ObjectiveTo establish the time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TRFIA) method for the detection of serum galectin-3 and investigate the clinical value of serum galectin-3 for the diagnosis of pancreas cancer.MethodsMonoclonal anti-human galectin - 3 antibody and biotinylated polyclonal antibody were used to establish the sandwich TRFIA for detection of serum galectin-3.The optimal experimental condition was studied.Serum levels of galectin-3,CEA and CA19-9 in the patients with pancreatic cancer,benign pancreatic mass,pancreatitis,and healthy controls were measured.The diagnostic value of serum galectin-3,CEA and CA19-9 for pancreas cancer was studied.ResultsThe linearity of the TRFIA for detection of serum galectin3 tanged between 0 to 100 μg/L.The within-run CV and between-run CV were ≤6.45％ and ≤8.68％,respectively,and the average recovery was 106.6％.The level of serum galectin-3 was 4.93 ( 0.85 ～ 23.80) μg/L in pancreatic cancer group,which were significantly higher than those in benign pancreatic mass [2.83 ( 2.17 ～ 4.06) μg/L ],pancreatitis [ 2.62 (0.55 ～ 9.76 ) μg/L ],and healthy controls group [ 1.88 ( 0.59 ～ 3.94) μg/L] (P ＜0.05).By using 3.77 μg/L as the cut-off point,the smsitivity,specificity for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was 75.5％ and 90.9％.The levels of Gal 3 and CEA,CA19-9 was not correlated ( r =0.1321,P =0.3761 ; r =0.0920,P =0.5384).Combined determination of galactin-3 and CEA,CA19-9 levels could increase the diagnostic sensitivity to 92％.ConclusionsTRFIA method for the detection of galactin-3 is sensitive and stable.Galectin-3 could be a potentially novel serum tumor marker of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND:Techniques of antedor cervical discectomy and interbody fusion have achieved good clinical outcomes since Robinson and Smith first introduced it in 1955.Currently,microendoscopic approaches have resulted in good clinical effectiveness in treating cervical spondylosis.Cage has also been used widely in the clinic.OBJECTIVE:To find a minimally invasive method that uses microendoscopic technique and Cages to treat cervical spondylosis by anterior approach.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A retrospective case analysis was performed at the Department of Spinal Surgery,First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China between January 2003 and July 2008.PARTICIPANTS:A total of 25 patients with cervical spondylosis,15 males and 10 females,averaging 39 years of age (range,33-58 years old),who received treatments at the Department of Spinal Surgery,First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China were included in this study.Each of them had unilateral limb pain,numbness or weakness in varying degrees.MRI image showed one-level cervical disc degeneration in 20 patients and two levels in 5 patients.METHODS:Twenty-five patients underwent anterior cervical microendoscopic discectomy and interbody fusion using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) Cage.Surgical techniques,neurological outcomes and complications were retrospectively analyzed.The postoperative treatments were just like the conventional approaches.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Improvements in neurological symptoms were assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) grading system.Postoperative imaging data including lordosis and fusion condition were examined.RESULTS:All patients received treatments successfully.The mean surgical time was 140 minutes (range,80 to 225 minutes).The hospital stay averaged 7 days (range,6 to 10 days).Patients' neurological statuses improved to varying degrees according to the JOA grading system:7.5 pre-operative (range,4 to 9 points) to 12 post-operative (range,8 to 16 points),with the mean improvement rate of 45.6%.All cases were followed up and the mean follow-up period was 18 months (range,6 to 27 months).Postoperative images showed solid bone fusion without implant migration.No vascular injury and infection occurred.Graft collapse was found in 2 patients,and transient hoarse voice in 1 patient.No other complications were found.CONCLUSION:Anterior microendoscopic cervical discectomy and interbody fusion with CFRP Cage in treatment of cervical spondylosis have the advantages of minimal invasion,sufficient decompression,and satisfactory bone fusion,resulting in a significant relief of patients' preoperative clinical symptoms.

The effect of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) on KiSS-1 mRNA levels was detected by realtime PCR in the hypothalamic GT1-7 neurons. The promoter activity of KiSS-1 gene was detected by DualLuciferase Reporter Assay System.The effects of AMPK on the protein expression and subcellular distribution of SP1 were determined by Western blot.The results showed that AMPK reduced the mRNA expression and promoter activity of KiSS-1 gene while SP1 increased the promoter activity of KiSS-1 gene. Besides,AMPK alse decreased the translocation of SP1.These results suggest that AMPK may inhibit the expression of KiSS-1 gene by decreasing the translocation of SP1 from cytoplasm to nucleus in the hypothalamus GT1-7 neurons.

OBJECTIVE Histamine is a conserved neuromodulator in mammalian brains and critically involved in many physiological functions.Understanding the precise structure of histaminergic network is the cor-nerstone in elucidating its function.METHODS Herein,using novel HDC-CreERT2 mice and genetic labeling strategies,we reconstructed a whole brain 3D structure of histaminergic neurons and their outputs at 0.32×0.32×2 μm3 pixel resolution with a cutting-edge fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography system(fMOST).And we dissect an appetite control circuit originating from the TMN to medial septal nucleus(MS)using fiber photometry,optogenetics,and chemogenetics interfer-ence.RESULTS We quantified the fluorescence density of all brain areas and found that histaminergic fiber density varied significantly among brain regions.The density of histaminergic fiber was positively correlated with the amount of histamine release induced by optogenetic stim-ulation or physiological aversive stimulation.Moreover,we reconstructed fine morphological structure of 60 hista-minergic neurons via sparse labeling,and uncovered the largely heterogeneous projection pattern of individual his-taminergic neuron.Lastly,we found that MS-projecting histaminergic circuit is functionally inhibited during food consumption,and bidirectionally modulates feeding behavior via downstream H2,but not H1,receptors on MS glutamatergic neurons.CONCLUSION Collectively,this study reveals an unprecedented whole-brain quanti-tative analysis of histaminergic projections at the meso-scopic level,providing a foundation for future functional histaminergic study.And we also demonstrate that this MS-projecting histaminergic circuit is critically involved in feeding,and H2Rs in MS glutamatergic neurons is a promising target for treating body weight problems.

Different from the traditional health technology assessment(HTA), hospital-based health technology assessment(HB-HTA) is mainly based on the perspective of the hospital to carry out economic analysis, commonly used cost-effectiveness analysis combined with budget impact analysis methods. It pays attention to the current medical costs and effects, and supports the hospital′s internal health technology access, purchase pricing, elimination and other decisions. In the context of deepening the reform of medical insurance payment mode in China, the hospital internal medicine decision-making based on HB-HTA is particularly important. Based on the economic characteristics of health technology, the authors analyzed the differences between HB-HTA and traditional HTA in carrying out economic evaluation, introduced the steps, contents, indicators and methods of HB-HTA economic evaluation, and put forward relevant strategic suggestions.

Humans ; Histamine ; Receptors, Histamine H2 ; Schizophrenia/drug therapy*