Post-stroke fatigue (PoSF) is an independent pathologic symptom after stroke which negatively influenced activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) of the stroke patients. PoSF is irrelevant to depression, age, state of the illness, etc. PoSF should be assessed appropriately and alleviated by medicine, diet, sleep, exercise, and health education, etc.

Objective To explore the relationship between reduction of regional cerebral blood flow in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and the extent of age-related white matter lesions (WML).Methods We used Fazekas scale to divide all participants into four groups (normal,mild,moderate,severe) according to the extent of the lesions showed on MRI.Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the area of WML and NAWM was measured by xenon contrast CT examination.Results A total of 56 cases were selected.The average rCBF (ml · 100 g-1 · min-1) in the lesions (WML) around ventricle,in right centrum ovale and in left centrum ovale respectively was 20.33 ± 2.52,21.27 ± 1.02,21.03 ± 1.83 for mild; 16.33 ±2.03,15.55 ±1.71,15.91 ±0.98 for moderate; 14.05 ±2.63,14.46 ±2.17,14.23 ± 1.95 for severe.The average rCBF (ml · 100 g-1 · min-1) in the NAWM around ventricle,in right centrum ovale and in left centrum ovale respectively was 20.79 ± 2.78,22.26 ± 1.9,22.15 ± 2.4 for normal; 21.12 ± 2.95,22.17 ± 1.50,22.25 ± 2.13 for mild,18.02 ± 2.41,19.45 ± 1.94,19.62 ± 1.54for moderate; 16.38 ± 3.22,18.18 ± 2.84,16.74 ± 2.97 for severe.The decrease of rCBF in the severe and moderate lesion areas was more serious than that in the mild lesion areas and reached statistic significance (P ＜ 0.05) ; The decrease of rCBF in the severe and moderate lesion areas was more serious than that in the area of NAWM in the same grade and reached statistic significance (P ＜ 0.05).The decrease of rCBF in the area of NAWM around severe and moderate lesion areas was more serious compared with that around mild lesion areas or normal areas (P ＜ 0.05) ; But the difference of rCBF in the area of NAWM around mild lesion areas and normal areas did not show any statistic significance.Conclusions Chronic ischemia was found to be existed not only in the lesions (WML) but also in the area of NAWM around the lesions,and was related to the extent of the lesions.Chronic ischemia may play a key role in the mechanism of aged-related WML.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of human caudal-related homeobox 2 (Cdx2) gene expression on human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC-803.

METHODSpCMV-Cdx2-HA eukaryotic expression plasmid was constructed by using DNA recombinant method. The MGC-803 cells were divided into 4 groups: non-transfected, transfected with pCMV-HA, transfected with pCMV-GAPDH-HA, transfected with pCMV-Cdx2-HA. Cdx2 gene and its protein expression was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot techniques respectively. The effects of Cdx2 overexpression on the growth of MGC-803 cells in vitro was assessed by measuring MTT, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy analysis.

RESULTSIn MGC-803 cells transfected with pCMV-Cdx2-HA, cell proliferation was significantly suppressed, the cells was ultrastructurally destroyed, cell cycle progression was blocked in G0/G1 and apoptosis rate was higher (P<0.05) in comparison with non-transfected cells or cells transfected with empty vector.

CONCLUSIONIt indicated that Cdx2 gene can suppress the growth of gastric carcinoma and may save as a novel therapeutic target.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection

In order to reveal the cause of disease occurred in the process of Coptis chinensis growth, this paper studied the bacterial species diversity index of different aged rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil planting normal or sick C. chinensis by using PCR-DGGE technique. The representative DGGE bands were chosen to be cloned, and sequenced, the phylogeny were constructed. The results showed that the bacterial communities were very different between the normal and diseased soil samples of C. chinensis, and the diversity index (H) of diseased soil samples were higher than that of normal soil samples. Sequencing analysis of representative cloned DGGE bands showed that the unculturable bacteria were the dominant groups, and bacteria belonged to genus Bacillus, Acidovorax, Acinetobacter, uncultured Kluyvera, and uncultured Comamonas were also existing, but the reported plant pathogenic bacteria were not found in the C. chinensis planting soil. The density and brightness of clone band d in diseased soil samples was higher than that in normal soil sample, and sequencing analysis showed that it belonged to genus Acidovorax. Obviously, during the process of C. chinensis growth, the rhizospheric bacteria population changed, and the quantity of bacteria belong Acidovorax increased, which probably resulted in the disease occurred during C. chinensis growth.
Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Biodiversity ; Coptis ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizosphere ; Soil Microbiology

Objective To investigate the effect of low molecular weight heparin combined with active immunization on patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion and its influences of hemodynamics.Methods A total of 92 cases of recurrent spontaneous abortion patients were randomly divided into treatment group (46 cases) and control group (46 cases).In control group,the lymphocytes of the patients' husbands were actively immunized.After pregnancy confirmed with blood β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG),the patients were administered of progesterone 40 mg,intramuscularly once a day until 14 weeks of gestation.The treatment group was treated with low molecular heparin calcium 5000 U,twice a day on the basis of control group until 24 h before termination of pregnancy.The clinical efficacy,the levels of β-HCG,progesterone and hemodynamics and the incidence of adverse drug reactions were observed before and after treatment.Results The clinical effective rate in treatment group was 95.65％ (44 cases/46 cases),had significant difference with that in control group,which was 76.09％ (35 cases/46 cases,P ＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of β-HCG in treatment group and control group were (6535.05 ± 54.34),(9845.50 ± 86.91) mU · mL-1,progesterone were (123.45 ±3.79),(93.24 ±5.18) nmol · L-1 (all P ＜0.05).After treatment,the blood viscosity,whole blood low shear viscosity and plasma viscosity in treatment group were (5.98 ± 0.52),(7.68 ± 0.51),(1.90 ± 0.34) mPa · s,had significant difference with those in control group,which were (7.78 ± 0.76),(9.18 ± 0.71),(2.30 ± 0.29) mPa · s (all P ＜ 0.05).In treatment group,there were 3 cases of erythema and itching in the injection site,2 cases of temporary vaginal bleeding,the incidence of adverse drug reactions was 10.87％ (5 cases/46 cases).There were 4 cases of erythema and itching in the injection site in control group,with incidence of 8.70％ (4cases/46 cases,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Low molecular weight heparin combined with active immunization has a significant effect on recurrent spontaneous abortion,and can improve the blood rheology.

OBJECTIVETo explorer the effectiveness of enriched bone marrow stem cells technique for lumbar fusion.

METHODSWith the randomization and control principles, 2 graft materials [Enrichment bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells hybridized with beta-tri calcium phosphate (composite graft group), autologous iliac crest bone graft (autograft group)] were compared in posterior lumbar fusion procedures. 56 patients with degenerative disc disease, lumbar instability or spinal stenosis, were included. The volume of cells suspension in pre- and post-enrichment and the number of nucleated cells (NCs) were identified. The number of osteoprogenitor cells was estimated by counting the colony-forming units which express alkaline phosphatase (CFUs/ALP+). Then the efficiency of the enrichment was evaluated. Clinical follow-up with roentgenogram and Oswestry scale scores was performed for outcome evaluation.

RESULTS(249 +/- 31) ml bone marrow per patient from bilateral iliac crests was aspirated peri-operatively. About (43 +/- 11) ml enriched bone marrow was collected. The number of NCs was concentrated from (15.9 +/- 3.3) x 10(6)/ml to (44.1 +/- 10.8) x 10(6)/ml, CFUs/ALP+ was significantly increased from (118 +/- 86)/ml to(486 +/- 305)/ml. The follow-up was about (26.3 +/- 7.5) months. There was no significant differences in age, gender, disease and fusion segments between the two groups. The fusion rate was 93.3% and 96.2% for composite graft group and autograft group, respectively (chi2 = 0.2146, P = 0.6432). There was no difference in operation time between the two group (t = 0.5243, P = 0.6022), but blood loss in composite graft group was more than that in autograft group (t = 6.4664, P < 0.01). Cell salvage for auto-transfusion could transfuse back half of the blood loss during operation. No hematoma or chronic soreness in the bone marrow donor sites of composite graft group occurred, but a little exudation or moderate swelling in the wound happened in 4 cases which disappeared under medical treatment. Meanwhile, 15.4% patients had hematoma in the iliac bone donor site and 26.9% patients had chronic soreness, but no case had wound problem in autograft group. As for Oswestry scale scores, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe enrichment technique of autologous bone marrow stem cells can greatly increase the concentration of MSCs. It is a rapid and safe method used peri-operatively. The composite material of enriched MSCs and porous beta-TCP is a good bone substitute in posterior spinal fusion.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Substitutes ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Calcium Phosphates ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ilium ; transplantation ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Immunohistochemistry ; Pericytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Staining and Labeling

OBJECTIVETo clone a novel human testis-specific gene TDRG1.

METHODSA new contig of expression sequence tags (ESTs) Hs.180197 was identified from the testis libraries using digital differential display (DDD) to screen the novel human testis-specific gene. To validate the use of bioinformatics approaches in gene discovery, the ESTs Hs.180197, which was predicted to be testis specific, was chosen for further study. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on different normal tissues to identify the expression of Hs.180197 in human testis. Using bioinformatics methods and IMAGE cloning of this contig, the full-length cDNA sequence of the noval human gene was cloned.

RESULTSThis novel gene was 1197 bp in length, located in chromosome 6p21.1-p21.2. The sequence of the open reading frame was 504-806 bp, as confirmed by RT-PCR and sequencing in human testis. The cDNA encodes a novel protein of 100 amino acids with a theoretical molecular weight of 10 000 and isoelectric point of 6.81. The sequence shares no significant homology with any known protein in the databases. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of multiple tissues further showed that the novel gene was expressed specifically in adult human testis. Considering a possible relation of this novel gene with the function of human testis, we named this new gene TDRG1 (testis development related gene 1, GenBank accession number: DQ168992).

CONCLUSIONDDD combined with laboratory validation is an efficient method for identifying new human functional genes.

Adult ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Databases, Genetic ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Organ Specificity ; Proteins ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Alignment ; Testis ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDMultidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is an important and emerging hospital-acquired pathogen worldwide. This study was conducted to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

METHODSWe conducted a prospective active surveillance study of MDRAB in three ICUs at a Chinese Hospital from April to August 2011, to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia.

RESULTSOne hundred and fourteen (13.0%) MDRAB isolates were detected from 876 specimens, with a sensitivity of 11.6% (55/474) in screening of the pharyngeal and tracheal swabs, and 14.7% (59/402) of the sputum/endotracheal aspirates. MDRAB colonization/infection was found in 34 (26.8%) of 127 patients, including 16 (12.6%) cases of pure colonization and 18 (14.2%) cases of pneumonia (two pre-ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia and 16 ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia). Previous respiratory tract MDRAB colonization was found in 22 (17.3%) patients: eight (6.3%) were pre-ICU-acquired colonization and 14 (11.0%) ICU-acquired colonization. Of eight pre-ICU-colonized patients, five were transferred from other wards or hospitals with hospitalization > 72 hours, and three came from the community with no previous hospitalization. Overall, 6/22 colonized patients presented with secondary pneumonia; only two (9.1%) colonized MDRAB strains were associated with secondary infections. Respiratory tract MDRAB colonization had no significant relationship with nosocomial pneumonia (P = 0.725). In addition, acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and prior carbapenem use were risk factors for MDRAB colonization/infection.

CONCLUSIONSA high proportion of cases of MDRAB colonization/infection in ICU patients were detected through screening cultures. About one-third were acquired from general wards and the community before ICU admission. The low incidence of MDRAB colonization-related pneumonia questions the appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cross Infection ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology