In the daily life, we perceive the world around us by integrating multiple sensory cues (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive) to create a coherent, reliable representation that allows us to interact meaningfully with the environment. The integration of different sensory information is necessary for our perception, motor transformation, decision making, learning and memory. In the past decades, many interdisciplinary researchers have been attracted to the field of multisensory research, and tremendous advances have been made in this field. We review the researches on multisensory integration during self-motion perception in the past decades from the candidate areas, the integration principles and the neural correlation of the behaviors, with the intention to provide a comprehensive source for those interested in understanding the neural substrates for multisensory integration. Meanwhile, we also provide a prospect for the future research in this field.

BACKGROUNDInterleukin-l7 (IL-17), which exerts strong pro-inflammatory effects, has emerged as an important mediator in inflammation-associated cancer. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between IL-17 and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), and the correlation of the microvessel density in the development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

METHODSHistopathological observations and immunohistochemistry staining for IL-17, CD68, and CD34 were performed on 72 specimens (32 cases of LSCC, 20 cases of adjacent tissues of carcinoma as controls, and 20 cases of chronic hypertrophic laryngitis). Double immunohistochemical staining was done to determine which cells expressed IL-17. Real-time quantitative PCR determined the mRNA expression of IL-17. ELISA was used to detect the expression of the serum level of IL-17 in the three groups.

RESULTSThe inflammation response had increased in LSCC. Overexpression of IL-17 and CD68 protein were seen in LSCC (P < 0.01). The expression of IL-17 was different between well and poorly differentiated LSCC (P < 0.01). The IL-17 expressing cells were mainly located in macrophages (CD68(+)/IL17(+)) as demonstrated by double immunohistochemical staining. IL-17 expression significantly correlated with high microvessel density (CD34(+)) in LSCC (P < 0.05). Relatively higher mRNA expression levels of IL-17 were seen in LSCC compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The serum expression of IL-17 was similar among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIL-17 was expressed by TAMs, and IL-17 may significantly correlate to the differentiation and angiogenesis in the development of LSCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-17 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the embolization effect of new platinum coils coated with [4COOH-P (DLLA-co-TMC)] biodegradable polymer and released vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into intracranial aneurysms on rat intracranial aneurysms. Methods A total of 54 adult healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into Group Ⅰ with general platinum coils, Group Ⅱ with polymer-coated platinum coils and Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF (n=18).The right common carotid arteries (CCA) of rats in each group were exposed; and the 8 mm lengths of platinum coil segments were inserted into the ligated right CCA of rats. The distal right CCA was performed ligation and restored the blood flow; 6 rats each time at 15,30 and 90 d after the surgery were chosen;and the distal right CCA was used as aneurysm models,and the left CCA without the coil placement or surgical disruption in Group I with general platinum coil was chosen as normal control.The proliferation and fibrosis of endothelial cells were observed by HE staining; von Willebrand Factor (vWF) expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining; and VEGF expression was examined by Western blotting. Results Cellular proliferation and fibrosis in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF enjoyed significantly higher grade than those in Group Ⅰ with general platinum coils 10,60 and 90d after the surgery (P＜0.05); Cellular proliferation and fibrosis in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF enjoyed significantly higher grades than those in Group Ⅱ with polymer-coated platinum coils 30 d after the surgery (P＜0.05).Pathological observations showed that the massive intimal hyperplasia and substantial clot completely occluded the aneurysm lumen in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF; New small blood vessels having vwf-positive expression were noted in the fiberized tissues;the thrombosis in Group Ⅰ with general platinum coils and Group Ⅱ with polymer-coat platinum coils were not fully organized and showed loose hyperplasia structure with a large number of internal spaces.Western blotting indicated that the VEGF level in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF were significantly higher than that in other groups 15 and 30 d after the operation,however,the VEGF level in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF 90 d after the surgery was decreased because the lumen completed fibration and degradation of 4COOH-P (DLLA-co-TMC). Conclusion The VEGF-eontaining biodegradable polymer,by slowly releasing VEGF to modify the surface of platinum coils, could enhance the cellular proliferation, thrombosis and formation of dense fibrous tissue in aneurysm lumen; as compared with general platinum coils,these new platinum coils could occlude the rat aneurysm faster and more completely.

Objective To investigate the clinical symptom, precipitating factor, associated symptom, family history and life quality of pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis, and to analyze the characteristic of clinical symptoms. Methods A questionnaire survey on pediatric AR patients since June 2008 to June 2010, one hundred and forty-eight pediatric AR patients were divided into 2 groups, group A (n =43) included children aged from 3.2 to 6.0, group B(n = 105) included children aged from 6.1 to 14.8. The severity degree of clinical symptom was assessed by visual analogue scale. Results Preschool age children had more severe rhinocleisis, more severe cough and less rhinorrhea than school age children (x2 value were 29. 194, 12.277 and 16. 904, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 ). According to the classification criteria of ARJA 2008, preschool children had more mild intermittent AR and less moderate-severe persistent AR than school age children ( x2 value were 20. 370 and 24. 546, P ＜ 0.05 ). The precipitating factor of common cold, fitment, climate, environment factors were 22.3% ( 33/148 ), 5.4% ( 8/148 ), 16.2%(24/148), 3.4% (5/148), the others was 4.7% (7/148), no obvious precipitating factor was 48.0%(71/148). The rate of parent or parents who had allergic disease history was 11.5% (17/148) . Quality of sleep that 66.2% ( 98/148 ) were upset and 62.2% ( 92/148 ) had no cathexis. Conclusions The preschool children have different clinical symptom characteristic from the school age children, and we got some clinical data of pediatric AR patients, those were beneficial to the diagnose and therapy of pediatric AR. The clinical data obtained in this study from pediatric AR patients are beneficial to the diagnosis and therapy of pediatric AR.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the method and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic excision of seminal vesicle cyst.

METHODSLaparoscopic excision of seminal vesicle cyst was performed under general anaesthesia in two patients with symptomatic seminal vesicle cyst confirmed by ultrasonography and CT scanning preoperatively. The sizes of the seminal vesicle cysts were 3.3 cm x 3.7 cm x 2.5 cm and 4.1 cm x 4.3 cm x 5.3 cm, respectively.

RESULTSThe operations were performed successfully in both the patients, with the operation time of 140 min and 100 min, blood loss of 50 ml and 20 ml, and postoperative stay of 6 days. The patients were followed up for 6 and 7 months, respectively. All the preoperative symptoms disappeared, and no complications and recurrence were found.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic excision of seminal vesicle cyst, with a good visual field, refined procedure, minimal invasiveness and rapid recovery, is a safe and effective surgical option for patients with seminal vesicle cyst.

Adult ; Cysts ; surgery ; Genital Diseases, Male ; surgery ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Seminal Vesicles ; surgery

Objective To construct the protein-protein interaction network of Parkinson's disease (PD) associated proteins. Methods PD-related proteins and their interaction proteins were collected by bioinformatics method from HGNC, OPHID and UniHI database. A protein-protein interaction network of PD associated proteins was designed by ProteoLens software; each protein was evaluated by its contribution to the network and the relevance scores were calculated, thus the coefficient of association of each protein in the network was noted. Results A protein-protein interaction network containing 463 PD associated proteins and 767 their interaction proteins was obtained with its index aggregation reaching 90.5% (P=0.008). The relevance scores of SNCA, PARK2, DRD2, HTRA2,NDUFV2, DJ1, DRD1, DRD3, TRAP1 and ND3 were much higher than that of the others, which indicated their important roles in the pathogenesis of PD. The relevance scores of APP, UBE2I, CLIC6 and UBB were a little higher among all the preteins, indicating that they also participated in the pathogenesis of PD. Some novel proteins, such as FLNA, FREQ, BIRC7, EPB41, EPB41L1, GIPC1,GNAZ, GRB2, KCNJ9, MAPK1, BAG5 and CYC, may also involved in the pathogenesis of PD.Conclusion A scientific and practical protein-protein interaction network of PD associated proteins is successfully constructed, which further confirms the role of some proteins in the pathogenesis of PD.Some novel proteins that might involve in PD are obtained too.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between two serum specific IgE and skin prick test (SPT) for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.Methods Two hundred and sixteen patients were referred to the allergist for a suspected allergic rhinitis between June and October in 2009. Patients were classified as positive for inhalant allergy if they had a positive clinical history and a related positive SPT for the suspected inhalant allergen. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS13.0 software. Results One hundred and fifty-eight patients had a positive SPT, comparing with the SPT, the diagnostic indexes (accuracy,sensitivity, specificity) of the ImmunoCAP system and the AllergyScreen system were 0.810 and 0.819,0.872 and 0.780, 0.741 and 0.862 respectively. The accuracy was similar between the two systems (x2=0.112, P＞0.05). The ImmunoCAP system had a higher sensitivity (x2=7.361, P＜0.05). The AllergyScreen system had a higher specificity (x2=10.222,P＜0.05). Conclusions This data supported the use of ImmunoCAP system and AllergyScreen system to identify potentially significant individual allergens in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. The ImmunoCAP system had a higher sensitivity. The AllergyScreen system had a higher specificity. The AllergyScreen system can be used as a complementary with the ImmunoCAP system.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mutation characteristics of ATP13A2 gene in Chinese patients with familial autosomal recessive early-onset parkinsonism (AREP).

METHODSMutations of ATP13A2 gene were screened by polymerase chain reaction combined with DNA direct sequencing in patients with familial AREP.

RESULTSNo pathogenic mutations in ATP13A2 gene were detected in this group. Six reported polymorphisms were identified. They were IVS6+70A>G, IVS12+66A>G, m.1849C>T, IVS20-56 G>A, m2671C>T and m2824G>A.

CONCLUSIONATP13A2 gene mutations may be rare in Chinese patients with familial autosomal recessive early-onset parkinsonism.

Adult ; Age of Onset ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Proton-Translocating ATPases ; genetics

Objective To construct an aneurismal model with estrogen deficiency and investigate the mechanism of estrogen deficiency in the formation and development of intracranial aneurysm. Methods Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental, sham-operative and blank control groups (n=10). Rats in the experimental group were ovariectomized and those in the sham-operative group were removed the adipose issue nearby the ovary only; while the rats in the blank control group were done nothing. Two weeks after the ovariectomized or sham operation, elastase dropped around the right external carotid artery and the crotch of the carotid artery and the carotid artery was ligated by two lines at 1.5 mm far from the crotch, and then sheared between the two lines to successfully induce the aneurysm. At 6 weeks of the successful construction of aneurysm model, the estrogen was detected and the aneurysm was harvested for pathological staining. Results The experimental group showed a lower estrogen level (105.00±12.96 pmol/L) than the sham-operative group (178.50±25.96 pmol/L) and the blank control group (180.40±18.70 pmol/L, P<0.05). Aneurismal length dilatation rates in the experimental group and the sham-operative group were (131.31±6.63)% and (109.90±3.44) %, respectively (P<0.05). Aneurismal diameter dilatation rates in the experimental group and sham-operative group were (125.10±5.49) % and (106.82±2.49) %, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion Estrogen deficiency may promote the formation and development of the intracranial aneurysm. This experiment provides a simple model for investigating the relationship between estrogen deficiency and aneurysm development.

Objective To monitor the seasonal distribution of influenza types and subtypes in Wuxi area during 2005-2008, and to investigate the variation in hemagglutinin (HA) genes of MH3N2 strains in 2008. Methods Nose-throat swab specimens were collected in Wuxi area from flu-like patients from outpatient departments of hospitals as well as from clustering flu-like outbreak patients from workspace, followed by MDCK cell inoculation. Types and subtypes of positive influenza isolates were identified using standard antiserum. We then sequenced the HA genes for H3 subtype influenza viruses isolated from 2008 specimens to investigate the variation in HA genes. Results During 2005 and September 2008, 435 strains of influenza viruses were isolated from flu-like patients in Wuxi Area, among which 164 isolates are of A/H1N1 subtype, 80 isolates are of MH3N2 subtype, and 191 isolates are of B type. These types/subtypes have significant seasonal distributions. Sequences of HA genes for 113 subtype show that the 9 strains isolated in Wuxi area are similar to those of strains isolated in Shanghai within the same period. Many of the sequences belong to the same branch of the phylogenetic tree, and are similar to sequences of vaccine strains in WHO 2008-2009 repositories. Conclusion A/H1N1, MH3N2 and B still attribute to most of the sporadic and local outbreaks of influenza infection in Wuxi area in recent years. HAgenes of A/H3N2 strains isolated in Wuxi area are similar to those of strains isolated in Shanghai in the same period, and also similar to those of vaccine strains recommended by WHO for 2008-2009.