OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of paeoniflorin on blood brain barrier and pathological changes in brain ischemia.

METHODMice were divided into sham operation group, model group, positive control group-Deng zhanhua tablet group and three different dose (high, middle, low-dose) groups of paeoniflorin. The neurological symptoms of rats were observed. The SOD of ischemic brain tissue, MDA BBB and EAA contents were determined. The ultrastructure on the brain cells was inspected by transmission electron microscope.

RESULTPaeoniflorin had the protetive effects on 4VO model of total cerebral ischemia. Paeoniflorin could obviously increase SOD content, reduce MDA content in rat brain-tissue and alleviate oxidative stress damage by cerebral ischemia on rat brain. Paeoniflorin could improve pathological changes of cell nuclear, perikaryon, mitochondria and myelin sheath, which was the morphologic basis of the protective effect on ischemia. Paeoniflorin could alleviate the incrense of EAA content caused by and hypoxia and inhibit the excitatory neural toxicity by EAA.

CONCLUSIONPaeoniflorin has the protection effect on the brain edema after cerebral ischemia, the oxidative stress damage on brain tissue, the ultrastructure lesions of cells and the BBB. The protective mechanism may be related to inhibiting intracellular calcium overload, anti-free radical and reducing EAA content.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Benzoates ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Brain ; blood supply ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron ; Monoterpenes ; Neuroprotective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the sulcus depth changes of bilateral alveolar clefts after bone grafting with different techniques.

METHODSForty-two patients with bilateral alveolar clefts were treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, including three bilateral alveolar clefts with bilateral cleft lips and thirty-nine bilateral alveolar clefts with bilateral complete cleft lip and cleft palate. Three techniques were used to repair the bilateral alveolar clefts, named: bucket-handle mucosal flap, bilateral buccal mucosal flaps and bilateral buccal mucosal flaps with premaxillary separation and bone grafting. Postoperatively, the depth of the sulcus was evaluated with the following four grades: 0) no change, I) one-third shallow, II) two-thirds shallow, III) disappear.

RESULTSForty-two bilateral alveolar clefts were repaired with the above mentioned techniques with the results: Grade 0 in 20 patients (47.6%), grade I in 10 patients (23.8%), grade II in 10 patients (23.8%), grade III in 2 patients (4.7%). In 6 patients with the bucket-handle mucosal flap technique and the technique of the bilateral buccal mucosal flaps with the premaxillary bone graft, the depth of the sulcus was reduced to two-thirds in 4 patients (66.7%), and the sulcus totally disappeared in 2 patients (33.3%).

CONCLUSIONSThe above mentioned techniques could reduce the depth of the sulcus, therefore, the surgeons should notice this complication and prevent it during the operation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; Child ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Clinical value of the nerve root sedimentation sign in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is still uncertain.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the positive rate and correlation of the nerve root sedimentation sign in patients with LSS.METHODS: Totally 281 patients complaining lumbago or low back pain underwent MRI examination in the Orthopedic Clinic or Ward of Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, including 119 males and 162 females. The cross-sectional area and sagittal diameter of the spinal canal were measured, and the patients were then divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of LSS. Finally, the positive rate of nerve root sedimentation sign was compared.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Grouping based on the presence and absence dural sac cross-sectional area stenosis: the positive rate of nerve root sedimentation sign in sever, non, and mild LSS patients was 91.4%, 39.6%,and 53.5%, respectively, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05), but the positive rate showed no significant difference between mild and moderate as well as moderate and severe LSS patients. (2) Grouping according to the presence and absence spinal canal sagittal diameter stenosis: there was a significant difference in the positive rate of nerve root sedimentation sign between non-LSS and LSS patients (44.3% vs. 76.1%, χ2=21.469, P=0.000). (3) Grouping based on the dural sac cross-sectional area combined with spinal canal sagittal diameter: the dural sac cross-sectional area < 120 mm2 or the spinal canal sagittal diameter < 10 mm indicating LSS, there was a significant difference in the positive rate of nerve root sedimentation sign between non-LSS and LSS patients (40.6% vs.80.6%,χ2=30.539, P=0.000). (4) These results indicate that the diagnosis value of nerve root sedimentation sign in LSS is still under discussion. Although a positive sedimentation sign exclusively and reliably occurs in patients with severe LSS, it is also higher in patients without LSS. It may be inappropriate to take nerve root sedimentation sign as a diagnostic tool, but when combined with dural sac cross-sectional area and sagittal canal subsidence, it will be of great significance for the diagnosis of LSS.

Objective To investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor function of upper limbs of stroke patients. Methods 80 stroke patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. Both groups accepted routine rehabilitation, while the experimental group accepted anodal stimulation, and the control group received sham stimulation. They were assessed with Brunnstrom stages of arms and hands, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of upper extremities, Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and 1 month after treatment. Results All the scores improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and improved more in the Brunnstrom stages of arms and hands, FMA, ARAT in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion tDCS may promote the recovery of arms and hands function of stroke patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate influence of administration of Tujian decoction (Chinese herbal medicine) on protein kinase C (PKC) activity, renal function and structure in diabetic rat kidney.

METHODExperimental diabetic nephropathy model was induced by nephrectomy combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection in sprague-dawley rat. Tujian decoction (20 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and Valsartan (20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) were orally administrated respectively for 12 weeks. PKC activity was measured by [3H]phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDBu) binding assay. 24 h urine protein excretion (Upro) and renal pathological changes were observed.

RESULTIn 12th week, diabetic nephrectomized rats developed proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, increased membrane PKC activity (mPKC), decreased cytosol PKC (cPKC), and increased ratio of mPKC and cPKC (M/C). Administration of Tujian decoction or Valsartan led to a reduction in proteinuria, structural injury, mPKC and M/C, and a recovery in cPKC.

CONCLUSIONTujian decoction possesses a renoprotective effect on diabetic nephrectomized rat, at least partially via the inhibition of PKC activation in renal cortex.

Animals ; Cuscuta ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; enzymology ; pathology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Euonymus ; chemistry ; Kidney Cortex ; enzymology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; pathology ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDCD4(+) T cell counts have been used as the indicator of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression and thereby to determine when to start highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Whether and how the baseline CD4(+) T cell count affects the immunological and viral responses or adverse reactions to nevirapine (NVP)-containing HAART in Chinese HIV-1 infected adults remain to be characterized.

METHODSOne hundred and ninety-eight HIV-seropositive antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive subjects were enrolled into a prospective study from 2005 to 2007. Data were analyzed by groups based on baseline CD4(+) T cell counts either between 100 - 200 cells/microl or 201 - 350 cells/microl. Viral responses, immunologic responses and adverse events were monitored at baseline and at weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, 52, 68, 84, 100.

RESULTSEighty-six and 112 subjects ranged their CD4(+) T cell counts 100 - 200 cells/microl and 201 - 350 cells/microl, respectively. The pre-HAART viral load in CD4 201 - 350 cells/microl group was significantly lower than that in CD4 100 - 200 cells/microl group (P = 0.000). After treatment, no significant differences were observed between these two groups either in the plasma viral load (pVL) or in the viral response rate calculated as the percentage of pVL less than 50 copies/ml or less than 400 copies/ml. The CD4(+) T cell counts were statistically higher in the 201 - 350 group during the entire follow-ups (P < 0.01) though CD4(+) T cell count increases were similar in these two groups. After 100-week treatment, the median of CD4(+) T cell counts were increased to 331 cells/microl for CD4 100 - 200 cells/microl group and to 462 cells/microl for CD4 201 - 350 cells/microl group. Only a slightly higher incidence of nausea was observed in CD4 201 - 350 cells/microl group (P = 0.05) among all adverse reactions, including rash and liver function abnormality.

CONCLUSIONSThe pVLs and viral response rates are unlikely to be associated with the baseline CD4(+) T cell counts. Initiating HAART in Chinese HIV-1 infected patients with higher baseline CD4(+) T cell counts could result in higher total CD4(+) T cell counts thereby achieve a better immune recovery. These results support current guidelines to start HAART at a threshold of 350 cells/microl.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adult ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; adverse effects ; methods ; Blotting, Western ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nevirapine ; adverse effects ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies

China ; epidemiology ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study endovascular treatment of DeBakey type I aortic dissecting aneurysm.

METHODSSeven patients with DeBakey I aortic dissecting aneurysms were treated. Diagnoses were confirmed by MRA, CT and angiography. The intimal tear entry was in the ascending aorta, 2.5 approximately 6.0 cm from the ostia of the coronary arteries, and 0.5 approximately 4.0 cm from the brachiocephalic trunk opening. Endovascular stent-grafts were deployed via a left common carotid artery (LCCA) approach in 2 cases and right femoral artery (RFA) approach in 5 cases. Prior to treatment, a left subclavicular artery (LSA)-LCCA shunt was established to ensure blood supply to the LCCA during surgery in 2 cases via LCCA approach, and a LSA-LCCA-right common carotid artery (RCCA) synthetic bypass was established to ensure blood supply to the brain in 2 cases in RFA approach.

RESULTSThe operative success rate was 100%. In 3 cases, endoleak persisted after the first stent was placed, but this was eliminated by placement of a second stent. All patients survived except one who died of acute massive hemorrhage from the upper gastrointestinal tract one month postoperatively. The false lumen in all 6 cases became thrombosed and no endoleak or new aortic dissecting aneurysms developed.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular treatment of DeBakey type I aortic dissecting aneurysm is feasible, minimally invasive, and effective. Case selection depends on the distance of the coronary artery ostia from the tear entry.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of beta-protein 1 (BP(1)) gene, a novel member of DLX homeobox gene family, in lung cancer tissue and its relationship with clinical features of lung cancer.

METHODSRT-PCR was employed for detecting BP(1) gene expression in the lung cancer tissues, adjacent tissues, non-cancer lung tissues of 46 lung cancer patients.

RESULTSThirty-six lung cancer tissues and 6 adjacent tissues but none of the normal tissues were found to have BP(1) gene overexpression, showing significant difference in BP(1) expression between the tissues (P<0.01). Significant difference in BP1 gene overexpression was noted between well differentiated cancers (13 of out 21) and poorly differentiated cancers (22 of the 25), but not between cancers of different stages or between squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONBP(1) gene expression is up-regulated in human lung cancer in related to the differentiation level of lung cancer but not to the clinical stage.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

Objective:To investigate whether the presynaptic dopamine neuronal depletion in different striatal subregions predicts future development of wearing-off (WO) in Parkinson′s disease (PD) patients.Methods:A retrospective longitudinal study included 57 PD patients who were referred to the Department of Neurology of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2019 to September 2020, and completed 11C-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl) tropane dopamine transporter (DAT) positron emission tomography scans at the initial evaluation and received dopaminergic drugs for at least 12 months during follow-up. The time of starting dopaminergic drug treatment and the occurrence of WO were recorded. After adjusting for clinical related factors, the predictive value of DAT uptake and related parameters in striatal subregions for WO was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards model. Results:During a median follow-up period of 23 months, 10 patients (18.18%) developed WO. Patients with WO exhibited less DAT uptake in the caudate nucleus and anterior putamen nucleus (0.66±0.52 vs 1.08±0.42, t=2.76, P=0.008 and 0.66±0.20 vs 0.87±0.28, t=2.27, P=0.027 respectively), especially in these subregions contralateral to the less-affected side of the body, compared to those without WO. Cox proportional hazard models revealed that after adjusting for gender, age, course of disease, baseline Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale Ⅲ score and increment of levodopa equivalent dosage, the lower the DAT uptake of the caudate ipsilateral to the less-affected side of the body ( HR=0.20, 95% CI 0.07-0.63, P=0.006), as well as the lower the DAT uptake of the caudate nucleus and posterior putamen nucleus ( HR=0.28, 95% CI 0.11-0.69, P=0.006 and HR=0.08, 95% CI 0.01-0.64, P=0.018 respectively) and the higher the ratio of putamen/caudate contralateral to the less-affected side of the body ( HR=2.33, 95% CI 1.02-5.33, P=0.045), the higher the risk of WO. Conclusion:The presynaptic dopamine neuronal loss, particularly bilateral caudate nucleus dopaminergic depletion at the early stage, has predictive value of development of WO in PD.