Objective HupA is one of the potential drugs which can be used to treat Alzheimer's disease(AD).The aim of this study was to explore the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of HupA in vivo by using 11C-HupA.Methods A total of 25 SD rats were studied.They were divided into 5 groups (5 rats in each group).All had intravenous injection of 22 MBq(in0.2 ml)11C-HupA through tail vein.Dynamic im-aging Was acquired from 5 to 90 minutes after injection.Venous blood and organ activities were collected at 5,15,30,60.and 90 minutes after injection.Percentage activity of injected dose per gram of tissue(%ID/g)was calculated to characterize the biodistribution of tracer in different brain regions: frontal,apical, temporal,occipital,cerebellum,hippocampus,striatum,thalamencephalon, and brain stem, Variance analysis using SPSS 11.5 software was performed and compared among the study groups.Results 11C-HupA was character-istic for its quick clearance from blood,with half time T1/2 of (14.61±1.77) min,and clearance rate (CL)macokinetics of 11C-HupA in rats corresponded to a one-compartment model.with an activity curve(area 11C-HupA distribution in different brain regions,being greater in cerebral cortex,hippocampus,hypothala-mus and brain stem. Conclusions Pharmacokinetic study of 11C-HupA in brain was fast.convenient and showed high specificity and sensitivity.Its ability to quantitatively evaluate brain function and its character-istic distribution in mice provided some evidence for monitoring therapy in AD patients.

In recent years, research about sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer surgery has developed quickly. Several clinical studies indicate that sentinel lymph node mapping in early endometrial cancer can improve detectable rate and decrease the false-negative rate. However, the technology is still controversial. Therefore, further study is needed to assess the role of sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer. This review mainly focused on the current clinical practice of sentinel node mapping technique in endometrial cancer, and the existing problems and controversies.

Event-related potential (ERP) studies report that early components P120, N170 and VPP are associated with face processing. Several lines of evidence suggest that VPP is the positive counterpart of N170, and they are generated by the same brain sources. However, whether P120 has a negative counterpart and the relations among these early components (i.e. P120, N170, VPP) remain unclear. In this study, the scalp electroencephalogram was recorded when the subjects passively viewed different stimuli, and ERP was calculated. The synchronization of electroencephalography signals between fronto-central and bilateral occipitotemporal sites was evaluated, and independent component analysis was employed to seek the face-sensitive independent components and their corresponding sources. We found that P120 had the negative counterpart, i.e., VN120; moreover, VN120-VPP and P120-N170 complexes were generated by the same sources located in fusiform gyrus, which reflected the same sequential neural activities of face processing.
Adolescent ; Brain ; physiology ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials ; physiology ; Face ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pattern Recognition, Visual ; physiology ; Perception ; physiology ; Sensation ; physiology ; Young Adult

Penetrating head injury is rare, and thus management of such injuries is non-standard. Early diagnosis and intraoperative comprehensive exploration are necessary considering the complexity and severity of the trauma. However, because of the lack of microsurgical techniques in local hospitals, the possible retained foreign bodies and other postoperative complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak usually require a rational design for a secondary operation to deal with. We present a case of a 15-yearold boy who was stabbed with a bamboo stick in his left eye. The chopsticks passed through the orbit roof and penetrated the skull base. In subsequent days, the patient sustained CSF leak and intracranial infection after an unsatisfied primary treatment in the local hospital and had to request a secondary operation in our department. Computed tomography including plain scan, three dimension reconstruction and computed tomographic angiography are used to determine the course and extent of head injury. A frontal craniotomy was performed. Three pieces of stick were found residual and removed with the comminuted orbit bone fragments. A pedicled temporalis muscle fascia graft was applied to repair the frontier skull base and a free temporalis muscle flap to seal the frontal sinus defect. Aggressive broadspectrum antibiotics of vancomycin and meropenem were administrated for persistent fever after operation. CSF external drainage system continued for 12 days, and was removed 10 days after temperature returned to normal. The Glasgow coma scale score was improved to 15 at postoperative day 7 and the patient was discharged at day 22 uneventfully. We believe that appropriate preoperative surgical plan and thorough surgical exploration by microsurgery is essential for attaining a favorable outcome, especially in secondary operation. Good postoperative recovery depends on successfully management before and after operation for possible complications as well.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the brain pathological changes following exdogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) intraventricular transplantation in neonatal rats with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), and to explore the feasibility of NSCs transplantation for the treatment of PVL in premature infants.

METHODSNSCs were prepared from E14 embryonic rat brain. Two-day-old neonatal rats were randomly divided into six groups: PVL, PVL+culture medium, PVL+NSCs, sham operation, sham operation+culture medium, and sham operation+NSCs (18-21 rats each group). Intraventricular transplantation of exdogenous NSCs was performed 72 hrs after PVL induction or sham operation. The cerebral pathological evaluation was undertaken by light microscopy 7, 14 and 21 days after transplantation.

RESULTSThe pathological changes in the cerebral white matter were gradually improved with the prolonged time after transplantation. After 21 days of transplantation, 50% of the cerebral white matter showed mild pathological changes and 50% of that showed severe pathological changes, with neuronal pathological scores of 1.28+/-0.86, in the untreated PVL group. In the PVL+NSCs group, 30% of normal white matter, 40% of mild and 30% of severe pathological changes in the white matter were observed, with neuronal pathological scores of 0.32+/-0.16, 21 days after transplantation. There were very significant differences in both of pathological changes in the cerebral white matter and neuronal pathological scores between the PVL and PVL+NSCs groups (x2=10.7, P<0.01; F=29.664, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIntraventricular transplantation of exdogenous NSCs can apparently improve cerebral white matter damage. It is suggested that intraventricular transplantation of NSCs is of a great potential feasibility for the treatment of PVL in premature infants.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; pathology ; therapy ; Neurons ; cytology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVESThe investigation of the testicular volume, the penis length and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were taken in 289 adolescent males to provide the valuable data for andrology.

METHODSThe adolescent males were grouped according to their age. The testicular volume was measured with testicular model and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were determined by immunoenzymetric assay.

RESULTSThe male sexual development was rapid from age 11 to 16 and close to that of adult at age 18. Serum PRL of adolescent males was higher than that of adult males.

CONCLUSIONSThe age 11 to 16 is a period of rapid growth in sexual maturation. PRL may play an important role in sexual maturation.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; physiology ; Testis ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the toxicity of LPS-induced activated microglia to preoligodendrocytes (preOLs) and the effect of 1400W, a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS), on the blockage of the toxicity.

METHODSCo-cultured microglia and preOLs obtained from two-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups: co-culture control group, co-culture LPS group and co-culture LPS plus 1400W group. After cultured cells were induced by LPS (100 ng/ml) for 48 hours, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was measured by nitric acid-oeoxidize-colorimetry, the level of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) was determined by immunocytochemistry, and the synthetic level of iNOS was detected by Western blotting, respectively. The morphologic observation of apoptotic preOLs stained with Hoechst 33342/PI and the apoptotic rate of preOLs detected by flow cytometry were processed simultaneously. Data were analyzed with SPSS 11.0 software.

RESULTSCompared to co-culture control group, there was significant increase in levels of NO [(82.27+/-3.41) micromol/L vs. (167.86+/-9.87) micromol/L, t=8.593, P<0.01], ONOO(-)[(6.14+/-1.27) x 10(7)/L vs. (34.38+/-7.75) x 10(7)/L, t=5.892, P<0.01], and iNOS [(0.18+/-0.027) vs. (0.79+/-0.068), t=9.26, P<0.01] induced by LPS in co-culture LPS group, and with a higher apoptotic rate of preOLs [(6.73+/-1.39)% vs. (24.77+/-2.05)%, t=12.619, P<0.01]. However, all levels of NO [(69.55+/-5.07) micromol/L, t=8.896, P<0.01], ONOO(-) [(10.33+/-3.47) x 10(7)/L, t=14.96, P<0.01] and iNOS (0.35+/-0.042, t=5.506, P<0.01) decreased significantly with the use of 1400W at a dose of 10 micromol/L in co-culture LPS plus 1400W group, and the apoptotic rate of preOLs [(11.8+/-2.06)%, t=7.715, P<0.01] was also reduced evidently.

CONCLUSIONSNO, ONOO(-) and iNOS, etc. play important roles in the death pathway of preOLs induced by LPS. 1400W can block effectively the toxicity of LPS-activated microglia toxicity to preOLs through inhibiting iNOS selectively and reducing the production of NO and ONOO(-), and improve the survival rate of preOLs.

Amidines ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Benzylamines ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Microglia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Oligodendroglia ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of inductible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W in vivo in blocking the death pathway of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activated-microglia to preoligodendrocytes (preOLs) in neonatal rats with infective-type periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) induced by LPS.

METHODSTwo-day-old neonatal rats were randomly divided into: a sham-operated group, an untreated PVL group, and four 1400W-treated PVL groups that were subcutaneously administrated with 20 mg/kg of 1400W at 0 h, 8 hrs, 16 hrs, and 24 hrs after LPS induction, respectively. The brain specimens were obtained 5 days after LPS induction. The pathological assessment of cerebral white matter was performed under a light microscope. Concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were measured by nitric acid-deoxidize colorimetry. Synthesis of iNOS was determined by Western blot analysis. Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) level and the amount of preOLs were determined by immunocytochemistry. RETHODS: The obvious injuries of periventricular white matter, massive loss of positive O4-labelled preOLs, and increased levels of NO, ONOO(-) and iNOS were observed in neonatal rats with PVL. Compared to the untreated PVL group, the use of 1400W at 0 h, 8 hrs and 16 hrs after LPS induction significantly improved white matter injuries, reduced the levels of NO, ONOO(-) and iNOS, and increased the amount of O4-labelled preOLs. However, the use of 1400W at 24 hrs after LPS induction did not result in the improvements.

CONCLUSIONSiNOS inhibitor 1400W can effectively block the toxicity of LPS-activated microglia to preOLs and protect cerebral white matter through inhibiting iNOS and reducing the production of NO and ONOO(-). The use of 1400W within 16 hrs after LPS induction may provide cerebral protections in neonatal rats with PVL.

Amidines ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzylamines ; pharmacology ; Brain ; drug effects ; pathology ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Microglia ; cytology ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Oligodendroglia ; cytology ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; biosynthesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and memantine on the long-term prognosis in neonatal rats with ischemia-induced periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).

METHODSThirty-two 5-day-old neonatal rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated, PVL, GDNF-treated and memantine-treated. PVL was induced by right carotid artery ligation and hypoxia in the PVL, GDNF-treated and memantine-treated groups. GDNF (100 μg/kg) or memantine (20 mg/kg) was injected in the two treatment groups immediately after PVL inducement. The weight of the rats was measured immediately before and after hypoxia ischemia (HI). Both of Morris water maze test and Rivlin inclined plane test were performed at 26 days old (21 days after HI). The values of the escape latency (EL) and swimming distance, and the maximum inclined plane degree which the rats could stand at least 5 seconds were compared among the four groups.

RESULTSThe lower weight, the prolonged mean values of EL and swimming distance and the reduced maximum inclined plane degree were observed in the PVL group compared to those in the sham-operated, GDNF-treated and memantine-treated groups. There were no significant differences in the weight, the values of EI and swimming distance and the maximum inclined plane degree between the two treatment groups and the sham-operated group.

CONCLUSIONSThe administration of either GDNF or memantine can markedly increase the abilities of spatial discrimination,learning and memory, and motor coordination, promote weight gain, and improve long-term prognosis in rats with PVL.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Body Weight ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memantine ; therapeutic use ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo establish a reliable neonatal rat model of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) which is expected to be similar to PVL of human preterm infants pathologically, and to explore the concomitant eye lesions in the PVL model.

METHODSTwo-old-day neonatal rats were randomly divided into a PVL group and a sham-operated group (n=19 each). The PVL model was established by the ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries, followed by a 30-min exposure to 8% oxygen. The cerebral infarction area was assessed with TTC staining 1 day after operation. Cerebral pathology was examined under a light micsrocope 2 and 21 days after operation. The examinations of eyes under a slip lamp and the pathology of eyeballs under a light microscope were performed 21 days after operation.

RESULTSThe TTC staining cerebral slices showed there were extensive white areas of infarction in the brain of the PVL group, with an infarction area of 53.45 +/- 33.90 mm3 and a percentage of infarction of (24.98 +/- 15.44)% . Significant cystic necrosis and apoptosis around the periventricular and subcortical white matter and mild damage in cortical neurons were observed in the PVL group 2 days after operation. The more obvious cystic necrosis around the periventricular area was found in the PVL group 21 days after operation. There were no pathological changes in the brain of the sham-operated group. All of rats in the PVL group had bilateral cataracts, however, no pathological changes were observed in their postbulbar tissues. The sham-operated group did not show eye abnormal.

CONCLUSIONSThe PVL animal model that was similar to PVL of human preterm infants pathologically was successfully established by the ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries, followed by 30-min hypoxia exposure, with a positive effect and a good repeatability. Cataract can also be induced by the method.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain ; pathology ; Cataract ; etiology ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; complications ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley