Background The integration of segregated pathways from the two eyes first appears in V1 neurons,where it not only plays a critical role in the generation of a three-dimensional visual representation.Abnormal visual experiences in critical period usually lead to amblyopia and binocular integration defects.Objective Present study was to investigate how neurons of kitten coordinate their activity patterns in response to synchronous dichoptic stimulus inputs in striate cortex.Methods Spike rate and local field potential(LFP) gamma band(20-90Hz) power of three kitten(1-1.2Kg,8-10 weeks old) to monocular and synchronous dichoptic presented gratings were assessed for 28 binocular neurons in V1 of kitten by in vivo extracellular record method under anaesthesia and paralysis.Ocular dominance index(ODI) and binocular integration index(BII) were assessed and the correlation between these two indexes were analyzed.Results In 28 cells with binocular characteristic,the absolute value of spike-ODI was significant larger than that of LFP-ODI(t=2.606,P=0.021).A positive linear correlation between the ocular preferences of spike and LFP was found(R2=0.513,F=27.423,P=0.003).In dichotic trails,binocular facilitation with BII for spike was 2.348±0.996,showing a significant reduce in comparison with BII for LFP(3.678±1.974)(t=2.671,P=0.019).Binocular integration index for two signals were greater when monocular responses of both eyes were similar(P=0.035 and P=0.124,respectively).Conclusion Both spike rate and gamma band power of LFP exhibited binocular facilitation to synchronous presented dichotic stimuli with significant facilitation induced by balanced monocular responses.Spiking activity and LFP reflect neural activities of different spatial scales and source components.

BackgroundRecent researches suggested that properties of neurons in the lateral geniculate neuron (LGN) may represent an important neural limitation on the development of basic spatial and temporal vision,and even binocular rivalry.However,previous studies on the properties of spatiotemporal frequency tuning of LGN were rather concentrated on a monkey or cat,whereas little is known about rat.ObjectiveThis study was to examine the development of spatiotemporal frequency tuning in rats LGN.MethodsTwenty Wistar rats were collected and divided into 14-16 day,20-22 day,27-30 day and 60 day groups according to the different ages after their eyes opened and 5 rats were assigned for each group.Extracellular single neuron recording was carried out in the rats to study the spatio-temporal receptive field properties of neurons in LGN by sinusoidal gratings visual stimuli.Dynamic changes of the spatio-temporal receptive field properties of neurons in LGN with the development of Wistar rats were evaluated.ResultsThe differences between band-pass and low-pass distribution of temporal frequency or spatial frequency of rat LGN were not statistically significant (x2 =0.68,0.47,P＞0.05 ).The optimal temporal frequency of receptive field in rat LGN went up to the maximum value until 60 day in Wistar rats.The mean optimal temporal frequencies of neurons in the four different age groups were ( 2.5 ± 1.3 ),( 2.6± 1.2),(2.6± 1.1 ) and ( 3.6± 1.1 ) Hz with significant differences among the 4 groups (F=4.53,P＜0.05 ),and those in the 14-16 day group,20-22 day group,27- 30 day group were significantly lower than in the 60 days group ( q =4.43,4.10,4.03,P ＜ 0.05 ).No significant differences were seen among the 14-16 day group,20-22 day group and 27-30 day group ( P＞0.05 ).The optimal spatial frequency values in the four groups were ( 0.04 ± 0.04 ),( 0.04 ± 0.03 ),( 0.05 ± 0.03 ),( 0.05 ± 0.04 ) cpd,respectively without statistical difference among them ( F =0.58,P ＞ 0.05 ).The temporal and spatial bandwidth values in the various age groups were not statistically significant among the four groups ( F =0.37,1.22,P＞0.05). Conclusions The development of temporal and spatial frequency characteristics of the rat LGN receptive field may be related to its functional visual pathway.

Objective To study and summarize the tumor-free technique points for coordinating the operations aiming at rejecting aggressive spinal tumors by microwave and hyperthermia induced method. Methods 12 cases of patients with malignant bone tumors were performed with operations for rejecting tumor, using tumor-free technique to avoid cross infection, protect normal tissue nearby and prevent complications effectively. Results 12 cases of operations were successfully performed, no metastasis Was seen, no adjacent tissue injury and peri-operative complications occurod. Conclusions Microwave-induced hyperthermia in management of aggressive spinal bone tumors can increase the post-operative living-quality of patients, make both medical staff and patients satisfied and reach anticipated effect.

1H NMR metabonomics approach was used to reveal the chemical difference of urine between patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome (XCHTS) and healthy participants (HP). The partial least square method was used to establish a model to distinguish the patients with Xiao-Chaihu-Tang syndrome from the healthy controls. Thirty-four endogenous metabolites were identified in the 1H NMR spectrum, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed the urine of patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome and healthy participants could be separated clearly. It is indicated that the metabolic profiling of patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome was changed obviously. Fifteen metabolites were found by S-pot of OPLS-DA and VIP value. The contents of leucine, formic acid, glycine, hippuric acid and uracil increased in the urine of patients, while threonine, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, acetamide, 2-oxoglutarate, citric acid, dimethylamine, malonic acid, betaine, trimethylamine oxide, phenylacetyl glycine, and uridine decreased. These metabolites involve the intestinal microbial balance, energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, which is related with the major symptom of Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome. The patients with Xiao-Chaihu Tang syndrome could be identified and predicted correctly using the established partial least squares model. This study could be served as the basis for the accurate diagnostic and reasonable administration of Xiao-Chaihu-Tang syndrome.
Humans ; Least-Squares Analysis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolome ; Metabolomics ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Syndrome ; Urinalysis

Objective To observe the effect of Kangnaoye on angiogene-sis in rats after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion.Methods The male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham operation group , model group, Kangnaoye high, middle and low dosages groups (24,12,6 g· kg -1· d-1), and nimodipine group(1 mg· kg -1· d -1).The mod-els of cerebral ischemia reperfusion were established in rats by methods of middle cerebral artery occlusion ( MCAO).Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the change of the microvessel density ( MVD ) after cerebral ischemic and the expression of vascular endothelial growth ( VEG), HGF and CD31 protein of rats which were killed at the 0.5, 3, and 7 d of reperfusion injury respectively 2 h after cerebral ischemia.The nervous function deficit scores were evaluated at the 2 , 24 , and 48 h af-ter reperfusion.Results Compared with model group , the neurological behavior performance in Nimodipine and Kangnaoye treatment groups were significantly improved , with an increased number of MVD , and en-hanced vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor( HGF) protein levels ( P<0.05 or P<0.01 ) , especially in the Kangnaoye middle dosage group.Conclusion Kangnaoye has neuropro-tective effect against focal cerebral ischemic injury by improving the ex-pression of VEGF and HGF , which is one of possible anti -ischemic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and to identify the DAX-1 gene mutation in a Chinese kindred with X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenital(AHC).

METHODSClinical data and peripheral blood samples were obtained from the affected individuals and their relatives. The genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood. Four pairs of primers were used to amplify the two exons of the DAX-1 gene, and PCR products were purified and sequenced directly. Sequencing results were compared to the human DAX-1 sequence in the public database.

RESULTSA novel hemizygous frameshift mutation (428delG) in exon 1 of the DAX-1 gene was found in both patients (the index case and his cousin). Some clinical features such as the age of onset were different although these 2 patients carried the same mutation. Three females in the family, including the mothers of the 2 patients and their grandmother were carriers of this mutation. No such mutation was detected in other healthy persons in the family.

CONCLUSIONThe result suggested that X-linked AHC in the kindred was caused by a novel mutation of 428delG in the DAX-1 gene, and the same mutation can give rise to variable phenotypes.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; genetics ; pathology ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; genetics ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo analyze the changing trends of frequency and localization of gastric cancers arising from the gastric cardia, corpus and antrum during the past 14 years in population of the high incidence area of esophageal and gastric carcinoma in Hebei province, China.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 4334 cases of gastric carcinomas among the local residents of Cixian and Zanhuang counties, initially diagnosed in our department from 1993 to 2006, were retrospectively analyzed. The proportion of gastric carcinomas arising from the gastric cardia, corpus and antrum in different years and in patients with different sex and ages were analyzed and compared, and the changing trends of the frequency of gastric carcinoma arising from different sites of the stomach were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSAmong all the 4334 gastric carcinomas, gastric cardia carcinoma accounted for 68.0%, significantly higher than that of corpus (24.2%) and antrum (7.9%; chi(2) = 124.396, P < 0.0001). An increasing tendency in the proportion of gastric cardia carcinoma from 1993 to 2006 was seen. The percentage of cardiac carcinoma in the high incidence area of esophageal carcinoma (Cixian county) was higher than that in the high incidence area of gastric cancer (Zanhuang county) (71.2% vs. 51.2%; chi(2) = 109.648, P < 0.0001). The increase in the incidence of cardiac carcinoma in Cixian county was mainly due to the increase of cardiac carcinoma from 1993 to 2006, while the contributing factor for the increase in the proportion of cardiac carcinomas was resulted from the decrease of incidence of antrum carcinoma in Zanhuang county during the same period. The occurring site of gastric carcinoma was related with age of patients (chi(2) = 58.380, P < 0.0001). The percentage of carcinoma of the gastric body was highest in < 50 year age group, while that in the gastric cardia was highest in 61 - 70 year age group (71.6%).

CONCLUSIONThe major occurring site of gastric carcinoma is the gastric cardia among the local residents in population of the high incidence areas of esophageal and gastric carcinomas during the past 14 years in Hebei province, China. The increasing trend of cardiac carcinoma and decreasing trend of corpus carcinoma in Cixian county and antrum carcinoma in Zanhuang county will be maintained in the coming years if the epidemiological conditions will not be changed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cardia ; pathology ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyloric Antrum ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharides (ROS) on the proliferation of HepG2 and insulin resistance.

METHODThe HepG2 cells were divided into control group, rosiglitazone (3.4 mg x L(-1)) treated group and ROS (0.1-30 mg x L(-1)) treated group. The proliferation of HepG2 was detected by MTT method. Insulin resistant HepG2 cells model was induced by high concentration of insulin, then the effects of ROS on glucose consumption in insulin resistant HepG2 cells were investigated.

RESULTIn the middle glucose culture medium, the absorbance at 570 nm of HepG2 was increased by high concentration of ROS, and decreased by low concentration of ROS by using MTT method, a concentration-dependent manner. ROS increased glucose consumption in HepG2 cells, and showed a better effect at the dose of 10 mg x L(-1). ROS promoted the glucose consumption in insulin resistance of HepG2 cells, improved the sensitivity of insulin resistance of HepG2 cells to insulin.

CONCLUSIONHigh concentration of ROS can promote the proliferation of HepG2, and however low concentration of ROS inhibits the proliferation of HepG2. ROS can significantly improve insulin resistance of HepG2 cells induced by high insulin.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Glucose ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligosaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

Objective To explore the effect of limited posterior fossa decompression(LPFD)in the treatment of Amold-chiari I malformation.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted among 29 patients undergoing LPFD from 2004 to 2008.The standard surgical procedures included small osseous decompression of the occipital bone above the forarnen magnum,removal of the posterior arch of the atlas,separation of the arachnoid adhesions,and reduction of the inferior cerebellar tonsils,a dural graft for duraplasty.The outcomes of the surgeries were evaluated using the Tator criteria.Results Excellent results were obtained in 23(79.3%)patients according to the Tator scores,and good results were achieved in 6(20.7%)patients.During the follow-up of 15 patients,the syrmgomyelia was found to be further reduced in 9 patients,and 1 patient experienced recurrence.Conclusion Limited posterior fossa decompression is effective for management of Amold-chiari I malformation with minimal invasiveness and complications.

Coronary artery spasm(CAS)is a hyper-contraction of segmental coronary artery in response to multiple stimuli. At present, it's still in lack of specific diagnostic indicators of sudden cardiac death caused by CAS. This review summarizes current researches on the mechanisms of CAS and describes the roles of vascular endothelial dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle hypersensitivity in the course of CAS. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms of the endogenous NO and endothelin-1 cause vascular endothelial dysfunction, and the phosphorylation of MLC2, Rho kinase and endoplasmic reticulum stress related to vascular smooth muscle hypersensitivity are discussed. Meanwhile, the possibility of forensic application for the related molecules on the diagnosis of sudden cardiac death caused by CAS are also explored.