Objective To investigate the differences of blood glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between the patients with acute cerebral infarction and healthy controls, and explore the relation between HbA1c level and both neurological deficits scores and imaging of lesions in number. Methods One hundred and eighty-six patients with acute cerebral infarction within 1 week were performed neurological deficits scales after the admission; the HbA1c level was measured within 24 h admission; brain MRI scan was performed on these patients 48 h after onset or stabilization. Glucose tolerance test was taken at the rehabilitation of infarction (except for having a clear history of diabetes before). At the same time, 160 healthy controls were checked on the level of HbA1c and taken the glucose tolerance test. The differences of blood HbA1c levels between the patients with acute cerebral infarction and healthy controls were investigated; and the relation between HbA1c level and both neurological deficits scores and imaging of lesions in number was explored. Results The HbA1c level in patients with acute cerebral infarction (6.982%±1.803%) was significantly higher than that in the controls (5.128%±0.592%, P<0.05). The level of HbA1c in patients with cerebral infarction and the neurological deficits scores were positively correlated (r=0.760, P<0.05). The level of HbA1c in patients with 2 lesions (6.635%±0.427%) was obviously higher than that in patients with 1 lesion (5.803%±0.307%, P<0.05); The level of HbA1c in patients with 3 or more lesions (8.571%±0.519%) was obviously higher than that in patients with 1 or 2 lesions (P<0.05). Conclusion Diabetes is a major risk factor for cerebral infarction. High HbA1c level might cause a series of cerebrovascular diseases, thus it is an important factor in the happening of cerebral infarction and HbA1c level is an important indicator of the early assessment of the severity of the diseases. The incidence of cerebral infarction can be decreased by controlling hyperglycaemia, lowering the HbA1c levels.

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effects of Tongxinluo (TXL) on apoptosis of rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (RCMECs) resulting from homocysteine (Hcy) induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and to determine the signaling pathway behind its protection.

METHODSPrimary cultured RCMECs were isolated from neonatal rats using tissue explant method. The morphology of RCMECs was observed using inverted microscope, identified and differentiated by CD31 immunofluorescence method. Selected were well growing 2nd-4th generations of RCMECs. The optimal action time was determined by detecting the expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) using immunofluorescence method. In the next experiment RCMECs were divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the Hcy induced group (Hcy 10 mmol/L, 10 h), the Hcy + TXL group (Hcy 10 mmol/L + TXL 400 µg/mL), the Hcy +LY294002 group (Hcy 10 mmol/L + LY294002 5 µmol/L, LY294002 as the inhibitor of PI3K), the Hcy + LY294002 + TXL group (Hcy 10 mmol/L + LY294002 5 µmol/L + TXL 400 µg/mL). The apoptosis rate of RCMECs was detected by flow cytometry. mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, C/ EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-12 (caspase12) were detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. Expression levels of phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P-PI3K), total phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (T- P13K) , phosphorylation of kinase B (P-Akt) , and total kinase B (T-Akt) were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSTen hours Hcy action time was determined. Compared with the blank control group, the apoptosis rate was increased (22.77%), mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase-12 were increased, protein expressions of P-PI3K and P-Akt,ratios of P-PI3K/T-PI3K and P-Akt/T-Akt were decreased in the Hcy induced group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Hcy induced group, the apoptosis rate was decreased (10.17%), mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase-12 were decreased, and expression levels of P-PI3K, P-Akt, P-PI3K/T-PI3K, and P-Akt/T-Akt were increased in the Hcy + TXL group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Hcy + TXL group, the apoptosis rate was increased (17.9%), mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase-12 were increased, expression levels of P-PI3K and P-Akt, ratios of P-PI3K/T-PI3K and P-Akt/T-Akt were decreased in the Hcy + TXL + LY294002 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTXL could inhibit the apoptosis of RCMECs resulting from Hcy-induced ERS and its mechanism might be associated with activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the cholinergic agonist carbachol-induced cardiovascular responses, changes of renin-angiotensin system were examined in fetal hormonal systems. In the ovine fetal model under stressless condition, the cardiovascular function was recorded. Blood samples were collected before (during baseline period) and after the intravenous administration of carbachol. Simultaneously, the levels of angiotensin I (Ang I), angiotensin II (Ang II) and vasopressin in the fetal plasma were detected by immunoradiological method. Also, blood gas, plasma osmolality and electrolyte concentrations were analyzed in blood samples. Results showed that in chronically prepared ovine fetus, intravenous infusion of carbachol led to a significant decrease of heart rate (P < 0.05), and a transient decrease followed by an increase of blood pressure (P < 0.05) within 30 min. After the intravenous infusion of carbachol, blood concentrations of Ang I and Ang II in near-term ovine fetus were both significantly increased (P < 0.05); however, blood concentration of vasopressin, values of blood gas, electrolytes and plasma osmolality in near-term ovine fetus were not significantly changed (P > 0.05). Blood levels of Ang I and Ang II in the atropine (M receptor antagonist) + carbachol intravenous administration group was lower than those in the carbachol group without atropine administration (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study indicates that the near-term changes of cardiovascular system induced by intravenous administration of carbachol in ovine fetus, such as blood pressure and heart rate, are associated with the changes of hormones of circulatory renin-angiotensin system.
Angiotensin I ; blood ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Carbachol ; pharmacology ; Cholinergic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Fetus ; Heart Rate ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Sheep ; Vasopressins ; blood

OBJECTIVESTo study the effect of acute urinary retention on the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration.

METHODSBlood samples from 34 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients with acute urinary retention were drawn immediately before suprapubic cystomy and 48 hours after relief of urinary retention. Serum PSA concentrations were measured with radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe mean serum PSA levels of BPH patients with acute urinary retention was (24.6 +/- 16.1) micrograms/L (range from 2.6 micrograms/L to 45.8 micrograms/L). Forty-eight hours after relief of urinary retention, the mean serum PSA levels declined to (9.4 +/- 6.3) micrograms/L (range from 1.7 micrograms/L to 16.6 micrograms/L). The difference was significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAcute urinary retention could dramatically increase the serum PSA value of patients with BPH. After relief of the urinary retention, the patients had a great than 50% decreased of PSA values.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; blood ; Urinary Retention ; blood

[Objective] To improve the understanding of CT and MRI features of giant cell reparative granuloma of temporal bone and reduce misdiagnosis.[Methods] The CT and MR images of 4 cases of GCRG of temporal bone were analyzed,compared with their operation and pathology results.[Results] All the lesions of the 4 cases were located in the anterior and lower parts of the temporal bone with widely destruction.The CT images showed expansive destruction of bone with disruption of osseous shell,strip and punctate calcification and ossification in and around the lesion,and osteosclerosis of the adjacent bone,which consistent with the scope of the operation.The MR images showed a large patchy of low signal intensity on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images,which showed heterogeneous enhancement after injection of contrast.Fibrous proliferation with multiple multinuclear giant cells and hemosiderin deposition were showed under microscope.[Conclusion] The morphological and pathological characteristics of recurrent intraosseous hemorrhage and parcels of granulation tissue in GCRG of the temporal bone could be reflected by CT and MR images,which has certain characteristics and is of important significance to the diagnosis of the tumor.

Objective To measure the level of microglia TRPC6 in mouse MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-induced neuroinflammation model and investigate its role in cytokine production and dopaminergic neuron damages. Methods Microglia were sorted by magnetic beads labeled with CD11b antibody and the level of TRPC6 in MPTP-induced neuroinflammation models was measured by western blotting. The proliferation of microglia and damages of dopaminergic neurons induced by MPTP were analyzed by immunofluorescence in CD11b-TRPC6 -/ - mice. Meanwhile, the expression of cryαB and cytokines in microglia was measured by western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Results The level of microglia TRPC6 in MPTP-induced neuroinflammation model was up-regulated. The expression of cryαB was increased and the cytokine level was down-regulated in the microglia in MPTP-injected CD11b-TRPC6 -/ - mice. Moreover, the dopaminergic neuron survival was improved in the MPTP-induced neuroinflammation model after TRPC6 knock-out in the microglia. Conclusions The expression of TRPC6 in microglia is up-regulated after MPTP injection, while in CD11b-TRPC6 -/ - mice the MPTP-induced cytokine expression is reduced, contributing to the improvement of dopaminergic neuron survival.

500 pmol/L were greater than those in any group.Conclusion Serum MMP-2 can be involved in left ventricular remodeling of HF,and measuring its concentration is helpful to judge the severity and prognosis of HF.

The immunological parameters were analyzed during pregnancy of Lewis rats by the methods of flow cytometry, thymidine incorporation and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT). MHC II of spleen mononuclear cells (MNCs) and CD11c of periphery blood MNCs was apparently downregulated in late pregnancy, while the costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 showed no difference. Increased expression of Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-4) and TGFbeta was detected in the spleen and peripheral blood MNCs in the third trimester by flow cytometry. No suppression of Th1 cytokine represented by IFNgamma was found. Furthermore, antigen specific proliferation of spleen and peripheral blood MNCs was unchanged, but higher proliferation of MNCs from mesenteric lymph nodes was shown in late pregnancy. There was an inhibition of antigen specific antibody production in pregnancy examined by ELISPOT. These data indicate the immunomodulatory effects of sex-hormones in pregnancy, which may be related to the remission of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases during pregnancy.
Animals ; B7-1 Antigen ; immunology ; CD11c Antigen ; immunology ; Female ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; immunology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Animal ; immunology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore multi-drug resistance (MDR) of bladder cancer for the intravesical instillation.

METHODSUsing immunohistochemical staining, in 44-case human bladder cancer cells, the expressions of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), glutathione S-transferase (GST-pi) and topoisomerase (TOPO-II), were detected to find out the resistance to drugs.

RESULTSP-gp had a higher expression in 54.5% cases. GST-pi had no or a lower expression in 65.9% cases. TOPO-II had a higher expression in 29.5% but a lower expression in 65.9% cases.

CONCLUSIONDetecting the factors of MDR in bladder cancer cells could help to choose drugs for intravesical chemotherapy.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; analysis ; Administration, Intravesical ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; analysis ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Female ; Glutathione Transferase ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the optimal timing of operation and the therapeutic effect of endoscopic optic nerve decompression for traumatic optic neuropathy (TON).

METHODSThe clinical records of 90 consecutive patients with TON (93 eyes) after head and/or maxillofacial trauma from April 1998 to March 2007 were reviewed and analyzed. All patients were either unresponsive or intolerant to medication before they underwent intranasal endoscopic optic nerve decompression. The time interval between the injury and operation ranged from one day to 97 days (median 5.5 days). Among the 93 eyes, there were 71 eyes with no visual acuity before operation and 22 eyes with residue visual acuity, including light perception in 1 eye, hand movement in 5 eyes, counting fingers in 13 eyes, 0.04 in 1 eye, and 0.1 in 2 eyes. Duration of follow-up ranged from 6 days to two years (median 8 days).

RESULTSAfter decompression, 35 patients (36/93 eyes, 38.7%) showed improvement of visual acuity, 53 patients (55 eyes, 59.1%) remained the same as before operation, while 2 patients (2 eyes, 2.2%) showed decreased visual acuity. Among patients with visual acuity beyond light perception before decompression, 68.2% of them (15/22 eyes) experienced visual improvement, whereas only 22.9% (8/35 eyes, 0.02 in two eyes) among patients who lost visual acuity immediately after injury, and 36.1% (13/36 eyes, 0.02 in five eyes) among those who lost visual acuity gradually after injury. There was a significant difference in visual improvement between group with visual acuity and group with no visual acuity (chi(2) = 11.864, P < 0.01). Among patients with no visual acuity, 41.2% of those (7/17 eyes) who underwent operation within 3 days of injury, experienced improvement in visual acuity, compared with 25.9% (14/54 eyes) for those who underwent the operation more than 3 days after injury. It was indicated that no significant difference in visual improvement between these two groups (chi(2) = 1.46, P > 0.05). When comparing different sites of fracture, the effect of surgery was the most desirable (55.6%, 10/18 eyes improved) if the fracture occurred simultaneously in both exterior and interior walls of optic canal, followed by the interior wall fracture (45.7%, 21/46 eyes). The operation was less effective if there was no fraction (20%, 4/20 eyes) or if the fracture occurred in exterior wall alone (11.1%, 1/9 eyes).

CONCLUSIONSEndoscopic optic nerve decompression is a minimally invasive procedure with no adverse cosmetic effects. Early operation is recommended for saving vision, even though visual acuity is lost immediately after injury. However, the satisfactory clinical effects of endoscopic optic nerve decompression require further study.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Nose ; surgery ; Optic Nerve Injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult