Objective To explore the role of functional connectivity( FC) between the subgenual anterior cingulate cortes(sgACC) and limbic cortices in predicting the efficacy of early antidepressant treat-ment. Methods Resting state magnetoencephalography( MEG) data were collected from 32 patients with major depressive disorder(MDD) and 20 matched healthy control subjects at baseline.According to whether the HAMD17total score reduction rate reached 50% after 2 weeks,the patients were divided into responder group and non-responder group.The difference of the FC,the relationship between the FC and the change rate of HAMD17were explored. Results Compared with controls,MDD patients showed decreased connectivity of the sgACC with the right hippocampus(MNI coordinate:x＝30,y＝－3,z＝－24; F＝5.11,P＝0.028),the right amygdala(MNI coordinate:x＝22,y＝－2,z＝－15; F＝6.90,P＝0.012) and the left amygdala(MNI coordi- nate:x＝－24,y＝－6,z＝－16; F＝5.75,P＝0.020).Compared with non-responders,the connectivity of the sgACC with the right hippocampus(MNI coordinate:x＝30,y＝－3,z＝－24;F＝8.74,P＝0.0065),the right a-mygdala(MNI coordinate:x＝22,y＝－2,z＝－15; F＝12.417,P＝0.0016) were higher in responders.Pretreat-ment connectivity of the sgACC with the right hippocampus(r＝－0.50,P＝0.0066),the right amygdala(r＝－0.56,P＝0.0018) were negatively correlated with clinical improvement.ROC analyses confirmed the value of the connectivity of sgACC with the right hippocampus(area under curve(AUC)＝0.71,P＝0.042),the right amygdala(AUC＝0.73,P＝0.029) in classifying responders versus non-responders in 2 weeks of treatment. Conclusion The decreased FC of the sgACC with the right hippocampus and the right amygdala at baseline is associated with a better improvement,which can potentially serve as a treatment outcome biomarker in ear-ly curative effect of depression.

In order to clarify the chemical constituents in Qiliqiangxin capsule, a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography/orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS(E)) method was established. Forty peaks were identified on line using this method. The herbal sources of these peaks were assigned. The results implied that triterpenoid saponins, flavonoid glycosides, C21-steroids and phenolic acids were included in the main components of Qiliqiangxin capsule. The method is simple and rapid for elucidation of the constituents of Qiliqiangxin capsule and the results are useful for the quality control of Qiliqiangxin capsule.
Capsules ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavones ; analysis ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; Glycosides ; analysis ; Hydroxybenzoates ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Saponins ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Steroids ; analysis ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Triterpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo detect the infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and explore the relationship between HPV infection and expressions of Ki-67 and P53 proteins in tumor tissue.

METHODThe level of HPV 16/18 DNA was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction, and Ki-67 and P53 proteins were measured by immunohistochemistry in tissues from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

RESULTSHPV 16/18 DNA was detected in 62.8% of our patients. In each cancer tissue sample, Ki-67 protein was expressed between 2% to 70%. P53 protein was expressed in 46.15% of our patients. No significant relation was found between HPV 16/18 DNA level and sex, smoking, drinking, and tumor clinical stages. However, level of HPV 16/18 DNA was found to have positive relation with tumor pathological grades and negative relation with P53 protein expression. No relation with Ki-67 protein expression was found.

CONCLUSIONHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma may be initiated by HPV 16/18 infection and the mechanism in carcinogenesis involves abnormal expression in P53 protein.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; isolation & purification ; Human papillomavirus 18 ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; virology

Objective To develop a candidate reference method for the determination of sodium in serum by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method (ICP-MS). Methods Aluminum, as internal standard of sodium, was added into serum samples and sodium standard solutions by gravimetric analysis. The samples were digested by HNO3 and diluted, and its 23Na/27Al isotope ratios were obtained by ICP-MS. The sodium concentrations were calculated with the standard curve method in serum. Results The analytical recoveries of sodium were 100.67% and 100.15% respectively, and the precisions were 0.08% and 0.04% respectively for 2 different serum samples. The results of measuring sodium in serum of Standard Reference Material (SRM) gave the coefficients of variation (CVs) of 0.18% and 0.22% for 2 levels of standard reference material(SRM) 909b and 0.41%, 0.41% and 0.66% for 3 levels of SRM 956b. The relative deviations between the results and median of the certified value were 0.17% and 0.14% for 909b and -0.09%, -1.05%, -0.48% for 956b respectively. Conclusions The ICP-MS and aluminum internal standard method is proved to be not only precise and accurate, but also quick and convenient for measuring sodium in serum. It is promising to be a candidate reference method for determination of sodium in serum.

OBJECTIVETo observe the differentiation and distribution of epidermal stem cell (ESC) after skin soft tissue expansion, and to initially probe into the growth mechanism of expanded skin tissue.

METHODSSamples of normal skin and expanded skin (mean effusion period 45 days) were harvested from head and cervical region in 15 patients who underwent II stage surgery after skin expansion. Samples were divided into scalp adjacent to the center of expander group (expanded scalp, 3 cm from the vertical axis of the expander), scalp from lateral part of the expander group (expanded scalp, 5 - 7 cm lateral to the vertical axis of the expander), cervical skin expansion group, un-expanded scalp control group, and un-expanded cervical skin control group, according to the position of skin harvested. The tissue structure of skin in each group was observed with HE staining, and the differentiation and distribution characteristics of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) positive cells were observed with immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSCompared with those in the un-expanded control groups, uneven, relatively thickened and obviously folded epidermis with more cell layers and cells with obvious aggregation close to the basal layer were observed in the expanded groups, but those cells were not well-arranged and the transition of polarity was not obvious. The continuity of CK19 positive cells in the basal layer of skin was observed in each of the expanded group with immunohistochemical staining, and positive cells increased obviously and arranged in multilayer in certain parts of basal layer. Clustered or dispersed CK19 positive cells were also observed outside the basal layer. No above-mentioned phenomenon was observed in the un-expanded control group.

CONCLUSIONSThe proliferation and differentiation of ESC with ectopic distribution may enhance the repair process after skin soft tissue expansion.

Cell Proliferation ; Dermis ; cytology ; Epidermis ; cytology ; Humans ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Expansion ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of Bryan cervical disc replacement on the function of the cervical spine.

METHODSBryan cervical artificial disc replacement was performed in 164 cases from Dec 2003 to Aug 2007, and all the cases were retrospectively followed up. Among them, 1 disc replacement was done in 132 cases, 2 discs in 28 cases and 3 discs in 4 cases with a total number of 200 artificial discs. There were 102 male patients and 62 female patients. Their age ranged from 25 to 70 years old (with an average of 47 years old). All the cases were operated according to the standard procedure for Bryan artificial disc replacement, and immobilized in a cervical collar for 2 weeks after operation. Motion of the replaced disc in sagittal direction, JOA score and satisfaction rate of the patients were followed up and evaluated.

RESULTSIn this group, no acute complications happened during the operation. All patients returned to work 4 to 6 weeks after operation. The postoperative ameliorate rate of JOA score was 56%. Range of motion in sagittal direction of the operated disc was 14.4 degrees before operation, decreased to 5.7 degrees at 1 week after operation , but improved to 14.7 degrees at the time of final follow-up and was not significantly different from preoperative range. Motion in the upper adjacent disc to the replacement level was 10.9 degrees before operation, decreased to 5.5 degrees at 1 week after operation , and improved to 8.2 degrees at the time of final follow-up but was significantly smaller than preoperative range. The satisfaction rate of the patients was 94%. Loosening of the prosthesis happened in 1 case 6 months after operation but remained stable afterwards. Subsidence up to 1 mm occurred in another case 7 months after operation but also remained stable afterwards. Automatic posterior union occurred in 3 cases in which relative small size artificial discs were implanted.

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical outcome of Bryan artificial disc replacement was quite good. Pre-operative range of motion of the cervical spine can be maintained.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement ; methods ; Cervical Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; surgery ; Joint Prosthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of ligustrazine on cell proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and dentate gyrus (DG) and nNOS expression in rat brain after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODSMale SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, sham operation group, model group and ligustrazine treatment group. The latter two groups were further divided into 5 subgroups for observation at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after reperfusion following a 2-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The cells in S phase were labeled with BrdU, and immunohistochemistry was employed to detect BrdU- and nNOS-positive cells. The numbers of BrdU-positive cells in the SVZ and DG were measured. The expression of nNOS was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSnNOS expression increased significantly in the model group as compared to the sham operation group (P<0.05), and ligustrazine treatment significantly lowered the expression level in comparison with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, a significant increase in BrdU-positive cells occurred in the SVZ of rats 1 and 3 days after igustrazine treatment (P<0.05), along with an increase of DG BrdU-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine significantly restrains ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced nNOS activity enhancement and promotes cell proliferation in the SVZ and DG of adult rats after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; blood supply ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cerebral Ventricles ; blood supply ; drug effects ; pathology ; Dentate Gyrus ; blood supply ; drug effects ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; biosynthesis ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathological characteristics and the dynamic change regularity of the testis induced by high power microwave (HPM) radiation.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-five male Wistar rats were exposed to 0, 3, 10, 30 and 100 mW/cm2 HPM radiation for five minutes, and changes of testicular morphology and teratogenic ratio of epididymal spermatozoa were observed through light microscope and electron microscope at 6 h, 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 90 d after radiation.

RESULTSInjury of testicular spermatogenic cells in rats might be induced by 3 to approximately 100 mW/cm2 HPM radiation, and the main pathological changes were degeneration, necrosis, shedding of spermatogenic cells, formation of multinuclear giant cells, decrease or loss of sperm and interstitial edema. Injury of spermatogenic cells underwent such phases as death and shedding, cavitation, regeneration and repair, characterized by being focalized, inhomogenous and phased. And the severity of pathological changes of the testis increased with power density. There was only scattered degeneration, necrosis, shedding of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubule one day after 3 mW/cm2 radiation, and the pathological changes six hours after 10 mW/cm2 radiation was similar to those one day after 3 mW/cm2 radiation, but with the formation of multinuclear giant cells, and the above-mentioned pathological changes aggravated from one day to seven days after radiation. There was a significant increase in degeneration, necrosis, shedding of spermatogenic cells, as well as a significant decrease in spermatozoa and focal necrosis in simple seminiferous tubules six hours after 30 and 100 mW/cm2 radiation, and the subsequent changes were similar to those of 10 mW/cm2 radiation. There was a significant increase in teratogenic ratio of epididymal spermatozoa at 3 d, 1 to approximately 7 d, 6 h to approximately 7 d after 3, 10, 30 and 100 mW/cm2 microwave radiation respectively (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHPM radiation may cause injury of testicular spermatogenic cells in rats, which has a positive correlation to radiation dosage and time.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Male ; Microwaves ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Testis ; pathology ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of morphology and function in rat hippocampus induced by high power microwave (HPM) radiation.

METHODSFifty male Wistar rats were radiated by HPM. Then their learning and memory abilities were tested with Y maze and were sacrificed 6 h, 1 d, 3 d and 7 d after radiation. The hippocampus was taken out to study the basic pathologic changes, apoptosis and the expressions of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) by means of HE staining, Nissel body staining, in situ terminal end labeling and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe learning and memory abilities of rats reduced significantly after HPM radiation. HPM also resulted in rarefaction, edema and hemangiectasia of hippocampus, nervous cells degeneration and necrosis, decrease or disappearance of Nissel bodies. The injuries were more serious in field CA4 and dentate gyrus, which showed dose-effect relationship, and were progressively aggravated within 7 days. The apoptosis cells were significantly increased. NSE was increased in neurons. The NSE positive areas were also seen in the interstitial matrix and blood vessels. GFAP was increased in astrocytes, which became shorter and thicker.

CONCLUSIONHPM can damage the abilities of learning and memory and results in morphologic changes in hippocampus. The major pathologic changes are degeneration, apoptosis and necrosis of neurons and edema in interstitium. NSE and GFAP play an important role in the pathologic process.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Learning ; radiation effects ; Male ; Memory ; radiation effects ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMTo establish a suitable condition for extraction of phenylalanine (Phe), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-OH-Trp) and four diastereomeric salts, (1R,2S)-ephedrine- (2S,3S)-tartaric acid, (1R,2S)-ephedrine-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid, (1S,2S)-pseudoephedrine-(2S,3S)-tartaric acid, (1S,2S)-pseudoephedrine- (2R,3R)-tartaric acid in supercritical fluid extraction and to assess the solubilities of Phe, 5-OH-Trp and the four diastereomeric salts in CO2.

METHODSSingle-pass method and HPCE.

RESULTSThe solubilities of Phe, 5-OH-Trp and the four diastereomeric salts in CO2 were determined over temperature and pressure ranges of 25-50 degrees C and 6.32-34.03 MPa respectively. The experimental results showed that the solubilities of Phe, 5-OH-Trp and the four diastereomeric salts do not increase with density of CO2. There existed a maximum in the critical region of CO2.

CONCLUSIONThe dramatically high solubilities in the pressure of 6.32-7.78 MPa show a critical behavior, which can be explained by critical characteristic through thermodynamics analysis. The results suggest that the separation of Phe, 5-OH-Trp and the four diastereomeric salts is more efficient in critical region of CO2.

5-Hydroxytryptophan ; chemistry ; Ephedrine ; chemistry ; Phenylalanine ; chemistry ; Pressure ; Solubility ; Stereoisomerism ; Tartrates ; chemistry ; Temperature