Objectives To investigate the associations of the plasma homocysteine levels with the alterations in arterial stiffness in a commu-nity-based cohort. The gender differences in these associations were examined. Methods We evaluated the relationship between plasma homocysteine levels to three measures of vascular function [carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV), carotid-ankle PWV (CA-PWV) and heart rate corrected augmentation index (AI)] in 1680 participants (mean age:61.5 years;709 men, 971 women) from communities of Beijing, China. Results In univariate analysis, plasma homocysteine levels was positively related to the CF-PWV (r=0.211, P<0.0001) and CA-PWV (r=0.148, P<0.0001), whereas inversely associated with AI (r=?0.052, P=0.016). In multiple linear regression models adjusting for covariants, plasma homocysteine remained positively related to the CF-PWV (standardizedβ=0.065, P=0.007) in total cases. When the groups of men and women were examined separately, plasma homocysteine remained positively associated with the CF-PWV (standardizedβ=0.082, P=0.023) in men, whereas the relations between homocysteine and any of the arterial stiffness indices were not further present in women. Conclusions In Chinese population, plasma homocysteine levels are independently associated with alterations of large artery stiffness in men but not in women.

Aim To identify alteration in key molecular components related to memory formation and insulin signaling in the hippocampus after rosiglitazone was in-jected into the ob/ob mice to test whether cognitive dysfunction was pharmacologically reversed by regula-tion of rosiglitazone. Methods The age-matched mice were divided into three groups ( n=18 ): Saline-trea-ted WT mice ( WT-Saline);Saline-treated ob/ob mice ( ob/ob-Saline) and RSG-treated ob/ob mice ( ob/ob-RSG) through intraperitoneal injection of rosiglitazone ( RSG) . The random glucose levels were measured for 10 days during the intraperitoneal injection period. No-vel object recognition was performed before mice were sacrificed. Western blot was implemented to evaluate the following proteins: BACE1, p-Tau, p-IRS1,IRS1, p-Akt and Akt in hippocampal tissues. The Aβ1-40 levels were detected by ELISA Kit. Results The random blood glucose levels were significantly re-duced in ob/ob-RSG compared with ob/ob-saline. RSG treatment led to an increase in hippocampus-de-pendent cognition of ob/ob mice according to the novel object recognition. The proteins levels of BACE1, p-Tau and Aβ were lowered in RSG-treated ob/ob mice. Furthermore, RSG treatment up-regulated hippocampal p-IRS1/IRS1 and p-Akt/Akt ratio. Conclusion Ros-iglitazone ameliorates cognitive deficits in ob/ob mice through up-regulating insulin signaling pathways in the hippocampus.

Examination reform was explored in Introduction to clinical medicine, and a new evaluation system was constructed which included the combination of formative assessment and sum-mative assessment as well as content system, operation system and monitoring system. The feedback mechanism of formative assessment was put into a full use to improve the teaching effect in this new evaluation system. At the same time, the method of summative assessment was substituted from the traditional closed-book exam to literature translation and presentation carried out by groups. The com-bination of summative assessment and formative assessment could evaluate the teaching efficiency of introduction to clinical medicine more comprehensively and objectively. In addition, it played an ac-tive role in improving students' comprehensive ability and their learning enthusiasm.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of dynamic enhanced-CT in differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules.

METHODSSixty-three solitary pulmonary nodules were evaluated by dynamic enhanced multi-slice CT. Images were obtained before and at 20 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 75 s, 90 s, 120 s, 180 s, 300 s, 540 s, 720 s, 900 s and 1200 s after the injection of contrast media. All lesion enhanced parameters and morphological features were recorded. The differences between benign and malignant nodules were analyzed. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of solitary pulmonary nodules were evaluated by receiver operator characteristic analysis.

RESULTSCT enhancement value at 120 s [(29.5 ± 30.2) HU vs. (32.5 ± 14.7) HU, P = 0.023], washout at 20 min [(36.5 ± 24.6) HU vs. (15.6 ± 16.6) HU, P = 0.044], washout ratio at 20 min [(36.5 ± 24.6)% vs. (17.8 ± 14.5)%, P = 0.006], slope of washout at 20 min [(0.006 ± 0.005)%/s vs. (0.002 ± 0.0016)%/s, P = 0.001], type II (24/42 vs. 4/21, P = 0.004) and III (5/42 vs. 9/21, P = 0.005) curves were significantly different between benign and malignant nodules. Using the above mentioned parameters, the results of receiver operator characteristic analysis had a sensitivity of 64.3% and specificity of 84.2% for identification of malignant tumors. The morphological features including round-like, triangle-like, multi-angle, spiculation, light lobulation, the degree of edge (sharp, clear, blur), vessel convergence sign, vacuole sign, airing of bronchi, cut-off of the bronchi and depression of pleura were significantly different between benign and malignant nodules. The results of ROC analysis showed that the above mentioned morphological features had a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 100% for differentiating malignant tumors from benign nodules. The results of ROC analysis showed that combination of morphological features and dynamic enhancement parameters had a sensitivity of 95.2% and specificity of 100% for identification of malignant tumors.

CONCLUSIONSDynamic enhanced CT images can evaluate morphological and enhancement features of solitary pulmonary nodules. Combination of morphological features and enhancement characteristics can improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hamartoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Tuberculoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging

Small ubiquitin-related modifiers (SUMOs) belong to an important class of ubiquitin like proteins. SUMOylation is a post-translational modification process that regulates the functional properties of many proteins, among which are several proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. This study was aimed to investigate the changes of SUMO-1 expression and modification, and the relationship between SUMO-1 and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology in APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice. Using Western blot, co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent staining methods, the SUMO-1 expression and modification and its relation to tau, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and β-amyloid protein (Aβ) in the 12-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) Compared with the normal wild-type mice, the expression and modification of SUMO-1 increased in brain of AD mice, which was accompanied by an increase of ubiquitination; (2) In RIPA soluble protein fraction of cerebral cortex, co-immunoprecipitation analysis showed tau SUMOylated by SUMO-1 increased in AD mice, however, AT8 antibody labeled phosphorylated tau was less SUMOylated whereas PS422 antibody labeled phosphorylated tau was similar to control mice; (3) Double immunofluorescent staining showed that SUMO-1 could distributed in amyloid plaques, appearing that some of SUMO-1 diffused in centre of some plaques and some of SUMO-1 co-localized with AT8 labeled phosphorylated tau forming punctate aggregates around amyloid plaques which was concerned as dystrophic neurites, however, less Aβ, APP and PS422 labeled phosphorylated tau were found co-localized with SUMO-1. These results suggest that SUMO-1 expression and modification increase abnormally in transgenic AD mice, which may participate in modulation of the formation of senile plaques and dystrophic neurites.
Alzheimer Disease ; physiopathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neurites ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Plaque, Amyloid ; physiopathology ; SUMO-1 Protein ; metabolism ; Sumoylation ; tau Proteins ; metabolism

Yiqi Fumai freeze-dried powder for injection was used as a model drug to establish an evaluation method mainly based on bio-thermodynamics profile detection. Fischer function was used to analyze the chemical and biological data In general, chemical chromatogram can distinguish the expired sample and thermal spectrum of biological activity can distinguish special samples exactly. Thus, we established the evaluation method regarding the quality volatility of Yiqi Fumai freeze-dried powder for injection. The method can be used as a useful supplement in quality control as, and it could provide some technical information for quality control of other varieties of traditional Chinese medicine for injection.
Biological Assay ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; standards ; Escherichia coli ; chemistry ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Powders ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; standards ; Quality Control ; Thermodynamics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YZD) on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in ovarian granulose cells (GCs) cultured by excess androgen.

METHODSOvarian GCs from porcine follicles were isolated and cultured in vitro. Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) or YZD was added in the GCs treated by excess testosterone propionate. Totally 48 h later mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSExcess androgen inhibited mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR of GCs. FSH and YZD could antagonize inhibition of excess androgens, and promote mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in GCs.

CONCLUSIONYZD could antagonize the inhibition of excess androgen on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR and FSHR in GCs. Thus, we inferred that YZD could improve the follicle dysplasia by promoting mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR and FSHR in GCs.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; pharmacology ; Granulosa Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ovarian Follicle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, FSH ; genetics ; metabolism ; Swine

Objective To investigate the safety and short-term effectiveness of the hybrid operation for the treatment of intracranial complex ruptured aneurysms.Methods From December 2014 to March 2017,14 consecutive patients with complex ruptured aneurysm treated with hybrid operation at the Department of Neurosurgery,Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University were enrolled retrospectively,including 13 with acute spontaneous aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage and 1 with hemorrhage in the recurrent aneurysm embolization.Twelve aneurysms were treated with shape clipping.Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used to evaluate the clipping effect of aneurysms.Two patients with aneurysm were treated with extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass and aneurysm trapping.Endovascular balloon occlusion for trapping aneurysms was performed after DSA evaluation of the patency of bridge vessel.Results Of the 14 patients,11 were treated with emergency hybrid operation after angiography,2 were treated with elective surgery,and 1 with emergency surgery for rescue because of bleeding during embolization.DSA revealed that the aneurysm clips in 3 of 12 patients needed to be adjusted,including 2 parent artery stenosis and 1 with incomplete clipping.After adjustment,the clipping was satisfactory.In intracranial and extracranial bypass surgery,angiography revealed that the blood vessels were patent.Trapping of the aneurysms was performed in the one-stage operation.One patient discharged voluntarily after procedure because of serious vasospasm.Onepatient had perfusion pressure breakthrough after surgery and received hematoma evacuation and decompression.The Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score was 3 at discharge.Other patients had no new neurological dysfunction after operation.Thirteen patients were followed up for 3-24 months after operation.There were no new neurological dysfunction,including GOS 5 in 8 cases and 4 in 5 cases.Six patients underwent DSA examination,in 4 of them the aneurysm clipping did not show aneurysm recurrence,and the parent arteries were patent.Two patients treated with vascular bypass.There were no recurrence of aneurysms,and the parent arteries and anastomotic vessels were patent.Conclusion After preliminary observation,using hybrid operation for the treatment of complicated intracranial ruptured aneurysms was safe and effective.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of pretreatment and posttreatment changes of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in predicting response to chemoembolization in liver cancer.

METHODSPatients with liver cancer were examined with diffusion-weighted MRI at two b values (0 and 500 s/mm(2)) before and after chemoemblization. Quantitative ADC maps were calculated using images under b values of 0 and 500 s/mm(2). The mean ADC values of lesions before and after chemoemblization were compared. The correlation of response to chemoembolization with ADC value was analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean value of pretreatment ADC in non-responding lesions were significantly higher than that in the responding lesions (1.687 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s vs. 1.278 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, P < 0.05). The results of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that when a threshold ADC value was set on 1.618 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, the sensitivity and specificity for identification of non-responding lesions were 96.0% and 77.8%, respectively. After transarterial chemoembolization, the responding lesions had a significant increase in ADC values than non-responding lesions (32.6% vs. 5.2%, P = 0.025). The results of ROC analysis indicated that when the changes of ADC value for identification of responding lesions before and after transarterial chemoembolization was > or = 16.2%, the sensitivity and specificity were 72% and 100%, respectively. However, no significant change was observed in normal liver parenchyma and spleen (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPretreatment mean ADC value can be used to predict the response to chemoembolization, and for selection of therapy in liver cancer. A significant increase in mean ADC can be observed if the lesions responds to chemoembolization.

Adult ; Aged ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Epirubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Iodized Oil ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; secondary ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycin ; therapeutic use ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

Cutaneous metastases from colorectal cancer are extremely rare and generally appear several years after diagnosis or resection of the primary tumor. Although this phenomenon is uncommon, it is very important and often indicates a poor prognosis. We present a case of a 76-year-old female patient with multiple cutaneous metastatic nodules on the back, just 1 month after resection of rectal cancer. Unfortunately, the patient gave up the follow-up treatment due to her age and poor physical condition; she died 3 months later. In view of its rarity of occurrence and lack of experience in treatment, we reviewed the literature and report as follows.
Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms