Limb-shaking transient ischemic attack (TIA), a rare manifestation, is commonly caused by severe stenosis or occlusion of an extracranial internal carotid artery. Such patients are usually treated with surgical revascularization or anti-platelet therapy. We present a 56-year-old woman with 6 months’ episodic attacks starting with mouth skewed to the right and a sensation of ‘weakness’ involving predominantly her left arm, and at times, also involved the left leg. This was immediately followed by rhythmic jerky movements of the left arm and at times, also involved the left leg. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed severe stenosis of M1 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. The patient’s symptoms were signifi cantly improved by treatment with anti-platelet drugs and nimodipine.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Renal Dialysis ; Uremia ; physiopathology ; therapy

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) and intubation in very low birth weight preterm infants. Methods One hundred and twenty-three very low birth weight preterm infants with respiratory distress within 60 minutes after birth were randomly assigned to nCPAP (n=63) or intubation group (n=60).Outcomes at 7,28 days and 36 corrected gestational weeks were assessed with x2 or t-test. ResultsThere were no significant difference in fatality rate and incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia between nCPAP group and intubation group [7.9％ (5/63) vs 6.6％(4/60),4.8％(3/63) vs 3.3％(2/60),x2 =0.07and 0.16,P＞0.05].In nCPAP group,the use of pulmonary sulfactant was 27.0％ (17/63),lower than that (83.3 ％,50/60) in intubation group (x2 =39.34,OR=0.3,90 ％ CI:0.2-0.6,P＜0.05) ;The nCPAP group had fewer ventilation support in 28 days [17.5％ (11/63) vs 25.0％ (15/60),OR=0.7,90％ CI:0.4-1.4] and 36 weeks [6.3％ (4/63) vs 8.3％ (5/60),OR=0.8,90％ CI:0.2-2.4] than those in intubation group but without statistical difference (x2=1.05 and 0.01,P＞0.05,respectively).The incidence of air leak in nCPAP group were lower than intubation group [11.1％ (7/63) vs 33.3％ (20/60),x2 =8.86,OR=0.3,90％00 CI:0.2-0.7,P＜0.05].There was no significant difference for other complications between two groups. ConclusionsIn very low birth weight preterm infants,early nCPAP dose not significantly reduce the fatality rate and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia as compared with intubation ventilation,but shorten the time of ventilation and lower the incidence of air leak.

ObjectiveTo observe production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced by granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF)via ERK nerve growth factor (NF)-κB singling pathway in human fibroblasts during wound healing and explore relating mechanism.MethodsHuman fibroblasts from the injured skin were used for this study and treated with GMCSF.RT-PCR was used for analyzing the protein and mRNA levels of VEGF and Western blotting was employed to determine the phosphorylation of ERK. The fibroblasts were pre-treated with ERK specific inhibitor PD98059 and further treated with GMCSF, then the fibroblasts and the supernatant were collected for detection of protein level of VEGF by means of Western blot. ERK signal pathway was inhibited to detect the activation of NF-κB by means of immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, the nuclear and cytoplasmic extraction kit was used to separate the cytoplasm and nucleus and Western blot employed for observation of the NF-κB activation. ResultsThe mRNA level and protein level of VEGF were increased significantly with treatment with higher concentration of GMCSF in a dose-dependent manner. VEGF mRNA level was increased two hours after administration with GMCSF and reached peak at 4-6 hours. GMCSF could remarkably activate the ERK phosphorylation. Compared with GMCSF, the ERK specific inhibitor PD98059inhibited significantly the effect of GMCSF in inducing VEGF expression (P ＜ 0.05). Western blot and immunofluorescence staining analyses showed that the activation of NF-ΚB was inhibited with reduced production of VEGF after GMCSF treatment.Conclusion GMCSF up-regulates production of VEGF through activating NF-κB via ERK signal pathway in the human fibroblasts.

Objective To explore the ability for constructing tissue engineering bone in vivo in complex scaffolds with PHB‐HHx as the scaffolds material and human umbilical cord mensenchymal stem cells (hUCMCs) as the seed cells .Methods hUCM‐SCs were inoculated into PHBHHx scaffolds to induce osteogenesis culture in vivo for two weeks ,the the induced group was the experimental group and those without instilling hUCMCs served as the control group ,the nude mouse subcutaneous implantation was performed .Then taking material at 1 ,3 ,5 months after implantation in vivo was performed for conducting HE ,collagenⅠim‐munohistochemical ,alkaline phosphatase staining and RT‐PCR .Results hUCMSCs showed good cellular adsorbability .The size and form in the experimental group basically maintained the original status ,and the osteogenesis specific indicators were positive ;but the control group did not keek the original status ,its volume was gradually shrunk until complete degradation ,and the osteogen‐esis specific indicators were negative .Conclusion The PHBHHx scaffolds combined with hUCMSCs has the capability of in vivo heterotopic constructing tissue engineering bone in nude mouse by in vitro osteogenic induction .

Objective To establish a stable animal model for sequentially dynamic and direct monitoring of the skin wound infection. Methods The mice with full-thickness skin incisions were replicated. After immediate subcutaneous suture,the mice were randomly divided into four groups,ie,Group A was inoculated with 50 μl sterile PBS solution),Groups B,C and D were inoculated with 50 μl suspension containing 1 × 106,1 × 108 and 1 × 1010 colony forming unit (CFU)/ml bioluminescent methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) respectively.Then,the diet behavior of each group was observed and the mean weight and mortality of each group were also recorded at different time points.The bioluminescent intensity of fluoresce in the wounds was recorded at different time points by using the charge-coupled device (CCD) based imaging system.Local wound tissues were incised at 24 hours after inoculation for HE staining so as to observe wound inflammatory reaction in each group.Wound healing time of each group was also recorded. Results ( 1 ) Average weight:Groups A and B showed unobvious changes in weight; Group C lightened until day 3 after inoculation and then recovered gradually to the preinoculation level at day 14; Group D lightened gradually until death.(2)Mortality:Groups A and B had no death; Group C had 10％ deaths at day 14; Group D had 100％ deaths.(3) Bioluminescent intensity of wounds:Groups A and B showed a gradual weakened luminescence since the day of inoculation and had almost complete disappearance at days 5 and 7 respectively; there was no sign of obvious increase or decrease in Group C from the day of inoculation till day 14 ; Group D had a gradual increase since the day of inoculation and the luminous area expanded until the death.(4) HE staining at 24 hours after inoculation:all the four groups showed inflammatory cell infiltration,especially in Groups C and D.(5) Wound healing time:wound healed at days 5 and 7 after inoculation in Groups A and B; the wounds showed no healing even at day 14 in the Group C,but the wounds length and area did not show obvious enlargement or diminishment ; the wounds extended gradually until the death in the Group D,since the day of inoculation. Conclusions The inoculation of 50 μl suspension with 1 × 108 CFU/ml bioluminescent MRSA to full-thickness skin incision rats allows direct,real-time dynamic and continuous detection of the occurrence and development of the wound infections.The infection model is easy to make and has stability and high repeatability.

ObjectiveTo develop a new sutureless technique (photochemical tissue bonding,PTB ) for repair of corneal perforation. Methods A total of 60 rabbits were used for creating corneal perforation models.The corneal perforation on the left eye was repaired by sutures and the injury on the right eye was fixed with the use of amniotic membrane with PTB.The outcomes of the two mentioned repair methods were compared by observing the leakage of aqueous and the morphology of the anterior chamber at different instants,measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) and observing the formation of neo-vessels and scars of cornea in the use of histological analysis. Results There was no leakage of aqueous and no difference for morphology evaluation in both treatments.PTB could adhere AM on the cornea to restore the corneal perforation.The peak IOP in the PTB treatment group at days 0,7 and 14 postoperative [ (531.2 ±49.5) mm Hg,(542.6 ±74.8) mm Hg and (603.9 ±69.1) mm Hg,respectively] was significantly higher than that in the suture group at the same instants [ (41.3 ±12.7) mm Hg,(142.6 ±25.4) mm Hg and (333.3 ± 66.7) mm Hg,respectively] (P ＜0.O1 ).Compared with suture repair,the treatment with PTB resulted in a better outcome of wound healing with less neo-vessels and less scars of cornea. Conclusion PTB treatment for repair of corneal perforation is superior to suture repair.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relation of the human cytomegalovirus pp67-mRNA with　the active infection in renal transplant recipients and the role in the direction for antiviral therapy.Methods　Total 128 samples were collected from peripheral blood treated with EDTA of 32 recipients at the 3rd week　or the 7th week after transplantation.IFA was used to detect CMV pp65 antigen,and NASBA was used to　detect pp67 mRNA assay.Compared with CMV-Ag,the recipients were followed up to observe the change of　pp67 in the cases of the active infection and the CMV disease.ResultsCompared with the proportion between two groups,44 samples out of 128 samples showed CMV-Ag pp65 positive,while pp67-mRNA were　positive in 21 samples.8 patients had been found positive CMV-Ag pp65 and pp67-mRNA; 12 recipients　were clinically diagnosed with HCMV disease.In the early stage of the HCMV infection,the sensitivity and　specificity of the CMV-Ag pp65 ( 91.7％,50.0％ ) was higher than that of pp67-mRNA ( 66.7％,95.0％ ).During the periods of symptoms appeared and the late stage of clinical treatment,the specificity　of pp67-mRNA was higher than that of CMV-Ag pp65,while the sensitivity sit on the contrary.And in the　antiviral therapy course,the indicator of antiviral therapy pp67 turned negative more quickly than the CMVAg,the therapy course could be reduced.ConclusionsBoth of CMV-Ag pp65 and of pp67-mRNA have　clinical significance.Testing for CMV-Ag pp65 is suitable for detecting HCMV active infection at the early　stage,which was important for in time anti-virus treatment in the clinical settings.The test for pp67-mRNA　is a quick method to accquire the accurate results; therefore,it can be used as the reference criteria for the　clinical anti-virus treatment.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of the immediate early antigen(IE) mRNA by nucleic acid sequence-based amplification(NASBA) in peripheral blood cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection,and to establish and promote the diagnosis method for CMV.Methods Five to seven ml blood was taken from 32 patients at 3 week and 7 week after renal transplantation to detect serum cytomegalovirus antigen and antibody expression by NASBA,Real time-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) sensitivity and specificity were compared.Results The results of CMV detection in 32 renal transplanted patients respectively showed that the positive rate of peripheral blood IE-mRNA by NASBA was 45.8％ (15/32) ;The positive rate of HCMV-DNA in blood by Real time-PCR was 45.8％ (15/32).Using ELISA,the positive rate of HCMV-(IgG +IgM) was 37.5％ (14/32).IE-mRNA and HCMV-DNA had higher sensitivity and specificity and lower false positive rate than HCMV-(IgG +IgM).The positive rates of IE-mRNA by NASBA,Real time-PCR and ELISA were 92.8％,71.5％ and 42.8％ respectively in the 14 cases.Conclusion The nucleic acid amplification method (NASBA based sequence) and Real time-PCR are sensitive,rapid diagnosis methods of HCMV infection,with higher sensitivity and specificity and lower false positive rate than traditional ELISA.And NASBA detection of IE-mRNA has good value for auxiliary clinical diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo determine the expression of Skp2 in different prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and tissues, and explore its influence on the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway and development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

METHODSThe expression levels of Skp2 and AR in different PCa cell lines were detected by Western blot. After knockdown of Skp2 in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells transfected with shRNA, the expressions of AR and P27 were determined and the activity of ARR3-Luc measured by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay following treatment with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The expressions of AR and Skp2 in human naïve PCa or CRPC specimens were detected by immunohistochemical staining followed by analysis of their differences and correlation.

RESULTSThe Skp2 protein expression level was significantly higher in the C4-2 or 22RV1 cells than in the LNCaP cells. DHT treatment increased the expression of Skp2 in the C4-2 cells, but knock-down of Skp2 significantly up-regulated the expression of the well-known downstream protein P27 and down-regulated that of AR. Consistently, DHT treatment increased the activity of ARR3-Luc, while knockdown of Skp2 remarkably decreased it in the C4-2 and 22RV1 cells (P < 0.05). In addition, significantly higher expressions of Skp2 and AR were observed in the CRPC than in the naïve specimens (P < 0.05), with a positive correlation between the two proteins (r = 0.658 1, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSkp2 can enhance the expression and transcription activity of the AR protein in CRPC cells or tissues and is promising to be a critical molecular therapeutic target.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dihydrotestosterone ; pharmacology ; Disease Progression ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; metabolism ; S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins ; physiology ; Transcriptional Activation ; Up-Regulation