2=8.474,P=0.004); however,light microscopy indicated the residual emboli rate was similar in all subgroups.Hyperplasia of the pulmonary arterial endothelium was observed 4 and 7 days after the injection of one-day-old or four-day-old thrombi.However,regions without pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and intra-elastic layers were observed one day after injection of seven-day-old thrombi.Conclusions This novel model closely simulates the clinical situations of thrombus formation and is ideal to study pulmonary endothelial cell activation.The outcome of emboli and pulmonary arterial endothelial alterations are related to the age and nature of the thrombi.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of Rebixiao granule (RBXG) in treating repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis and through experimental study on blood uric acid to explore RBXG's therapeutic mechanism.

METHODSNinety repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis patients were divided into the treated group (n = 60) and control group (n = 30). The treated group was treated with RBXG, and the control group was treated with Futalin tablets (diclofenac sodium). The baseline treatment including good rest, low purine diet, sufficient water drinking and urine alkalization, etc. was then given to both groups. Hypoxanthine 600 mg/kg and niacin 100 mg/kg was applied to hyperuricemic mice by gastrogavage to establish the animal models.

RESULTSThe clinical effective rate of the treated group was 95.0% and that of the control 90.0%. Good therapeutic effects were won, insignificant difference (P > 0.05)was shown between the two groups. However, the cure rate of the treated group was 26.7% while that of the control group was 10.0%, with significant difference (P < 0.01) shown between them. The treated group had its blood uric acid lowered, which was significantly different (P < 0.05) from that of the control group. The animal experiment indicated that all the three groups treated with different dosages of RBXG, as well as the Ash bark and Smilax glabra rhizome groups had their blood uric acid content reduced in the hyperuricemic mice.

CONCLUSIONRBXG has a quicker initiation and better treatment effects than sole anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents on the treatment of repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis, showing no obvious toxic or adverse reactions and therefore good for long-term administration and likely to be a safe TCM preparation to control the symptoms and reduce the onsets of repeatedly attacking of acute gouty arthritis. The animal experiment shows that both the compound preparation and part of the single ingredients in the recipe have the function of reducing blood uric acid. However, the compound recipe has better therapeutic effects, proving to be superior to single drugs.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Gouty ; blood ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Diclofenac ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome ; Uric Acid ; blood

To develop an analytic method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of dodecatetraenamides A, B in 42 samples of two official species of Asari Radix et Rhizoma( ARR) (37 samples of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum with different collection time and 5 samples of Asarum sieboldiivar. seoulense). The HPLC-IT-TOF-MS/MS methods for the qualitative and UPLC-PDA methods for the quantitative analysis were established. Dodecatetraenamides A, B were identified by comparing the retention time, UV absorption spectrum and quasi-molecular ion peak [ M + H]+ with the reference compound using HPLC-IT-TOF-MS/MS. The content of dodecatetraenamides A and B in ARR were determined by UPLC-PDA. The separation was successfully carried out on a ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) column eluted with mobile phases of water (A) and acetonitrile (B) in gradient program (0-3 min, 35% B; 3-5 min, 35%-36% B; 5-6 min, 36%-43% B; 6 min-11 min 43% B; 11-12 min, 43%-100% B). The column temperature was 45 °C, and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. The flow rate was 0.6 mL · min(-1). On one level mass spectrometry scanning, the results showed that the quasi-molecular ion [M + H] + of both dodecatetraenamides A and B were m/z 248.20. The quantitative method with UPLC-PDA has made the baseline separation of the constituents, which were reported as mixtures in the most literatures. The average recovery of dodecatetraenamides A and B were 97.90% and 99.86%, the relative standard deviation were 0.4% and 1.1%, respectively. The contents of dodecatetraenamides A, B in all ARR samples was in the range of 0.11-3.89 and 0.24-6.65 mg · g(-1). Their contents reduced with the extension of storage time. Compared with the samples of 2013, the average content of the two constituents in the samples collected in year 2002-2003 reduced 34% and 36%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared the A. sieboldii var. seoulense and A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum with the same collective time and production area, the average contents of the two constituents in latter were up to (1.59 ± 0.75) mg · g(-1) and (2.90 ± 1.17) mg · g(-1), respectively, significantly higher than that in A. sieboldii var. seoulense (dodecatetraenamide A were (0.78 ± 0.52) mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B were (1.69 ± 0.83) mg · g(-1)) (P < 0.05). The content of the dodecatetraenamide A in overground part was in the range of 0.11-0.33 mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B was 0. 24-0.60 mg · g(-1), which were much lower than that of the underground part of ARR (dodecatetraenamide A was in the range of 0.73-3.89 mg · g(-1), dodecatetraenamide B was 2.11-6.24 mg · g(-1)). The method was certified to be simple, accurate and reliable and could be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of dodecatetraenamide A and B in different species of ARR, also can be used for the comprehensive quality control of traditional Chinese medicine, Asari Radix et Rhizoma.
Amides ; chemistry ; Asarum ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate current diagnosis and therapeutic effect and outcome of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) in 169 patients.

METHODSThe data of 169 DAI patients treated in the Second, Sixth, Eighth and Ninth Hospitals of Shenzhen and Shekou Hospital from January 2001 to January 2005 were collected. The imaging features, classification, GCS (Glasgow coma scale), treatment and outcome of the 169 patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe simpler the imaging features, the closer the focus of DAI to the periphery of hemisphere and the higher the GCS score, the better the prognoses of DAI patients will be.

CONCLUSIONSThe prognoses of DAI patients are closely related to the imaging features and classification, GCS and clinical treatment.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prevalence of TET2 gene mutation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, and analyze their clinical characteristics and prognosis.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing were used to sequence exon 3 to 11 of TET2 gene.

RESULTSAmong 96 AML patients, TET2 gene mutation was detected in 13 (13.54%) patients (95%CI 6.70% - 20.38%). The median age was 54 years in mutated group and 41 years in unmutated group (P = 0.010). Mutated and unmutated patients did not significantly differ in gender, white blood cells (WBC) count at diagnosis, platelet count, PB and BM blast percentage and chromosome karyotype, excepting for hemoglobin level 84 (70 - 108) g/L in mutated group versus 70 (55 - 87) g/L in unmutated group (P = 0.032). TET2 gene mutation had no significant correlation with C-KIT, FLT3, JAK2V617F mutations, but did with NPM1 mutation. TET2 mutated patients had lower CR1 rate and 2-year overall survival than unmutated in non-M(3) patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTET2 gene mutation is more prevalent in older AML patients and has a certain correlation with clinical characteristics and outcome. It may be a molecular marker for poor prognosis in AML.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Young Adult

AIMTo investigate the effects of RLI on plasma nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthase (NOS) isoforms of healthy humans.

METHODS30 healthy human subjects (aged from 40 - 70 years old) were recruited. RLI was induced by five 5 min cycles of ischemia of non dominant arm (200 mmHg, 5 min interval). Blood pressure, heart rate, and the feelings of ischemic arm were continuously monitored. Venous plasma was collected in contralateral arm at Pre, Post-0 h, Post-4 h, and Post-24 h. Plasma level of NO was measured by Griess reaction, and NOS was measured by chemical method.

RESULTSBlood pressure and heart rate varied in normal range. The uncomfortable feeling was decreased with the increasing numbers of ischemic cycles. Plasma level of NO, and iNOS in plasma were significantly increased at Post-0 h, Post-4 h, and Post-24 h compared to Pre (P < 0.05). tNOS was also significantly increased at Post-0 h and Post-4 h compared to Pre (P < 0.05). No significant change in plasma cNOS was shown at following three time points than Pre.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that RLI can elevate plasma level of NO, tNOS, and iNOS in healthy humans. RLI might be a safe method as a rIPC, and it would have important possibility to be performed in clinic.

Adult ; Aged ; Arm ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia ; blood ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo approach the long term safety and efficacy of transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR, holmium: YAG) combined with off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) compared with OPCAB alone in patients with ischemic cardiac disease.

METHODSBetween 1999 and 2005, 80 patients with diffusely diseased target vessels from two centers in Beijing were enrolled to the study and randomized to receive either TMLR/OPCAB (n = 40) or OPCAB (n = 40) operation. Baseline demographics and operative characteristics were similar between groups. Follow-up (mean 3.4 +/- 1.7 years) included CCS angina class and NYHA classification assessments, 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and echocardiography.

RESULTSPerioperative mortality was 5% in both groups. No death occurred during follow up. At the end of follow-up, patients at both groups experienced significant improvement on angina score compared with baseline, and angina score was also significantly lower (1.21 +/- 0.42 vs. 1.57 +/- 0.87, P = 0.03) and 6MWT-distance significantly increased (518.0 +/- 65.5 m vs. 473.8 +/- 65.8m, P = 0.006) in OPCAB/TMLR group than that in the OPCAB group. Fewer patients developed recurrent severe angina and received re-CABG/PCI in OPCAB/TMLR group than that in the OPCAB (1 vs. 6 cases, P = 0.113). NYHA and LVEF were similar between the groups at the end of follow up.

CONCLUSIONOur study showed that the addition of TMLR to OPCAB is superior in improving angina and exercise tolerance, but there is no further improvement in cardiac function compared to OPCAB alone.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Laser ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Disease ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Revascularization ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies