The study of brain information flow is of great significance to understand brain function in the field of neuroscience. The Granger causality is widely used functional connectivity analysis using multivariate autoregressive model based on the predicted mechanism. High resolution electroencephalogram (EEG) signals of ten healthy subjects were collected with a visual selective attention task. Firstly, independent component analysis was used to extract three spatially independent components of the occipital, parietal, and frontal cortices. Secondly, the Granger causal connectivity was computed between these three regions based on the Granger causality method and then independent sample t-test and bootstrap were used to test the significance of connections. The results showed that Granger causal connectivity existed from frontal to occipital and from parietal to occipital in attentional condition, while causal connectivity from frontal to occipital disappeared in unattentional condition.
Algorithms ; Attention ; Brain ; physiology ; Electroencephalography ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans

Background Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is determined to have a neurotrophy effect and promoting effect to the growth of axon.GDNF has been applied in ophthalmology.Research showed that artemin,a new member of GDNF family,has a better function in protection of neuron,but seldom relevant document of distruibution of artemin in retina is found so far.Objective The aim of the present study is to investigate the distribution and expression of artemin in normal rat retinal neuron cells and retinal ganglion cells,and imitate diabetic environment to observe the expression of artemin at the condition of high glucose.Methods Retinal tissue was isolated from clean neonatal SD rats and cultured by expand culture method in DMEM/F12 containing 10% fetal bovine serum.40 mmol/L of glucose was added in medium in the seventh day after culture for 12 hours as experimental group.The expression and location of artemin in retina were tested by real-time PCR and cell immunofluorescence assay.Use of experimental animals followed the Management Regulation of experimental animals of Jiangsu Province.Results Cultured cells showed the typical cell body and processes in the seventh day.Cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) presented the red fluorescence for Thy1.1 antibody,and multiple fluorescence label revealed that RGCs exhibited the green fluorescence for artemin antibody and red fluorescence for Thy1.1 antibody,indicating artemin protein was positively expressed in cultured RGCs.The numbers of positive cells for Thy1.1 antibody was (442±9)/high field in normal culture group and (263±7) /high field in 40mmol/L glucose culture group,showing a significant difference between them (P＜0.05).The expression of artemin mRNA in normal culture group and in 40 mmol/L glucose culture group,was showing a considerably difference between them(P＜0.05).Conclusion Artemin can be expressed in cultured retinal neuron cells and RGCs in rats.High glucose environment down-regulate the expression of artemin.This study proved a new idea for protecting RGCs against damage.

Aim To investigate the effect of CD44 anti-body-A3 D8 on the expression of IL-3 Rα and down-stream PI3K/Akt in NB4 cells. Methods The ex-pression of IL-3 Rα mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, the IL-3Rα protein expression and changes of PI3 K/Akt signal pathway in NB4 cells treated with A3D8 were analyzed by Western blot. An-nexin-V-FITC/PI double staining flow cytometry was u-tilized to detect the apoptotic cells. The inhibitor of PI3 K/Akt signaling LY294002 combined with A3 D8 was used to inhibit the PI3K/Akt in NB4 cells. Re-sults After treated with A3 D8 , both the transcription-al level and translational level of IL-3 Rα were remark-ably reduced, and the PI3K/Akt pathway was inhibi-ted. LY294002 improved the inhibitory and apoptotic effects of A3D8 on NB4 cells. Conclusion CD44 antibody A3 D8 can downregulate the expression of IL-3Rα and inhibit the downstream PI3K/Akt pathway.

Objective To explore the influence of thyroid dysfunction in the first half pregnancy (≤20 gestational weeks) on gestational diabetes. Methords By adopting the method of prospective intervention study, general data of pregnant-women in the care clinics of our hospital were collected. Thyroid function was detected and evaluated by ATA criteria. All cases were divided into two groups: normal thyroid function group and thyroid dysfunction group. The thyroid dysfunction group was intervened. 75 g OGTT were conducted in all cases in 24-28 gestational-weeks. GDM was diagnosed by IADPSG diagnostic criteria. GDM prevalence was compared between normal thyroid function group and abnormal thyroid function groups. Results 1 062 cases of pregnant women were collected. 857 cases of pregnant women were normal, while 14 cases were subclinical hyperthyroidism (1.32%), 164 cases were subclinical hypothyroidism (15.4%), 22 cases were hypothyroxinemia (2.07%). Compared with normal thyroid function, prevalence rate of GDM was the highest in hypothyroxinemia group (54.5% vs 27.8%). There was no significant difference between subclinical hypothyroidism group and normal thyroid function group. Conclusion Thyroid dysfunction in the first half pregnancy is associated with GDM , Screening and treatment of pregnant thyroid dysfunction should be attached.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) fingerprint of Rhodiola rosea medicinal materials was established, and used to distinguish the quality of raw materials from different sources. Pulse sequence for water peak inhibition was employed to acquire 1H-NMR spectra with the temperature at 298 K and spectrometer frequency of 400.13 MHz. Through subsection integral method, the obtained NMR data was subjected to similarity analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). 10 batches raw materials of Rhodiola rosea from different origins were successfully distinguished by PCA. The statistical results indicated that rhodiola glucoside, butyl alcohol, maleic acid and alanine were the main differential ingredients. This method provides an auxiliary method of Chinese quality approach to evaluate the quality of Rhodiola crenulata without using natural reference substances.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Principal Component Analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Rhodiola ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the early change of MR DWI parameters of breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and assess the relationship between the changes of the NAC response. Methods Patients with local advanced breast cancer diagnosed by biopsy were enrolled in the prospective study. They received DWI examination before NAC and then received DWI examination at 24 h after the first cycle of NAC. The pathological results of breast cancers were recorded after NAC finished. 14 patients (15 lesions) were enrolled in this study.The minimum ADC values of breast cancer before NAC and after the first cycle of NAC were recorded, and their change rates were calculated. Two weeks after NAC,all cases were divided into clinical complete response (cCR) and non-clinical complete response group according to clinical NAC response evaluation. Then lesions were divided into pathological complete response (pCR) and non-pathological complete response group according to pathological NAC response evaluation. Using the Paired samples t test,we analysed the change of ADC values 24 h after the first cycle of NAC. The ADC values and change rates were compared between cCR and non-cCR group using Mann-Whitney U test. The ADC values and change rates were also compared between pCR and non-pCR group using Mann-Whitney U test.Results The 15 cases were all invasive ductal carcinoma patients. According to clinical NAC response evaluation, 5 cases were cCR and 10 cases were non-cCR. According to pathological NAC response evaluation, 6 cases were pCR and 9 cases were non-pCR. Before NAC, the minimum ADC value of breast cancer was(0.78±0.15)×10-3 mm2/s. After the first cycle of NAC, the minimum ADC value of breast cancer was(0.91 ± 0.16) × 10-3 mm2/s. The minimum ADC value of breast cancer significantly increased 24 h after the first cycle of NAC (t=-2.954,P=0.010). But ADC value and its change rate were not significantly different between cCR and non-cCR groups, also between pCR and non-pCR groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Significant change in the minimum ADC value of breast cancer could be observed 24 h after the first cycle of NAC, but the change do not relate to clinical and pathological NAC response in this study.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of early intervention of acupuncture on urinary function reconstruction of neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury, so as to find the optimal treatment timing of acupuncture.

METHODSFifty-three patients of neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury were randomly divided into a prior-to-catheter group (25 cases) and a posterior-to-catheter group (28 cases). For the prior-to-catheter group, one week before the removal of catheter, acupoints on the abdomen and back such as Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Baliao (Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33), Xialiao (BL 34), Jiaji (EX-B 2) and acupoints at distal end such as Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected; after the catheter removal, simple method. of water column was used to measure bladder capacity pressure to classify the type of bladder, and then different acupuncture manipulations were given; intermittent catheterization was performed if condition was allowed. The posterior-to-catheter group applied identical treatment after removal of catheter as the prior-to-catheter group. The treatment was given 5 times per week; after one-month treatment, five aspects including the time of first effective urination, time of establishing reflex urination, average residual volume of urine, time of residual urine less than 100 mL and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the time of first effective urination, time of establishing reflex urination, average residual volume of urine and time of residual urineless than 100 mL in the prior-to-catheter group were all superior to those in the posterior-to-catheter group (all P<0. 05) ; the score of QOL was improved in two groups after treatment (both P<0. 01), but the difference between two groups was not statistically significant (P>0. 05); each index of urination function was not significant among patients with different injured segments of spinal cord (all P>0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe early intervention of acupuncture (prior to catheter) has obvious improving function on establishing balanced bladder in patients with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury, which is superior to acupuncture intervention after removal of catheter, however, the effects of different injured segments on establishing balanced bladder are not different.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urination ; Young Adult

Objective To study the effects of sulodexide on renal NF-κB activation and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) expression in diabetic rats and elucidate the possible mechanism of sulodexide in preventing diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods Wistar rats were fed with high-sucrose-high-fat diet and injected with a low dose of STZ (streptozotocin,35 mg/kg) into abdominal cavity to induce diabetes.DM rats were randomly divided into non-treated group of treatment,blood glucose (BG),triglyceride (TG),cholesterol,serum creatinine (Scr),urea nitrogen (BUN),24 h urinary albumin excretion (UAE) were measured.HE staining was performed in renal tissues for light microscopy examination of mean glomerular volume (MGV).MCP-1 expression was detected by immunohistochemical method.NF-κB activation was determined by Western blot. Results Compared with NC group,DM group and DMS group had significant elevated BG,TG and TC levels (all P＜0.01).There were no significant differences of BG,TG or TC levels between DM group and DMS group.Compared with NC group,DM group and DMS group had significant increased Scr,BUN,UAE levels (all P＜0.01).Scr,BUN,UAE levels were significantly lower in DMS group than those in DM group [(39.1±0.88) μmol/L vs (41.0±2.16) μmol/L,(9.12±1.06) mmol/L vs (9.87±0.19) mmol/L； (19.92±0.96) mg/24 h vs (25.99±0.52)mg/24 h,all P＜0.05].Compared with NC group,the MGV of DM group was significantly increased [(7.47±1.11)×105 μm3 vs (4.22±1.09)×105 μm3,P＜0.01].Compared with DM group,the MGA of DMS group was significantly reduced [(6.64±0.71)×105 μm3 vs (7.47±1.11)×105 μm3,P＜0.05],but was still increased compared with that of NC group (P＜0.01).Compared with NC group,the MCP-1 expression of DM group was significantly higher [(12.17±1.94)/HPF vs (1.19±0.70)/HPF,P＜0.01].MCP-1 expression in DSM group was significantly lower than that of DM group [(9.22± 1.61)/HPF vs (12.17±1.94)/HPF,P＜0.01],but still higher than that of control group (P＜0.01).Compared with NC group,the NF-κB activity was significantly higher in DM group [(0.89±0.07) vs (0.24±0.03),P＜0.01].Compared with DM group,NF-κB activity of DMS group was significantly lower [(0.27±0.01) vs (0.89±0.07),P＜0.01].There was no significant difference of NF-κB activity between DMS group and NC group. Conclusion Sulodexide has protective effects on diabetic nephropathy,and one of the mechanisms may involve the inhibition of NF-κB activation as well as the suppression of MCP-I expression.

Objective To explore the relationship between fluconazole resistance and expression of multidrug resistant protein genes,including CDR1,CDR2,MDRI.Methods The total RNA was extracted from fluconazole-resistant and -susceptible Candida albicans isolates,and cDNA was synthesized.The expression of CDR1,CDR2 and MDRl genes was then detected by quantitative real-time PCR.The?CT (threshold cycle) value was obtained by subtracting the CT value of 18S rRNA from that of the targeted gene.Results The?CT value of CDR2 was significantly lower in fluconazole-resistant isolates than in fluconazole- susceptible isolates (7.52?2.53 vs.9.28?3.15,t=2.367,P

Objective To analyze the clinical features of infantile cytomegalovirus(CMV) hepatitis with cholestasis and investigate intrahepatic cholestasis due to hepatocytic impairment caused by CMV infection.Methods Forty-seven children with CMV cholestatic he-patitis were divided into 2 groups according to the level of total bilirubin(TB):22 cases with serum TB lower than 136.8 ?mol/L(groupⅠ),and 25 cases with serum TB higher than 136.8 ?mol/L(groupⅡ).All children were treated with both gangciclovir and routine met-hods,and serum biochemistry were checked before and after treatment.SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results Forty-seven cases of infantile CMV cholestatic hepatitis had different degrees of jaundice,hepatosplenomegaly and abnormal liver functions.The differences of serum ALT and AST between the 2 groups had statistical significance,the levels of serum gamma glutamy transferase(GGT) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) were lightly higher in groupⅡcompared with those in groupⅠ,but there were no statistical significance.TB,direct bilirubin(DB),ALT and AST were decreased in the 2 groups after treatment,GGT and ALP hadn′t decreased significantly after treatment.Conclusions CMV infection can injure hepatocytes and epithelials on each grade of bile duct,thus CMV hepatitis causes intrahepatic cholestasis.Cholestasis due to hepatocytic impairment deserves emphasis and intervention should be done as early as possible.Gangciclovir therapy for CMV infection manifest effective and safe in short-term.