Objective To explore the effects of Zhu Ling decoction and Alisma orientalis on the osteopotin mRNA expression in the experimental rat model of renal stone. Methods The experimental rat model of renal stone was set up using glyoxylic acid. Osteopontin mRNA expression in the renal tissues in the experimental rat model of renal stone was detected by RT-PCR. Results Glyoxylic acid obviously increased osteopontin mRNA expression in the renal tissues. Zhu Ling decoction and Alisma orientalis remarkably decreased the expression of osteopontin mRNA in the renal tissues. Conclusion Zhu Ling decoction and Alisma orientalis could decrease the osteopotin mRNA expression in the renal tissues in the experimental rat model of renal stone. The results were helpful for prevention and treatment of renal stone.

ABSTRACT:Nested‐PCR and loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) were applied to identify the Borrelia burg‐dor f eri (B .burgdor f eri) in ticks in this study .A total of 112 adult ixodes were collected from vegetation in a forest area and farm animals in Xunhua County ,Qinghai Province and Xinbin County ,Liaoning Province .The ticks were examined for the presence of B .burgdorferi by nested‐PCR and LAMP .Results showed that 12 in 51 samples were found positive in Xunhua County (23 .53% ) .While positive rate in Xinbin County was 29 .51% with 18 samples positive in 61 samples .In total of 112 tick samples ,the PCR‐positive rate was 17 .86% with 20 positive samples identified ,whereas 15 positive samples were con‐firmed with positive rate of 13 .39 % by LAMP assay .There was no significant difference between the two assays (Х2 =0 .85 , P>0 .05) .Results suggest that both nested‐PCR and LAMP could be used in identifying B .burgdorferi in ticks .Combina‐tion of these two assays could improve the testing results .This is the first report of B .burgdorferi in ticks in Xunhua and Xinbin counties ,and helps to complete the database of the infection rate of B .burgdor f eri in ticks in the widely‐forested area of China .

Objectives To examine the clinical usefulness of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) on assessment of vascular dementia (VD) in patients with stroke; the relationships between metabolic changes of brain and clinical symptom improvements after giving rivastigmine in these patients.Methods 20 stroke patients without VD, male 17, female 3, with a mean age of (71.7?4.7) years old; 23 stroke patients with VD, male 20, female 3, a mean age of (72.9?5.1) years old; 20 normal volunteers were studied, a mean age of (70.9?4.8) years old. MRS was performed in all these patients. The patients with VD were prescribed rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate ("Exelon", Norvatis), and given MRS assessment half a year later.Results The patients with VD had a significantly lower N-acetyl aspartate/Creatine (NAA/Cr) ratio (mean?SD: left: 0.57?0.30; right: 0.66?0.29) and higher Choline/Creatine (Cho/Cr) ratio (mean?SD: left: 1.79?0.52; right: 1.97?0.44) in bilateral temporal hippocampus area, compared to those without VD (mean?SD: NAA/Cr: left, 0.91?0.31; right, 0.87?0.27, P

Objective To study the imaging features of the ventricular meningioma, in order to improve the understanding knowledge. Methods Compared with operative and pathological findings,the CT and MRI features of ventricular meningioma were analyzed in 22 patients (8 males and 14 females,range from 17~72 years old with average age 45 years).21 cases were examined by MRI(17 with enhanced scan),11 cases by CT(4 with enhanced scan).Results The ventricular meningioma were mostly fibrous type. Mostly, the locations were in the trigone of the lateral ventricle with regular shape. On imaging, the most were parenchymatous with markedly enhancement. Calcification may be found, but cystic changes and hemorrhage were very rare.Conclusion The ventricular meningiomas have characteristic imaging features. CT and MRI are valuable in diagnosis, especially MRI.

Objective To explore the microsurgical experience of supra- and infra-tentorial meningioma of the posterior petrous bone.Methods Clinical data of 21 patients who had undergone microsurgical treatment were retrospectively reviewed.Results All patients underwent surgical treatment via a suboccipital retrosigmoid approach,and hyperostosis of the petrous bone and infiltrated cerebellar tentorium were resected intraoperatively.Tumor resection was categorized as Grade Ⅰ in 16 patients,Grade Ⅱ in 5 patients,according to the Simpson classification system.The main postoperative complications included slight facial paresis and hearing function deterioration.The mean follow-up time was 3.2 years.All patients resumed normal daily activity and no tumor recurrence happened.Conclusions Total resection for supra- and infra-tentorial meningioma of the posterior petrous bone can be achieved with an excellent prognosis by use of microsurgical technique.

[Objective] To study the effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Radix Astragali on astrocytes in gerbils with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. [Methods] Gerbils model of cerebral ischemia was set up by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries. The dynamic expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were determined by immunohistochemical method in reperfusion for 24 and 48 hours after 15 minutes of cerebral ischemia. [Results] Positive expression of GFAP reached a peak in reperfusion for 24 hours and was decreased by Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Radix Astragali. Positive GFAP expression was attenuated in reperfusion for 48 hours and enhanced by Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Radix Astragali increased the expression. [ Conclusion ] The regulatory effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction and Radix Astragali on astrocytes may be one of its mechanisms in repairing nervous function after cerebral ischemia.

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Sturge-Weber Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Background The special pathological change of diabetic retinopathy(DR)is microvascular disorder.Angiopoietin-like protein 2(Ang-2)is a new protein associated with genesis of blood vessels.Quercetin has multiple pharmacological action,including improving the microcircularion and the permeability of blood capillary.However,the action mechanism of Ang-2 on DR was unclear.Objective The present study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on Ang-2 and its receptor Tie2 expression in retina with diabetes mellitus.Methods Sixty clean male Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups and 10 rats for each group,and 10 rats served as blank control group.Streptozotocin of 35 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in 60 rats to establish the diabetic models.Quercetins encapsulated by liposome with the doses of 50,150 and 250 mg/(kg · d)(3-5 ml)were used to gavage in different groups of models for 12 weeks,and normal saline solution and calcium dobesilate were used at the same fashion as the negative control group and positive control group,respectively.Twelve weeks later,the animals were sacrificed and retinas were isolated.Expressions of Ang-2 protein and Tie2 mRNA in retinas were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR,respectively.The usage and rearing of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Sciences and Technology Commission.Results ELISA showed that the A450 of Ang-2 in 150 and 250 mg/(kg · d)quercetin groups was 0.796±0.057 and 0.842±0.043 respectively and was lower than that negative group(1.012±0.046),showing statistically significant differences(q =2.95,2.698,P＜0.05).RT-PCR assay showed that expression of Tie2 mRNA(Tie2 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA)in retinas was 0.712±0.092 and 0.821±0.087,presenting statistically significant differences in comparison with negative group(1.182±0.098)(q =3.497,2.852,P＜0.05).The expression levels of Ang-2 and Tie2 mRNA in retina were lowest in 150 mg/(kg · d)quercetin group.Conclusions Quercetin can improve the retinal microcirculation by downregulating the expressions of Ang-2 and its receptor in early period of diabetic rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of chronic stress on the expression of uncoupling protein 4 (UCP4) and Bcl-2 protein in hippocampal neurons of rat depression model.Methods Rat depression models were established by chronic unpredicted mild stress.All rats were randomly assigned to 2 groups:control group and model group.Flow cytometry was applied to detect the apoptosis rate and mitochondrial membrane potential.The level of LDH was measured by enzymes labelling instrument.The number of neurons was measured by immunohistochemistry.The expression of UCP4 and Bcl-2 protein was measured by Western blotting.Results After chronic stress,the apoptosis rate((4.35±0.19) ％)and LDH activity ((445.50±91.70) U/mg) in hippocampal tissue in the model group was significantly higher than the control group((0.34±0.06) ％,(167.20±63.40)U/mg).Compared to control group,the number of hippocampal neurons ((72.50±4.25) vs (45.30±2.54)) and the mitochon drial membrane potential decreased in the model group.The expressions of UCP4 and Bcl-2 protein in hippocampal tissue were significantly lower than the control group.Conclusion Chronic unpredicted mild stress can lead to apoptosis in rat hippocampal neurons,which is related with decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and low expression of UCP4 and Bcl-2 protein.

Sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) are the major transcription factors regulating cholesterol, fatty acid and triglyceride biosynthesis and control the expression of key genes such as lipogenesis and uptake. In this review, we summarize the processing of SREBPs and their interactions with insulin, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and liver X receptor (LXR) for the synthesis and metabolism of lipid, and combine the latest researches to illustrate the function of SREBPs. These findings suggest that inhibition of SREBPs can be a new strategy for the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as type Ⅱ diabetes, insulin resistance, fatty liver, atherosclerosis and tumors.