Recently,the incidence of Alzheimer's disease has been significantly increasing.However,the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease remains unknown.It is presumed that insulin and insulin receptor may be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.The relationship between insulin and cerebral glucose metabolism,the relationship between insulin,insulin receptor,insulin resistance and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease as well as the possible mechanism are reviewed in this paper,and the progress of treatment of AD is also described.

Objective To investigate the effects of substrate stiffness on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVEC) during dengue virus infection.Methods Polyacrylamide gels were prepared for cell culture [(0±4) kPa].The proliferation of HUVEC cultured on substrates with differ-ent stiffness was determined by using 3-(4,5-diethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-etrazolium,inner salt ( MTS) assay.The cycle and apoptosis of HUVEC were determined by flow cytometry analysis.Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) strains were propagated and identified by con-ventional assays.The HUVEC were infected with DENV-2 strains at a MOI of 10 and cultured on traditional plastic and hydrogel substrates, respectively.The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were detected by nitric acid reductase assay and double antibody sandwich ELISA.Results Young′s modulus E value of the hydrogels was (3030 ±0.44) Pa.The proliferation of HUVEC and the expression of NO and ET-1 were enhanced along the increased substrate stiffness.However, no significant differences with the cell cycle and apoptosis were observed between cells cultured on different substrates.Conclusion The stiffness of substrates affected not only the proliferation of HUVEC, but also the release of cytokines during DENV-2 infection.The development of dengue fever was associated with the decreased secretion of vascular active substances as a result of blood vessel injury.The establishment of hydrogel substrates as the model of vascu-lar basement membranes might provide a new way for the in vitro investigation of the pathogenesis of DENV infection.

Objective To analyze the effects of dengue virus 2 ( DENV-2 ) infection on the ex-pression of IL-29 in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) cultured on hydrogel sub-strates .Methods Primary HUVECs were isolated and cultured on hydrogel substrates .DENV-2 stains were used to infect the primary HUVECs at a multiplicity of infection( MOI) of 10.Flow cytometry analysis was performed to detect the apoptosis and infection rate of HUVECs after 48 hours of culturing .The gene chip profiling was performed to analyze mRNA expression .The expression of IL-29 at mRNA and protein levels were measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR analysis and double antibody sandwich ELISA as -say, respectively.Results Compared with 96.36%of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells that were infected with DENV-2 stains, only 4.71%primary HUVECs cultured on hydrogel substrates were infected .The pri-mary HUVECs cultured on hydrogel substrates with or without DENV-2 infection showed no significant differ-ences with the rates of cell apoptosis and infection (P>0.05).A significant difference was observed with the expression of IL-29 at mRNA level between primary HUVECs cultured on hydrogel substrates and the cells cultured in plastic bottles (P<0.05).The results of the real-time quantitative PCR analysis and ELISA as-say showed that IL-29 was highly expressed in DENV-2 infected primary HUVECs cultured on hydrogel sub-strates as compared with those in control groups (P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of IL-29 was de-tected in DENV-2 infected primary HUVECs cultured on hydrogel substrates , which was significantly differ-ent from that in DENV-2 infected primary HUVECs cultured in plastic bottles .The successful establishment of hydrogel substrates as the model of vascular basement membranes might provide a new way for the investi -gation of the pathogenesis of DENV infection .

Objective To observe the morphology of ethanol-wet dentin surfaces and detect their nano-scale adhesion force (Fad) by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in order to explore the potential mechanism of ethanol-wet bonding in improving clinical dentin bonding effectiveness.Methods Dentin slices from human premolar roots were prepared into flat ones, polished, and then randomly divided into five groups.All the specimens were acid-etched, rinsed, and left moist.They were then treated with 100％ ethanol for 0s (control group), 20s, 60s, 3×60s, or stepwise ethanol application.Afterwards, each group was scanned for the morphology in air and the Fad was probed by AFM.One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey`s test was employed for multiple comparisons using SPSS16.0.Results Compared with control group, ethanol-wet dentine produced a less undulating and relatively smooth surface topography.Ethanol-wet protocol significantly decreased the value of Fad in the experimental groups (P<0.001), in which 3×60s and stepwise ethanol application groups showed the lowest Fad.No difference was found between these two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion When using AFM in air, ethanol-wet protocol with longer time can produce a less undulating and relatively smooth surface topography and decrease the Fad, whichindicates that the water saturated in dentin matrix was replaced more thoroughly by longer ethanol application time.This will benefit hydrophobicity of the dentin bonding interface.

BACKGROUNDCerebral microbleeds (CMBs) occur frequently in patients suspected of cerebrovascular disease and they are the principle radiographic findings in patients with sub-clinical neurological impairment. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence, distribution, severity and associated clinical features of CMBs in a prospective hospital patient based cohort undergoing brain MRI for suspected cerebrovascular disease, excluding cases with known intracranial hemorrhage or prior large-area stroke.

METHODSThe study population consisted of 447 patients who were evaluated with T2*-gradient echo sequences to detect the CMBs lesion number, location, and their association with white matter hyperintensities and clinical parameters, including blood pressure.

RESULTSCMB lesions were presented in 95 of the 447 patients (21.3%). The distribution of CMBs was 43.95% cortical, 19.77% thalamic, 14.41% in the brainstem, 11.58% cerebellar, 6.21% periventricular white matter, 5.64% involving the basal ganglia regions, and 0.28% involving the hippocampus. There was a statistically significant association between the presence of CMBs and advancing age (adjusted OR 2.082, P < 0.01), the severity of hypertension (adjusted OR 2.208, P < 0.01). Also there was a statistically significant (P < 0.01) correlation between the presence of CMBs and the severity of hypertension and white matter lesions.

CONCLUSIONSCMBs occur frequently in patients with no prior large-area stroke who were referred for brain MRI for suspected cerebrovascular disease. The severity of CMBs correlates with the severity of hypertension and the presence of cerebral white matter changes detected by MRI.

Aged ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; complications ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of OX40/OX40L interaction on the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in ApoE-/- mice.

METHODSLymphocytes were prepared from mouse spleens after Collar-treated Surgery, then incubated with a range of agonistic anti-OX40 mAbs and inhibitory anti-OX40L mAb to stimulate or inhibit OX40-OX40L interaction in vitro. The expression of NFATc1 mRNA and protein in lymphocytes of ApoE-/- mice was measured by Real Time PCR and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS(1) After stimulating OX40-OX40L signal pathway, the expression of NFATc1 mRNA and protein in leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice was significantly increased, with maximal effect occurring at 20 µg/ml anti-OX40 mAb-stimulated, and peaked at 24 h at any concentration (P < 0.01). (2) Anti-OX40L mAb significantly suppressed the expression of NFATc1 in leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice, with maximal effect occurring at 20 µg/ml anti-OX40L mAb, and peaked at 24 h (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSOX40-OX40L interaction can regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in lymphocytes of ApoE-/- mice.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Receptors, OX40 ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo reveal the association of 4G/5G polymorphism in the promoter region of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 gene (PAI1) with plasma PAI1 level in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Chinese Han ethnic group.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty Chinese DVT patients and 120 healthy controls were recruited. The PAI1 promoter 4G/5G polymorphism was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The antigen of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) or PAI1 was quantified by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in DVT cases and health controlsì respectively.

RESULTSNeither in the distribution of PAI1 promoter 4G/5G polymorphism nor in the frequencies of 4G and 5G allele was there a difference between two groups. The levels of PAI1 antigen in the carriers of the 4G/4G genotype were significantly higher than those either in the 4G/5G genotype or in the 5G/5G genotype; In the 4G/5G genotype or in the 5G/5G genotype the TG levels are an independently determinant factor of PAI1 antigen levels.

CONCLUSIONThere is a close relationship of the PAI1 4G/5G polymorphism to its plasma level in deep vein thrombosis in Chinese Han ethnic group, although lack of association between this genetic variation and risk of DVT suggest no major cause-effect pathogenic role of this polymorphism by itself.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Electrophoresis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Venous Thrombosis ; blood ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the protective impact of tea polyphenols (TP) on the injury of fibrinolytic functions induced by high-methionine dietary in rats.

METHODS50 male Wistar rats were divided by stratified based on body weight into 5 groups with 10 in each group: namely control group, model group, low-dose TP group, medium-dose TP group and high-dose TP group. The rats in model group and TP groups were fed with 3% methionine dietary, control group rats with routine diet. In addition, rats in low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose TP groups were treated with TP at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg dosage respectively by gavages every day, control group and model group rats were given with same amount distilled water. The animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks. The levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in plasma were determined by ELISA assays, mRNA levels of t-PA and PAI-1 in aortic arch were detected by RT-PCR, t-PA and PAI-1 expression in aortic arch were detected by immunohistochemistry strept-avidin-biotin complex (SABC).

RESULTSAfter experiment, the t-PA expression of aortic arch in control group, model group, low-dose TP group, medium-dose TP group and high-dose TP group were 133.03 ± 10.14, 95.46 ± 11.08, 111.97 ± 11.91, 130.23 ± 10.80, 139.39 ± 9.41 (F = 14.15, P < 0.01), respectively, and the PAI-1 expression were 90.91 ± 8.67, 166.76 ± 12.18, 139.63 ± 12.71, 134.66 ± 13.19, 109.49 ± 10.82 (F = 31.44, P < 0.01). The t-PA concentration of plasma were (10.69 ± 1.26), (6.13 ± 0.92), (8.56 ± 1.19), (9.69 ± 0.92), (11.97 ± 1.08) ng/ml, respectively (F = 41.98, P < 0.01), and the PAI-1 concentration of plasma were (6.31 ± 0.81), (16.98 ± 1.27), (11.39 ± 0.82), (8.46 ± 0.67), (8.08 ± 0.91) ng/ml, respectively (F = 207.74, P < 0.01). The mRNA levels of t-PA in aortic arch were 1.12 ± 0.02, 0.75 ± 0.14, 1.01 ± 0.09, 0.95 ± 0.08, 1.05 ± 0.13 (F = 5.77, P < 0.05), and the mRNA levels of PAI-1 in aortic arch were 1.25 ± 0.11, 1.74 ± 0.06, 1.23 ± 0.05, 1.09 ± 0.14, 1.23 ± 0.04 (F = 23.56, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that TP seems to have regulatory function on transcription and protein levels of t-PA and PAI-1, in addition to maintaining the balance between PAI-1 and t-PA and healing the injury of fibrinolytic functions in rats induced by high-methionine dietary.

Animals ; Diet ; Fibrinolysis ; drug effects ; Male ; Methionine ; adverse effects ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; blood ; Polyphenols ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tea ; chemistry ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; blood

OBJECTIVEIn this study, we try to find the better protocol of limb ischemia postconditioning by observing different protective effects of limb ischemic postconditioning (different strength and time windows in rabbits).

METHODS42 healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 7 groups (n = 6): Sham; Control (CON); Skeletal muscle postconditioning (SP); 6 min-delayed skeletal muscle postconditioning (6M-DSP); 1 min-delayed skeletal muscle postconditioning (1M-DSP); Strengthen skeletal muscle postconditioning (SSP); Weakened skeletal muscle postconditioning (WSP). Acute ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model was induced by 45 minutes occlusion on left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) and 2 hours reperfusion in all anesthetized open-chest rabbits except the Sham. Limb ischemia was induced by external iliac arteries occlusion and reperfusion through artery clamps. The extent of myocardial infarction was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) staining. Blood serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were measured at baseline,the end of ischemia, after 1 hour and 2 hours of reperfusion respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the CON, the weight ratio and area ratio of myocardial infarction size were significantly decreased by 49.97% and 43.78% in SP, by 42.32% and 42.68% in 1M-DSP, by 48.36% and 48.86% in SSP (P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference between SP and 1M-DSP and SSP (P > 0.05). Otherwise, compared with the CON, myocardial infarct size was not significantly reduced in 6M-DSP or WSP (P > 0.05). The change of CK was similar to the trend of myocardial infarct size.

CONCLUSIONThe limb ischemia strength of 5 mini/1 minR x 1 cycle could significantly reduce the myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion injury in rabbits, if it was achieved before myocardial reperfusion.

Animals ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; blood supply ; Myocardial Infarction ; pathology ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Hwato never and muscle stimulator on peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSEighty-seven cases of peripheral facial paralysis were randomly divided into a Hwato never and muscle stimulator observation group (n=44) and a G 6805 electronic stimulator control group (n=43). The same acupoints, Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3) and local acupoints on the affected side were selected in the two groups. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAlthough the total effective rates were both 100.0% in the two groups, the cured rate was 90.9% in the observation group and 62.8% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). There were no adverse effects in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe cured rate of Hwato never and muscle stimulator on peripheral facial paralysis is superior to that of G 6805 electronic stimulator.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Electroacupuncture ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult