Animals ; Hedgehog Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction

Objective To explore the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on expression of apoptotic regulated genes (bcl-2 and c-jun) in hippocampus after status convulsivus (SC). Methods Seizures were induced in 32 adult Wistar rats with lithium-pilocarpine intraperitoneal injection (SC), the other 32 rats were as the normal controls (NC). The rats were sacrificed 6 h after injection of normal saline (NS), BDNF, or anti-BDNF in left lateral ventricle (or no injection). The expression of Bcl-2 and c-Jun protein and bcl-2 and c-jun mRNA were investigated with immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. Results The expression of bcl-2 and c-jun (both protein and mRNA) was not significantly different in the hippocampus of both side in NC. In SC, the expression of bcl-2 ranged from more to less as BDNF>NS and non-injection>anti-BDNF in the hippocampus of non-injected side, while the expression of c-jun reversed. However,there was not significant difference in the expression of bcl-2 or c-jun in the hippocampus of non-injected side. Conclusion Exogenous BDNF can up-regulate the expression of bcl-2 and down-regulate the expression of c-jun in hippocampal cells, which may protect brain from apoptosis after after SC. The intraventricular injection of BDNF diffuses limited, which works less for clinical treatment.

Objective To investigate the radiobiological effects of VPA-BSANPs on C6 and U87 glioma cells in vitro.Methods C6 and U87 glioma cells were treated with different concentrations of VPA and VPA-BSANPs for 12 h and 24 h,and MTT assay was used to determine cell viability.C6 and U87 cells were treated with different concentrations of VPA and VPA-BSANPs conbined with X-ray irradiation (0,2,4,6,and 8 Gy),and colony formation assay was used to determine plating efficiency (PE).C6 and U87 glioma cells were treated with different concentrations of VPA and VPA-BSANPs for 12 h,followed by X-ray irradiation (0,4,and 8 Gy),and flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was used to examine cell apoptosis.Western blot was used to evaluate the effects of VPA and VPA-BSANPs on radiation-induced apoptosis protein expression.One-way ANOVA was used for comparison of means with homogeneity of variance between multiple groups,and the t-test was used for comparison of means between two groups.Results Without irradiation,VPA and VPA-BSANPs had no significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of C6 and U87 cells (P=0.328,0.920).The PE of cells treated with VPA-BSANPs combined with irradiation was significantly lower than that of cells treated with VPA combined with irradiation (P=0.000).In C6 and U87 cells,VPA-BSANPs combined with irradiation increased the expression of p53 and Bax (P =0.000,0.000 and P =0.010,0.002),but reduced the expression of Bcl-2 (P =0.008,0.000).Active caspase-3 fragments were only found in the cells treated with VPA-BSANPs combined with irradiation and VPA combined with irradiation,but were less in the former cells than in the latter cells (P=0.004).The active fragments of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor were only found in the cells treated with VPA-BSANPs combined with irradiation.Conclusions VPA-BSANPs can increase the radiosensitivity of C6 and U87 glioma cells in vitro,possibly by promoting the apoptosis of tumor cells induced by radiation.

Objective To improve the recognition of intramedullary spinal abscess by a case of congenital dermal sinus with intramedullary spinal abscess and reduco the incidence of congenital dermal sinus with intramedullary spinal abscess.Methods Clinical,laboratory data and image of a confirmed case about one infant of congenital dermal sinus with multiple intramedullary spinal abscess were investigated,the related literature was reviewed.Results In this case,when the infant with congential dermal sinus had infection,he failed to gain antibiotic therapy, timely surgical treatment,his infection had diffused, and multiple intramedullary spinal abscess flared up.Conclusions Intramedullary spinal abscess is a rare disease.If treatment is delayed, the prognosis is poor and the mortality rate is high.MRI is the ideal investigation for diagnosis.Intramedullary spinal abscess can happen subsequent to congenital dermal sinus with infection, and cause neurological sequela. So an infant with congenital dermal sinus should be offered to avoid complication caused by infection.

Background and purpose:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation is the most important predictive factor for determining the effectiveness of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to determine the clinical application value of mutation-speciifc immu-nohistochemistry forEGFR mutation detection in NSCLC.Methods:Mutation-specific immunohistochemistry and ampliifcation refractory mutation system (ARMS) were used simultaneously to detectEGFR gene mutation status in 290 lung cancer specimens. The sensitivity, speciifcity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of mutation-speciifc immunohistochemistry for detectingEGFR gene mutations were evaluated. The consistency was analyzed between mutation-speciifc immunohistochemistry results and ARMS results.Results:With ARMS testing as the gold standard, when a cutoff value of score 1+ was used as positive by immunohistochemistry, the sensitivity of mutation-speciifc immunohistochemistry forEGFR gene mutation was 72.92%, speciifcity 95.20%, positive predictive value 93.75% and negative predictive value 78.08%. The accuracy of immunohistochemistry was obviously different when variousEGFR gene mutations were detected. The sensitivity of immunohistochemistry for exon 19 deletion was only 55.55%, but speciifcity was above 99%. When immunohistochemistry score was 1+, the sensitivity for L858R mu-tation was 90.27%, whereas speciifcity was 95.86%. When immunohistochemistry score was 2+ or 3+, the speciifcity for L858R mutation was 98.63%-100%. The results of mutation-speciifc immunohistochemistry were ifnely correlated with mutation status determined by ARMS assay (P<0.001, Kappa value: 0.612-0.864). Mutation-speciifc immunohis-tochemistry can directly determineEGFR gene mutation abundance at the cellular level.Conclusion:Mutation-speciifc immunohistochemistry could be an effective supplemental method toEGFR molecular tests.

Objective To investigate the value of early quantified analysis of perinatal white matter injury by cranial ultrasound gray scale measurement. MethodsThe cranial ultrasound exam was performed in 152 newborns with different gestational age0 early after their birth. These newborns were divided into two groups: 104 newborns diagnosed as white matter injury within 7 days after birth were taken as patient group; while 48 newborns who were not were taken as control group. The gray scale values in the trigone of lateral ventricle of white matter were analyzed by medical image analysis system. The newborns in patient group accepted cranial ultrasound exam at one month after birth, the grey scale value and cyst in the white matter were recorded. Three to six months old, the cranial ultrasound exam was repeated to record the change of white matter volume, morphology of lateral ventricle and change of the cysts. When they were 1.5 to 2 years old, the neurological function were quantitatively evaluated with Gesell score, and the results were classified as normal and abnormal.The relationships between gray scale value and neuro-developmental outcome were analyzed with receiver operating characteristic curve.Results During neonatal period, the average gray scale values in severely injured group was 131.72±2.40, higher than that of mildly injured group (116.61±2.48), and which in mildly injury group was higher than that in control group (100.50±1.66) (q=4. 521 and 4. 492, P＜0. 05). It was showed by receiver operating characteristic curve that gray scale value ＞114.37 could help to diagnose white matter injury, with the sensitivity of 0. 721 and the specificity of 0. 854; gray scale value ＞119.80 could help to diagnose severe white matter injury,with the sensitivity of 0. 716 and the specificity of 0. 776.As the gray scale value increased, the incidence of white matter volume decreased and the enlargement of lateral ventricle in the later period of injury increased. Patients with gray scale value ＞ 130 tended to suffer from leucomalacia. During neonatal period, the incidence of abnormal neurodevelopment before 2 years old was 5.0％ in patients with gray scale value ＜ 110, while it was 27.8 ％ in the patients with gray scale value between 110 and 120, 47.8％ in the patients with gray scale value ＞ 120.Conclusions Quantified analysis of ultrasound gray scale value might be promising in early diagnosis of perinatal white matter injury through early judgement of the outcomes of white matter injury and forward neurodevelopment.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between clinical characteristics and prognosis of neonatal cerebral infarction and to draw attention to the disease to improve the long-term outcome through early diagnosis and intervention.

METHODSThe clinical characteristics of 6 confirmed cases were summarized. Perinatal conditions and other factors were analyzed for possible causes of the disease. The survived patients were followed-up for 6-8 months.

RESULTSThe authors diagnosed 6 cases of neonatal cerebral infarction in one year, which accounted for 0.6% (6/969) of all the in-patients in the same time period. Among them 3 cases were confirmed as cerebrovascular malformations by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), In 1 case the infarction was due to severe bilateral intraventricular hemorrhage, and in another case the disease was related to comprehensive factors such as prematurity, maternal pregnancy induced hypertension and respiratory failure secondary to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and in 1 case the cause was undetermined. Four out of the 6 patients presented with varied forms of convulsions, which became the second leading cause for all the neonatal convulsive events (20%). None of the patients had localized neurological signs in the early course except for abnormal muscular tone of some extent. Cerebral ultrasound scanning in 5 out of 6 cases showed positive results. The diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) was highly valuable for early confirmative diagnosis. Only one case was found normal within one year of follow-up and all the other 5 cases had unfavorable prognoses of varied severity.

CONCLUSIONNeonatal cerebral infarction is not a rare condition and should be considered as one of the important causes for neonatal convulsion. Imaging study is the main technique for diagnosis. The prognoses were poor for those cases for whom early diagnosis and treatment can not be made or those with widespread cerebral lesions.

Brain ; blood supply ; pathology ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; complications ; Cerebral Infarction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Prognosis ; Seizures ; etiology

BACKGROUNDBranch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is a common retinal vascular disorder of the elderly and both intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and intravitreal bevacizumab were reported to be effective. The purpose of this study was to compare intravitreal bevacizumab with intravitreal TA for the treatment of macular edema resulting from BRVO.

METHODSThe retrospectively comparative interventional study included a bevacizumab group of 34 BRVO patients (1.25 mg bevacizumab) and a TA group of 34 BRVO patients (4.0 mg TA), and the two groups were matched by baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Examinations were designed to be carried out at 1 day, 3 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after each injection. The mean follow-up was (148.43 +/- 130.56) days. Main outcome parameters were BCVA and morphometric measurements of the macula obtained by optical coherence tomography.

RESULTSIn all follow-ups, the mean changes of BCVA (LogMAR) between two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.10). Similarly, the rates of patients who got BCVA improvement > or = 2 lines or lost BCVA > or = 2 lines were not significantly different, either (P > 0.10). In both groups, compared with baseline, the mean central macular thickness (CMT) got reduction from 4 weeks to 1 year after initial injection, however, which lost statistical significance at 6-month follow-up in TA group (P = 0.25) and lost significance at 3-month and 6-month follow-up in bevacizumab group (P = 0.07, 0.21). The mean CMT between two groups differed at 3-month follow-up (P < 0.01), while almost kept parallel in other follow-ups (all P > 0.40). In TA group, retinal pigment epithelium tear occurred in 1 eye at 8 weeks after initial injection and 12 eyes (35.3%) got intraocular pressure > 21 mmHg. In bevacizumab group, no severe complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONFor BRVO, intravitreal bevacizumab versus intravitreal TA causes a similar increase in visual acuity and reduction of macular edema (except 3-month follow-up) with minor complications during 1 year.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Bevacizumab ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Triamcinolone Acetonide ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Visual Acuity ; Vitreous Body

This study was aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of IL-18, IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), IFN-γ and IL-4 secreted from splenocytes of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in vitro. Spleen mononuclear cells (MNC) were prepared by using routine sterile method, and were cultured in RPMI 1640 complete medium containing 10 µg/ml PHA, 10% fetal calf serum at 37°C and 5% CO2. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-18 and IL-18BP secreted from MNC of ITP patients and normal controls were determined after culture for 48 hours. The results showed that after culture of spleen MNC for 48 hours, the levels of IL-18 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in patients with ITP than that in controls, but the levels of IL-18BP was not significantly elevated in ITP patients. The level of IL-4 was below the detectable limit of the assay used. It is concluded that imbalance between IL-18 and IL-18BP may play an important role in pathogenesis of ITP, and regulation of balance between IL-18 and IL-18BP may be a therapeutic approach against ITP.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; secretion ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Interleukin-18 ; secretion ; Interleukin-4 ; secretion ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; metabolism ; Spleen ; cytology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between STXBP1 gene mutations and refractory seizures with unknown causes in newborns.

METHODSThe coding region of STXBP1 gene was detected using direct Sanger sequencing in 11 newborns with refractory seizures of unknown causes.

RESULTSSTXBP1 gene mutation was found in 1 out of 11 patients. It was a missense mutation: c.1439C>T (p.P480L).

CONCLUSIONSSTXBP1 gene mutation can be found in neonatal refractory seizures of unknown causes, suggesting a new approach of further research of this disease.

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Munc18 Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Seizures ; genetics