Objective To explore the incidence rate, total incidence numbers and possible impacting factors of non-motor symptoms (NMSs) in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods The NMS questionnaire (NMS Quest) was used to investigate 131 out-patients diagnosed with PD, and the prevalence of each item, the total NMS numbers and their relationships with clinical features were assessed. Results All of the patients, who were distributed in every stage of PD, had NMSs and each case with 11 items on average. Autonomic symptoms such as nocturia and constipation were the most frequent ones. The patients over 65 versus less than 65 years old had a higher prevalence in a number of items such as olfactory disturbance, dysphagia and constipation. At the same time, the rigidity subtype patients had a higher prevalence in depression items than the tremor subtype ones.The total number of NMS was positively correlated with course of disease, age, UPDRS score and Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage. Conclusions NMSs are common among PD patients. While the prevalence of each item may vary with different clinical features, the total number of NMS is increased with the severity of PD. More attention should be paid to the diagnosis and rational treatment of the NMSs.

The study was aimed to examine the prevalence of depression in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and identify its features. A total of 131 out-patients, diagnosed as having idiopathic PD in accordance with the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank criteria, were interviewed with questionnaire and evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hohen &Yahr staging (H&Y staging) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Patients were divided into three groups in terms of HRSD score: depression group, sub-threshold depression group and non-depression group. The clinical variables and symptom profiles were obtained and compared among the three groups. The results showed that 27 patients (20.6%) fell into the depression group, 71 (54.2%) into the sub-threshold depression group, and 33 (25.2%) into the non-depression group. There were no differences in age, gender or tremor score among the groups (P>0.05). Significant differences were found in duration of PD, UPDRS score, rigidity score and H&Y stage between the sub-threshold depression group (or the depression group) and the non-depression group (P<0.05). Moreover, the clinical variables in the subthreshold depression group had the trend of increasing with the severity of PD and their values were similar to those in the depression group. Anhedonia, feeling of incapability, sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal symptoms and depressive moods were most common in the depression group. And these symptoms also were more common in the other two groups. It is concluded that depression and sub-threshold depression are common in PD and share similar clinical features. Furthermore, subthreshold depression might be the prodrome of depression and may develop into depression as the condition progresses.

In order to meet the requirements of medical teaching contents and curriculum system reform, we adopt the experience ofHarvard University School of Medicine to integrate Biochemistry and Cell Biology into a new one—— "Chemistry and Biology of theCell". We have carried out the integration of the two courses three times. In this new course, repeated contents have been reduced, thelinkage of the two courses has been increased, and the burden of students was lightened,which makes students contact the clinic earlierand enables to improve the students' ability to solve problems.

OBJECTIVETo study the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) in neonatal rats after bilateral common arteries occlusion.

METHODSNinety-six 3-day-old Sparuge-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: ischemia and control. Rats in the ischemia group were subjected to bilateral common arteries occlusion and the rats in the control group were sham-operated. All rats were administrated with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) (50 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection. Rats were sacrificed and their brains were removed 1, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 35 days after ischemia. Using brain paraffin sections and immunofluorescence assays, the number of newborn cells in the SVZ was counted. Newborn neural stem cells and oligodendrocytes in the SVZ were observed, and then double marked with BrdU and nestin or osmium tetroxide (O4).

RESULTSThe number of BrdU+ cells (neural stem cells) in the SVZ in the ischemia group was greater than in the control group 4, 7, 10 and 14 days after ischemia, and reached a peak at 4 days after ischemia (253.1+/- 49.3 vs 133.5+/- 17.7; P< 0.01). By 35 days after ischemia, the number of BrdU+/O4+ cells (oligodendrocytes) in the corpus callosum (56.0+/- 7.2 vs 17.0+/- 6.4; P< 0.01), the septal nuclei (45.0+/- 11.9 vs 20.5+/- 5.0; P< 0.01), the striatum (34.5+/- 4.2 vs 14.5+/- 5.8; P< 0.01) and the olfactory bulb (46.5+/- 6.6 vs 23.5+/- 8.4; P< 0.01) in the ischemia group increased significantly as compared to the control group (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBrain ischemia can activate the proliferation of neural stem cells in the SVZ and promote neural stem cells differentiation into oligodendrocytes. The immature brain may have the capacity for self-repair after ischemic brain injury.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain Ischemia ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cerebral Ventricles ; physiopathology ; Female ; Male ; Neurogenesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cell Transplantation

The chromatographic fingerprint was established by eluting with the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.2% formic acid water on an Agilent TC-C18 (2) column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). Six chromatographic peaks were identified by HPLC-MS/MS method. Ten batches of Glycyrrhizea Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle were determined, and the similarity was arranged from 0.72 to 0.99. Good precision, stability and repeatability were obtained, and this study provides a reference for the quality control of Glycyrrhizea Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle.
China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the color Doppler ultrasonography and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) findings of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts (IPSVS).Methods Nineteen patients of congenital IPSVS were examined with color Doppler ultrasonography and CEUS.All patients were confirmed by CT angiography.The hepatic artery arrival time (HAAT),portal vein arrival time (PVAT),and hepatic vein arrival time (HVAT) on CEUS were recorded.The interval time between hepatic artery arrival time and hepatic vein arrival time (HA-HVTT) and the interval time between portal vein arrival time and hepatic vein arrival time (PV-HVTT) were calculated.Results The types of IPSVS between portal and systemic veins were based on Park's classification.Color Doppler ultrasonography showed abnormal communication between the portal vein branch and the hepatic veins,duplex Doppler ultrasonography showed abnormal spectral pattern from the portal vein such as undulating,triphasic waveform mimicked that of the hepatic vein.CEUS demonstrated abnormal communication between portal vein branch and hepatic vein.HVAT,HA-HVTT,and PV-HVTT were shorter statistically in congenital IPSVS group than those in cirrhosis and normal groups.Conclusions Congenital IPSVS is a rare vascular abnormality that is usually asymptomatic.Color Doppler ultrasonography is a useful tool for diagnosis of congenital IPSVS.CEUS provides helpful data for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of congenital IPSVS.

Objective To investigate the influence of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) on glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) expression in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD).Methods Eighty HIBD models of neonatal Wistar rats were made by shearing right arteria carotis communis and then breathing 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen for 2 hours.The models were divided into 2 groups randomly: trial group of bFGF and control group of normal sodium.The other 40 rats were taken into the sham(ope-)ration group.Expressions of GFAP were examined with immunohistochemical staining and image quantitative analysis at the 4~(th),7~(th),10~(th),17~(th) and 24~(th) days after operation.Results The expression of GFAP in hippocampal CA1 region of rats in sham operation group reached peak at the 7~(th) day after(ope-)ration.The expression of GFAP in control group increased and reached peak at the 10~(th) day after(ope-)ration,which GFAP-positive cells mainly appeared in hippocampal CA1 region and CA3 region.The expression of GFAP in hippocampal CA1 region of rats of trial group was higher than those of sham operation group and control group,which reached peak at the 10~(th) day after the operation,there was significant difference in 3 groups at the 4~(th),10~(th) and 17~(th) days after operation(all P

Objective To study the gene mutation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and p53 in bladder cancer tissue and to explore their relationship with tumor recurrence. Methods DHPLC and PCR direct sequence were used to detect the mutation of FGFR3 and p53 in BTCC (n=98) and normal bladder mucosa (n=10). Genomic DNA of 98 BTCC was extracted. The exon 5-8 of P53 and the exon 7, 10, 15 were amplification by PCR. The products of PCR was screened by DHPLC to detect the mutation of the production. The results of the FGFR3 and p53 mutation were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and no recurrence survival rate was tested by log rank test. All the analysis were aim to explore the clinical biological value of the mutation of FGFR3 and p53. Results Mutation of FGFR3 in BTCC (44. 9%) was higher than normal bladder mucosa(0, P<0.01). Mutation in T_a-T_1 was 75. 6%(33/45) ,T_2 -T_4 was 26. 6%C10/53). Mutation in G_1 was84. 6%(11/13),inG_2 was 61. 4% (27/44), in G_3 was 14. 6% (6/41), (P<0. 05). The mutation rate was lower with the higher of stage and grade. Mutation of p53 in BTCC (34. 6%) was higher than normal bladder mucosa (0%) (P<0. 01). Mutation in T_a - T_1 was 20. 0% (9/45), T_2 - T_4 was 47. 2%(25/53). Mutation in G_1 was G_1 7. 7%(1/13), in G_2 18. 2%(8/44),in G_3 58. 1%(25/41) , (P<0. 05). The mutation rate was higher in the higher stage and grade. Kaplan-Meier method results revealed that mutation of FGFR3 indicating a favorable prognosis while mutation of p53 indicating a poor prognosis. As to the analysis of genotype, the type of FGFR3mut/p53wt had a relative longer recurrent interval (P<0. 01). Conclusions Mutation of FGFR3 indicated a relative longer recurrent interval, which revealed a favorable prognosis of BTCC. Mutation of p53 indicated a relative shorter recurrent interval, which revealed a poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the management of pregnancy and cardiovascular complications in women with Marian syndrome(MFS).Methods From October 1994 to September 2006, 30 patients with MFS undergoing cardiovascular surgery were studied retrospectively.Results In the labor of 46 offsprings given birth by 30 women,5 cases(11%)were performed elective cesarean section because of the existence of aortic complication,and 12(26%)were diagnosed as MFS.The gestation in two patients was terminated due to deterioration of aortic abnormalities during their third trimester,and they received surgical treatment with Bcntall procedure.Two developed acute aortic dissection during labor and post delivery respectively.With the manipulation of anticoagulation peripartum,one who had the implantation with mechanical prosthesis went through pregnancy and delivery uneventfully.The average duration between delivery and cardiovascular surgery was(15?9)years.Conclusions Vaginal delivery can be done safely in patients with the MFS who do not have or have mild cardiovascular system abnormalities,aortic dissection,or other important cardiac abnormalities,cesarean section should be the preferred method of delivery.Women with MFS are at increased risk for dissection and congestive heart failure during pregnancy and should be counseled before pregnancy about these risks,as well as the inheritance of the condition.

Timely reporting, effective analyses and rapid distribution of surveillance data can assist in detecting the aberration of disease occurrence and further facilitate a timely response. In China, a new nationwide web-based automated system for outbreak detection and rapid response was developed in 2008. The China Infectious Disease Automated-alert and Response System (CIDARS) was developed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention based on the surveillance data from the existing electronic National Notifiable Infectious Diseases Reporting Information System (NIDRIS) started in 2004. NIDRIS greatly improved the timeliness and completeness of data reporting with real time reporting information via the Internet. CIDARS further facilitates the data analysis, aberration detection, signal dissemination, signal response and information communication needed by public health departments across the country. In CIDARS, three aberration detection methods are used to detect the unusual occurrence of 28 notifiable infectious diseases at the county level and to transmit that information either in real-time or on a daily basis. The Internet, computers and mobile phones are used to accomplish rapid signal generation and dissemination, timely reporting and reviewing of the signal response results. CIDARS has been used nationwide since 2008; all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in China at the county, prefecture, provincial and national levels are involved in the system. It assists with early outbreak detection at the local level and prompts reporting of unusual disease occurrences or potential outbreaks to CDCs throughout the country.