Objective:To observe the effect of Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing acupuncture plus functional training on neural development in infants with brain damage and seek an effective method for early intervention of infantile brain damage.Methods:Eighty infants with brain injury were recruited and allocated to a treatment group and a control group by their visiting sequence,with 40 cases in each group.The control group received exercise training,40 min each session and 6 sessions a week,and tuina treatment,30 min each time and 6 times a week.Based on the treatment protocol for the control group,the treatment group additionally received Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing acupuncture,3 times a week and 10 sessions as a course at a 2-week interval.Before the treatment and after 14-week treatment,the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and developmental quotient (DQ) of Bejing Gesell developmental scale were used to evaluate the development of the infants.Results:After the treatment,the GMFM score and DQs of Gesell scale all increased by different levels in the two groups,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05);the scores of the treatment group were superior to those of the control group,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing acupuncture plus functional training can significantly promote the development of gross motor and cognitive functions in infants with brain damage,and it is an early and effective intervention for infantile brain damage.

To detect lesions of brain CT automatically, a statistical atlas of attribute vectors (SAAV) was designed and created to describe the multiple features of medical images. By comparing the features of study image with those of SAAV, we successfully detected various kinds of brain lesion. It was demonstrated that the algorithm is effective in detecting various kinds of lesions found on brain CT images. Further studies are needed to make the algorithm more acceptable.
Algorithms ; Brain Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To propose a cerebrovascular image segmentation method for magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)based on improved UNet.Methods Firstly,the UNet network was used as the basic segmentation model and the residual neural network was incorporated to effectively alleviate the training pressure of the deep network and promote information transfer;secondly,the compression and excitation modules were added to improve the sensitivity of the network to cerebrovascular features;finally,the atrous spatial pyramidal pooling(ASPP)module was appended to obtain multi-scale feature information to further enhance the segmentation accuracy.The model based on improved UNet was tested on the TOF-MRA public dataset and compared with the models of UNet,ResNet and ResUNet++.Results The model based on improved UNet had a Dice similarity coefficient of 0.75 and an accuracy of 0.72,which were both higher than those of the models of UNet,ResNet and ResUNet++.Conclusion The method proposed segments MRA cerebrovascular images effectively,and thus can assist clinicians in disease diagnosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(10):7-12]

BACKGROUNDTransplantation of adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been proposed as a strategy for cardiac repair following myocardial damage. However cell transplantation strategies to replace lost myocardium are limited by the inability to deliver large numbers of cells that resist peritransplantation graft cell death. Accordingly, we set out to isolate and expand adult swine bone marrow-derived MSCs, and to engineer these cells to overexpress AKT1 (protein kinase B), to test the hypothesis that AKT1-engineered MSCs are more resistant to apoptosis and can enhance cardiac repair after transplantation into the ischemic swine heart.

METHODSThe CDS (regulation domain of AKT1) AKT1-cDNA fragment was amplified, and MSCs were transfected following synthesis with a pCDH1-AKT1 shuttling plasmid. Western blotting analysis and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed. Myocardial infarction (MI) models were constructed in Meishan pigs, and cardiac function was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements and echocardiography 4 weeks later. All pigs were assigned to four groups: control (A), DMEM (B), MSC (C), and AKT-transfected (D). MSCs were transfected with the AKT1 gene, and autologous BrdU-labeled stem cells (1 x 10(7)/5 ml) were injected into left anterior descending coronary atery (LAD) of the infarct heart in groups C and D. In group B, DMEM was injected using the same approach. In group A, there was no injection following LAD occlusion. After 4 weeks, cardiac function and regional perfusion measurements were repeated by MRI and echocardiography, and histological characteristics of the hearts were assessed. Connecxin-43 (CX-43), BrdU, and von Willebrand factor (VWF) immunoreactivity was tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were analyzed at the same time.

RESULTSAKT1-cDNA was cloned into pCDH1-MCS1-EF1-copGFP and the sequence was confirmed. AKT mRNA expression was detected at 24 hours after transfection. AKT1 expression in MSCs remained strong after 2 weeks, according to real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Prior to cell implantation, end-diastolic left ventricular dimension (EDLVd) increased and stroke volume (SV) decreased in the MI hearts. MRI scans revealed significantly improved cardiac function following implantation, and implanted MSCs prevented thinning and expanding in the infarct region, as well as improved contraction and increased perfusion in all groups compared to control hearts. The left ventricular chamber size was smaller in cell-transplanted hearts than in control hearts. Moreover, group D exhibited significant improvement. The expression of CX-43, BrdU, and VWF could be found in the immunohistochemical pathological sections of group C and group D. The level of VEGF reached a high level 1 week after implanting the MSCs, but the level of TGF-beta1 decreased gradually.

CONCLUSIONSThe AKT1-expressing lentiviral vector resulted in stable over-expression of AKT1 in MSCs. MSC engraftment in host myocardium improved cardiac function by attenuating contractile dysfunction and pathological thinning of the infracted left ventricular wall, which likely resulted from myocardial regeneration and angiogenesis.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electrophoresis ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Swine ; Ventricular Remodeling ; physiology

Cycloheximide (CHX) inhibits protein synthesis in most eukaryotic cells and it is a well-known tool commonly used in biochemical research. In this paper, the antiviral spectrum of CHX against several DNA and RNA viruses have been evaluated. CHX showed strong inhibitory activities against several RNA viruses such as HIV-1, influenza viruses, coxsackie B virus, enterovirus (EV71) and several DNA viruses such as HSV and HCMV. Especially the strong inhibitory activities of CHX against coxsackie B virus and enterovirus caught our attention, since effective drugs available in clinic are limited. The SAR of CHX derivatives also has been discussed in the paper. The hydroxyl group at C-2' and carbonyl group at C-2" of CHX are essential for its antiviral activity. And modification to these groups results its derivatives' antiviral activities reduced or lost.
Antiviral Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Cycloheximide ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; DNA Viruses ; drug effects ; Enterovirus ; drug effects ; Enterovirus B, Human ; drug effects ; Humans ; RNA Viruses ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the surgical technique of "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis" in the treatment for type III or IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

METHODSThe clinical data of 89 patients with type III or IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma surgically treated in our department between Jan. 1990 and Jan. 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Since January 2000, "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis" was performed for some patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The patients were divided into two groups: group A treated between 1990 and 1999, group B between 2000 and 2008. The rate of resection, therapeutic efficacy and complications in these two groups were compared, respectively.

RESULTSOf the 37 cases with hilar cholangiocarcinoma in group A, 4 were surgically treated (10.8%), with 1 (2.7%) radical resection and 3 (8.1%) palliative resection. Among the 52 cases with hilar cholangiocarcinoma in the group B, 35 (67.3%) received surgical resection, of them 15 (28.8%) underwent radical resection and 20 (38.5%) had palliative resection. Twenty-eight of these 35 cases underwent the "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis". The resection rate of advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma in the group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.05). The complications in the 89 cases included ascites (3 cases), hemobilia (1 case), heart failure (1 case), and wound infection (2 cases). All the patients who were treated with the "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis" developed bile leakage to a varying degree and recovered after drainage and symptomatic treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe resection rate of type III or IV advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma can be remarkably improved by using a novel alternative surgical technique called "Kou mode of hepatic hilar anastomosis". However, the long-term outcome still needs to be determined by close follow-up and further observation.

Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; adverse effects ; methods ; Ascites ; etiology ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; surgery ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hemobilia ; etiology ; Hepatectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To analyze the cost-effectiveness of hospital rehabilitation and hospital-family rehabilitation in children with cere-bral palsy. Methods From January to December, 2016, 60 cases of children aged one to three years with cerebral palsy were divided into hospital rehabilitation group and hospital-family rehabilitation group, with 30 cases in each group. The hospital rehabilitation group received rehabilitation of traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment, including exercise therapy, physical therapy and Chinese Medical ther-apy; while the hospital-family rehabilitation group received family rehabilitation. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Pea-body Developmental Motor Scale-fine Motor (PDMS-FM) were used to evaluate the motor function and fine motor function before and af-ter treatment. Results The GMFM score was higher (t=5.333, P<0.001), and the total medical cost was higher (t=23.614, P<0.001) in the hospital rehabilitation group than in the hospital-family rehabilitation group. However, the cost of medical care was significantly lower for every 1-point increase in GMFM and visual-motion integration of PDMS-FM in the hospital rehabilitation group than in the hospital-family rehabilitation group (t>2.065, P<0.05). Conclusion The hospital rehabilitation model may be a more economical and effective treatment for younger age children with cerebral palsy, and the hospital-family rehabilitation model could be used as an effective complementary rehabili-tation model for this age group.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of microfilament cytoskeleton changes induced by simulated microgravity on the NO/NOS system of osteoblasts, and explore the mechanism of weightlessness leading to osteoporosis.

METHODSMouse osteoblast-like cell line MC3T3-E1 were divided into simulated microgravity (by rotating clinostat) group, 0.5 microg/ml cytochalasins B group, simulated microgravity+cytochalasins B group, and normal gravity group. After cell culture for 48 h with corresponding treatments, immunofluorescence staining of the cells by FITC-phallacidin was performed to observe the changes of microfilament under laser confocal microscope. NOS activity of the cells was tested with NOS detection kit, and the NO concentration in the cell supernatant was measured with nitrate reductase method.

RESULTSDepolymerization of the microfilament cytoskeleton with irregular arrangement and reduced tension fibers occurred in the cells except for those in the normal gravity group, which was especially obvious in the microgravity+cytochalasins B group. Compared with the normal gravity group, the cells in the other groups showed increased iNOS activity and NO concentration but decreased eNOS activity, especially obvious in simulated microgravity+ cytochalasins B group.

CONCLUSIONDisruption of the microfilament cytoskeleton induced by simulated microgravity can regulate the NO/NOS system to influence the signal transduction of the osteoblasts.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cytoskeleton ; physiology ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Weightlessness ; Weightlessness Simulation

BACKGROUNDTransplantation of mensenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been proposed as a promising way for tissue engineering. However, the application of MSCs for transplantation will undergo apoptosis due to the extremely harsh microenvironment such as excessive inflammation. Apigenin (API) has been reported to protect cells against inflammatory damage and cell death by exhibiting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative capacity. Here we investigated the modulatory effects of API in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation and apoptosis of MSCs, and further defined the underlying mechanism.

METHODSEffects of different concentrations of API (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µmol/L) for 24 hours, and LPS (0, 0.5 and 5.0 µg/ml) for 6 hours and 24 hours on MSCs viability were assayed by MTT. Based on this, MSCs were pretreated with different concentrations of API (0 - 40 µmol/L) at the indicated times (6, 12 and 24 hours) followed by exposure to 5 µg/ml LPS for 24 hours. MTT, phase-contrast microscopy, annexinV/propidium iodide (PI) double stain flow cytometry (FCM) and Hoechst staining were applied to explore the effects of API on MSCs induced by 5 µg/ml LPS for 24 hours. In addition, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to detect the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), pro-apoptotic gene caspase-3, Bad, and anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. Moreover, AutoDock software was used to imitate the docking score of API and vitamin D receptor (VDR). In parallel, Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to investigate protein and mRNA expression of VDR.

RESULTSMSCs stimulated with LPS 5 µg/ml for 24 hours was used as a model of apoptosis induced by over inflammatory stimulus. API (0 - 40 µmol/L) had non-toxic effect on MSCs; however, it could decrease mRNA expression of COX-2, iNOS and NF-κB at different time points in MSCs induced by LPS, except for API at the concentration of 5 µmol/L.

RESULTSfrom phase-contrast microscopy, MTT, Hoechst staining and AnnexinV/PI double stain FCM demonstrated that with the increasing concentrations of API and extension of administrating time, significant morphological changes of MSCs occurred, viability of cells was strongly inhibited, and meanwhile, apoptosis of LPS-administrated MSCs was exacerbated, compared with LPS individual group. In addition, API promoted caspase-3, Bad mRNA expression and inhibited Bcl-2 mRNA expression in a time-dependent and concentration- dependent manner. Further study found that pro-apoptosis effect of API was related to suppress VDR expression.

CONCLUSIONSAPI could inhibit the expression of inducible inflammatory factors, therefore exert the strong anti-inflammatory function. However, API could not protect MSC apoptosis induced by LPS but amplified the apoptosis. The apoptosis is related to Bad/Bcl-2 increasing and caspase-3 activation, which is mediated through suppressing VDR expression.

Animals ; Apigenin ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

In order to find antiviral compounds with novel structures, geldanamycin and lamivudine with different antiviral mechanisms were conjunctively synthesized to acquire a new compound TC-GM, and the antiviral activity of TC-GM was measured. The antiviral activity against HIV-1 was examined by p24 antigen ELISA kit. The activity against HBV was examined by dotblot. The activity against HSV and CoxB virus was examined by CPE. TC-GM exhibited broad-spectrum antiviral activities similarly like geldanamycin. TC-GM inhibited the replication of different viruses, including HIV-1, HBV, HSV 1 and 2, CoxB6. TC-GM showed more potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 and HBV than other detected virus.
Animals ; Anti-HIV Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antiviral Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Benzoquinones ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Enterovirus B, Human ; drug effects ; physiology ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; physiology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; drug effects ; physiology ; Herpesvirus 2, Human ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Lactams, Macrocyclic ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Lamivudine ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; pathology ; virology ; Vero Cells ; Virus Replication ; drug effects