Objective To explore the role ofpostsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) in Parkinsonian rat models receiving chronic L-dopa treatment. Methods The hemi-parkinsonian rat models were established by stereotaxically injecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right medial forebrain bundle of 60 rats. Thirty-two of them were successfully induced into models with PD and equally randomized into PD group, L-dopa plus physiological saline treatment group, L-dopa plus PSD-95antisense oligonucleotide treatment group and L-dopa plus TE treatment group (n=8). The rats in the PD group were treated intraperitoneally with 0.2% ascorbic acid physiological saline water. The rats in the for 22 d. On the following 3 days, the rats were performed intraperitoneal injection of physiological saline water, injection of PSD-95 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide and TE buffer in the striatum,respectively. Another 8 rats were chosen as normal control group, only given solvent. Rotational reaction time and the largest number of revolutions within 5 minutes of rotation were estimated on the 25th d of injection. After rats being sacrificed, Mrna and protein expressions of PSD-95 at the corpus striatum were observed by RT-PCR and Western blotting, repectively. Results After chronic treatment with L-dopa methylester, the rotational reaction time was prolonged and the the largest number of revolutions within 5 minutes of rotation of PD rats was decreased in the L-dopa plus PSD-95 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide group on the 25th d, as compared with those in the L-dopa plus physiological saline water group and L-dopa plus TE group (P＜0.05). In the lesioned striatum of PD rats, the abundance of PSD-95 Mrna and protein expressions were statistically and evidently reduced as compared with those in the control group (P＜0.05). After chronic treatment of PD rats with L-dopa, the abundance of PSD-95mRNA and protein expressions were statistically and evidently increased as compared with that in the PD group (P＜0.05). Pretreatment with PSD-95 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide statistically and obviously reduced the abundance of PSD-95 protein expression as compared with pretreatment with chronic L-dopa (P＜0.05). Conclusion PSD-95 may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of motor complications of rats with PD receiving chronic L-dopa treatment.

Acetates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Diving ; adverse effects ; Ear Canal ; injuries ; Nitrogen ; Oxygen ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rabbits

To establish a method for detecting microdialysis recovery of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) and ferulic acid (FA) and investigating the influencing factors, providing the basis for further in vivo microdialysis experiments. The concentration of FA and TMP in dialysates were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography ( HPLC) and probe recovery were calculated respectively. The influence of the flow rates, medium concentration, temperature and in vivo probe stability on the recovery of FA and TMP were investigated by using concentration difference method (incremental method and decrement method). The recovery obtained by incremental method were similar to by decrement method. The in vitro recovery rate of FA and TMP decreased with the increase of 1-2.5 μL min(-1), and increased obviously with the temperature of 25-42 degrees C under the same conditions. The concentration of FA and TMP had no obvious effect on the probe recovery under the same flow rate. In addition, the recovery of TMP and FA remained stable and showed similar trends under the condition of four concentration cycles, indicating that the intra day reproducibility of the concentration difference method was good. The recovery of brain microdialysis probes in vivo 8 h maintained a relatively stable, but certain differences existed between different brain microdialysis probes, demonstrating that each probe was required for recovery correction in vivo experiment. Microdialysis sampling can be used for the local brain pharmacokinetic study of FA and TMP, and retrodialysis method can be used in probe recovery of FA and TMP in vivo.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumaric Acids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Microdialysis ; methods ; Pyrazines ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats

Objective To investigate the prevalence of endemic fluorosis and the progress acchieved through control measures in Taian County of Gansu Province so as to provide basis and technique support for endemic fluorosis control. Methods The survey was carried out according to the National Surveillance Scheme of Endemic Fluorosis. Fulfillment of control measures and the quality of water improving projects were surveyed. Samples of household water and urine in children aged 8-12 years were collected and fluoride content was detected by iron selective electrode method. Children's dental fluorosis were examined with Dean method. Results In Qinan County, water was improved in a rate of 100%. In water-improving and defluoridation projects investigated, 81.15% (99/122) projects worked well, 18.85% (23/122) projects were closed or abandoned. The number of water improvement projects monitored were 24,81,9,8,respectively in the year through 2004 to 2007, revealing 13 projects having water fluorine content(>1.0-2.0 mg/L) in 2004, 15 and 5 projects having water fluorine content higher that 1.0-2.0 and 2.0-4.0 mg/L respectively in 2005, 2 projects having water fluorine content(>1.0-2.0 mg/L) in 2006, and no projects above 4.0 mg/L. In Anfu Village, the fluorine content of source and drinking water were all below 1.0 mg/L in 2006 and 2007. The urinary fluoride content of 8-12 years old children was equal and higher than 1.5 mg/L, dental fluorosis rate was 34.47% (354/1027), and dental fluorosis index was 0.65 in 2004-2007. Conclusions Projects running out of status and excessive levels of water fluorine are frequently seen, dental fluorosis is not controlled in Taian County of Gansu Province

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; utilization

OBJECTIVEEnergy metabolism of critically ill children has its own characteristics, especially for those undergoing mechanical ventilation. We tried to assess the energy expenditure status and evaluate the use of predictive equations in such children. Moreover, the characteristics of the energy metabolism among various situation were explored.

METHODFifty critically ill children undergoing mechanical ventilation were selected in this study. Data produced during the 24 hours of mechanical ventilation were collected for computation of severity of illness. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was determined at 24 hours after mechanical ventilation (MREE). Predictive resting energy expenditure (PREE) was calculated for each subject using age-appropriate equations (Schofield-HTWT, White). The study was approved by the hospital medical ethics committee and obtained parental written informed consent.

RESULTThe pediatric risk of mortality score 3 (PRISM3) and pediatric critical illness score (PCIS) were (7 ± 3) and (82 ± 4), respectively. MREE, Schofield-HTWT equation PREE and White equation PREE were (404.80 ± 178.28), (462.82 ± 160.38) and (427.97 ± 152.30) kcal/d, respectively; 70% were hypometabolic and 10% were hypermetabolic. MREE and PREE which were calculated using Schofield-HTWT equation and White equation, both were higher than MREE (P = 0.029). Correlation analysis was performed between PRISM3 and PCIS with MREE. There were no statistically significant correlation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe hypometabolic response is apparent in critically ill children with mechanical ventilation; Schofield-HTWT equation and White equation could not predict energy requirements within acceptable clinical accuracy. In critically ill children undergoing mechanical ventilation, the energy expenditure is not correlated with the severity of illness.

Basal Metabolism ; physiology ; Body Weight ; Calorimetry, Indirect ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Critical Illness ; Energy Metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Male ; Nutritional Requirements ; Oxygen Consumption ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Respiration, Artificial ; Rest ; physiology ; Severity of Illness Index

BACKGROUNDSubclinical apoplexy of pituitary functional adenoma can cause spontaneous remission of hormone hypersecretion. The typical presence of pituitary growth hormone (GH) adenoma is gigantism and/or acromegaly. We investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with spontaneous partial remission of acromegaly or gigantism due to subclinical apoplexy of GH adenoma.

METHODSSix patients with spontaneous remission of acromegaly or gigantism were enrolled. The clinical characteristics, endocrinological evaluation and imageological characteristics were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSIn these cases, the initial clinical presences were diabetes mellitus or hypogonadism. No abrupt headache, vomiting, visual function impairment, or conscious disturbance had ever been complained of. The base levels of GH and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were normal or higher, but nadir GH levels were all still > 1 µg/L in 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Magnetic resonance imaging detected enlarged sella, partial empty sella and compressed pituitary. The transsphenoidal surgery was performed in 2 cases, and the other patients were conservatively managed. All the patients were in clinical remission.

CONCLUSIONSWhen the clinical presences, endocrine evaluation, biochemical examination and imageology indicate spontaneous remission of GH hypersecretion in patients with gigantism or acromegaly, the diagnosis of subclinical apoplexy of pituitary GH adenoma should be presumed. To these patients, conservative therapy may be appropriate.

Acromegaly ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gigantism ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma ; complications ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; complications ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo create a three dimension (3D) in vitro model for angiogenesis of hemangioma.

METHODThe fragment of hemangioma specimen was embedded in fibrin gel to set up the three-dimension (3D) in vitro model for angiogenesis of hemangioma.

RESULTIn the model, microvessels grew out from the tissue fragments at the 2nd to 3rd day after culture, and at the 8th to 9th day a compact network of microvessels come into being, then tending to be stationary. The compact network around the tissue fragment was confirmed to be blood vessels by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy.

CONCLUSIONThis model helps to study the mechanism of hemangioma angiogenesis and investigate the drugs of anti-angiogenesis.

Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Neovascularization, Pathologic

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of integripetal rhodiola herb on pulmonary arterial remodeling and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in high altitude pulmonary hypertension in rats. Fifty healthy male Wistar rats were divided into five groups randomly: Plain control group (LC group), 10-day plateau group (H(10) group), 30-day plateau group (H(30) group), 10-day rhodiola-treated plateau group (R(10) group), and 30-day rhodiola-treated plateau group (R(30) group). Each group included 10 rats. The rats in LC group were kept in Chengdu (500 meters above sea level), and rats in H and R groups were kept in Lhasa (3 700 meters above sea level). The rats in R group were daily treated with integripetal rhodiola herb extract (24%, 10 mL/kg) intragastrically for 10 d or 30 d, while rats in LC and H groups were treated with the same volume of saline. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was detected via a catheter in the pulmonary artery by pressure waveform monitoring. The ratio value of right ventricle weight to left ventricle plus septum weight [RV/(LV + S)] was measured. The microstructure of pulmonary arterioles was examined by electron microscopy. The expression of VEGF in the lung was investigated using immunohistochemistry. The results showed that mPAP and [RV/(LV + S)] in H(10) group and H(30) group were higher than those in LC group (P < 0.05); but there was no significant difference between H(10) group and R(10) group (P < 0.05); and mPAP and [RV/(LV + S)] in H(30) group were lower than those in H(30) group (P < 0.05). Electron microscopy showed that compared to LC group, arteriolar endothelial cells were arranged in a columnar or palisading form, protruding into the lumen, accompanied with luminal stenosis, irregular internal elastic membrane, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in H groups, which was more obvious in H(30) group than in H(10) group; while these pathological changes were attenuated in the R groups compared to H groups. The levels of VEGF protein in H groups were also higher than those in LC group (P < 0.05); while the expression of VEGF in R(30) group was lower than that in H(30) group. In summary, the results show that the integripetal rhodiola herb can attenuate high altitude-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling in rats, and the inhibition of VEGF protein expression by rhodiola may be one of the mechanisms.
Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Arterioles ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhodiola ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment status of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in our hospital.

METHODSMedical records of 252 patients with neuroendocrine tumors diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009 were collected and retrospectively reviewed in this study. The clinicopathological data including age of onset, initial symptoms, primary site, pathological conditions (Sny, CgA, Ki-67), disease stage at diagnosis, treatment, and follow up were analyzed.

RESULTSThe gender ratio M/F of the 252 cases was 1.9:1, with mean age of 55.2 years, and the high incidence was in age of 60-69 years. The tumors were located in the gastrointestinal tract (117 cases, 46.4%), broncho-pulmonary system (74 cases, 29.4%), other sites (61 cases, 24.2%) and unknown primary site (2 cases, 0.8%). Their first clinical symptoms vary, depending on the primary site. The common symptoms of primary rectal NETs were changes in bowel habits (29.3%) and diarrhea or constipation (17.5%), and most gastric NETs presented epigastric discomfort (86.4%). Most patients (71.4%) were diagnosed with stage I, II, III disease. Among the 252 cases, there were 110 carcinoids (43.7%), 108 neuroendocrine carcinomas (42.9%), 23 atypical carcinoids (9.1%), five neuroendocrine tumors (2.0%), four Merkel cell tumors (1.6%), and two composite carcinoids (0.8%). 206 patients (81.7%) received surgery, 39 (15.5%) received chemotherapy, and 31 cases (12.3%) were treated by palliative radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSThis single-center retrospective analysis of data demonstrated that males have a higher incidence rate than females. The most common primary sites of NETs are the digestive tract and lungs. The initial symptoms of NETs are different depending on their primary sites. Good prognosis can be achieved in the majority of patients after surgery, chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoid Tumor ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Digestive System Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Etoposide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Palliative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult