Objective To observe the dynamic changes of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and visfatin in patients with acute traumatic injury of brain. Method A total of 120 patients with equal number in each gender ( n = 60) and with average age of (43.2 ± 6.2) years were admitted and treated by the neurosurgical department of ICU from August 2009 to June 2010. All patients were eligible to the diagnostic criteria of craniocerebreal injury. The clinical conditions of patients were assessed with Glasgow coma scale (C CS) at admission,and as per the scores of GCS, the patients were classified into mild degree (13- 15, n = 40), moderate degree (9 - 12, n = 40) and severe degree (3 - 8, n = 40). Another 60 subjects from those asking for health care by physical examination as control with equal number in each gender and their average age was (42.2±6.7) years.Blood samples were collected from fasted patients within 12 hours, 1d, 3d, 7d and 15 days after admission, and the levels of hs-CRP and visfatin in peripheral blood were detected. Results The levels of hs-CRP and visfatin were significantly higher in brain injury group than those in control group on the admission day (both P ＜ 0.01 ),and they both had positive relationships with severity of injury. The level of hs-CRP increased to peak on the first day of admission and visfatin increased to the peak on the 3rd day after admission. There was a correlation between levels of hs-CRP and visfatin ( r = 0.63, P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions hs-CRP and visfatin levels are related to the severity of acute traumatic injury of brain.

[Objective]To determine the relation between the total count of the five free anthraquinone(A loe-emodin,Rhein,Emodin,Chrysophanol,Physcion) in Radix et Rhizoma Rhei and the decoction time.[Method]HPLC was used with the chromatographic conditions as follows:mobile phase:methanol-0.1% phosphonic acid solution = 85 :15,detection wave length:254nm,flow rate:1.0 ml/min,column temperature:room temperature.The count of the five free anthraquinone in the decoction taken in every 2 minutes after the solution boiled was determined.[Results]During the 22 minutes after the solution was boiled,the total count took on a ascending tendency,afterwards,it took on a descending tendency.[Conclusion]The biggest number of the total count was obtained 20min after the solution was boiled.

More and more DNA sequences have been obtained since the start-up of human genome project. Powerful system is badly needed for data mining on these DNA sequences. Based on a personal computer and Linux operating system, the Phred/Phrap/Consed software and Blast software were used to construct a platform for batch analysis of the sequences, including identifying raw DNA sequence from chromatogram file, vector sequence removing, contig analysis (sequence assembly), repeat sequence identifying and sequence similarity analysis. Result demonstrated that this robust platform could accelerate data analysis for large-scale DNA sequencing.

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical outcome of locking plate and hemiarthroplasty in treatment of Neer three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures.Methods A totalof 63 consecutive patients aged over 55 years with Neer three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures were treated surgically from June 2006 to June 2010.In the retrospective study,36 patients were treated by open reduction and locking plate fixation ( locking plate fixation group) and 27 patients treated by hemiarthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty group).Clinical outcomes including operation time,blood loss,visual analog scale ( VAS),Constant-Murley score and complications were evaluated.ResultsThe average 19.7 months follow-up showed complication rate of 28％ in the locking plate group,including one patient with varss malunion,one with axillary nerve injury,one with humeral head necrosis,one with heterotopie calcification and four with impingement syndrome.The complication rate was 24％ in the hemiarthroplasty group,including two patients with tuberosity nonunion,one with tuberosity migration,one with impingement syndrome and one with joint semiluxation.The mean Constant-Murley score of three-part fractures in the locking plate group was ( 76.5 ±5.8) points,better than (69.2 ±7.2) points in the hemiarthroplasty group (P ＜0.05 ).While the two groups showed no significant differences with regards to operation time,blood loss and visual analog scale (VAS).As for the four-part fractures,the mean operation time was shorter and the mean blood loss was less in the hemiarthroplasty group compared with the locking plate group (P ＜0.05),while there were no obvious differences in VAS score and Constant-Murley score between the two groups. Conclusions Both locking plate and hemiarthroplasty are the reliable methods for the three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures.The patients' age,bone quality,fracture type,comminution degree and evaluation of osteonecrosis possibility,are critical for surgery decision.

This study is purposed to investigate the effects of praeruptorin A (PA) and praeruptorin C (PC) on UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells through hCAR pathway. PA and PC were incubated with HepG2 cells for 24 h and 48 h, mRNA and protein expressions of UGT1A1 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting assays. Additionally, effects of PA and PC on UGT1A1 mRNA and protein expressions were also measured after transient transfection of a specific CAR siRNA for 72 h in HepG2 cells. UGT1A1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased by PA and PC after incubation for 48 h. Moreover, the mRNA and protein up-regulations of UGT1A1 were attenuated by transient transfection of a specific CAR siRNA, suggesting the induction was mediated by CAR. The results suggest that PA and PC can significantly up-regulate UGT1A1 expression partially via the CAR-mediated pathway.

Objective To explore the pharmacodynamic action of the extract from raw materials of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellode ndri, a classic herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine, on mice with diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DNP). Methods The mice were administrated with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) and fed with high-fat diet to establish the DNP mouse model. One hundred and sixty male C57BL/6j mice were divided into normal group, model group, metfomin group(130 mg/kg), Xuezhikang group(200 mg/kg), high- and low-dose Rhizoma Anemarrhenae extract group(360, 90 mg/kg) , high-and low-dose Cortex Phellodendri extract group(135, 45 mg/kg), 20 mice in each group. The medication lasted for 24 weeks. On medication week 8, 16 and 24, the plasma levels of glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride(TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C) and insulin(INS) were determined respectively. On medication week 10, oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was carried out. On medication week 24, the plasma nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) activity and the plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and reduced glutathione(GSH) were detected. Results Five weeks after injection of STZ, the body mass of the model group was firstly increased and then decreased, and FBG was increased(P<0.05 compared with the normal group). Compared with the normal group, FBG, TC, TG, LDL-C and INS levels were increased(P<0.01 or P<0.001), plasma NF-κB activity, TGF-β1 and SOD levels were enhanced, and GSH level was decreased in the model group, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01 or P<0.001). Contrasted with the model group, FBG, TC, TG, LDL-C and INS levels in high-and low-dose Rhizoma Anemarrhenae extract group and in high-and low-dose Cortex Phellodendri extract group were decreased to various degrees. After continuous medication, plasma NF-κB activity and TGF-β1 and SOD levels in high-dose Rhizoma Anemarrhenae extract group and in high-dose Cortex Phellodendri extract group were reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.001), and plasma GSH level was increased(P<0.01). Conclusion Extract from raw materials of Rhizoma Anemarrhenae and Cortex Phellodendri has obvious hypoglycemic effect and protective effect on experimental mice with DPN.

Objective To investigate the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Methods The HUVECs were collected from human umbilical core,and the expression of the CGRP receptor-1 was identified though immunofluorescence.After HUVECs were treated with CGRP,the angiogenesis was detected through tube formation experiment.The secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected through ELISA method.The mRNA expression of VEGF,VEGF receptor-1 (FLT1),VEGF receptor-2 (KDR) and CGRP receptor-1 were detected through quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) at 3,7,10 days after culturing.Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression of FLT1 and KDR in HUVECs.Results Immunofluorescence result showed CGRP receptor-1 expressed in HUVECs.CGRP could significantly promote angiogenesis and increase VEGF secretion in direct manner.The Q-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression level of CGRP receptor-1 was significantly higher in CGRP groups than that in control group,especially at 10 days.Compared to the control group,the mRNA and protein expression level of FLT1 and KDR were statistically higher in CGRP groups at different time.Conclusion CGRP can significantly promote angiogenesis of HUVECs in vitro,which may be because it can promote VEGF secretion and expression of FLT1 and KDR in HUVECs.Meanwhile,the increase of CGRP receptor-1 expression also can promote angiogenesis of HUVECs.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and pattern of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in Shanghai through a community-based survey. Methods A cluster sampling survey was done among the residents in Beixinjing Community, Changning District, Shanghai. All the subjects were asked to fill a questionnaire to provide their general information, including sex, age, native place, physical status, life habit, family history, etc. The diagnosis of AGA was made by dermatologists. To determine the pattern of hair loss,Norwood-Hamilton classification system and Ludwig classification system were used for male AGA and female AGA, respectively. All the data were statistically analyzed by EpiData and SPSS11.5 software. Results Totally, 7056 subjects completed the questionnaire, including 3519 males and 3537 females, and the response rate was 72.5%. AGA was diagnosed in 809 patients, consisting of 701 males aging from 19 to 91 years (mean 64.16±11.9 years) and 108 females aging from 35 to 91 years (mean 70.46±18.89 years). The standardized prevalence (SP) was 9.47% in total, 15.73% in males and 2.73% in females; the difference was significant between males and females (χ2=356.00, P<0.001). A family history of AGA was observed in 52.7% of all subjects including 391 (55.78%) males and 35 (32.41%) females. Type Ⅲ vertex involvement was the most common type in men aging from 20 to 70 years old, and type Ⅵ in those over 70 years old. Grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ predominated in female AGA. Conclusions The results of this survey indicate that the prevalence of AGA is remarkably higher in men than that in women. Furthermore, the prevalence is steadily increased with advancing age in Shanghai.

Bipolar Disorder ; blood ; immunology ; metabolism ; Depressive Disorder ; blood ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Proteomics

Objective:To investigate the characteristics and associated factors of depression in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods:A total of 1138 elderly PD patients from Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University were consecutively enrolled.The Hamilton Depression 17-item Scale(HAMD-17)was used to diagnose depression(scores ≥14). The depressive characteristics of PD patients with depression and those without depression were compared, and Logistic regression model was used to analyze the clinical risk factors of depression in PD patients.Results:Among the 1 138 PD patients, 233 cases had depression.The incidence of depression in PD patients was 20.5%, and the treatment rate was only 6.0%(14 cases). The main symptoms of depression in PD patients included sleep disturbance(101 cases, 43.3%), depression(57 cases, 24.5%), work and interest loss(49 cases, 21%). Compared to PD patients without depression, PD patients with depression were more likely women(49.4% vs36.3%), and had lower cognitive scores[(25.56 ± 4.22)scores vs(27.07 ± 3.08)scores], higher rate of freezing of gait(51.0% vs24.0%), higher incidence of disability(87.1% vs28.5%)( P<0.05). A comparison of each part of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale(UPDRS)between the two groups revealed that the scores of activities of daily living[(16.52 ± 8.71)scores vs(10.15 ± 5.48)scores], the motor examination[(33.78 ± 19.48)scores vs(22.87 ±13.08)scores]and the complications of therapy[2.0(0.0, 6.0)scores vs0.0(0.0, 2.0)scores]were higher in the PD patients with depression group than in the PD patients without depression group( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that women( OR=1.532, 95% CI: 1.073-2.187, P=0.019), disability( OR=6.357, 95% CI: 4.399-9.186, P<0.001), activities of daily living evaluated by UPDRS( OR=1.093, 95% CI: 1.043-1.146, P<0.001)and motor complications( OR=1.100, 95% CI: 1.014-1.193, P=0.022)were independent risk factors for PD depression. Conclusions:Depression was common in PD patients and usually manifested as sleep disturbance and low motivation, women, motor complications, disability and decreased quality of daily living were independent risk factors for depression.