Objective To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) treatment on the brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) serum levels in depressive patients.Methods Sixty-eight unipolar depressions treated with venlafaxine were randomly assigned to the real rTMS group(n =34)and the sham rTMS group(n =34),which were accepted the real or the shame rTMS treatment on the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobes respectively.The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and BDNF serum was assayed before and after 4 weeks' treatment.Results 1) A significant increase of serum BDNF((12.2 ± 1.3) μg/L vs (5.6 ± 0.8) μg/L,t=-9.167,P=0.000;(11.4 ± 1.5)μg/L vs (6.0± 1.0)μg/L,t=-7.421,P=0.000)and a significant decline of HAMD((11.6 ± 1.7) score vs (32.6 ± 2.5) score,t =14.654,P =0.000 ; (4.2 ± 2.8) score vs (31.8 ± 3.2)score,t=12.089,P =0.000) were found after the treatment in the real and the shame group,and the real group changed more significantly than the shame group ((6.7 ± 0.8) μg/L vs (5.1 ± l.2) μg/L,t =2.690,P =0.009 ; (21.0 ± 2.1) score vs (17.6 ± 2.6) score,t =2.693,P =0.000).2) A negative correlation was found between the serum BDNF levels and the HAM D scores before the treatment(r =-0.530,P=0.003; r =-0.490,P =0.004),and a positive correlation between changes of BDNF levels and HAMD scores changes(r =0.439,P =0.006 ; r =0.454,P =0.005).Conclusion The rTMS treatment can increase serum BDNF levels in depressive patients.

Objective To retrospectively evalute the value and accuracy of adenosine stress and rest SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. Methods A total of 1858 patients who were suspected or known for coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent 99Tcm-methoxyisobutylisonitrile ( MIBI ) myocardial perfusionSPECT with adenosine infusion using the standard 2-day protocol. Images were interpreted by two or more experienced nuclear medicine physicians . Coronary angiography was carried out in all patients within one month. Kappa test was used to analyze the correlation between the two imaging studies. Results By coronary angiography, there were 957 patients diagnosed of CAD (one-, two-, three-vessel disease: 506,256,195, respectively) and 901 normal. Stenosis was found in 1603 vessels, including left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD): 765, left circumflex coronary artery (LCX): 399 and right coronary artery (RCA): 439. By adenosine induced stress myocardial perfusion imaging, 876 patients were diagnosed of myocardial ischemia ( sensitivity: 876/957, 91.54% ) and 651 patients had negative findings ( specificity:651/901,72.25 % ). The positive and negative predictive values were 77.80% ( 876/1126 ) and 88.93% (651/732), respectively. The correlation coefficient between the two imaging studies was 0.641. The vessel-based sensitivity was 81.31% (622/765) for LAD, 56.64% (226/399) for LCX and 70.62% (310/439) for RCA, respectively. The sensitivity for detection of one-, two-, three-vessel stenosis was 87.55% (443/506), 94.92% (243/256) and 97.44% (190/195), respectively. The side-effects was mild and transient with an incidence rate of 84.12% ( 1563/1858), without major cardiac events. Conclusion Stress myocardial perfusion imaging induced by adenosine is reliable for the evaluation of myocardial blood supply in CAD patients.

Colorectal Neoplasms ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; pathology ; Rectal Neoplasms ; complications ; Skin Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; secondary ; Thorax ; pathology

In order to establish the stable andreliable ISSR-PCR System of Lysimachia christinae, L16 (4(5)) orthogonal design, which based on 7 levels of single factor experiment, were used in this study. The variance analysis was carried out by SPSS 19.0, and 5 main factors affecting the reaction system were optimized in 4 levels. The best annealing temperature was selected by the optimized reaction system. And the stability and reliability of this system was tested by 23 samples from different origins. The results showed that the five factors (DNA template, primer, dNTP, Mg2+ and Taq enzyme) were the most impacts on the amplified results of ISSR-PCR of L. christinae. The order of the influence was: primer > Taq enzyme > DNA template > Mg2+ > dNTP. The optimal system, which was determined by multiple comparison on different levels of each factor, was total volume of 25 microL, including DNA template 60 ng, primer 0.3 micromol x L(-1), dNTP 0.2 mmol x L(-1), Mg2+ 1.8 mmol x L(-1), Taq enzyme 1.25 U. The optimal system was stable and reliable tested by 23 samples from different origins. This study lays the foundation for genetic diversity analysis, fine varieties selection and molecular identification of L. christinae, and provides reference for optimization on ISSR-PCR system of other speciesin future.
DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Primulaceae ; classification ; genetics ; Quality Control

The urate transporter 1 (URAT1) which controls urate reabsorption is a membrane transporter in the apical membrane of human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. It was found that about 90% of patients suffer from hyperuricemia due to insufficient uric acid excretion. Therefore, the development of URAT1 inhibitors that can reduce the level of serum uric acid in vivo by enhancing renal urate excretion has been a hot spot in seeking anti-gout drugs in recent years. In this article, the representative URAT1 inhibitors with uric acid-lowering or anti-gout effects are reviewed, and related medicinal chemical strategies are analyzed, hoping to provide valuable insights into the discovery of new URAT1 inhibitors.

Objective To describe the skeletal CT imaging manifestations in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC),and to analyze their diagnostic value so as to establish an adequate skeletal change imaging data for the diagnosis of TSC.Methods Thirteen patients fulfilling TSC diagnostic criteria were examined with CT of the brain (n=13)and abdomen (n=7).Examinations from January,2004 to July, 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.Results There were three forms of lesions being demonstrated on CT: (1)Multiple sclerosing nodule (n=13):numerous,ovoid and circular,homogeneous,small and well- defined loci and symmetrical lesions were revealed in all cases in the central marrow portion of the bones, which could mimic blastic metastases.Follow-up CT imaging showed no change in both size and number. The lesions measured approximately 2-10mm.(2)Local sclerosing bone dysplasia with little bone expansion (n=7).Symmetrical and irregular density in the radix of the posterior arch of the vertebral body (n = 5 ).(3 )The spherical periosteal proliferation demonstrating as a cortex double line sign (n=2 ),and cortical thickening of metatarsals (n = 3 ).The appearance of the skeletal manifestation was as that in adulthood.Conclusion CT imaging of the skeletal system in TSC has some characteristics,by which the diagnosis of TSC could be made if combined with other main clinical diagnostic criteria. We suggest that those particular findings can be added as primary diagnostic features in the clinical diagnosis of TSC.

OBJECTIVETo assess the HER-2 status in Chinese advanced gastric cancer patients and explore its correlation with clinical features, treatment response and prognosis.

METHODSA total of 107 patients with advanced gastric cancer treated in our hospital from December 2005 to November 2008 were included in this retrospective analysis. HER-2 status was determined by immunohistochemisty (IHC) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The correlations of HER-2 status with tumor location, pathology, treatment response and prognosis were analyzed and the efficacy of different chemottherapy regimens was compared.

RESULTSThe overall positive rate of HER-2 expression was 14.7% (15/102). The HER-2 status was detected by both methods in 102 patients, and the concordance of the two methods was 66.5%. The tumor site distribution was gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) 28.0%, proximal stomach 19.4%, gastric corpus 16.1%, antrum 26.9% and whole stomach 9.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference of HER-2 status among different tumor sites (P = 0.726), and no significant correlation between HER-2 expression and differentiation (P = 0.110). Among the evaluable 51 patients treated by first-line chemotherapy, the total objective effective rate was 23.5%. The median time-to-progression was 7.47 months, and median overall survival time was 11.07 months. The effective rate was 43.8% in patients who received XP regimen chemotherapy (cisplatin + capecitabine), significantly higher than the 14.3% in patients treated with other regimens (P = 0.033). Their overall survival was 14.17 months and 9.53 months, respectively (P = 0.059). The TTP was 6.63 months in HER-2 positive patients and 7.47 months in HER-2 negative patients, with a non-significant difference (P = 0.510). However, there was a improving tendency in the efficacy and OS, showing a effective rate of 45.5% and 17.5% (P = 0.102) and OS of 14.17 months and 10.63 months, respectively (P = 0.205).

CONCLUSIONSHER-2-positivity rate in Chinese patients with advanced gastric cancer is similar to those reported in the literature. Along with the increasing use of targeted therapy and targeted agents, the efficacy and survival of gastric cancer patients is improving. HER-2-positive patients may benefit from it.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease Progression ; Esophagogastric Junction ; pathology ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus irinotecan-based regimen for the first line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, and to investigate the correlation between serum tumor markers including CEA and CA19-9 and response as well as prognosis.

METHODSFrom May 2007 to July 2008, 67 previously untreated mCRC patients received treatment of IFL (n = 25), IFL plus Bevacizumab (n = 20) or FOLFIRI (n = 22). The treatment continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients were evaluable for response, survival and toxicity analysis. The objective response rate of IFL, IFL plus Bevacizumab or FOLFIRI regimen groups was 16.0% (4/25), 35.0% (7/20) and 18.2% (4/22), respectively (χ(2) = 6.026, P = 0.049). The median progression-free survival (PFS) of IFL plus bevacizumab group was 7.5 months, significantly improved as compared with 3.7 months in the IFL group and 4 months in FOLFIRI group (χ(2) = 11.97, P = 0.003). Of all 67 cases, the one-year survival rate was 47.0%, two-year survival rate was 27.0%, and the median overall survival (OS) was 13.0 months, with no significant difference among the three treatment groups (χ(2) = 3.42, P = 0.18). The serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were decreased after treatment, but with no significant difference among the three groups (P > 0.05). The common toxicity profiles of IFL and FOLFIRI regimens were diarrhea and neutropenia, while the toxicity related to bevacizumab was consistent with that documented in previous literature, such as hypertension, hemorrhage, cardiac toxicity and delayed wound healing.

CONCLUSIONThe addition of bevacizumab to irinotecan-based regimen significantly improves the response rate and PFS in first-line treatment for patients with mCRC and its toxicity is well tolerated.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; blood ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bevacizumab ; CA-19-9 Antigen ; blood ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Colonic Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; chemically induced ; Leucovorin ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Rectal Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

AIM AND METHODSThe effects of losartan (after operation 2 week to 10 week, 5 mg/kg d ig) on generation of AT1R-AA in sera were observed during development of hypertension in rats. The renovascular hypertension (RVH) model was established by two-kidney one-clip method, a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid sequence 165-191 of the second extracellular loop of the angiotensin II-1 receptor (AT1R) was used as antigen, SA-ELISA were used to examine sera AT1R autoantibody (AT1R-AA).

RESULTSThe frequencies and titres of AT1R-AA after operation one week rats were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The treatment with losartan not only inhibited structural and functional changes, but also the frequencies and titres of AT1R-AA was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than RVH group.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that the losartan significantly inhibits generation of the AT1R-AA.

Animals ; Autoantibodies ; biosynthesis ; blood ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; blood ; immunology ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo identify novel genetic mutations in Chinese patients with congenital patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

METHODClinical data and peripheral blood specimens from a kindred spanning 3 generations in which 5 of 16 individuals had PDA and a cohort of 95 unrelated subjects with PDA were collected, and 100 unrelated healthy individuals were included as controls. The coding exons and flanking introns of TFAP-2B gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers. We aligned the acquired sequences with which publicized in GenBank by the aid of program BLAST. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to amplify the parts of TFAP-2B and sequencing was performed on PCR products forward and reversely directly.

RESULTSequencing of TFAP-2B identified that there was a splice-junction in intron 3 [intron 3(+5)G > A] and a 60 bp deletion was found in exon 3 by nested PCR. Additionally, a novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) where a transition of guanine (G) to adenine (A) was identified at 34 bp front of transcription initiation site in TFAP-2B gene. There were significant differences in the prevalence of alleles G and A between controls and PDA patients (Z = -2.513, P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONWe identified a novel splice-junction in TFAP-2B gene which might lead to hereditary PDA in a Chinese family. However, the mechanism by which this mutation results in PDA is still to be ascertained.

Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Transcription Factor AP-2 ; genetics