·AIM: Impairment of choroidal perfusion was found in AMD patients. We postulated that vasoactive agents,which can reduce choroidal blood flow resistance, might prevent the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). D-Timolol and L-Timolol are hypotensive agents used in cardiovascular and glaucoma therapy. Their effects on laser-induced experimental CNV rat model and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were thus evaluated.·METHODS: Male Brown Norway rats were anesthetized to receive Nd:YAG laser to break the Bruch's membrane. D-Timolol and L-Timolol were given once daily through intraperitoneal injection after laser treatment for 4wk. Fluorescein angiography was performed on 2wk and 4wk. HUVEC were tested by proliferation assay and adhesion assay with D-Timolol and L-Timolol at different concentrations.· RESULTS: D-Timolol reduced the fluorescein leakage to 83% of the control group in laser-induced rat's CNV model at a dosage of 15mg/(kg·d). L-Timolol had no effect on CNV formation even at a higher dosage of 20mg/(kg·d). D-Timolol inhibited the endothelial cells proliferation significantly by 300mg/L. L-Timolol also significantly inhibited the cell proliferation at 1 000mg/L. But at a lower dose such as 300mg/L, no significant inhibitory effect was found. Both drugs showed no effect on cell adhesion function in cell culture experiments.· CONCLUSION: D-Timolol was found to prevent CNV development in laser-induced model in vivo and inhibit vascular endothelial cells proliferation in vitro. L-Timolol had no effect on cell proliferation at the same dose, and neither on rat CNV model. The results indicate these two isomers have different functions on rat's CNV prevention and on HUVEC cell proliferation.

Objective To evaluate the use of PET/CT in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods In this study,33 patients with suspicious breast tumor underwent PET/CT imaging. The images of the breast were analyzed for qualitative assessment of increased tracer uptake and blood perfusion with PET/CT. Results Among 27 cases with pathology proved breast cancer,25 was judged as PET/CT positive,2 was false-negative. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PET/CT in identifying breast cancer were 92.6%,100%,93.9%. Conclusion PET/CT is a reliable and sensitive measure in the diagnosis of breast cancer in vivo.

0.05). Conclusions In comparison with mammography,PET/CT has a higher degree of sensitivity and specificily in detecting breast cancer,and higher positive predictive value.PET/CT can provide more aspects of in vivo diagnostic information which may be useful in selecting therapeutic strategy and may supplement the inadequacies of mammography.

Objective　To explore the effect of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, kinase-inserted domain containing receptor(KDR) and the possible mechanism. Methods　The expression of VEGF in human malignant glioma cell line SHG-44 and that of KDR in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) line ECV-304 were observed 1～3 d after NDGA treatment with immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and image analysis. Results　The expression of VEGF was declined at protein or mRNA levels in SHG-44 cells after treated with 100 μmol/L NDGA for 1 to 3 d. The expression of KDR in endothelial cells with 100 μmol/L NDGA treatment for 1 to 3 d was decreased too, in a more obvious way compared with the decline of VEGF expression in SHG-44 cells. Conclusion　The results suggest that NDGA inhibits the expression of VEGF in glioma cells as well as that of VEGF receptor KDR in endothelial cells, which may be the important molecular mechanism of anti-angiogenesis of NDGA.

Allo-cell transplant rejection is associated with class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC II), while its transactivator (namely C II TA) regulates MHC II molecules expression strictly and exclusively. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibiting effect of C II TA anti-sense RNA on MHC II expression. The cDNA for anti-sense RNA recognizing the 114-523 sequence of C II TA (arC II TA) was obtained from Raji cell by RT-PCR, and then inserted into the pcDNA3.1B plasmid (pcDNA3.1B-arC II TA, pD-arC II TA). Raji cells were transfected stably with pD-arC II TA, classic MHC II antigen (HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ) expression was assayed by flow cytometry (FCM). mRNA abundance of C II TA, invariant chain and classic MHC II were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that compared with control (sense C II TA), the expression inhibition of HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ on pD-arC II TA positive Raji cell was 65.93%, 54.14%, 68.32% respectively. The mRNA contents of C II TA, invariant chain and classic MHC II also decreased. In conclusion, arC II TA inhibited C II TA and thus the family of MHC II molecules were regulated by it, therefore these results provide a novel approach for the control of graft versus host diseases.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Flow Cytometry ; Graft Rejection ; genetics ; prevention & control ; HLA-DP Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; HLA-DR Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the clinical features and causes of misdiagnosis of complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE) in the elderly. Methods The clinical data of elderly patients with CPSE admitted in our department between January and December, 2008 with previous misdiagnosis were reviewed. The diagnosis of CPSE was established according to the diagnostic criteria of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). All the patients underwent video-EEG examination, head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and routine biochemical examination, and were followed up for at least 3 months. Results Seven female CPSE patients were involved in this analysis including 2 with frontal lobe epilepsy and 5 with temporal lobe epilepsy. The conditions were misdiagnosed as a variety of diseases including Alzheimer's disease, cerebral infarction, coronary heart disease, encephalitis, hysterism, and schizophrenia, and the duration of the misdiagnoses ranged from 2 days to 40 years. Video-EEG showed slow background, continuous interictal discharges or high-voltage slow waves in the temporal or frontal lobe, or ictal discharges of complex partial seizures. After treatment with antiepileptic medications, 3 patients were free of epileptic episodes within 3 months, 3 still remained in complex partial status, and 1 had repeated CPSE. Conclusions Complex symptoms, atypical EEG, co-morbidity and social factors all contribute to misdiagnosis of CPSE in the elderly. Suspected patients should undergo video-EEG examination for a definite diagnosis as early as possible.

Objective To study the clinical features and genetic mechanism of myoclonic-astafic epilepsy (MAE) in infancy. Methods This study was conducted among 10 infants with MAE (including 7 male and 3 female patients) diagnosed between 2006 and 2008 according to the criteria of International League Against Epilepsy (2001). The clinical data including onset age, seizure type, physical signs, EEG, brain maguetic resonance imaging (MRI), effects of anti-epileptic drugs and prognosis were analyzed. The mutations of voltage-gated sodium channel subunit type 1 gene (SCN1A gene) were screened by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing. Results The 10 MAE cases included 8 sporadic cases and 2 with a family history of febrile seizure and epilepsy. The onset age ranged from 5 months to 39 months, and all the MAE patients had multiple generalized seizure types, including myoclonic-atonic, myoclonic, atonic, tonic-clonic and absence seizures. Two patients had myoclonic status epilepticus, and 7 showed mental retardation. All the patients showed normal findings in MRI. SCN1A gene was screened in 8 of the MAE patients, and no mutation was found. Valproate, clonazepam and levetiracetam were effective in these MAE cases. Conclusion MAE is a rare epilepsy syndrome, whose genetic mechanism is still unclear. Valproate, clonazepam and levetiracetam are effective for MAE, which is associated with poor prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo establish the norms of Sub-Health Measurement Scale Version1.0 (SHMS V1.0) for Chinese civil servants.

METHODSWe sampled a total of 15 000 civil servants form Tianjin (north China), Guangdong (south China), Anhui and Hunan (central China), Xinjiang (northwest China) and Shenyang (northeast China) to perform the spot trial, and established the mean, percentile and threshold norms based on the characteristics of SHMS V1.0 scores for Chinese civil servants.

RESULTSThe established norms based on the average scores of SHMS V1.0 showed a mean score of 66.55∓12.36 for young male subjects (below 40 years), 67.42∓12.40 for older male subjects, 66.22∓11.81 for female subjects younger than 40 years, and 65.94∓11.91 for older female subjects. The threshold norms of SHMS V1.0 divided 5 health states, namely disease, severe sub-health, moderate sub-health, mild sub-health and healthy states according to the Mean∓SD and Mean∓0.5SD of the converted scores. The 4 cut-off points were close to the 15th, 30th, 70th and 85th percentile scores of SHMS V1.0.

CONCLUSIONWe have established SHMS V1.0 norms for Chinese civil servants, which facilitates further investigation of the incidence of sub-health state and its contributing factors in civil servants.

Adult ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Health Promotion ; methods ; Health Status ; Health Status Indicators ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Animals ; Liver Cirrhosis ; enzymology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo describe the anatomy of inferior epigastric artery and its correlation with rectus abdominis muscle in order to provide anatomical basis for reconstruction of defect in the oral and maxillofacial region.

METHODS10 Chinese adult specimens fixed by 10% formalin were simulated for the design of inferior rectus abdominis flap, and then observing, taking a photograph during the cadavers were being operated and measuring by image analysis software in the end.

RESULTSThe original external diameters of inferior epigastric artery and length of its trunk were (2.58 +/- 0.60) mm and (85.87 +/- 14.90) mm respectively. Its perforators distribute intensively toward hilum.

CONCLUSIONWhether rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap adapts to reconstruct the defect of oral and maxillofacial region due to invariable traveling of inferior epigastric artery and its wide original external diameters relatively.

Adult ; Cadaver ; Epigastric Arteries ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Rectus Abdominis ; Surgical Flaps