Objective To explore the influence of self-efficacy training on the memory and executive function of patients with ischemic stroke in the recovery stage.Methods A total of 80 cases were randomly divided into a self-efficacy training group and a control group,with 40 cases in each.The control group was given routine cognitive therapy,while the self-efficacy group was given cognitive interventions plus efficacy training.Before training and after training for 3 months,self-efficacy levels were examined using the general self-efficacy scale (GSES),memory and executive function were measured using the Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS).Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).Results Inter-group comparison showed no significant differences in terms of GSES or BADS scores before treatment between the control and self-efficacy groups.After training,the total GSES and BADS scores in both groups were significantly higher than before.Both the average GSES and BADS scores in the self-efficacy group were significantly higher than in the control group.There were similarly no significant differences in WMS scores before treatment,but after training the WMS results were significantly better in the self-efficacy training group than in the control group.After training,the SDS and SAS scores had improved to a significantly greater extent in the self-efficacy group than in the control group.Conclusion Self-efficacy training can facilitate the recovery of memory and promote executive function in patients with ischemic stroke.

AIM: To study factors affecting the stability of nylon monofilament for intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.METHODS:Successful rates and infarct volume of ischemic model were compared by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated and silicon coated nylon monofilament intraluminal occlusion of middle cerebral artery under condition of ligation and without ligation of peterygopalatine artery.RESULTS:The successful rates were 60% and 53% in two groups under condition of ligation of peterygopalatine artery, and 20% and 27% in other two groups under condition of without ligation of peterygopalatine artery respectively. The intracranial length of nylon monofilament were about 7 mm in successful model and 4 mm in failure model. Animals in the PVA coated nylon monofilament group showed neurological dificit signs earlier, and had a significantly larger infarct volume at 12 hours of ischemia than those in the silicon coated group.CONCLUSIONS:The ligation of peterygopalatine artery is critical in the success of making this kind of ischemic model. The appropriate position of nylon monofilament entering crania and the good expansibility of PVA play an important role in occlusion of blood flow. Because of the relatively lower successful rate, a new substitute with unique quality, proper hardness and better elasticity needs to be explored in the future.

Objective To assess patients' self-management behaviors and examine factors influencing self-management behaviors in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.Methods This research was conducted as a descriptive survey by 125 patients from a hemodialysis clinic in Tianjin.The data were collected with self-management behaviors questionnaire of hemodialysis patients and self-efficacy scale for managing chronic disease.Results Regression analysis revealed sex,educational level and selfefficacy were independent predictors for self-management behaviors.Conclusions Hemodialysis patients' self-management behaviors need to be improved in the future.Healthcare professionals should recognize the factors hindering self-management behaviors from the patients' perspective while assisting them with appropriate skills in making behaviors changes possible.

Objective To investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin(GSPE) on mitochondrial injury in hippocampus and learning-memory impairment after obstructive sleep apnea hypoxia in rats.Methods Male SD rats(n=80) were randomly divided into control group,model group,low dose of GSPE treatment group and high dose of GSPE treatment group.Rats in control group were exposed in air,the model group were suffered from intermittent hypoxia conditions (50 ml/L,8-hour-intermittent hypoxia everyday,and the duration of experiment 2 and 6 weeks,respectively).Mitochondrion pathology in hippocampal region was observed using electron microscope;malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and superoxide dismutase activity were detected by colorimetry and apoptotic cells was measured by TUNEL method.The cognitive function of rats in each group was assessed with the Morris water maze (MWM).Results After hypoxia,mitochondrion was significantly injured.The MDA contents were increased(79.86 ± 2.52,88.26 ± 2.86) and SOD level decreased (70.67 ± 6.70,64.26 ± 7.86).The number of neural apoptotic cells was significantly enhanced (9.68 ± 0.79,15.9 ± 2.92).MWM test showed that the escaping latency was prolonged and the frequency of crossing the platform was decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with that in the model group,low dose of GSPE decreased MDA contents (76.38 ± 1.96,82.16 ±2.02),increased SOD level(76.20 ± 6.86,70.58 ± 6.86),and decreased apoptotic cells (6.60 ± 0.69,9.54 ±1.36).MWM test showed that the escaping latency was shortened and the frequency of crossing the platform was increased in GSPE treatment groups(P ＜ 0.05).Compared with low dose of GSPE,high dose of GSPE decreased MDA contents increased SOD level and decreased apoptotic cells.MWM test showed that the escaping latency was shortened and the frequency of crossing the platform was increased (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion GSPE can attenuate mitochondrial injury and improve learning-memory function after obstructive sleep apnea hypoxia.

Objective To explore the role of transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-?B) and glucocorticoid receptor(GR) in the pathogenesis of Adriamycin(ADM)-induced nephrosis in rats and the therapeutic effects of dexamethasone(Dex) and cyclosporin(CsA) on these animals.Methods The DNA-binding abilities of NF-?B and GR in cortex of kindey were examined with electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA) and isotopic radioautography on the 7th,14th,21th and 28th day after a single intravenous injection of ADM,and the therapeutic effects of Dex and CsA were estimated.The biochemistry parameters from blood and urine of rats and the urine protein excretion were also measured.Results The NF-?B DNA-binding ability was significantly increased after 7 days and achieved maximum after 28 days(P0.05).Conclusion The DNA-binding ability of NF-?B is abnormally increased and that of GR is decreased in cells from cortex of kindey in Adriamycin-induced nephrotic rats.The NF-?B DNA-binding ability can be inhibited and the urine protein excretion is decreased by the treatment of CsA.

Objective To study the expression changes of IL-1β、FN-α6、IFN-γ and TNFR-m18 in peripheral blood within 2 hours in epileptic mice. Methods Semi quantitative real-time PCR was used to test the mRNA expres?sion level of IL-1β、FN-α6、IFN-γand TNFR-m18 in peripheral blood from normal and pilocarpine-induced epileptic mice at different time points (10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h). Results The mRNA expression level of IL-1βincreased at 30 min(1.8±0.07), 1 h(2.9±0.98)and 2 h(1.45±0.11)after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus comparing with that of control and SE 10 min(0.81±0.09)(P<0.05). The IFN-α6 mRNA expression level was lower at 10 min(0.59±0.05, P<0.05) than that of control. IFN-γmRNA expression level was higher at 10 min(2.85±0.11) than that of control and at oth?er time points during SE(P<0.01). TNFR-m18 mRNA expression level was higher at 1h(2.84±0.15) than that of control, and at other time points during SE(P<0.01). Conclusion The immune system of epileptic state is active, the imbalance of cytokine expression in peripheral blood may be related to the immune pathological process of acute stage of epilepsy.

The study was aimed to explore the possible association between HLA-DRB1 allele polymorphism and the susceptibility to leukemia in Gansu Chinese Han nationality and to find the genes susceptible to leukemia. HLA-DRB1 genes in 74 patients with leukemia from northwestern China and 82 healthy Chinese controls were determined by polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridizations (PCR/SSO) DNA analysis. The results showed that as compared with control, the allele frequencies of HLA-DRB1*03 (chi(2) = 8.125, P = 0.004), HLA-DRB1*07 (chi(2) = 13.526, P = 0.000), HLA-DRB1*08 (chi(2) = 18.855, P = 0.000), HLA-DRB1*13 (chi(2) = 7.039, P = 0.008) significantly increased in AML group. The allele frequencies of HLA-DRB1*07 (chi(2) = 5.689, P = 0.017), HLA-DRB1*11 (chi(2) = 7.73, P = 0.005), HLA-DRB1*12 (chi(2) = 4.234, P = 0.040), HLA-DRB1*13 (chi(2) = 38.333, P = 0.000) significantly increased in CML group. The allele frequency of HLA-DRB1*01 (chi(2) = 5.294, P = 0.021) significantly increased in ALL group. It is concluded that the susceptibility to AML in Gansu Han nationality is positively related to HLA-DRB1*03. 1*07.1*08.1*13. CML positively correlates with HLA-DRB1*07. 1*11.1*12.1*13, and ALL may be positively in relation with HLA-DRB1*01. Allele polymorphism is associated with the leukemia occurrence.
Acute Disease ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Leukemia ; ethnology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective To investigate the predictive factors of progressive motor deficits (PMD) after isolated pontine infarction. Methods Consecutive patients with isolated pontine infarction admitted to hospital within 48 hours after onset were enroled. They were divided into either a PMD group (increase ≥1 within 7 days) or a non-PMD group according to the clinical course and the changes of motor scores of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The pontine infarction patterns were classified as basal surface infarction and deep infarction, the sides were divided into left and right, the infarct levels were divided into upper, middle, and lower according to diffusion-weighted imaging. The demographics, baseline clinical data, and imaging features were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the predictive factors of PMD after isolated pontine infarction. Results A total of 101 patients with isolated pontine infarction admitted to hospital within 48 h of onset were enroled, including 16 in the PMD group and 85 in the non-PMD group. The proportions of pontine infarction involving the basal surface (87. 5% vs. 47. 1% , χ2 = 8. 851, P = 0. 003), the infarcts on the middle levels (56. 2% vs. 24. 7% , χ2 = 4. 851, P = 0. 028), and basilar artery stenosis or occlusion (62. 5% vs. 27. 1% ,χ2 = 7. 689, P = 0. 006) of the PMD group were significantly higher than those of the non-PMD group, while the proportions of the infarcts on the left sides (18. 8% vs. 56. 5% , χ2 = 7. 664, P = 0. 006) and the infarcts on the upper levels (37. 5% vs. 72. 9% , χ2 = 7. 689, P = 0. 006) of the PMD group was significantly lower than those of the non-PMD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that pontine infarction involving the basal surface (odds ratio 5. 650, 95% confidence interval 1. 011 - 31. 580, P = 0. 049) and basilar artery stenosis or occlusion (odds ratio 4. 075, 95% confidence interval 1. 127 - 14. 741, P = 0. 032) were the independent risk factors for PMD after isolated pontine infarction. Conclusions Infarction involving the basal surface and basilar artery stenosis or occlusion may be the predictors for PMD after isolated pontine infarction.

BACKGROUND:Currently, antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ODN) have a good prospect in gene therapy, but AS-ODN with smal molecular weight cannot easily enter into the cels, which is susceptible to nuclease degradation. Therefore, there is stil a lack of fundamental understanding about how to improve their transfection efficiency, and target-based transferring. OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether a weak cationic and phosphorylcholine-containing diblock copolymer (MPC30-DEA70) can act as a carrier system to deliver a chemicaly synthesized transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) AS-ODN into myocardial cels. METHODS: MPC30-DEA70 was compounded with TGF-β1 AS-ODN at various N/P ratios and the MPC30-DEA70/TGF-β1 AS-ODN complexes were characterized by DNA electrophoresis. MTT assay was used to observe the biocompatibility. Confocal laser scanning microscope was used to observe the distribution and location of MPC30- DEA70/TGF-β1 AS-ODN in cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the transfection efficiency and fluorescence intensity of MPC30-DEA70/TGF-β1 AS-ODN in cells. Western blot and RT-PCR methods were employed to measure the expression of TGF-β1 in cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Cell growth inhibition showed that the MPC30-DEA70 had low cytotoxicity to myocardial cells within the effective transfection dosage range (< 20 mg/L). Data from the flow cytometry test indicated a clear trend of increasing transfection efficiency with the increasing of N/P ratios. At high N/P ratios, the expression levels of TGF-β1 mRNA and protein in myocardial cells were significantly lower. This study shows that MPC30-DEA70 can work as an effective transgenic vector in myocardial cells. TGF-β1 AS-ODN can silence the expression of TGF-β1 gene efficiently and specially, and may antagonize TGF-β1-mediated biological function.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of induction chemotherapy (IC) plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with that of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) plus adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for patients with loco-regionally advanced naso-pharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods:Data of 240 patients with loco-regionally advanced NPC were reviewed. These patients were admitted to the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2004 and December 2008. Among the 240 patients, 117 under-went the IC+IMRT and 123 were treated with the CCRT+AC. The IC+IMRT group received a regimen including cisplatin and 5-fluoro-uracil (5-FU). The CCRT+AC group received cisplatin concurrently with radiotherapy and subsequently received adjuvant cisplatin and 5-FU. The survival rates of the patients were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the survival curves were compared by Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results:The 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, local relapse-free survival, and the nodal relapse-free survival were 78.0%versus 78.7%, 68.9%versus 67.5%, 79.0%versus 77.0%, 91.6%versus 91.0%, and 95.3%versus 93.7%in the IC+IMRT and CCRT+AC groups, respectively. The survival between the two groups exhibited no significant differences. Higher rates of Grades 3 to 4 nau-sea-vomiting (8.1%vs. 1.7%, P=0.023) and leukopenia (9.7%vs. 0.9%, P=0.006) were observed in the CCRT+AC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that N stage and age were significant prognostic factors for the OS of the patients with loco-regionally advanced NPC. Conclusion:The treatment outcomes of IC+IMRT and CCRT+AC were similar. Distant metastasis remained as the predominant mode of treatment failure.