Objective To compare tbe efficacy of conventional therapy,psychotherapy,serotonin reuptake in- hibitor,and psychotherapy combined with serotonin reuptake inhibitor in rehabilitating nerve function in the treatment of post-stroke depression.Methods One hundred and twenty patients with post-stroke depression were divided into a control group(A),a group treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitor (B),a psychotherapy group (C) and a group in which psychotherapy was combined with serotonin rcuptake inhibitor(D).These groups were graded with the SDS for the degree of their depression and with the MESSS for their muscle strength before andafter treatment.Results The anti-depression therapies showed significantly different effects in improving depression.After eight weeks,group D showed significantly less depression than the others.However,muscle strength did not show statistically significant differences until twelve weeks,when group D again showed better progress than the others.Conclusion Psychothera- py combined with serotonin reuptake inhibitor can promote the rehabilitation of nervous function-after stroke.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect and mechanisms of luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucuronide (LGU) on oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced H9C2 cardiomyocytes injury. METH-ODS The protective effect of LGU on OGD-induced H9C2 cardiomyocytes death were investigated by MTT assay. The microfilament change of H9C2 cardiomyocytes was detected by phalloidin staining and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage rate was also detected by LDH kit. In order to explore the possible mechanisms of LGU, ATP content, intracellular Ca2+fluorescent intensity and concentra-tion, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP)and the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by ATP kit,CLSM(Fluo-3/AM probe),Ca2+kit,CLSM(JC-1 probe)and western blotting meth-od, respectively. RESULTS The inhibition of H9C2 cardiomyocyte survival rate inducedby OGD was improvedby pretreated with LGU in a concentrationdependent manner. The microfilaments injury as well as the increase of LDH leakage rate were also improvedby pretreated with LGU.The ATP content was significantly decreased,intracellular Ca2+fluorescent intensity and concentration were significantly increased and the MMP was significantly decreased 4 hafter OGD. LGU significantly reversed the de-crease of intracellular ATP content,the increase of Ca2+fluorescent intensity and concentration and the decrease of MMP.The release of cytochrome C,the expressionsof caspase-9 and caspase-3 in H9C2 cardiomyocytes were increased 16 h after OGD.LGUsignificantly inhibited the changes of these apop-tosis-related proteins. CONCLUSION LGU has a significant protective effect against OGD-induced H9C2 cardiomyocytes injury through inhibiting calcium overload,increasing ATP content,improving mi-tochondrial function and inhibiting apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical effects of Achillon for the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR).

METHODSFrom April 2009 to April 2010, 19 patients with AATR who were treated with Achillon were retrospectively analyzed. There were 17 males and 2 females, with an average age of 40.2 years (30 to 58 years). There were 9 cases of sports injury, and 2 case of fall injury. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 0 to 8 days (2.2 days on average). The results of Thompson test and single heel rise test were positive in 19 cases. Clinical data were assessed with the patient satisfaction and the AOFAS hindfoot score during follow-up.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 28 months (19.9 months on average). The average operation time was 41 minutes. There were no wound infections, recurrent rupture, or sural nerve complications. At the latest follow-up, 18 patients were totally satisfied with the surgical result, 1 patient feel generally due to mild pain when running. None of the patients were dissatisfied with the final results the latest follow-up. At the latest follow-up, the AOFAS score was 98.42 +/- 3.29 (89 to 100). All the patients regained normal range of motion and were able to resume their previous activities at six months after operation, with a high rate of satisfaction. Average decreased of mid-calf circumference was (0.82 +/- 0.85) cm (ranged from 0 to 3 cm).

CONCLUSIONTreatment with Achillon is safe, effective for AATR with low incidence of complications and early active rehabilitation can be carried out. It is a good method to treat AATR.

Achilles Tendon ; injuries ; surgery ; Acute Disease ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Suture Techniques ; instrumentation ; Tendon Injuries ; surgery

Objective: To investigate the effect of Trichosanthis Pericarpium aqueous extract(TPAE)in protecting H9c2 cells from hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury by activating phosphatidylionsitol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/nitric oxide(PI3K/Akt/NO) signaling pathway. Method: The 2.5 mmol·L^-1 Na₂S₂O₄ was used to induce the model of H9c2 cardiomyocytes H/R injury in the experiments. The cultured H9c2 cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into normal group, H/R group (model group) and inhibition group (LY294002, 10 μmol·L^-1). In the H/R + TPAE group, 50 mg·L^-1 TPAE was added to the cultures at 24 h before H/R exposure. Cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The amounts of NO, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was performed to analyze relative mRNA expressions of Akt, eNOS and iNOS. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Akt, p-Akt (Ser 473), eNOS, and iNOS. Result: Compared with the normal control group,the cell viability significantly decreased in the model control group (P<0.01), the release of NO was obviously down-regulated (P<0.01), the mRNA and protein expressions of p-Akt, Akt, eNOS were remarkably decreased (P<0.01), while those of iNOS were up-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the H/R group,the pretreatment with TPAE remarkably improved the morphological lesion of cardiomyocytes, enhanced cell viability(P<0.01),increased the expressions of Akt, p-Akt (Ser 473) and eNOS(P<0.01),decreased the expression of iNOS(P<0.01), and increased the release of NO(P<0.01). The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 was used. Obviously, cardioprotection of Trichosanthis Pericarpium aqueous extract was blocked by co-treatment LY294002, and cell viability was correspondingly reversed. Conclusion: TPAE can protect H9c2 cardiomyocytes from H/R injury by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,which might be related to the up-regulation of the mRNA and protein expressions of eNOS, the down-regulation of the level of iNOS, and the increase of the production of physiological amounts of NO.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of interleukin-2(IL-2)on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE)mice.Methods After establishment of the EAE(experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis) mouse models with MOG35-55 polypeptides,the mice were grouped according to the neurological function score and divided into control group,EAE group and low dose IL-2 treatment group.A double blind method was used to evaluate the neuro-logical impairment in mice.On the 29th day,pathological experiments were carried out in the mice's brain and spinal cord, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the scoring of inflammatory cell infiltration and luxol fast blue staining was used to evaluate the scoring of demyelinating.The proportion of regulatory T cells(Treg)and NK cells(natural killer cell, NK)was detected by flow cytometry,and the immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expressions of glial fibril -lary acidic protein(GFAP)and myelin basic protein(MBP)in the spinal cord.Results Compared with the EAE group, the neurological function score, the inflammatory cell infiltration score and the demyelinating score of the low dose IL-2 treatment group were reduced.The proportion of Treg cells in the low dose IL-2 treatment group was significantly higher than that in the EAE group,and the proportion of NK cells in the low dose IL-2 treatment group was slightly higher than that in the EAE group The expression of GFAP and MBP was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression level of GFAP in low dose IL-2 treatment group was significantly lower than that in the EAE group,while the expression level of MBP was higher than that in the EAE group.Conclusion Low dose IL-2 has significant therapeutic effect on EAE mice.

Objective To report a new approach,endoscopic transoral approach for the resection of jugular foramen schwannoma.Methods Nine patients with jugular foramen schwannoma ( three males and six females,ranging in age from 15 to 61 years old ) were treated by direct surgery via a pure endoscopic transoral approach to the jugular foramen. Eight patients complained of hypoglossal nerve palsy with hemiatrophy of the tongue; six cases complained of vagus nerve palsy. Three cases complained of glossopharyngeal nerve palsy,one case complained of facial nerve palsy and hearing loss.Results The nerves in this area were preserved and radical intracapsular removal of the tumor was performed via endoscopic transoral approach in the nine cases.Tumor removal,as assessed by intraoperative endoscopic inspection,postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and clinical evaluation,revealed all tumors were completely removed.One patient suffered from temporary swallowing difficulties and temporary right vagus palsy Ⅰ day after surgery.There were no others intraoperative and postoperative complications.All patients were followed up for 4 -29 months,no recurrences were occured in all these patients and the muscle bulk,motor and the pre-postoperative swallowing fuction,the vagus palsy,the facial nerve palsy and hearing loss had improved in these patients.Conclusion The endoscopic transoral approach and intracapsular removal of the tumor provided for successful minimally invasive surgery in the jugular foramen schwannomas.

OBJECTIVETo explore a better procedure for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in order to improve its safety and to extend its indications.

METHODSTo puncture the right portal branch under sonographic guidance in 20 patients with portal hypertension and gastro-esophageal bleeding. The Teflon sheath with gold marker was put into the portal vein; anterior and lateral portography was made, portal pressure was measured and the gastric coronal vein was embolized. The gold marker was put into the portal vein puncture site and the Rups-100 was guided under the gold marker during the TIPS puncture procedure. Anterior and lateral portography was again made to make sure the puncture site was 2 cm away from the portal vein bifurcation. In some cases a 10F sheath was used to suck the thrombosis in the portal vein, and a balloon was used to dilate the parenchyma channel and then a stent was released smoothly.

RESULTS20 reformed TIPS were successfully performed on all patients and their gastric-esophageal bleedings were controlled immediately. 37 punctures were made in 20 of those cases; the average puncture per patient was 1.85+/-0.67, lower than that of the traditional method. The pressure of the portal vein declined from (30.5+/-1.1) mmHg to (16.9+/-0.9) mmHg, P < 0.05, showing that the difference of portal vein pressure before and after the reformed TIPS was significant. 25 stents were placed, and no complications occurred during the procedure in any of the cases.

CONCLUSIONDirect portal vein puncture portography and gold marker guided TIPS procedure is feasible and safe; the indications of TIPS could be further extended.

Adult ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Portography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cyto-genotoxicity of cigarette smoke condensates (CSCs) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes with different assays in vitro.

METHODSHuman lymphocytes were exposed to particle matter of cigarette smoke combined with or without S9 mixtures at doses of 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 microg/ml for 3 h. The cytotoxicity induced by CSCs was detected by CCK-8 assay. The DNA damage, DNA repair (repair time: 30, 60, 90, 120 and 240 min, respectively) and the somatic cell mutations induced by 75 microg/ml CSCs were measured by comet assay, hprt gene and TCR gene mutation tests, respectively.

RESULTSCCK-8 assay indicated that the cell viability decreased with CSCs doses. At the doses of 100, 125 microg/ml, the cell viability of CSCs +S9 group was significantly higher than that of CSCs -S9 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In comet assay, DNA damage significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with controls (P < 0.01). Moreover, there was significant difference between -S9 group and +S9 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The Mf-TCR at each dose group was significantly higher than that of controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The Mf-hprt at high-dose groups were significantly higher than that of controls (P < 0.01), and significant difference of Mf-TCR and Mf-hprt at high doses of CSCs between -S9 group and +S9 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The DNA damage induced by CSCs +S9 or CSCs -S9 could be repaired, but DNA repair speed was different between -S9 group and +S9 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCSCs may induce cyto-genotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro, but S9 mix could reduce the toxicity of CSCs and impact DNA repair speed.

Cells, Cultured ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; DNA Repair ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Male ; Mutation ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the factor XI gene mutation in a Chinese pedigree of congenital factor XI deficiency.

METHODSThe peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and her family members and the plasma FXI:C and FXI:Ag were assayed. All the exons and their adjacent intron sequences of factor XI were amplified with PCR and sequenced thereafter.

RESULTSTwo novel nonsense mutations TGG-->TGA (Trp228stop) and TGG-->TAG (Trp383stop) were identified in the family.

CONCLUSIONThe compound heterozygous Trp228stop and Trp383stop may attribute to the pathogenesis of the congenital factor deficiency.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Codon, Nonsense ; Factor XI ; genetics ; Factor XI Deficiency ; congenital ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo study the toxicity features of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle and the influence of Dan Gua-Fang, a Chinese herbal compound prescription, on the reproductive cycle of vascular endothelial cells cultivated under a high glucose condition; to reveal the partial mechanisms of Dan Gua-Fang in the prevention and treatment of endothelial injury caused by hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus (DM); and offer a reference for dealing with the vascular complications of DM patients with long-term high blood glucose.

METHODSBased on the previous 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (z-y1)-3-5-diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) experiment, under different medium concentrations of glucose and Dangua liquor, the endothelial cells of vein-304 (ECV-304) were divided into 6 groups as follows: standard culture group (Group A, 5.56 mmol/L glucose); 1/300 herb-standard group (Group B); high glucose culture group (Group C, 16.67 mmol/L glucose); 1/150 herb-high glucose group (Group D); 1/300 herb-high glucose group (Group E); and 1/600 herb-high glucose group (Group F). The cell cycle was assayed using flow cytometry after cells were cultivated for 36, 72 and 108 h, respectively.

RESULTS(1) The percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase was significantly increased in Group C compared with that in Group A (P<0.05), while the percentage of S-phase (S%) cells in Group C was significantly reduced compared with Group A (P<0.05); the latter difference was dynamically related to the length of growing time of the endothelial cells in a high glucose environment. (2) The S% cells in Group A was decreased by 30.25% (from 40.23% to 28.06%) from 36 h to 72 h, and 12.33% (from 28.06% to 24.60%) from 72 h to 108 h; while in Group C, the corresponding decreases were 23.05% and 21.87%, respectively. The difference of S% cells between the two groups reached statistical significance at 108 h (P<0.05). (3) The percentage difference of cells in the G2/M phase between Group C and Group A was statistically significant at 72 h (P<0.01). (4) 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely reversed the harmful effect caused by 16.67 mmol/L high glucose on the cell cycle; moreover it did not disturb the cell cycle when the cell was cultivated in a glucose concentration of 5.56 mmol/L.

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose produces an independent impact on the cell cycle. Persistent blocking of the cell cycle and its arrest at the G0/G1 phase are toxic effects of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle. The corresponding variation of the arrest appears in the S phase. 1/300 Dan Gua-Fang completely eliminates the blockage of high glucose on the endothelial cell cycle.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; pharmacology ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; Humans