The purpose of our present work was to study the discharge of bursting-firing neurons (BFNs) in ipsilateral or contralateral hippocampus (HPC), and its relations to the reestablishment of local epileptic networks. The experiments were performed on 140 Sprague Dawley male rats (150-250 g). Acute tetanization (60 Hz, 2 s, 0.4 -0.6 mA) of the right posterior dorsal hippocampus (ATPDH) was administered to establish rat epilepsy model. The single unit discharges and the depth electrographs were simultaneously recorded from ipsilateral or contralateral HPC. In other experimental rats, acute tetanization of the right anterior dorsal HPC (ATADH) was used. Extracellular unit discharges in the CA1 region were simultaneously recorded from bilateral anterior dorsal hippocampi. Analysis of hippocampal BFN firing patterns before or after administration of the tetanization was focused on according to their location in the HPC epileptic networks in vivo. Single unit discharges of 138 hippocampal neurons were recorded from ipsilateral and/or contralateral anterior dorsal HPC. Of the 138 neurons recorded, 19 were BFNs. 13 BFNs were tetanus-evoked and the remaining 6 were spontaneous ones. The evoked reactions of the single hippocampal neuron induced by the tetanization mainly included: (1) the firing patterns of the BFNs in ipsilateral anterior dorsal HPC were obviously modulated by the ATPDH from tonic firing into rhythmic bursting. The bursting interspike intervals (BISI) decreased. (2) There were mild modulations of the firing patterns of the BFNs in contralateral anterior dorsal HPC following post-inhibition of the firing rate of single neuron induced by the ATPDH. The interspike intervals (ISI) increased obviously. (3) Post-facilitation of rhythmic bursting-firing of the BFNs in contralateral anterior dorsal HPC was induced by ATADH; both the ISI and the IBI increased. (4) Synchronous or asynchronous rhythmic bursting-firing of the BFNs and the network epileptiform events ipsilateral or contralateral anterior dorsal HPC were elicited by the ATPDH. The results obtained suggest that bursting-firing of single BFNs is produced by the ATPDH in the anterior dorsal HPC along the longitudinal axis of the ipsilateral HPC or across the hemisphere to the opposite HPC. Rhythmic activities of the BFN may be implicated in the epileptic network reestablishment of the HPC. On the other hand, synaptic modulation of the BFN temporal series might be responsible for pathophysiological information transmission in the HPC-epileptic network.
Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrophysiology ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; physiopathology ; Evoked Potentials ; Hippocampus ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nerve Net ; physiopathology ; Neurons ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synaptic Transmission

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of hair dermal papilla and its regulatory role in the growth cycle of the hair follicles.

METHODSSingle hair follicles were isolated from surgical specimens of human scalp and cultured in Williams E medium. The growth of the hair follicle was measured and the morphology and structure of the dermal papilla in the different growth cycles were observed continuously.

RESULTSThe hair follicle could grow in the medium for 12 days at the average growth rate of 0.2-0.3 mm/day. The flat and round dermal papilla lay at the bottom of the hair bulb in the telogen and anagen stages. In the hair follicle with accelerated growth, the dermal papilla became elongated, loosened, and closely adhered to the hair matrix. In the catagen stage the dermal papilla shrunk, and became separated from the hair matrix. A new hair bulb was regenerated when the hair follicle was transected at a low level. The hair follicle stopped growing after transection at a higher position.

CONCLUSIONThe hair dermal papilla is the essential for hair follicle growth, and plays an important role in regulating the hair growth cycle.

Dermis ; cytology ; growth & development ; Hair ; growth & development ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; growth & development ; Humans ; Tissue Culture Techniques

AIMTo investigate the neural network and cellular mechanisms of hippocampal epileptogenesis contralateral or ipsilateral to the side of acute tetanization (60 Hz, 2 s, 0.4 - 0.6 mA) of the posterior dorsal hippocampus (ATPDH).

METHODS10 trains of the ATPDH were administered into the CA1 basal dendritic region of the right hemisphere at an interval of 10 minutes.

RESULTS(1) The firing rate of CA1 single neuron in the right or the left hippocampus was inhibited respectively after the ATPDH, and the effects weakened gradually while the trains of the ATPDH increased. The inhibited firing rate and the transformed firing pattern from tonic one to clonic one were more obvious at the side contralateral to the stimulation (62.94% +/- 3.68%, 36.61% +/- 3.14%, P < 0.01). (2) Synchronous primary afterdischarges of depth EEG and single unit discharges were more commonly observed at the side ipsilateral to the ATPDH (P < 0.01). (3) Primary or secondary hippocampal network afterdischarges at high frequency were only found in CA1 region ipsilateral to the ATPDH. (4) Secondary afterdischarges of CA3 basal dendritic neural network were completely synchronized with those of subicular single neuron, which reoccurred and persisted several hours.

CONCLUSIONIt is possible that post-inhibition bursting of single neuron and recurrent network seizures in the hippocampus contralateral to the artificial focus be the important manifestation of the formation of "epileptic networks" across from one hemisphere to another.

Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Hippocampus ; physiology ; Male ; Neural Pathways ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiology of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in molecular level in burn centre of Shanghai Ruijin hospital.

METHODSThe vicissitude of Staphylococcus aureus in the burn centre from 2003 to 2005 was analyzed with software WHONET5. Multiprimer random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD) was used to analyze the homology of 17 MRSA strains.

RESULTSRAPD analysis (primer ERIC2 and RAPD7) showed that all 17 MRSA strains were identical (Burn-A type).

CONCLUSIONMRSA with same RAPD type is prevalent in our burn centre for many years, so emphasis should be laid on the anti-infection therapy and its cross infection control. Staphylococcus aureus;

Burn Units ; Humans ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Sequence Homology ; Staphylococcal Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE To study the clinicopathologic features, radiologic findings, treatment modalities and prognosis of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT).

METHODSThe clinical features, histopathologic findings, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy of 18 cases of DNT were analyzed. Results Among the 18 cases studied, 14 were males and 4 females. The age of these patients ranged from 3 to 46 (mean age = 22. 8 years). Partial seizure was the main presenting symptom in all patients. The history of epilepsy could be as long as 17 years. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, the tumor was hypodense on T1 and hyperdense on T2. There was neither edema nor mass effect. All but 2 cases were supratentorial and intracortical in location. Ten cases were treated by complete surgical excision and the remaining 8 tumors were partially excised. In the 14 patients with follow-up data available, 13 survived for 1.4 to 11 years after the operation (with more than 10 years survival observed in 2 patients). The average survival period was 5.5 years. None of the cases showed tumor recurrence after operation. Histologically, all tumors demonstrated a multinodular architecture and were intracortical in location, sometimes with extension into the white matter. The characteristic "glioneuronal constituent" was an essential feature for making the diagnosis of DNT. The tumor was formed by an admixture of oligodendrocyte-like cells, mature neurons and astrocytes, with obvious microcystic changes. These neurons were often dispersed singly in the mucoid matrix. In most cases, the foci of cortical dysplasia were found in adjacent areas. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated positivity for synaptophysin, neurofilament and S-100 protein in the neurons and some oligodendrocyte-like cells. The staining of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the oligodendrocyte-like cells was negative. Electron microscopy showed early neuronal, astrocytic and oligodendroglial differentiation of the oligodendrocyte-like cells.

CONCLUSIONSDNT is a benign tumor (corresponding to WHO grade I) that can be cured by surgical excision, despite sometimes incomplete tumor removal. A correct diagnosis of this entity requires thorough understanding of the clinical, radiologic, histologic and immunohistochemical features.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Cerebral Cortex ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Neurofilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Oligodendroglia ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Survival Rate ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mRNA and protein expression of nucleostemin (NS) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODSThe mRNA and protein expression of NS were detected in 31 mucosal atypical hyperplasia specimens, 62 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens and the matched normal esophageal mucosa samples by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry method, respectively.

RESULTSThe positive expression rate of NS protein in normal esophageal mucosa, atypical hyperplasia and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was 17.7% (11/62), 41.9% (13/31) and 69.4% (43/62), respectively. There was a significant difference among the above three groups (chi2 = 33.676, P < 0.01). The expression levels of NS mRNA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (0.971 +/- 0.121) was significantly higher than that in the atypical hyperplasia (0.913 +/- 0.085) and also in the normal esophageal mucosa (0.866 +/- 0.103; F = 14.829, P < 0.01). The expression level of both NS protein and mRNA was positively correlated with histological grade, infiltration depth, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), but not with age, gender or pathological type (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOur results indicate that nucleostemin mRNA and protein are over-expressed in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and it may be related with its oncogenesis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carrier Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Female ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nuclear Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Precancerous Conditions ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed dose combination of telmisartan 80 mg plus hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg (TH) to telmisartan 80 mg (T) in Chinese patients who failed to respond adequately to treatment with T.

METHODThis is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy clinical study. A total of 699 eligible hypertensive patients entered a one-week screening phase prior to the eight-week open-label T period. At the end of eight weeks, 345 patients who failed to respond to T (DBP > or = 90 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) were randomized to receive either TH (175 patients) or T (170 patients) for another eight weeks. Sitting and standing BP were taken 24 hours post-dose and adverse events were documented at visit with 4 weeks interval. Laboratory, ECG and physical examination were performed at screening, at baseline and at the final visit.

RESULTSAfter 8 weeks treatment, (1) The mean trough reduction in sitting diastolic blood pressure (SiDBP) from baseline in TH group was greater than that in T group (10.1 mm Hg vs 7.7 mm Hg, P = 0.0017). The mean trough reduction in sitting systolic blood pressure (SiSBP) from baseline was 14.2 mm Hg in TH group and 7.4 mm Hg in T group (P < 0.0001). (2) The mean trough reduction in standing DBP and standing SBP from baseline were significantly greater in TH group (8.7 mm Hg and 12.9 mm Hg) compared those in T group (7.3 mm Hg and 7.0 mmHg, P = 0.0350, P < 0.0001). (3) The number and percentage of responders in TH group (129, 74.6%) were significantly higher than in T group (100, 59.2%, P = 0.0016). (4) The incidence of the study drug-related adverse events was similar between TH and T group (3.5% vs. 3.6%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTH was more effective than T in patients not responded adequately to T in Chinese hypertensive patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Benzimidazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Benzoates ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CAPN10 gene in Chinese population and their relation with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han people of Northern China.

METHODSCAPN10 gene was sequenced to detect SNPs in different nationalities of China. Five SNPs were chosen to perform case-control study and haplotype analysis in 156 normal Han people of Northern China and 173 type 2 diabetes. One SNP was also analyzed with transmission-disequilibrium test (TDT) and sib transmission-disequilibrium test (STDT) in 68 type 2 diabetes pedigrees (377 people).

RESULTSA total of 40 SNPs were identified in length of 8,936 bp, with an average of 1 in every 223 bp. The SNPs in CAPN10 gene did not distribute evenly and the SNPs in Chinese were different from those reported in Mexican American. There was no significantly statistical difference in the allele frequency of the 5 SNPs between case and control, and the haplotype frequencies in the two groups were not significantly different. No positive results was found in TDT and STDT analysis.

CONCLUSIONSThe SNP distribution of CAPN10 gene differs in different nationalities. The studied SNPs in CAPN10 gene may not be the major susceptibility ones of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han people of Northern China.

Calpain ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; ethnology ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CAPN10 gene in Chinese population and their relation with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han people of Northern China.

METHODSCAPN10 gene was sequenced to detect SNPs in 27 samples of different nationalities in China. 5 SNPs were genotyped with single-base extension (SBE) method to perform case-control study in 156 normal Han people of Northern China and 173 type 2 diabetes and the 3 positive loci reported in the article were performed haplotype analysis. One positive locus was also analyzed with transmission-disequilibrium test (TDT) and sib transmission-disequilibrium test (STDT) in 68 type 2 diabetes pedigrees (377 cases).

RESULTSA total of 40 SNPs were identified in length of 8,936 bp, with an average of 1 in every 223 bp; The SNPs in CAPN10 gene did not distribute evenly and the SNPs in Chinese was different from that reported in American Mexicans. There was no significantly statistical difference in the allele frequency of the 5 SNPs between case and control (P > 0.05), and the haplotype frequencies in the two groups were not much different (P > 0.05). There was no positive results in TDT and STDT analysis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe SNP distribution of CAPN10 gene varies with different nationalities. The studied SNPs in CAPN10 gene may not be the major susceptibility ones of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han people of Northern China.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Ethnic Groups ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genetic Testing ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective To provide evidence for the presence of the lower body fascia chain. Methods Totally 20 cases of Chinese adult femur were selected, and the anatomy was performed to observe the continuity on fascia between periosteal fascia and iliotibial tract (ITT). Judging the generic character and the degree of continuity of them. If there was a significant anatomical continuity between them, the tensile strength of the structure is tested by applying a certain tension to both. Results First, an indirect link between the iliotibial tract and the fibular myofascial fascia was found: in all anatomical lower extremity specimens, the iliotibial bundle (ITT) was structurally connected to the fascial fascia, which was almost inseparable from the fibular fascia. Second, the application of tension to the iliotibial tract (ITT) could cause local movement between the fascia of the calf and the periosteal fascia. Conclusion Iliotibial tract and fibular long muscle fascia are connected firmly. The stability of the connection suggests that it may play a role in the conduction of a certain tension.