Objective To establish mild cognitive dysfunction (MCI) models in elderly rats,and to investigate the pathophysiological features.Methods Totally 40 SD rats (14 to 18-month-old) were randomly divided into 2 groups:the model group (n=20) and the sham operation group (n=20).Bilateral carotid artery stenosis was prepared in the model group while bilateral carotid artery was seperated with no bilateral narrowing in the sham operation group.30 days after the operation,Morris water maze test was performed,pathomorphological and electron microscopic observations of the cerebral tissue were examined and the expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2(GRK2) in hippocampus tissue w detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blottin.Results The mortality in model group was only 10％.Pathological morphology and ultrastructure showed that hippocampal tissue structure was almost normal in sham operated group,but in model group group,hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were in ischemic demyelination,arranged loose,and part of the cells showed nucleus pyknosis,deeply stained; there was no obvious infarct in white matter,part of the white matter fiher hecame thinner and disorder,nucleolus became smaller and steped aside,cytoplasmic electron density increased,lipofuscin appeared occasionally.Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi were expanded,cytosolic free ribosomes increased,part of mitochondria became swelled,vacuolated.Morris water maze test results showed that the average escape latency in model group was longer than in sham group (P＜0.05).In spatial probe test,the average time of crossing the first original platform in model rats was significantly longer than the sham operated group [(36.80±7.68) s vs.(20.87±6.16)s,P＜0.05].The average number of crossing the original platform in 60 seconds in model group was significantly less than in sham group(1.43±0.51 vs.3.10±1.45,P＜0.05).The expressiones of GRK2 mRNA and protein in the hippocampus were significantly increased in model group rats than in sham group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The model of severe CCA stenosis in elderly rats can be applied for MCI animal models with good stability and repeatability.Compared with sham group,the cells morphology and ultrastructure in model group appeare more obvious pathological changes and mild impairments in cognitive function.GRK2 may play an important role in the development of MCI.

Objective To investigate the effect of local injection of Botulinum toxin type A(BTXA) on spasticity and function of the affected upper limb in stroke patients.Methods A total of 32 stroke patients were re- cruited and randomly divided into two groups:a BTXA group and a control group.All the patients had spasticity of upper limb muscles,which scored grade 2 to 3 with the Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) ,and decreased elbow joint range of motion.The 16 patients in the BTXA group received BTXA injection in the biceps brachii muscles and flexor muscles of forearm on 10～15 points,while those in the control group did not.All the patients in both groups were treated with rehabilitation training techniques.The MAS,Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel In- dex were employed to evaluate the changes of muscle tone,upper limb function and activity of living (ADL)perform- ance of the patients before injection and at 1st,2nd,6th 12th weeks after injection.Results The therapeutic effect between the BTXA group anti control group was significantly different in terms of biceps muscle tone,the scores of Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel Index.Compared with preinjection,muscle tone was de- creased significantly and ADL performance was improved after injection in BTXA group.The effects of BTXA lasted more than 12 weeks.Conclusion Intramuscular muhipoint injection of BTXA was useful in reducing muscle spas- ticity,and was helpful for increasing motor ability of the affected upper limb and ADL performance of the stroke pa- tients.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological features and influencing factors of human brucellosis in Qinghai province,and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of brucellosis.Methods From 2006 to 2010,select the high incidence areas of brucellosis in Qinghai province and five counties(Henan,Dari,Tianjun,Ping'an and Haiyan counties) included in the “Central Subsidies to Local Public Health Special Fund Human Brucellosis Prevention and Control Projects” for the survey point,as well as high-risk employees from Qinghai Biological Pharmaceutical Factory were investigated.Combined with epidemiological questionnaire investigation [done according to the “National Human Brucellosis Surveillance Program(Trial)”],clinical symptoms and signs,confirmed human brucellosis patient were tested by intradermal allergy test,rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test (SAT),in accordance with “Diagnostic Criteria and Principles of Management of Brucellosis” (GB 15988-1995) and“Diagnostic Criteria for Brucellosis” (WS 269-2007).Results Of 8368 serum samples detected,347 were RBPT positive,and the positive rate was 4.15％;5346 serum samples were tested by SAT,180 were positive,and the positive rate was 3.37％.In June 2009,112 employees in Qinghai Biological Pharmaceutical Factory were investigated on a follow-up survey,83 were RBPT positive,the positive rate was 74.11％; 58 were SAT positive,the positive rate was 51.79％.Eight of them were new cases and 4 were chronic brucellosis.Twenty five new cases were reported between 2006 and 2010.The peak incidence was from March to July.Most of the cases were herdsmen.ConclusionStrengthening animal quarantine,strengthening public education,and improving protection awareness,can effectively control the disease brucellosis.

Objective To accurately judge the tumor-feeding artery is the most important basis for a successful treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with super-selective hepatic arterial chemoembo lization therapy. This study aims to assess the clinical value of cone-beam CT hepatic arteriography (CBCT-HA) in detecting tumor-feeding arteries during the performance of conventional transarterial chemoembo lization (TACE), and to compare the diagnostic effects between CBCT-HA and non-selective hepatic DSA. Methods Twenty-three consecutive patients with inoperable HCC were enrolled in this study. TACE was carried out in all patients. During the performance of TACE, the DSA-HA, CBCT-HA, Lipiodol-TACE and Lipiodol-CBCT were performed separately. The imaging materials, including DSA-HA and CBCT-HA, were analyzed by two experienced interventional physicians together to judge the tumor-feeding arteries. Statistic analysis was conducted by using chi square test. Results Tumor stain and lipiodol accumulation were regarded as the “gold standard” of the presence of tumor-feeding artery, based on which the tumor-feeding artery was confirmed in 75 lesions. DSA-HA demonstrated positive tumor-feeding artery in 40 lesions, among which true-positive tumor-feeding artery was seen in 32 and false-positive one in 8. CBCT-HA showed positive tumor-feeding artery in 72 lesions, which included true-positive tumor-feeding artery in 68 and false-positive one in 4. The sensitivity of CBCT-HA in judging tumor-feeding artery was 90.7% (68/75), which was much higher than that of DSA-HA (42.6%, 32/75), the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001). The positive predictive value of CBCT-HA in detecting tumor-feeding artery was also higher than that of DSA-HA (94.4% vs. 80.0%; P=0.040). Conclusion Cone-beam CT hepatic arteriography is obviously superior to DSA hepatic arteriography in identifying tumor-feeding arteries, which is very helpful in guiding super-selective TACE for HCC.

A total of 180 type 2 diabetic patients with negative anti-thyroid autoantibodies were recruited.According to the levels of serum 25-OH vitamin D [25 (OH) D],these patients were divided into four groups:sufficient group (≥ 30 ng/ml),insufficient group (20-＜30 ng/ml),deficiency group (10-＜20 ng/ml),and severe deficiency group(＜ 10 ng/ml).The results showed that compared with sufficient vitamin D group,the group with severe deficient vitamin D had higher TT3,FT3,FT3/FT4,and TSH (all P＜0.05).The serum 25(OH) D level was negatively correlated with TSH values (r =-0.207,P＜0.05) after adjustment for gender,age,and body mass index.Multivariate regression analysis indicated that serum 25 (OH) D level was an independent influencing factor for TSH value (β =-0.201,P＜0.05),suggesting that serum 25 (OH) D level seems to be correlated with thyroid function in type 2 diabetic patients.

The method of multiplex PCR was set up to identify two or three transgenes in one reaction such as uidA and bar; uidA and IDx5 or uidA, bar and 1Dx5 genes. Three sets of primer pairs which was specific to each of these three genes respectively were designed and synthesized. Recombinant plasmids pAHC25 and p1Dx5 harboring uidA + bar and 1Dx5 gene separately were used as template DNA in the process of optimizing an multiplex PCR reaction. The optimal annealing temperature for uidA and bar MPCR is range from 57. 1℃-62. 3℃ , for uidA and 1Dx5 is range from 60℃ to 60. 6℃ , and for uidA、bar and 1Dx5 range from 57. 0℃-58. 4℃. The amount of template for MPCR is twice as much as that for simplex PCR, while the concentration of primers is the same with simplex one. Less than 50bp MPCR products can be separated clearly by 10% non-denaturalized polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis. Fourteen transgenic wheat lines were tested by multiplex and simplex PCR respectively, which shows the same results and hence presents that MPCR is the reliable, rapid and high-effective approach to detect foreign genes from transgenic plant.

Objective To investigate the association between essential hypertension(EH)and nonalcoholic fatty liver(NAFL).Methods Four hundred and nine patients of EH underwent liver uhrasonographic examina- tion during 2006-2007 year were enrolled.Patients were categorized as MS(n=312)or non-MS(n=97)ac- cording to the criteria by CDA.Body mass index(BMI),blood pressure,the profiles of blood lipid,liver func- tion,renal function,plasma sugar were determined.Results 1)The prevalence of fatty liver in EH+MS group (66.0%)was significantly higher than that of EH without MS group(41.2%,P

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on skeletal fluorosis pain, joint motor dysfunction and urine fluoride excretion in the treatment with fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3.

METHODSThe randomized controlled trial was adopted. Ninety-five patients were randomized into a fire needle group (31 cases), an electroacupuncture group (33 cases) and a calcium carbonate D3 group (31 cases). In the fire needle group and the electroacupuncture group, Ashi points, Dazhui (GV 14), Geshu (BL 17), Quchi (LI 11), Hegu (LI 4), Xuehai (SP 10) points were selected and stimulated with fire needle and electroacupuncture separately, three times a week. In the calcium carbonate D3 group, calcium carbonate D3 tablets was prescribed for oral administration, 600 mg each time, twice a day. The duration of treatment was 2 months in the electroacupuncture group and calcium carbonate D3 group and 1 month in the fire needle group. VAS score, the range of motion (ROM) and urine fluoride value were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the three groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, VAS value and ROM were improved significantly in the patients of the three groups (all P < 0.05), the difference was not significant in comparison of the three groups (all P > 0.05). After treatment, the urine fluoride value was increased significantly in the fire needle group [(7.89 +/- 3.61) mg/L vs (9.81 +/- 4.17) mg/L, P < 0.01] and was increased in the electroacupuncture group [(7.53 +/- 3.46) mg/L vs (8.97 +/- 4.21) mg/L, P < 0.05]. The difference was not significant in comparison before and after treatment in the calcium carbonate D3 group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe fire needle therapy, electroacupuncture and calcium carbonate D3 all have the clinical value in the prevention and treatment of skeletal fluorosis and the difference in the therapeutic effect has not been discovered among them yet at present. But it has been found that the fire needle therapy and electroacupuncture display the active significance in the promotion of urine fluoride excretion.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Diseases ; drug therapy ; therapy ; urine ; Calcium Carbonate ; administration & dosage ; Electroacupuncture ; instrumentation ; Female ; Fluorides ; urine ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Treatment Outcome

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes, is characterized by allodynia, hyperalgesia and spontaneous pain. Chinese epidemiological studies have shown that at least 25% diabetic patients suffered from painful DPN, which compromises patients' daily functioning and becomes a major health care problem. Although the pathogenesis of painful DPN is not fully understood and current treatment options are very limited, research in the field has advanced our understanding on the mechanism of painful DPN in the past Decade of Pain Research and Control. This review will mainly focus on evaluation of current diabetic animal models, possible molecular pathways and available therapies, with an emphasis on roles of purinergic receptor and its signaling transduction pathways. Common therapies address one or two DPN symptoms, while others offer wider symptom control, presumably by targeting pathophysiological mechanisms of DPN. Purinergic receptor signaling transduction pathways might become potential targets for treatment for painful DPN.
Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; physiopathology ; Pain ; physiopathology ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X ; physiology