Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by severe loss of substantia nigra dopamine (DA) neurons. The target region of substantia nigra DA neurons is the dorsal striatum. According to the classic model, activation of DA receptors on striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) modulates their intrinsic excitability. Activation of D1 receptors makes MSNs in the direct "Go" pathway more excitable, whereas activation of D2 receptors makes MSNs in the indirect "NoGo" pathway less excitable. Therefore increased DA increases the responsiveness of the Go pathway while decreases the responsiveness of the NoGo pathway. Both mechanisms increase motor output. Conversely, diminished DA will favor the inhibitory NoGo pathway. Therefore, DA has direct, "on-line" effect on motor performance. However, in addition to modulating the intrinsic excitability of MSNs "on-line", DA also modulates corticostriatal plasticity, therefore could potentially produce cumulative and long-lasting changes in corticostriatal throughput. Studies in my lab suggest that DA blockade leads to both direct motor performance impairment and D2 receptor dependent NoGo learning ("learned" motor inhibition) that gradually deteriorates motor performance. NoGo learning is experience dependent and task specific. It is different from blocked learning since NoGo learning impairs future performance even after DA is restored. More recent data from my lab suggest that NoGo learning in the absence of DA arises from increased LTP at the indirect pathway corticostriatal synapses and contributes significantly to PD-like motor symptoms. Our data and hypotheses suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for PD that targets directly signaling molecules for corticostriatal plasticity (e.g. the cAMP pathway and downstream signaling molecules) and prevents aberrant plasticity under conditions of DA denervation.
Corpus Striatum ; cytology ; Dopamine ; physiology ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; pathology ; Humans ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Parkinson Disease ; physiopathology ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; physiology ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; physiology ; Substantia Nigra ; pathology

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fibula ; injuries ; Fractures, Bone ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Splints ; Tibial Fractures ; therapy ; Traction ; methods ; Treatment Failure

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of acute cold exposure on the inflammation and pathologic injuries in pulmonary of rats, and explore the mechanism induced by cold stress.

METHODSForty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups(n = 8): control group (23 ± 2) °C 2.5 h, -25°C 0.5 h group, -25°C 1 h group, -25°C 2 h group and -25°C 2.5 h group. Rats were exposed to cold at -25°C and no wind by keeping them in a low temperature chamber except control group. Rectal temperatures of the rats were measured before and after cold exposure. The morphological changes of pulmonary were observed by the optics microscope. The levels of tumer necrosis factor-α(TNF- α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-β (IL-1β) in lung tissue homogenate were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared to the control group, body core temperatures of the -25°C 1 h group, -25°C2 h group and -25°C 2.5 h group were decreased significantly, and the D-values of rectal temperature were increased before and after cold exposure (P < 0.05). The infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar edema fluid appeared in the lung tissue of the -25°C 2.5 h group. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inter- leukin-1β (IL-1β) in lung tissue homogenate were increased significantly in -25°C l h group, -25°C 2 h group and -25C° 2.5 h group (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe infiltration of inflammatory cells and the increase in proinflammatory cytokine from pulmonary may lead to the lung tissue injury after acute cold exposure.

Animals ; Cold Temperature ; adverse effects ; Inflammation ; physiopathology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the different effects of closed suction drainage and non-drainage for total knee arthroplasty(TKA) and to provide reference information for the choice of clinical treatment.

METHODSRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) of closed suction drainage versus non-drainage for TKA were collected from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBase, Springer, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WANFANG database. Methodological quality of the RCTs was independently assessed using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist. Data analysis was performed by RevMan Version 5.1.6 based on the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTSTwenty-one RCTs without bias were finally enrolled, and 1920 enrolled knees were identified into drainage group (979 knees) and non-drainage group (941 knees). A lower incidence of soft tissue ecchymosis was demonstrated in the closed suction drainage group (OR = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.24 - 0.49); however, compared with the non-drainage group, more loss of blood (MD = 320.03, 95%CI: 235.31 - 404.76) and more need of homologous blood transfusion (OR = 1.83, 95%CI: 1.26 - 3.29) were found in the closed suction drainage group. In addition, there were no significant differences of postoperative infection (OR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.22 - 1.32), deep venous thrombosis (OR = 1.00, 95%CI: 0.46 - 2.18), and the joint range of motion (MD = -0.04, 95%CI: -1.11 - 1.02) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONBased on the current evidence, no obvious advantage is demonstrated for closed suction drainage, in comparison with non-drainage for TKA.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Drainage ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Venous Thrombosis ; epidemiology

Adult ; Exons ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo estimate prevalence of HIV/AIDS among children and the transmission routes in a highly endemic villages of AIDS.

METHODSTotally 208 high-risk women of child bearing age and 159 of their children aged 0 - 14 years were investigated. Their medical histories of blood donation or transfusion were collected, blood samples were taken and sera were separated for HIV test. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot assay were performed for HIV antibody. The Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay amplifying gag gene p17 was performed on samples of children aged less than 18 months.

RESULTSThirty-seven HIV infected cases were found among 159 children aged 0 - 14 years of whom 33 were infected by mother-to-child transmission (89.2%, 33/37), 3 by blood transfusion (8.1%, 3/37) and one by iatrogenic route (2.7%, 1/37). Sixty seven mothers who were seropositive for HIV and their 86 children who were born after 1992 were investigated, 33 cases of them were infected with HIV. The rate of vertical transmission was 38.4% (33/86). The HIV vertical transmission rate among mothers with AIDS (68.8%, 22/32) was significantly greater than that among mothers with asymptomatic HIV infection (20.4%, 11/54, P < 0.05). The number of children infected with HIV through vertical transmission increased from 1993 to 2001. Among 37 children infected with HIV, 12 cases developed AIDS and 4 of them died, of whom 2 cases died from tuberculosis. The morbidity of AIDS was 27.3% (9/33). Ninety three point nine percent (31/33) of infected mothers didn't know their HIV seropositive status before pregnancy and delivery. Of 8 pregnant women infected with HIV, one had aggravation of AIDS, 2 miscarried, 2 terminated their pregnancy and 3 continued their pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONMother-to-child transmission of HIV was the major route of HIV/AIDS transmission to the children. The main reason leading to HIV infection in children was the lack of prenatal HIV counseling and testing for the high-risk women of childbearing age and lake of interventions. The countermeasures must be taken to control the further transmission of AIDS in order to protect the health of women and children in the highly endemic areas of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Products, gag ; genetics ; HIV Antigens ; genetics ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Viral Proteins ; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIMTo analyze and compare the compositions in essential oils from branches and leaves of Rhododendron simsii Planch. and Rhododendron naamkwanense Merr.

METHODSEssential oils were extracted by water distillation according to Chinese Pharmacopoeia and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as well as chemometrics resolution method and authentic compounds. The relative contents of each component in the essential oils were obtained by normalization of peak areas.

RESULTSA total of 124 components were identified, of which 48 compounds were existed in both of the samples. Ninety four compounds accounted for 84.47% of the essential oil from Rhododendron simsii Planch. and seventy eight components accounted for 90.25% of the total essential oil from Rhododendron naamkwanense Merr. were identified. 72.76% and 88.07% of the components in Rhododendron simsii Planch and Rhododendron naamkwanense Merr., respectively, included oxygen element. They are mainly terpenol, acids and esters. 1-octen-3-ol (4.00%, 7.90%), 1,6-octadien-3-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-(12.60%, 3.48%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, [Z, Z, Z]- (1.15%, 45.34%), phytol (15.21%, 8.56%), p-menth-1-en-8-ol (2.15%, 3.29%), and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester, [Z,Z,Z]- (9.16%, 8.01%) were their common main compounds, which accounted for 44. 27% and 76.58% of the total amount of the two essential oil samples, respectively. In addition, n-hexadecanoic acid (7.73%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (1.85%) and tetracosanoic acid, methyl ester (1.38%) were also the main compounds in essential oil from Rhododendron simsii Planch.

CONCLUSIONMuch higher reliability and accuracy were obtained with the help of chemometrics resolution method and authentic n-alkane standard solutions than those of using GC-MS alone.

Linoleic Acid ; analysis ; Octanols ; analysis ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Palmitic Acid ; analysis ; Phytol ; analysis ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Rhododendron ; chemistry ; classification ; Terpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the techniques and therapeutic effects of endovascular stent-graft exclusion in aortic dissection and dissecting aneurysm.

METHODSThe clinical data of 20 cases with aortic dissection and(or) dissecting aneurysm were analysed. Stanford A dissection was found in 2 cases, in which one had a tear entry on ascending aorta. Stanford B dissection was found in 18 cases. Five patients had two or more tear entries in different sites. Endovascular polyester-covered stent-graft exclusion was performed in all cases, of which, one case was also given fenestration and graft replacement and one subjected to Y graft bypass from ascending aorta to the left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery before endovascular stent-graft exclusion.

RESULTSNo one died in operation. One patient died of heart infarction on the third day after operation. During the followup of 1 - 20 months, 19 patients were alive well (95%). The aortic dissections and(or) dissecting aneurysms of all the patients disappeared without endoleaks and organ or limb ischemia.

CONCLUSIONEndovascular stent-graft exclusion with high successful rate, low mortality and high survival rate, is simple, safe and effective in treating aortic dissection and dissecting aneurysm.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) on the protein in L-02 cells in vitro.

METHODSThiazolyl blue and Trypan blue tests were used to investigate the cytotoxicity of TCE to L-02 liver cell. The 2-D electrophoresis was used to analyse the expression of proteins in L-02 liver cells. The differentially expressed protein spots were identified by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS).

RESULTSWhen the concentration of TCE exceeded 30 micromol/L, there was distinct cytotoxicity to L-02 cell (P < 0.05). Selected 40 micromol/L to treat L-02 liver cells and analyze the differential proteome expression, the results showed that the expression level of 37 protein spots was up-regulated and 15 protein spots was down-regulated. And 15 proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS.

CONCLUSIONTCE can change the proteome expression of L-02 liver cell. It should provide the fundamental information to identify proteins related to TCE in further study.

Anesthetics, Inhalation ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; methods ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Peptide Mapping ; Proteins ; analysis ; Proteome ; analysis ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; methods ; Trichloroethylene ; pharmacology

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of serum N-glycan alterations in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by measuring serum N-glycan profile and comparing glycosyltransferase gene expression between HCC tissue and adjacent tissue. MethodsThe samples of HCC tissue, adjacent tissue, and normal liver tissue were collected from 34 patients with HBV-related HCC who were admitted to Chinese PLA General Hospital, and serum samples were also collected. Among these 34 patients, 8 were randomly selected and their serum samples were established as HCC experimental group, and the serum samples of 20 healthy adults were established as control group. DNA sequencer-aided fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis was used to analyze serum N-glycan profile in the HCC experimental group and the control group. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of 8 glycosyltransferase genes (FUT3, FUT4, FUT6, FUT7, FUT8, Gn-TIII, Gn-TIVa, and Gn-TV) in the HCC tissue and adjacent tissue of 34 patients with HBV-related HCC, and Western blot was used to measure the expression of corresponding proteins. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group, the HCC experimental group had a significant increase in the abundance of N-glycan peak9 (NA3Fb) in serum(t=-2.514,P＜0.05). There were significant differences in the mRNA expression of FUT8, Gn-TIVa, and Gn-TV between HCC tissue and adjacent tissue, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of FUT8 and Gn-TV in HCC tissue were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissue (FUT8 mRNA: 1.50±0.34 vs 0.65±0.11, t=-2.354，P=0.022; Gn-TV mRNA: 3.57±0.64 vs 1.33±016, t=-3.384,P=0001; FUT8 protein: 0.70±0.11 vs 0.083±0.017, t=9.555,P=0.001; Gn-TV protein: 1.33±0.19 vs 0.60±0.15, t=5.097,P=0.007). The mRNA expression level of Gn-TIVa in HCC tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissue (2.90±0.47 vs 1.68±0.19, t=-2.403,P=0.019), but there was no significant difference in the protein expression level of Gn-TIVa between HCC tissue and adjacent tissue (052±0.24 vs 0.24±0.11,t=1.833, P=0.141). The changes of glycosyltransferase gene expression in HCC tissue were consistent with the alteration of serum N-glycan profile. ConclusionSerum N-glycan alterations in patients with HBV-related HCC may be closely associated with the upregulated expression of the glycosyltransferase genes FUT8, Gn-TIVa, and Gn-TV in HCC tissue.