OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the gap junction of the hippocampal astrocytes of a rat model of lithium pilocarpine-induced epilepsies.

METHODSLithium chloride and pilocarpine were injected intraperitoneally in SD rats to induce status epilepticus (SE). At 2, 12, 24 h and 3, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days after SE, the rats were sacrificed to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampus using Nissl staining. Immunohistochemistry for GFAP and connexin43 (CX43) were used to evaluate reactive astrogliosis and the changes in the astrocytic gap junctions.

RESULTSSE induced by lithium and pilocarpine lasted for 6-30 h, and after a seizure-free period of about 30-45 days, the rats developed spontaneous recurrent seizures. Nissl staining showed that the most obvious neuronal damage occurred 12-24 h after seizure onset. Reactive gliosis began to be progressively prominent after 7 days till the end of the observation. GFAP expression increased 7 days after SE induction, intensified at 30 days, and became the most prominent at 60 days. In control rats, CX43 immunostaining was diffuse in the hippocampus; in the epileptic rats, diffuse CX43-positive varicosities appeared in the molecular layer and stratum oriens of the CA1 and CA3 areas 2 after seizure onset, and the number, length and immunostaining intensity of the varicosities increased at 12 h. These changes became the most prominent at 24 h after seizure onset, followed by gradual decrease of the immunoactivity, which was virtually absent till 30 and 60 days.

CONCLUSIONThe hippocampal astrocytic gap junction coupling increases in acute SE to maintain the stability of the extracellular microenvironment. The defects in gap junction coupling of the astrocytes in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy may contribute to the development of spontaneous seizures.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; cytology ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Gap Junctions ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Lithium ; adverse effects ; Male ; Neurons ; Pilocarpine ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

A quantitative HPLC-DAD method was developed for simultaneous determination of N-trans-p-coumaroyloctopamine and N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine in Solani Melongenae Radix from different cultivation regions in China The separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse XDB C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) at 30 degrees C with a gradient elution of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was 300 nm. The calibration curves of N-trans-p-coumaroyloctopamine and N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine were linear over the ranges of 2.84-68.16, 3.10-74.40 mg x L(-1), and the average recoveries (n = 9) were 99.30% and 102.8%, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for the analysis of sixteen samples from different cultivation regions in China, which indicated that the method is simple, rapid, accurate, and reliable for quality evaluation of Solani Melongenae Radix.
Amides ; analysis ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Solanaceae ; chemistry ; classification

Objective To understand the genotypes of Mycobacterium leprae collected from Guangdong province,China and to analyze the routes of leprosy transmission both inside and outside of Guangdong.The impact of emigrant leprosy patients to the endemic nature of the disease in Guangdong was also studied.Methods Typing on strains with variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were performed on the local cases and emigrant cases based on skin biopsy.Results Most isolates from local patients belong to SNP type 1 and SNP type 3 isolates were found just in a small part of local isolates.However,all the emigrants were carrying SNP type 3.Within the SNP type 1 strain from Guangdong,alleles at the 18-8,12-5,ML-1,(TA) 10 and (GGT)5 differed from SNP 3 strains collected from other areas in China.However,all the SNP type 1 and SNP type 3 local isolates identified from Guangdong were having close VNTR profiles and the main differences appeared in the alleles at ML-1,(TA) 10 and (GGT)5.Conclusion The transmission of strain with SNP type 1 seemed to be associated to the "Silk Road on the Sea",calling for monitoring and confirming the transmission of patients with SNP type 3 in Guangdong were from the secondary transmission,by the emigrant patients.Further study on the historic spread and phylogenetic relationships between SNP type 1 and novel SNP type 3 in Guangdong is needed.

Action Potentials ; Animals ; Electromyography ; Environmental Exposure ; Hypothermia ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seawater ; Thigh ; physiology ; physiopathology

Objective To understand the cognition of the operating room nurse on intraoperative hypothermia and its influencing factors.Methods 100 nurses in the operating room were surveyed with selfdesigned questionnaire for the cognition of intraoperative hypothermia.Results 100 questionnaires were sent out,86 effective questionnarres were received,the efficiency is 86％.21 nurses (24％) operating room nurse cognize the intraoperative hypothermia.Among them,12％ has the bachelor degree,8％ has junior college certificate and 4％ graduated from the technical secondary school.Significant difference of cognition was found among nurses with different education level (x2 =4,27,P ＜ 0.05) ; Nurses with bachelor degree have the highest level of cognition of intraoperative hypothermia.There is also significant difference of the cognition among nurses with different job titles (x2 =4.56,P ＜0.05).The charge nurse has better cognition than other nurses.Working experience did not affect the cognition (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Low level of cognition of intraoperative hypothermia of the operating room nurses was observed.The cognitive level needs to be improved to enhance the caring quality.

OBJECTIVETo explore the intranasal surface localization of the lacrimal sac in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

METHODSFifteen adult cadavers (30 sides) were studied, the data of projection position of the lacrimal sac on the lateral wall of nasal cavity were measured.

RESULTSIn 2/3 cadavers, the lacrimal sac is located above the axilla of the middle turbinate, and 1/3 lies below it. A majority of the lacrimal sac (2/3) are located below the entry point of the common lacrimal canaliculus, about 1/3 lies above it. Inner canthal ligament projects on the middle of the lacrimal sac, almost equal to the level of common lacrimal canaliculus. Thirty-two cases (thirty-nine sides) of chronic dacryocystitis were followed-up > 6 months after operation. Thirty-five sides were cured, 2 sides improved and 2 sides ineffective. The cure rate was 89.8%, improve rate 5.1% and ineffective rate 5.1%, respectively, and the total effective rate was 94.9%.

CONCLUSIONSThe central position of dacryocystorhinostomy should be 0.2 cm above the front of the axilla of the middle turbinate, to make an curved mucous membrane incision 0.8 cm above and 0. 4 cm below the front of the axilla of the middle turbinate and bone ostium about 1.2 cm x 1.0 cm. It is the best position in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Locating the inner canthal ligament with a bayonet type forceps to find the projection of lacrimal sac is also a simple and easy method.

Adult ; Aged ; Anatomy, Regional ; Chronic Disease ; Dacryocystitis ; surgery ; Dacryocystorhinostomy ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDDiabetic macular edema (DME) is a common manifestation of diabetic retinopathy (DR) that forms the main cause of central visual impairment. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab alone versus bevacizumab combined with triamcinolone acetonide in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME).

METHODSA total of 40 eyes in 40 Chinese patients (22 male and 18 female) diagnosed with diabetic macular edema were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, consecutive study. Among them, 21 patients in group 1 were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml), and the other 19 patients in group 2 accepted intravitreal bavacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) combined with triamcinolone acetonide (2 mg/0.05 ml). All patients were examined at baseline and followed up at 4, 6 and 12 weeks after the injection. Changes in mean best correct visual acuity (BCVA) using ETDRS chart, central retina thickness (CRT) measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were focused on.

RESULTSIn group 1, mean BCVA improved from (41.76 ± 15.59) letters (baseline) to (56.24 ± 18.56) letters, (52.57 ± 12.31) letters and (48.41 ± 17.90) letters at 4, 6 and 12 weeks post-injection, respectively (P = 0.004, P = 0.011 and P = 0.026, respectively). Mean CRT decreased from (525.76 ± 184.10) µm (baseline) to (270.33 ± 202.67)µm, (303.12 ± 168.43) µm and (402.26 ± 196.21) µm, respectively (P = 0.009, P = 0.016 and P = 0.030, respectively). In group 2, mean BCVA improved from (39.89 ± 12.27) letters (baseline) to (55.31 ± 19.27) letters, (51.25 ± 13.48) letters and (46.97 ± 16.23) letters at 4, 6 and 12 weeks after injection, respectively (P = 0.003, P = 0.010 and P = 0.027, respectively). Mean CRT decreased from (554.50 ± 169.05) µm (baseline) to (292.76 ± 196.05) µm, (323.46 ± 164.05) µm and (426.38 ± 169.05) µm, respectively (P = 0.009, P = 0.014 and P = 0.028, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between these two groups with regard to mean BCVA (F = 1.602, P = 0.216) and CRT (F = 0.412, P = 0.526). At 12 weeks after the injection, 11 of the patients in group 1 and nine patients in group 2 appeared recurrent macular edema and needed repeat injections. There was one patient in group 2 appeared transient intraocular pressure increases.

CONCLUSIONSIntravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with/without triamcinolone acetonide had a beneficial effect on DME. However, the significant effect was not permanent. Our results showed that no significant differences were detected between intravitreal bevacizumab combined with/without triamcinolone acetonide for the eyes with diabetic macular edema in Chinese patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Bevacizumab ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Edema ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Triamcinolone Acetonide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEThrough comparison of HER2/neu oncogene detected by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in breast cancer, to explore the effect of CISH on detecting gene amplification of HER2.

METHODSSelected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast samples whose pathological types were infiltrating ductal carcinomas (255 retrospective samples, 271 prospective samples), and these samples were detected by IHC and CISH.

RESULTS(1) In the retrospective study, CISH identified gene amplification in 91.6% of IHC score 3+ tumors (120/131) and in 56.5% of IHC score 2+ tumors (39/69), thus the concordant ratio between IHC and CISH was 81.2% (207/255). The two results showed significant correlation (P<0.01). (2) In the prospective study, the ratio of HER2 protein over expression detected by IHC was 31.7%, the ratio of HER2 gene amplification detected by CISH was 27.3%. CISH identified gene amplification in 91.4% of IHC score 3+ tumors (53/58) and in 46.4% of IHC score 2+ tumors (13/28), Concordant ratio between IHC and CISH was 89.7% (243/271). Two results showed significant correlation (P<0.01). (3) Paired CISH/FISH results were concordant in 14 of 15 cases. The remaining case was detected by FISH, but showed no HER2 gene amplification by CISH. (4) The gene amplification by CISH had a significantly reverse correlation with ER and PR expression (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe results of HER2 gene amplification detected by CISH have high concordance with the results detectd by IHC and FISH. CISH is a novel technique for detecting HER2 gene amplification.

Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; In Situ Hybridization ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies

Genetic studies are traditionally based on single-gene analysis. The use of these analyses can pose tremendous challenges for elucidating complicated genetic interplays involved in complex human diseases. Modern pathway-based analysis provides a technique, which allows a comprehen-sive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying complex diseases. Extensive studies uti-lizing the methods and applications for pathway-based analysis have significantly advanced our capacity to explore large-scale omics data, which has rapidly accumulated in biomedical fields. This article is a comprehensive review of the pathway-based analysis methods––the powerful methods with the potential to uncover the biological depths of the complex diseases. The general concepts and procedures for the pathway-based analysis methods are introduced and then, a comprehensive review of the major approaches for this analysis is presented. In addition, a list of available path-way-based analysis software and databases is provided. Finally, future directions and challenges for the methodological development and applications of pathway-based analysis techniques are dis-cussed. This review will provide a useful guide to dissect complex diseases.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (IVT) and evaluate the effect of radiofrequency ablation therapy for their management.

METHODSAn retrospective analysis was conducted in 165 IVT patients who received radiofrequency ablation therapy. IVT was classified into 3 types according to the site of origin, namely the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-IVT, 86 cases), left ventricular septum (LV-IVT, 75 cases), and left Valsalva sinus (4 cases).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONRVOT-IVT was more frequent in female patients than in male patients (60 vs 26, M/F ratio of 0.43). In LV-IVT, male patients prevailed (54 vs 21, M/F ratio of 2.57), suggesting a gender difference in the incidence of IVT. IVT occurred mainly in young and middle-age patients. Most RVOT-IVT occurred in the third to fourth decade of life (mean 36-/+12 years), and LV-IVT occurred at a younger age than did RVOT-IVT (mean 26-/+15 years, P<0.01). Twelve-lead ECGs revealed left bundle branch block morphology in RVOT-IVT, and most of them presented with frequent premature ventricular contraction and/or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. All the RVOT-IVT patients were successfully ablated by radiofrequency energy in pace mapping. LV-IVT patients with right bundle branch block morphology presented sustained ventricular tachycardia for most of the time, and 97% of the patients were successfully managed with radiofrequency ablation in activation mapping. Four IVT patients were characterized by atypical bundle branch block, an inferior axis, and an R/S ratio >1 in lead V3 or V2, and their tachycardia was ablated successfully in the left sinus of Valsalva using pace mapping. Radiofrequency ablation is currently an effective procedure for IVT management.

Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Laser ; methods ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; pathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome