Objective:To explore the efficacy, safety and possible brain network mechanisms of individualized targeted robot assisted Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy (SAINT).Methods:This was a small-sample, open-label study including 15 depressed patients with suicidal ideation. All participants were treated with SAINT in combination with SNRIs. The stimulation target was localized to the region of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that showed the most negative functional connectivity with the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) based on fMRI data. Stimulation sessions were delivered hourly. Ten sessions were applied per day (18, 000 pulses/day) for 5 consecutive days (90, 000 pulses in total). Stimulation was delivered at 90% resting motor threshold. The changes of functional connectivity of brain networks in various brain regions before and after treatment were compared and analyzed by rest software and functional connectivity analysis based on seed points. The Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale Chinese Version (BSI-CV), HAMD 17, and MADRS were used to assess the suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms at baseline, post treatment, 15 days after treatment, and 30 days after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measurements of ANOVA and paired t-tests. Results:(1) After 5-day treatment, individual′s BSI-CV score decreased significantly ( F=38.77, P<0.01), and their average score decreased by 11.80±1.17 (95 %CI=8.19-15.41), with a response rate of 86.67%. SAINT was well tolerated, and there were no significant side effects on individual′s cognitive function. (2) After treatment, patient′s MADRS score decreased significantly at all follow-up assessments ( F=306.97, P<0.01), and the average score decreased by 22.53±1.10 (95 %CI=19.15-25.91) after 5-day treatment, with a response rate of 93.33%. After 15 days and 30 days, the remission and response rates of treatment were 53.33%, 100.00%, 93.33% and 100.00%, respectively. (3) The functional network connectivity after individualized targeted robot assisted SAINT therapy showed significant improvement between sgACC, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and parietal lobe. Conclusion:Individualized targeted robot assisted SAINT therapy showed satisfactory efficacy and safety in the reduction of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms, and also improve the functional network connectivity of the injured brain network. Meanwhile, large-sample, randomized, and double-blind controlled studies are warranted to confirm the findings of the current study.

Objective:To explore the efficacy, safety and possible brain network mechanisms of individualized targeted robot assisted Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy (SAINT).Methods:This was a small-sample, open-label study including 15 depressed patients with suicidal ideation. All participants were treated with SAINT in combination with SNRIs. The stimulation target was localized to the region of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that showed the most negative functional connectivity with the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) based on fMRI data. Stimulation sessions were delivered hourly. Ten sessions were applied per day (18, 000 pulses/day) for 5 consecutive days (90, 000 pulses in total). Stimulation was delivered at 90% resting motor threshold. The changes of functional connectivity of brain networks in various brain regions before and after treatment were compared and analyzed by rest software and functional connectivity analysis based on seed points. The Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale Chinese Version (BSI-CV), HAMD 17, and MADRS were used to assess the suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms at baseline, post treatment, 15 days after treatment, and 30 days after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measurements of ANOVA and paired t-tests. Results:(1) After 5-day treatment, individual′s BSI-CV score decreased significantly ( F=38.77, P<0.01), and their average score decreased by 11.80±1.17 (95 %CI=8.19-15.41), with a response rate of 86.67%. SAINT was well tolerated, and there were no significant side effects on individual′s cognitive function. (2) After treatment, patient′s MADRS score decreased significantly at all follow-up assessments ( F=306.97, P<0.01), and the average score decreased by 22.53±1.10 (95 %CI=19.15-25.91) after 5-day treatment, with a response rate of 93.33%. After 15 days and 30 days, the remission and response rates of treatment were 53.33%, 100.00%, 93.33% and 100.00%, respectively. (3) The functional network connectivity after individualized targeted robot assisted SAINT therapy showed significant improvement between sgACC, frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and parietal lobe. Conclusion:Individualized targeted robot assisted SAINT therapy showed satisfactory efficacy and safety in the reduction of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms, and also improve the functional network connectivity of the injured brain network. Meanwhile, large-sample, randomized, and double-blind controlled studies are warranted to confirm the findings of the current study.

Objective To identify the differences inneuropsychological characteristics between amnestic(AMCI)and vascular mild cognitive impairment(VMCI).Methods Totally 297 old community residents with mild cognitive impairment(MCI)were divided into amnestic MCI(AMCI)and vascular MCI(VMCI)subgroup from Guangzhou MCI prevalence survey.The elderly with MCI were interviewed and tested with the Chinese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),the Mini-Mental state examination(MMSE),Auditory Verbal Learning Test(AVLT),the Clinical Dementia Rating scale(CDR),Functional Activity Questionnaire(FAQ),the Modified Hachinski Ischemic Scale(M-HIS),Center for Epidemiologic Studies(CES-DC)to evaluate neuropsychological characteristics.Results AMCI versus VMCI group showed that the total scores of MoCA were(9.63±5.17 vs.9.98±6.02),total scores of MMSE were(16.90±4.84 vs.16.90±6.19),AVLT immediate memory was(2.35±1.39 vs.2.91±1.84),AVLT delayed recall was(2.23±2.09 vs.2.47±2.20),AVLT delayed recognition was(7.33±3.98 vs.6.85±4.02)and total scores of CDR(0.5 vs.0.5),with no differences between the 2 groups(all P>0.05).Based on MoCA survey,AMCI versus VMCI group showed statistically significant differences(all P<0.05)in parameters of visual space and execution(0.71±1.02 vs.0.92±1.26),language function(0.34±0.56 vs.0.50±0.80)and abstract thinking(0.25±0.49 vs.0.15±0.43),but based on MMSE survey,no difference was found in the various cognitive domains between the two groups.The AMCI versus VMCI group showed statistically significant differences(all P<0.05)in parameters of CES-DC scale(1.75±4.27 vs.2.76±6.72),FAQ scale(4.42±4.66 vs.8.71±7.03),M-HIS scale(0.40±0.64 vs.7.59±3.53).Conclusions There is no significant difference in general cognitive impairment between AMCI and VMCI,but the visual space and execution,language function are more impaired in AMCI than VMCI,and the abstract thinking,social function are more impaired with more depressive symptoms in VMCI than in AMCI.

Objective To study the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)features in acute cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI)and evaluate its clinical value.Methods Eight patients with acute CSCI (within 72 hours after onset)were performed conventional MRI and fast DTI scans (112 seconds)and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT)at 3.0T Siemens Trio Tim system.Meanwhile,the fractional anisotropy (FA) values and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)values were calculated separately in the site of lesions,the upper and lower sections to the lesions.Then the data were analyzed by paired-samples t test analysis with SPSS 13.0 software.Results Cervical spinal cord injury occurred likely in the sites of C5-C6 (account for 4/8)and C4-C5 (account for 3/8).All MRI and DTI images were satisfied for clinical diagnosis.The FA value and ADC value of injury lesions were markedly lower than that of the normal cord.Accordingly,the injury lesions on FA map and ADC map presented low signals.There were no significant differences of FA values and ADC values between the upper and lower sections to the lesions.DTT could help in displaying the disruption of spinal fiber tract in lancination case and distortion fibers in closed cervical spinal cord injury.Conclusion Fast DTI sequence at 3.0 Tesla may obtain the qualified spinal cord images.By calculation of FA values and ADC values in CSCI patients,DTI may play an important role in detecting the changes of anisotropy and water diffusion caused by myelin sheath injury and cytotoxic edema and vasogenic edema respectively.

BACKGROUND:The living standard of farmers and herdsmen in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China is significantly lower than that of urban residents in general. Meanwhile, the shortage of doctors and medicines and lack of medical knowledge are the main reasons for local farmers and herdsmen to suffer from knee osteoarthritis. Most of the farmers and herdsmen are not aware of or prevent knee osteoarthritis in the early days to remove pathogenic factors, which results in a serious condition at the time of their medical treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the main pathogenic factors of knee osteoarthritis in Uygur, Kazakh and Han populations in pastoral areas of northern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.METHODS:The permanent residents of Uygur, Kazakh and Han ethnic groups in northern Xinjiang, China who met the criteria were selected by the method of stratified, multistage and cluster random sampling during June 2012 to October 2014. The investigation of knee osteoarthritis was conducted among al the residents who meet the inclusion criteria using the method of home scene closed questionnaire. X-ray lateral plain film examination of the knee joint was performed among the patients presenting with the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. The database was established. The multi-factor and unconditional Logistic regression analysis was conducted among the 40 variables using SPSS 20.0 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The 3 402 of 3 540 questionnaires were valid. The Logistic regression analysis suggest that the common pathogenic factors in Han, Uygur and Kazakh ethnic groups are associated with older ages, female gender, high body mass and drink alcohol. Smoking, history of internal disease, high education level, standing position, climbing, trauma, family history, fried food, housing conditions and amenorrhea, different nationalities, churchgoing of ethnic minorities are also the major risk factors. Among the three ethnic groups, the prevalence of female patients in Uygur and Kazak ethnic groups is significantly higher than that of Chinese Han nationality. The morbidity is different among these three nationalities. The dietary preferences cannot be determined as the related influencing factor of knee osteoarthritis. Whether the means of transportation, residence climate and environment, the number of pregnancies and deliveries, drinking tea or not, the type of tea are related to knee osteoarthritis remains unclear.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulating effects of serum containing total anthraquinone in rheum on the expression of AQP4 in cultured LoVo cells in vitro.

METHODSixteen SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups respectively treated with 0, 1.4, 2.5, 4.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) of total anthraquinone in rheum by intragastric administration. After 7 days of treatment, the rats were anesthetized and celiotomized to prepare the serum containing total anthraquinone in rheum. LoVo cells cultured in vitro were treated with different concentrations of total anthraquinone in rheum for 24 h. The expression levels of protein and mRNA of AQP4 IN LoVo cells were decided by Western blot and semiquantive RT-PCR.

RESULTWestern blot and semiquantive RT-PCR showed that serum containing total anthraquinone in rheum prepared from rats treated with 4.5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) of total anthraquinone in rheum could inhibit the expression of mRNA and protein levels of AQP 4 in LoVo cells (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSerum containing total anthraquinone in rheum can inhibit both the transcription and translation of AQP4 gene, indicating that the regulation mechanism of rhubarb on the expression of AQP4 can be related to the cathartic effect of rhubarb.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; blood ; pharmacology ; Aquaporin 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rheum ; chemistry

This is an in vitro study to explore the effects of cryopreservation and resuscitation on the biological characteristics of osteoblasts at different times. Osteoblasts taken from the crania of newly born SD rats were cultured. Comparative studies were made on the cells' proliferation, the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the number of live cells among fresh cultured osteoblasts and cells after the inception of cryopreservation and resuscitation at time-periods of one, three, six months respectively. The results showed that there were no significant differences among four groups in cell proliferation and in activity of ALP (P > 0.05). Yet, after cryopreservation and resuscitation, there were significant differences between the six-month group and the other three groups (P < 0.05). The results also showed, after cryopreservation and resuscitation, there were no significant differences between the control group and the one-month and three-month groups, respectively (P > 0.05). These findings indicated that the live cells might decrease in number after the osteoblasts were cryopreserved for too long a period, but after cryopreservation and resuscitation, the cells still retained the original biological characteristics of osteoblasts.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skull ; cytology ; Time Factors ; Tissue Engineering ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Kangfengshi Granules (KFSG) on expressions of the mRNAs of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in bone tissues of rats with collagen-induced arthritis. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, untreated group, cyclosporine A (CsA)-treated group and KFSG-treated group. Except the rats in the normal control group, all the other rats received subcutaneous injection of collagen II to establish collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) models. Then the rats in each group were fed normal saline or corresponding drugs for four weeks. Total RNA was extracted from carpal and digital bones. The expressions of OPG, RANKL and M-CSF mRNAs were examined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The total incidence of arthritis induced by collagen II in the rats was approximately 90%. The expression levels of RANKL and M-CSF mRNAs and the RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA ratio in the untreated group, KFSG-treated group and CsA-treated group were all significantly higher than those in the normal control group, while the expression levels of OPG mRNA in those three groups were significantly lower than that in the normal control group. The expression level of OPG mRNA in the KFSG-treated group was obviously higher while the expression level of M-CSF mRNA and the RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA ratio in the same group were both lower as compared with those in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: The molecular mechanism of effects of KFSG on bone erosion and destruction induced by rheumatoid arthritis is closely correlated with up-regulating the expression of OPG mRNA, down-regulating the expression of M-CSF mRNA and RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA ratio.

Objective To investigate the effect of Qidan Tongmai tablet (QDTMT) on apoptosis and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) of ischemia/reperfusion myocardium in rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into 4 groups:Sham, ischemia/reperfusion (control), QDTMT-Ⅰ (1.08 g/kg) treatment and QDTMT-Ⅱ (3.24 g/kg) treatment. Anesthetized and the open-chest animals were subjected to 40 min of myocardium ischemia followed by 4 h-reperfusion. The cardiomyocyte apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transfease-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. The activity of NOS in heart tissue was assessed by chemical assay. Results Pretreatment with QDTMT at different doses reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis indexes significantly compared with the control (P

AIM: To study the alterations of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and the role of heme oxygenase(HO)/carbon monoxide(CO)pathway in the disorders of regulation of cardiovascular system by LPS. METHODS: LPS (final concentrations 10 mg/L,30 mg/L and 50 mg/L) was added in cultured VSMCs for 6 h respectively or 10 mg/L LPS for 9 h and 18 h. MDA content, LDH release and the rate of trypan blue uptake of VSMC were measured. HO-1 mRNA expression was examined by Northern Blot. RESULTS: VSMC HO-1 mRNA expression was increased gradually with the increasing of LPS concentration. When final concentration of LPS was 50 mg/L, the HO-1 mRNA expression of VSMC was increased by 176.7% compared with control. When LPS final concentration was 10 mg/L, the HO-1 mRNA expression increased gradually along with the culture time. When cultured for 18 h, the HO-1 mRNA expression of VSMC was increased by 195.6% compared with control. Only at LPS 50 mg/L for 6 h and 10 mg/L for 18 h, the rate of trypan blue uptake，MDA content and LDH release were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: LPS can induce the HO-1 mRNA expression of VSMC and that were dose-dependent and time-dependent. The inducible HO may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular system under LPS.