BACKGROUND: Some studies suggest that pre-injection of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)can protect focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Cerebral ischemia tolerance is related to the increase of TNF-α level; on the other hand, TNF-α is an injurious cytokine associated with stroke. Circulating antibody against anti-TNF-α can protect reperfused injury.OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of TNF-α pretreatment and post-treatment on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and explore possible mechanism.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study.SETTING: Neurological Department, the Second Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted at the Animal Experiment Center of Harbin Medical University from January to April 2002. Totally 120 healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following 8 groups: TNF-α 0.05 μg, 0.5 μg and 1.0 μg pretreatment groups and PBS group, TNF-α 0.05 μg, 0.5 μg and 1.0 μg post-treatment groups and PBS group with 15 in each group.METHODS: The focal brain ischemia model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was made using inserting thread method. TNF-α of different doses (0.05 μg, 0.5 μg or 1.0 μg) or PBS was injected intracisternally and 22-hour reperfusion, 8 rats from each group were killed. Then the perhour reperfusion, 7 rats from each group were killed. Then pathological changes were observed, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression were inspected by immunohistochemical method. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation was made with the computer-assisted image analyzing system,and the number of GFAP positive cells and ICAM-1 positive vessels in each hemisphere was counted.riliary acidic protein and ICAM-1.infarct volume: TNF-α 0.5 μg and TNF-α 1.0 μg pretreatment groups showed reduced volume of lesion; infarct volume reduced by 70.9% in TNF-α 0.5 μg pretreatment rats and 66.5% in TNF-α 1.0 μg pretreatment rats. TNF-α 0.5 μg and TNF-α 1.0 μg post-treatment groups showed increased volume of lesion; infarct volume increased by 22.3% in TNF-α 0.5 μg post-treatment rats and 46.7% in TNF-α 1.0 μg post-treatment rats.TNF-α 0.05 μg and 1.0 μg pretreatment groups did not differ significantly (P ＞ 0.05), but there was an obvious difference between TNF-α 0.5 μg and pared with PBS pretreatment group, TNF-α 0.5 μg and 1.0 μg pretreatment groups showed lessened tissue damage and edema. Compared with PBS post-treatment group, TNF-α 0.5 μg and TNF-α 1.0 μg post-treatment fibriliary acidic protein and ICAM-1: TNF-α 0.5 μg and TNF-α 1.0 μg pretreatment groups showed reduced volume of glial fibriliary acidic protein and ICAM-1 (P ＜ 0.05); but TNF-α 0.5 μg and TNF-α 1.0 μg posttreatment groups showed increased volume of glial fibriliary acidic protein and ICAM-1 (P ＜ 0.05). TNF-α 0.05 μg and 1.0 μg pretreatment groups did not differ significantly (P ＞ 0.05); but there was an obvious difference between TNF-α 0.5 μg and 1.0 μg post-treatment groups (P ＜ 0.05).cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. This effect is not related to the repair given after cerebral ischemia reperfusion, ischemia exacerbates, which is α are determined by whether TNF-αis given before or after cerebral ischemia in a dose-dependent manner.

Objective To identify the significance of neuropsychological single-item scales in the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods A total of 676 elderly people living around Dongzhimen district in Beijing were recruited using multistage sampling method.Cognitive function was assessed by minimum mental state examination (MMSE)and other scales.MCI was diagnosed based on the criteria proposed by Petersen (1999),and AD was diagnosed based on the NINCDS-ADRDA.Subjects were divided into normal cognitive group (n=213 cases,31.5％),Alzheimer's disease (AD) group (n=167 cases,24.7％),amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) group (n=186 cases,27.5 ％) and non-AD dementia group (110 cases,16.3 ％).Results The MMSE scores in AD,aMCI and normal groups were 23.0 ± 5.9,25.9±2.6,8.1 ± 1.7,respectively.There were significant differences in MMSE scores between AD,aMCI and NC groups separately (all P＜0.01).Compared with MCI and NC group,th scores of time orientation,attention,calculation and immediate recall and delayed recall were significantly decreased in AD group (all P＜0.01).Comparing with normal group,the scores of attention and calculation were reduced in aMCI group (both P＜0.01).The delayed story recall (DSR) scores in AD,aMCI and NC groups were 15.7 ± 11.7,7.6 ± 4.9,26.5 ± 9.3,respectively.There were significant differences in mean DSR scores between AD,aMCI and NC groups separately (all P＜0.01).Compared with normal group,the clinical dementia rating (CDR) scores were higher and the mean clock drawing task (CDT)scores were lower in AD and aMCI groups (both P＜0.01).Conclusions Both neuropsychological assessment tools such as MMSE and single-item scales such as delayed story recall have the certain significance in the diagnosis of MCI and AD.

The relationship of insulin dosage during transition from continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion(CSII)to subcutaneous injections of premixed human insulin in 197 type 2 diabetic patients was analyzed. Positive correlation(r=0.60,P

Objective To explore the relationship between tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (TIC) of the fimbria and pelvic high-grade serous carcinoma.Methods All 34 cases of pelvic high-grade serous carcinoma with clear fimbria were evaluated from January 2009 to June 2010,including ovarian carcinoma (n=26),tubal carcinoma (n=7) and peritoneal carcinoma (n=1).Among of these ovarian carcinomas,12 cases were surface deposits and the other 14 cases within ovarian parenchyma.All 42 cases of non highgrade serous carcinoma in this period including 13 endometrioid ovary carcinomas,11 clear cell ovary carcinomas,11 mucinous ovary carcinomas,6 low-grade serous ovary carcinomas,1 low-grade serous tubal carcinoma,were also collected as a reference.The presence of tubal intraepithelial carcinomas was assessed.Based on the presence of TIC,high-grade serous ovary carcinomas were divided into TIC positive (+) and TIC negative (-) groups,and the clinical and pathological features of them were also evaluated.Results Fifteen cases (44％) were identified TIC in 34 high-grade pelvic serous carcinomas,and all of them were in the fimbria only,while none of TIC was found in control cases.There were significant difference between the two groups (x2=23.086,P=0.000).Eleven cases(42％) were identified TIC in all 26 high-grade ovarian serous carcinomas,in which 8 cases with unilateral ovary carcinomas were associated with ipsilateral TIC,2 cases with bilateral ovary carcinomas associated with unilateral TIC and one case with bilateral ovary carcinoma was associated with bilateral TIC.Four TIC (4/7) were identified in 7 cases with high-grade tubal serous carcinomas,and there was no presence of TIC in the 1 high-grade serous peritoneal carcinoma.Of all 26 high-grade ovarian serous carcinomas,6/11 cases were surface deposits,and 5/11 were parenchyma tumors in TIC (+) group while 6/15 cases were surface deposits and 9/15 were parenchyma tumors in TIC (-) group,in which there were correlated in distribution of TIC between the two groups( P＞0.05 ).The average diameter of ovarian cancer were 6.9 and 6.5 cm between the two groups with no significant differences ( t=0.409,P=0.690).Conclusion TIC is specific to high-grade serous carcinomas and maybe have something to do with the pathogenesis of pelvic serous carcinomas.

The average life expectancy in Macau is ranking the second in the world, the consumption of fresh medicinal plants is a profound culture in Macau. The paper focus on the distribution of the antioxidant herbs, a comprehensive investigation and analysis the amount of the plant resources was carried out. The antioxidant activity of alcohol extracts was determined by using the DPPH method, and six kinds fresh herbs with high antioxidant free radical activity were screened out. Reference to adult daily dose of vitamin C, it is calculated that the daily dose amount of fresh herbs is less than 200 g. For the expected shortage of resources and the ecological status of Macau, we give some suggestions of herbal introduction in population ecology reconstruction.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Ecosystem ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Macau ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

In order to investigate the mechanism, the correlation between the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and 5-HMF were studied. Required samples were retrieved from Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process. Statistical quality control (SQC) was used to analyze the response values acquired by the electronic nose. At the same time, the content of 5-HMF was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the above two. Experimental results showed that SQC model established by response values of all samples could show the change law of odor in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and changes of 5-HMF content was dropped after the first increase. Correlation analysis showed that the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and 5-HMF were significantly correlated (P < 0.05). Sugar degradation reaction and the Maillard reaction may be one of the mechanisms of the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Crataegus ; chemistry ; Furaldehyde ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Hot Temperature ; Odorants ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To investigate the functional and histological changes in aging gerbil bladders.MethodsTwelve male gerbils were randomly divided into control group and aging bladder group,with 6 in each group.Experiment was conducted in gerbils of control group and aging bladder group 6 months and 24 months after normal feeding,respectively.Urodynamic examinations including irrigation volume,compliance and filling pressure of bladder were performed,bladder weight was obtained,bladder weight index was calculated,morphological observation was conducted with HE staining,ratio of amount of smooth muscle to collagen was obtained with double immunohistochemical staining,and electron microscope was used to evaluate the ultrastructure of bladder.ResultsCompared with those in control group,the irrigation volume and compliance of bladder significantly decreased in aging bladder group(P0.05).However,the bladder weight index was significantly lower in aging bladder group(P0.05).There existed degeneration in smooth muscle cells and organelles in aging bladder group.ConclusionThe function of aging bladder in gerbils is impaired,which may be related to the degeneration of bladder tissues.

Objective To compare the effects of Baimai ointment and baclofen in stroke patients with spas-ticity.Methods 84 cases accompanied by limb spasticity in stroke patients by digital table were randomly divided into Baimai ointment group and baclofen group,42 cases in each group.The Baimai ointment group were treated with Baimai ointment on the spastic limbs,the baclofen group received oral baclofen tablets 30 -75mg/days for 2 weeks, 4 weeks,8 weeks.The curative effects of the two groups were compared before and after treatment.Results Before and after treatment in the two groups,the levels of spasticity,pain and activities of daily living (ADL)differences were statistically significant and Baimai ointment in the treatment of spasm.After 4 weeks and 8 weeks,the Ashworth score of the Baimai ointment group were (1.59 ±0.46)points,(0.89 ±0.56)points,and those of baclofen group were (1.75 ±0.64)points,(1.45 ±0.48)points,the differences were statistically significant(t values were 2.916, 3.367,all P <0.05).After 2 weeks,4 weeks and 8 weeks,the VAS score of the Baimai ointment group were (2.72 ± 0.54)points,(2.02 ±0.24)points,(1.24 ±0.12)points,and baclofen group were (3.56 ±0.44)points,(3.15 ± 0.48)points,(2.58 ±0.26)points,the differences were statistically significant(t values were 2.975,3.359,5.416, all P <0.05),activities of daily living (ADL)was higher than that of the baclofen group.After 8 weeks,the MBI score of the Baimai ointment group was (64.46 ±10.78)points,and baclofen group was (50.74 ±9.18)points,the difference was statistically significant between the two groups (t values was 3.562,P <0.05).Conclusion Baimai ointment has the better antispasmodic effect than baclofen in patients with stroke.

Objective To evaluate the characteristics of abdominal aorta wall motion in different stages of rats atherosclerosis with velocity vector imaging (VVI) technique. Methods Twenty-four healthy SD rats were on high-fat feeding after one week ordinary diet. Abdominal aortic intima-media thickness (IMT), end-systolic blood vessel diameter (Ds), peak systolic velocity (Vs), resistance index (RI), pulsatility index (PI) were measured before and at the end of 8th and 12nd week. Artery wall peak velocity (V_(max)), maximum tangential strain (S_(max)) and the maximum tangential strain rate (SR_(max)) were caculated with VVI. Results Abdominal aortic intima was rough and a small amount of foam cells were found under the light microscope at the end of 8 weeks of high-fat feeding. The values of Smax and SRmax measured at the end of 8th week of high-fat feeding decreased significantly than those of before high-fat feeding (P<0.05). At the end of 12nd week, abdominal aortic intimal was thicker and atherosclerotic plaque appeared somewhere. There were significant differences in artery IMT, Ds, Vs, RI, PI between before and the end of 2nd week of high-fat feeding (P<0.05);the values of V_(max), S_(max), SR_(max) decreased significantly than those of before and at the end of 8th week of high-fat feeding (P<0.05). Conclusion VVI can quantitatively evaluate the vessel wall elasticity in different stage of arteriosclerosis rats.

Objective To investigate the potential clinical factors associated with the prognosis and relapse of adult onset Still's disease(AOSD).Methods The factors possibly influencing the prognosis and relapse of AOSD were analyzed by logistic regression and COX regression in the cohort study.Ninety-six con- secutive inpatients of AOSD diagnosed based on Yamaguchi criteria in the hospital from March 1996 to September 2004 were included in the study.Results Nine cases(9.4%)were lost during the follow-up. Eleven patients(12.6%)were diagnosed as other diseases(5 with other rheumatic diseases,4 with tumor and 2 with infections)in the 87 follow-up cases.In 76 cases,3 patients(3.9%)died and 33 patients(43.4%) got remission over one year after treatment.Splenomegaly(OR=3.14,95%CI=1.01～9.74)and treated with methotrexate(OR=0.22,95%CI=0.07～0.67)were associated with the prognosis from the logistic regression analysis of the 76 cases.The serum ferritin(RR=I.05,95%CI=1.01～1.08)and treated with methotrexate (RR=0.13,95%CI=0.02～0.76)were associated with relapse from the COX regression analysis of the 61 remis- sion cases.Conclusion We need to be very cautious in the follow-up of AOSD patients because some of them may change to other diseases.Methotrexate may be an importent therapy of AOSD not only in improve- ment the prognosis but also in reduction of relapse.