Objective To investigate the localization,zone and activation intensity of olfactory center in young versus elderly healthy volunteers by functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI),so as to elucidate the effect of age on olfactory center in healthy population.Methods Thirteen right-handed healthy adult volunteers were recruited and divided into two groups:young group (5 males and 3 females,mean aged 23 years) and elderly group (2 males and 3 females,mean aged 69.2 years).The olfactory stimulus was r-undecalactone,and it was given according to a block design.The fMRI detection was performed on Philips Achieva 3.0 T MR scanner,and data of BOLE-fMRI was processed and analyzed to get cerebration image by using SPM2.Results In groupaveraged maps,both young and elderly group showed significant olfactory activation in right parahippocampal gyrus,left hippocampal sulcus,right and left superior temporal gyrus,etc,subcortical activation in right thalamus,dorsal pons,and cerebellum activation in cerebellar vermis.Activations in right inferior frontal gyrus,right middle frontal gyrus,right medial occipito-temporal gyrus and right fimbria of hippocampus were observed only in young group,while activation in bilateral middle temporal gyrus was observed only in elderly group.Activation area was apparently smaller and activation degree was lower in elderly group than in young group.Activation intensity in right superior parietal lobule and bilateral superior temporal gyri was higher in male group than in female group (t=13.7,6.08,5.36,respectively,all P＜0.001).Conclusions The intensity of activation in olfactory center is lower in the elderly than in the young,and absence of part of the active regions is found in the elderly,which demonstrates the regression of olfactory center in the elderly.The olfactory center shows right-predominant activation,and olfactory activation intensity in some cortical regions is higher in males than in females.

Objective To investigate the effects of NOD2 on inflammatory responses of macrophages to Staphylococcus aureus. Methods Real-time RT-PCR detected NOD2 gene expression of macrophages infected by S. aureus. Synthesis of siRNA against NOD2 and interfere with macrophages, observed the effects of NOD2 gene silencing to phagocytosis of 5. aureus, cytokine secretion, activation of nuclear transcription factors, cell apoptosis of the macrophages infected by S. aureus using F.I .IS A, flow cytometry etc. Results S. aureus infection of macrophages can cause increased expression of intracellular NOD2. NOD2 gene silencing of macrophage lead to the decreased ability of phagocytosis with S. aureus, the lower levels of cytokines secretion, deficiencies of NF-κB activation. S. aureus can cause macrophage apoptosis, with the apoptosis rate increased with time. Conclusion The intracellular pattern recognition receptor NOD2 play a key role in pathogen recognition, signal transduction, activation of nuclear transcription factors in the process of macrophages infected by S. aureus.

ObjectiveTo observe the change of cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rabbit model,and to study MRI characteristics of left ventricular remodeling (LVR).Methods Forty-five japanese white rabbits underwent chest-opening coronary artery ligation surgery to obtain rabbit myocardial infarction model The animals were scanned on a 1.5 T MR scanner ( GE Healthcare,Chalfont St.Giles,UK) at six time-points as surgery,1,2,4,6,8 weeks after surgery. Cardiac function parameters were measured,including left ventricular end diastolic volume ( EDV ),stroke volume ( SV ),ejection fraction (EF),peak ejection rate ( PER ) and peak firing rate (PFR).At each time point,5 rabbits were randomly selected and performed re-thoracotomy to obtain heart specimen.Each specimen was examined by MRI with the diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI ).The value of ADC and fractional anisotropy (FA) were collected. Cardiac function data sets of different time points were analyzed using repeated measures data of ANOVA.The FA and ADC values of infarction myocardium set of different time points or different parts of the myocardium were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The average was compared statistically between two adjacent groups using LSD-t test. Results Left ventricular EDV increased in progress with the time.It was increased from ( 2.21 ± 0.35 ) ml preoperatively to ( 3.15 ± 0.57 ) ml 8-week postoperatively.But the difference was not statistical significant ( F =1.384,P =0.220).EF was decreased from(57.31 ± 11.11 )％ to( 34.71 ± 8.72 )％.It dropped significantly and the difference was statistically significant (F =27.134,P =0.001 ).EF showed a downward trend with the increase of EDV.By linear regression analysis,an equation was set up with y =- 5.58x + 57.7 ( F =8.855,P =0.005 ).On the other hand,PER showed a progressive decline from (27.31 ± 13.06) ml/s to ( 17.31 ± 6.41 ) ml/s ( F =2.105,P =0.037 ),and PFR decreased from ( 23.79 ± 14.15 ) ml/s to ( 12.07 ± 6.91 ) ml/s ( F =2.366,P =0.011 ).FA value decreased from 0.442 ±0.093 to 0.107 ±0.037( F =12.61,P =0.001 ),and ADC valueshowed upward trend from (5.07 ± 1.15) ×10-4 mm2/s to(6.39 ±0.78) ×10-4 mm2/s (F=4.166,P =0.022 ).FA values of infarct,adjacent and remote region were 0.201 ± 0.049,0.316 ± 0.127 and 0.323 ± 0.117 respectively( F =3.896,P =0.004 ),and the ADC values in these regions were (6.19 ± 1.78 ) ×10 -4,(5.44 ± 2.63 ) × 1 0 -4,(5.29 ± 2.02 ) × 10 -4 mm2/s respectively ( F =3.248,P =0.018 ).FA and ADC values were significantly different between the infarct region and adjacent region ( t =7.327,P =0.001 ;t =3.292,P =0.005,respectively),but there was no significantly different between adjacent region and remote region ( t =1.024,P =0.129 ; t =1.467,P =0.164,respectively ).ConclusionsMRI measurement of parameters of cardiac function can be used to monitor the process of left ventricular function remodeling after AMI.The process of micro-structural remodeling of myocardium can be reflected by DTI.MRI provides a feasible imaging modality for LVR after AMI.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of single posterior debridement, bone grafting, internal fixation and local chemotherapy in treating thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis.

METHODSFrom February 2009 to September 2012,11 patients with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis were treated by single posterior debridement, bone grafting, internal fixation and local chemotherapy. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged from 27 to 65 years old with an average of 53.7 years. The courses of disease was from 3 months to 2 years with the mean of 9 months. According to ASIA standard of spinal cord injury, 3 cases were grade C and 8 cases D. After treatment, clinical effects were evaluated by ASIA grade, visual analogue score (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); kyphosis Cobb angle change was observed by X-rays.

RESULTSEleven patients were followed up from 12 to 29 months with an average of 18 months. ASIA grade of spinal cord injury, 3 patients with grade C improved to grade D in 2 cases and grade E in 1 case 8 patients with grade D improved to grade E in 7 cases and unchanged in 1 case. VAS decreased from preoperative 6.10 ± 1.30 to 1.70 ± 0.80 at 3 d after operation (P < 0.05). ODI improved from preoperative (68.36 ± 10.41)% to (14.55 ± 8.99)% (P < 0.05) at 3 d after operation. Kyphotic Cobb angle was corrected from preoperative (22.64 ± 4.84)° to (4.27 ± 1.49)° (P < 0.05) on the 3rd day after operation, and angle loss was mild at final follow-up, there was no significant difference between postoperative at 3 d and final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSingle posterior debridement, bone grafting, internal fixation and local chemotherapy for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis can effectively remove the lesion, improve nerve function and correct deformity, has advantage of single incision, little trauma, and low recurrence rate. But it still need long-term and systemic treatment with anti-TB drugs.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; therapy

The preparation and application of universal group O donor red blood cells (RBC) are a trend of future transfusion medicine. This article reviewed the technologies for producing universal RBC in recent years. One of them is modification of blood group antigens, which includes two basic methods. One of these two methods is enzymatic cleavage of the terminal immunodominant sugars from carbohydrate chains on the membrane of group A or/and group B RBC, in order to produce so-called enzyme-converted group O (ECO) RBC. ECO RBC have been produced from whole units of B RBC, which then survived normally when given to type A and O individuals in clinical trial. Because of the complexity of group A antigens, conversion of group A RBC (especially A1 RBC) to group O RBC is more difficult. Recently, a new bacterial glycosidase efficiently cleaving antigens on the surface of both A₁ and A₂ RBC has been obtained. Another method is pegylation, which camouflage the antigens on the surface of RBC with non-immunogenic molecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a non-specific way, to provide O, minor antigen negative phenotype RBC. The second technology is generating universal RBC from stem cells (such as hematopoietic stem cells, human embryonic stem cells) and human dermal fibroblasts, which will provide a new resource for blood supply. Great progress has been made, but a number of challenges still remain for using them in clinical transfusion, including scale-up, effectiveness and safety of prepared RBC. However, these researches will provide solutions for the problems in current transfusion, such as blood supply shortage, blood borne disease and emergency blood transfusion, and enhance the safety of clinical transfusions in the near future.
ABO Blood-Group System ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Erythrocyte Count ; Erythrocyte Transfusion ; Erythrocytes ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans

OBJECTIVE To discuss the operative plan for nasal cavity abnormality and evaluate the effect of revision FESS. METHODS A retrospective study of 36 revision FESS performed during 2002.3-2005.5 (age from 17 to 55 years old) is presented. Patients were evaluated with endoscopic examination of the nasal cavities and computed tomography of the sinuses and nasal cavities. Information was also collected during the revision surgery. The plan was designed according to nasal cavity abnormality. RESULTS The reasons of revision FESS: Among 36 cases there are 24 ethmoid sinusitis, 16 cases with recurrence of polyps,13 middle meatal stenosis, 11 middle turbinate adhesion, 10 septal deviation, 5 frontal recess stenosis, 5 sphenoid sisusitis, 3 maxillary ostium obstruction,3 inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Follow up for 6 month～43 month after revision FESS, 22 cases were successful, 10 satisfied and 4 inefficacy. CONCLUSION The primary FESS failure was associated with nasal cavity structure diseases. Meticulous attention in these areas and correcting it during surgery may reduce recurrence and ensure operative effect after revision FESS.

Objective To explore the prophylaxis and treatment strategies for psychic syndrome in patients after piggyback liver transplantation.Methods The data on the etiology,treatment outcome and prognosis of psychic syndrome occurring in 45 of 235 patients who had piggyback liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed.Results The incidence of psychic syndrome complication was 19.1%(45/235),22 cases presented as mania(48.9%),5 cases as tristimania(11.1%),3 cases as hallucinosis(6.7%),1 case as suicidal tendency(2.2%),1 case as metamorphopsia(2.2%),8 cases as angst insomnia(17.8%),2 cases as maladjusted disturbance(4.4%),3 cases as affective disturbance(6.7%),and the majority presented as delirious alienation.All the cases were cured,except 1 case of coma,who was confirmed by CT to have intracranial hemorrage,died after failure of resuscitation.Conclusions The incidence of psychic syndrome in patients after piggyback liver transplantation is relatively high.However,most cases have mild symptoms and the prognosis is fine.When the patients have psychogenic symptoms,the prognosis of patients can be improved by some symptomatic treatment strategies directed to their different clinical manifestations.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important human pathogen which can cause a chronic condition with a high relapse rate despite the aggressive antimicrobial treatment. Recent studies showed that intracellular pattern recognition receptors (including NOD) in response to bacteria or bacterial products play a proinflammatory role by activating nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB). But how NOD2 mediates the proinflammatory response to S. aureus in mast cells (MCs) is unclear. So, in this study, we attempted to examine the role of NOD2 in inflammatory responses of MCs to S. aureus. P815 cells (a mouse mast cell line) were cultured. Real-time PCR was used to detect the NOD2 mRNA expression in P815 cells during S. aureus infection. The siRNA against NOD2 gene was synthesized and transfected into S. aureus-infected P815 cells. By using the methods of ELISA and flow cytometry, the effects of NOD2 gene silencing on cell phagocytosis, cytokine secretion, NF-κB activation and cell apoptosis of the S. aureus-infected P815 cells were examined. It was found that S. aureus infection could increase the expression of NOD2 mRNA in P815 cells. NOD2 gene interference in P815 cells reduced the number of S. aureus engulfed by P815 cells, the level of cytokines and the activation of NF-κB. In addition, S. aureus could induce the apoptosis of P815 cells, but NOD2 gene silencing did not affect the cell apoptosis rate. Our data suggested that NOD2 plays a key role in pathogen recognition, signal transduction, and NF-κB activation in the inflammatory responses of MCs infected by S. aureus.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of siHybrids technique on inhibiring the efflux pump gene mexB of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in vitro. MethodsTargeting the efflux pump gene mexB of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 ,we designed and synthesized three siHybrids molecule and one negative scamble siHybrids molecule. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 were intervened by the siHybrids molecules in 50 nmol/L, respectively. And the experiments were made of control groups[blank and scamble (sc) -001]and intervened groups[siHybrids( si ) -001, siHybrids( si ) -002 and siHybrids(si) -003]of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The targeting efflux pump gene mexB mRNA expressions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, including all groups, were measured by real-time PCR in 12 h and 24 h after interference in vitro. Further, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chlormycetinCP, erythrocin( EM ), levofloxacin ( L-OFLX), ceftazidime ( CAZ), meropenem (MER) to those groups were detected by using Mueller-Hinton broth dilution before and after interference. ResultsThe relative mexB mRNA amounts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 intervened by different siHybrids were not much more different from each other after 12 h,but the expression of mexB mRNA of the intervened group ( si-001 ,si-002 ,si-003 ) was much lower than control groups after interference for 24 h. The relative mexB mRNA amounts, comparing 12 h with 24 h, we would find the blank control and negative control submit escalating trend. And the intervened control ,three different siHybrids were all with a downward tendency. However, in presence of 50 nmol/L siHybrids, the minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) of CP, EM, L-OFLX, CAZ, MER to those controls were not much more different before and after interference. Conclusion On level of the mRNA expressions, siHybrids could inhibit the efflux pump gene mexB of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 in vitro, and within 24 h would be able to function effectively. Further, the effect was time-dependent.

ObjectiveTo investigate the alteration of MexB protein expression by plasmid containing siRNA template strand was transformed into Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods siRNA molecules specifically against mexB were designed and ligated into pGPU6/GFP/Neo vector to construct the recombinant plasmid pGPU6/GFP/Neo-siRNA.MexB gene was cloned into expression vector pET22b+ to construct plasmid pET22b+/mexB,the recombinant expression plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21 (DE3)plysS and protein MexB was induced to express,then purified protein MexB was used to prepare specific antibodies in rabbits.The plasmids with siRNA molecules specifically against mexB were transformed into wild type strain,clinical multiresistant strain and mexB overexpression strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by electroporation respectively,and the changes of the expression of MexB were detected in 8,12,24 h respectively by Western blot.ResultspGPU6/GFP/Neo-siRNA was constructed successfully.Protein MexB was expressed successfully and the rabbit polyclonal antibodies against MexB was prepared well.The gene silence of mexB by siRNA molecules was effective in the three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa,but it depended on the silencing time.ConclusionThe expression of MexB was reduced in 8 h and 12 h,but in 24 h,the expression was unchanged.