Brown-Sequard Syndrome ; etiology ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; drug therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; metabolism

Objective To explore the effect of lysophosphatidic acid(LPA)on blood-brain barrier(BBB) permeability and its possible mechanism.Methods LPA or LPA+suramin(L+S)were stereotaxically injected into the right eaudate nucleus in SD rats in vivo.Evans blue(EB)was used to quantitatively measure the permeability of BBB at different time points.The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 was detected by immunohistochemistry technique.The pathological ultrastruetural changes of BBB were assessed by transmission electron microscopy.Results The BBB permeability began to increase after LPA administered into ipsilateral eaudate nucleus,and reached the peak at 24h.Then the permeability of BBB gradually lowered after 48h.In comparison with the same time points of control group,there were quite significant differences(P＜0.01).After L+S was injected,the change of BBB permeability had differences in comparison with those of LPA group in the same time points,(P＜0.05).MMP-9 positive cells were mainly vascular endothelial cells.The numbers of MMP-9 positive blood vessels grew at 6h in LPA group,and the expression of it reached maximum at 24h,then the number of it decreased at 48h,showing significant statistical differences in comparison with the L+S group(P＜0.01),It was observed microscopically that ultrastrueture of BBB of the LPA group was changed sharply,such as basement membrane roughed and fragmented,astroeyte end-feet swolled markedly and perivaseular space enlarged obviously.But there were no remarkable changes in BBB in L+S group.Conclusion LPA can induce increase of BBB permeability and its possible mechanism is the strong expression of MMP-9 protein produeted by endothelial cells through the mediation of LPA receptor,leading to degradation of basement membrane.

Objective To evaluate the effect of cell-penetrating peptide (protein transduction domain 4,PTD4) mediated copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) on hypoxia/reoxygenation injury (HRI) in rat myocardial cells.Methods Rat myocardial cell H9C2 HRI model was prepared by using the anaerobic incubator (85% N2,10% H2,5% CO2).The HRI group (without adding any treating factor in HRI cell culture fluid),HRI+Cu/Zn SOD group (adding 10 μmol/L Cu/Zn SOD) and HRI+PTD4-Cu/Zn SOD group (10 μmol/L PTD4-Cu/Zn SOD) were set up.In addition,normally cultured myocardial cells served as the normal control group.After incubating for 30 min,the ultra microstructure of mitochondria was observed under transmission electron microscope.The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 kit.The myocardial cell apoptosis was detected by TdT mediated dUTP nick end labeling TUNEL technique.Results The mitochondria injury degree after 30 min incubation in the PTD4-Cu/Zn SOD group was significantly improved compared with the HRI group.Compared with the normal control group,the mitochondrial membrane potential in the HRI group was significantly decreased,while the mitochondrial membrane potential in the PTD4-Cu/Zn SOD group was lower than that in the normal control group,but compared with the HRI group,which was obviously recovered.The cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the HRI+PTD4-Cu/Zn SOD group was (10.20±2.77)%,which was significantly decreased compared with (28.40±2.41)% in the HRI group,the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion PTD4 mediated Cu/Zn SOD can attenuate HRI in rat myocardial cells.

To enhance the immunogenicity of DNA and adenoviral vector vaccines expressing HIV-1 subtype B gp160, human interleukin 15 (hIL15) DNA adjuvant (pVR-hIL15) was constructed. BALB/c mice received DNA prime/protein boost immunization with pVR-HIVgp160/Ad5-HIVgp160 alone or combined with pVR-hIL15. Cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated by IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Compared with those immunized with vaccines alone, the mice immunized with vaccines combined with pVR-hIL15 had significantly increased specific cellular response and antibody titer (P < 0.05). It suggests that the IL15 DNA adjuvant can enhance the immune responses induced by prime-boost regimen using DNA and adenoviral vector encoding HIV-1 subtype B gp160.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; immunology ; HIV Envelope Protein gp160 ; genetics ; immunology ; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunity, Humoral ; Interleukin-15 ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology

The Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, many studies have revealed its prominent neuroprotection function. The active ingredients in Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis could protect the nervous system in a multi-path and multi-target manner. Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis shows the neuroprotective effect by resisting oxidation, scavenging free radicals, modulating neurotransmitters and their related receptors, regulating the inflammatory factors and their related pathways, attenuating neuron apoptosis, reducing intracellular Ca2+ overloads and mitigating neurodegeneration. In this paper, the authors summarized the advance in studies on neuroprotective mechanisms of Uncariae Ramulus Cum Uncis.
Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Uncaria ; chemistry

Appropriate selection and measurement of lead biomarkers of exposure are critically important for health care management purposes, public health decision making, and primary prevention synthesis. Lead is one of the neurotoxicants that seems to be involved in the etiology of psychologies. Biomarkers are generally classified into three groups: biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility.The main body compartments that store lead are the blood, soft tissues, and bone; the half-life of lead in these tissues is measured in weeks for blood, months for soft tissues, and years for bone. Within the brain, lead-induced damage in the prefrontal cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum can lead to a variety of neurological disorders, such as brain damage, mental retardation, behavioral problems, nerve damage, and possibly Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsons disease, and schizophrenia. This paper presents an overview of biomarkers of lead exposure and discusses the neurotoxic effects of lead with regard to children and adults.
Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Animals ; Behavior ; drug effects ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Brain Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Lead ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Lead Poisoning ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Parkinson Disease, Secondary ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Schizophrenia ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology

One new dicyclopeptide cyclo-(L-N-methyl Glu-L-N-methyl Glu) (1), together with one new natural dicyclopeptide cyclo-(L-methyl Glu ester-L-methyl Glu ester) (2), and two known dicyclopeptides cyclo-(L-methyl Glu ester-L-Glu) (3), and cyclo-(L-Glu-L-Glu) (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Dianthus chinensis L. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods.
Dianthus ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the impacts on the cognitive level of the children with mental retardation (MR) treated with JIN's three scalp needling therapy and the training for cognitive and perceptual disturbance so as to seek the more effective therapeutic method for the treatment of MR in children. Methods Sixty-six MR children were randomized into a head-point needle-retaining therapy + training group (group A) and a training after acupuncture group (group B). Seven cases and 12 cases were dropped in the two groups respectively. Twenty-six cases accomplished the treatment in the group A and 21 cases in the group B. In the group A, the points on the head were stimulated and the needles were retained (30 min after the general acupuncture, the needles on the body points were removed; and those on the head points were retained for 1 h, including Sishenzhen, Naosanzhen, Zhisanzhen and Niesanzhen). Simultaneously, the training for the cognitive perceptual disturbance was combined. In the group B, 1 h after needle retaining at the body points and head points, all the needles were removed; the training for the cognitive perceptual disturbance was followed. The treatment was given once a day, and the treatment for 3 months was required. Before and after treatment, the Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC) was used for evaluation and observation of verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) , performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) and full-scale intelligence quotient (TFIQ) and score changes of 11 items such as information, picture vocabu; lary, arithmetic, picture generalization, comprehension, etc.

RESULTSAfter treatment, FIQ, VIQ and PIQ scores were different significantly as compared with those before treatment (all P<0. 01). In the group A, the results of picture vocabulary, animal egg laying, maze, block design and geometric figure were all improved significantly (all P<0. 05). In the group B, the results of information, comprehension, block design and geometric figure were all improved significantly (all P<0. 05). After treatment, concerning the value difference in FIQ and PIQ of the two groups; the changes in the group A were more significant (both P<0. 01). After treatment, the results of picture vocabulary and maze were improved significantly in the group A as compared with the group B (both P<. 01). The IQ categories changed apparently after treatment in the two groups, toward the higher level in tendency generally, but without significant difference (both P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe simultaneous treatment with head point retaining of JIN's three needling therapy and the training for cognitive and perceptual disturbance obviously improves children patients' verbal comprehension, expression ability, hand-eye coordination ability, attention, logical reasoning ability and visual perception. The efficacy is better than that in the treatment of the training after acupuncture.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cognition ; Female ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; psychology ; therapy ; Intelligence Tests ; Male ; Perception ; Scalp ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the anti-tumor activity of quercetin in NB4 leukemia cells and the roles of PI3K/Akt,bcl-2,and Bax on the quercetin-induced apoptosis,and to investigate the potential underlying mechanism.Methods MTT assay was used to monitor cell proliferation,Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining and flow cytometry were employed to detect apoptosis in NB4 cells.Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of related proteins in quercetin treated NB4 cells.Confocal laser microscopy was used to test the distributional variation of Akt between cytoplasm and nucleus.Results Quercetin significantly inhibited the NB4 cell proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner (20-160 μ mol/L).In addition,treated by 20,40 80 μmol/L quercetin,the rates of apoptosis were (9.25±0.11) ％,(20.83±2.10) ％and (41.43±2.90) ％,there were statistical difference compared with blank cells (t were 4.14,6.56 and 7.02,all P ＜ 0.05).This was concentration dependent and accompanied by morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis.Further,quercetin induced a G~M arrest,which might account for its cytotoxic effects.Quercetin decreased PI3k/Akt expression and caused an inhibition of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2,while increasing the expression of Bax.Quercetin had no effects on total Akt,but it promoted Akt translocation from cell nucleus to the cytoplasm (F =15.12,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Quercetin induces the leukemia NB4 cell apoptosis by affecting multiple signal pathways and plays a strong anti-leukemia effect.In addition,our results suggest that PI3K/Akt pathway could be a novel target for the leukemia chemotherapy.