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Objective To explore the role of decorin (DCN) on the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by analyzing the correlation between serum DCN levels and cognitive impairment in the first-episode drug-native (FEDN) patients with schizophrenia.Methods 30 FEDN patients with schizophrenia and 30 age and gender matched healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled.The psychopathological symptoms were assessed by the PANSS and the cognitive function was assessed by the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB).The serum DCN levels were measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The difference of DCN levels between the two groups were compared and the correlations of serum DCN levels to age,sex,the score of the MCCB and PANSS were analyzed.Results The serum DCN levels were lower in patients with schizophrenia than those in control group ((1.56±0.96) ng/ml vs (3.35± 1.71) ng/ml,P＜ 0.01).The serum DCN levels were positively correlated with the positive symptom score (r=0.41,P=0.03).The serum DCN levels were significantly negatively correlated with MCCB verbal fluency (r =-0.40,P =0.04),verbal memory (r=-0.42,P=0.02),visual memory (r=-0.39,P=0.04),continuous operation (r=-0.41,P=0.03),encoding symbols (r=-0.49,P=0.01),T line (r=-0.42,P=0.02) and total score (r=-0.55,P＜0.01),and after controlling the age and gender,the relationships were still exist.Conclusion It suggests that serum DCN levels are associated with cognitive function in first-episode patients with schizophrenia,and that DCN may be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
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Objective:To investigate the association between catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT)Vall58Met polymorphism and prepulse inhibition of the auditory startle reflex (PPI) in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:Totally 178 patients with schizophrenia and 190 healthy volunteers were recruited.The auditory startle reflex was detected by using SR-HLAB monitoring system.The indexed of the auditory startle reflex included the amplitude,habituation％ and PPI30,PPI60,PPI120 (the lead interval was set 30 ms,60 ms,120 ms).COMT Vall58Met polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RELP).The differences of PPI among COMT genotypes were compared.Results:Compared to the healthy volunteers,patients with schizophrenia had a significant lower the amplitude of auditory startle reflex[(563± 460) mV vs (695 ± 447) mY,P ＜ 0.05] and habituation％ [(32 ± 46) vs (48 ± 33),P ＜ 0.01] as well as the ％PPI120[(27 ± 5) vs (35 ± 3),P ＜ 0.05].The significant differences in COMT allelic and genotypic distribions were observed between patients with schizophrenia and healthy volunteers (x2 =8.16,11.74,Ps ＜ 0.05).The significant main effect of COMT genotype on habituation％ was observed (P ＜0.05) but no interaction genotype by diagnosis on the amplitude of auditory startle reflex,habituation％ and ％ PPI120 was observed (Ps ＞ 0.05).Conclusions:There may be a correlation between COMT genotype and adaptability,but not between COMT genotype and PPI deficit present in patients with schizophrenia
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Objective:To investigate the possible pathological mechanisms of tardive dyskinesia (TD) by analyzing brain cortex morphological changes and it's correlation to abnormal involuntary movement in schizophrenic patients with TD.Methods:Thirty-two schizophrenia patients with TD (TD group),31 schizophrenia patients without TD (non-TD group) and 21 healthy volunteers (control group) were recruited.Combined TD and non TD group into schizophrenia group.The psychopathological symptoms and abnormal involuntary movement were assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS).The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data and Freesurfer software were used to measure the gray matter volume,cortical thickness,cortical surface area and volume of sub-conical regions among the three groups.Results:Schizophrenia group had significantly smaller gray matter volume in right nucleus accumbens,bilateral hippocampus,left superior frontal gyrus,left precentral sulcus superior part,and cortical surface area in left precentral sulcus superior part than the controls.The TD group had significantly smaller gray matter volume in right nucleus accumbens,larger gyrus gray matter volume and conical surface area in left precentral sulcus superior part than non-TD group (Ps ＜ 0.05).To test the difference between TD and non-TD group further,the chlorpromazine equivalent dose and PANSS negative scores Was controlled,the TD group still had significantly larger gray matter volume and surface area in left precentral sulcus superior part than the non-TD group [(2.03 ±0.07) × 103mm3 vs.(1.68-± 0.07) × 103 mm3,(1.01 ± 0.03) × 103 mm2 vs.(0.84 ± 0.03) × 103 mm2;Ps ＜ 0.05].Correlation analyses showed in schizophrenia group the cortical thickness in right inferior frontal gyrus correlated negatively with PANSS positive and general scores,positively with total scores;cortical volume in left occipital temporal sulcus correlated negatively with PANSS general and total scores,right inferior frontal gyrus correlated positively with PANSS positive scores,right intraparietal sulcus correlated positively with PANSS positive scores.In TD group,the cortical volume in left precentral sulcus superior part correlated positively with AIMS scores (r =0.46,P ＜0.01).Conclusions:The schizophrenia patients with TD had significantly increased gray matter volume and cortical surface area in left precentral sulcus superior part,which suggested there were motion compensation in the left precentral sulcus superior part in the pathogenesis of TD.
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Objective:To investigate the roles of S100B protein and anti-brain antibody (ABAb) in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by analyzing the changes of the serum levels of S100B and ABAb and the relationships of the measures with cognition deficits in patients with AD.Methods:In this study,32 patients with AD(AD group) and 40 age-matched volunteers without cognitive impairment(control group) were enrolled.The diagnosis was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition (DSM-Ⅳ).The mental and social functional conditions were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Activity of Daily Living Scale(ADL),the cognitive function of patients was evaluated with the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale(ADAS-Cog).The serum S100B proteinand ABAb levels were examined by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay(ELISA).Results:The serum S100B protein[(0.66 ± 0.17) μg/L vs.(0.30 ± 0.04)μg/L] and ABAb [(1.93 ± 0.95) U/L vs.(1.31 ± 0.25) U/L] levels were higher in AD patients than in the controls (Ps ＜ 0.01).In AD patients,the serum S 100B protein markedly negatively correlated with the scores of the MMSE(r =-0.66),while positively correlated with ADL and ADAS-Cog(r =0.57,r =0.53)(Ps ＜ 0.005).ABAb levels negatively correlated with the scores of the MMSE(r =-0.57),while positively correlated with ADL and ADAS-Cog(r =0.52,r =0.34)(Ps ＜0.05).The serum S100B protein levels were positively related to ABAb levels in AD group(r =0.51.P ＜0.005),but not in control group(r =0.076,P =0.654).Conclusions:It suggests that the serum levels of S100B protein and ABAb are related with cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease,and S100B protein and ABAb might play key roles in mechanism of Alzheimer's disease.
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Objective To investigate the efficacy of treatment and prevention of VitE on vacuous chewing move-ments (VCMs) of haloperidol-induced tardive dyskinesia (TD) rats and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic fac-tor ( BDNF) and total antioxidant capacity ( TAC) , and to explore the possible mechanisms.Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into TD, P-Vit E, T-Vit E and control group (n=8), receiving to-week treatment with Haloperidol (Hal)+NS, Hal+Vit E (medicated at the baseline), Hal+VitE (medicated at the fifth week) or normal saline (NS), respectively.VCM was evaluated at each week.ELISA and spectrophotometer were used to detect the serum levels of BDNF and TAC, respectively.Results The VCM score of both TD group and T-Vit E group increased at the 2nd weekend, reached the peak at the 5th weekend.VCM score of T-Vit E group declined gradually at the 6th weekend and was significantly lower than that in the TD group [(6.5 ±3.3) vs.(27.9 ±5.8), P0.05) at the 10th weekend.There was no significant difference in VCM score between P-Vit E group and control group for ten weeks(P>0.05).At the 10th weekend, serum BDNF [(6.9 ±1.0) pg/mL] and TAC [(11.9 ±3.2) U/mL] levels of TD group were significantly lower than those of the controls [BDNF (8.6 ±2.5) pg/mL, TAC (18.2 ±5.5) U/mL] and T-Vit E group [BDNF (8.7 ±2.0) pg/mL, (18.6 ±5.9) U/mL] (P0.05).Conclusions Vit E may relieve and prevent VCM in TD model rats though alleviation of free radical damage.
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Objective:To detect the expressions of COX-2 protein and BCL-2 protein in transitional mucosa adjacent to rectal carcinoma,and determine whether the transitional mucosa was the cancer precursor event.Methods:Mucin histochemical method was employed to detect the distal mucosa 2 cm away from rectal tumor and the transitional mucosa was found in 54 cases of rectal carcinoma.Immunohistochemical method was used to investigate the expressions of BCL-2 and COX-2 protein in the specimen of rectal carcinoma mass,transitional mucosa and non-transitional mucosa,and 20 cases of normal rectal mucosa,and the points of the expressions of COX-2 protein and BCL-2 protein were counted.Results:35.19%(19/54)of distal mucosa were characterized as the transitional mucosa.The expressions of COX-2 and BCL-2 protein were detected in carcinoma mass and distal mucosa.Significant difference was observed in carcinoma mass and transitional mucosa(p<0.01).But there were no significant differences between the expressions of those in transitional mucosa and non-transitional mucosa(p>0.05),as well as transitional mucosa and normal mucosa(p>0.05).Conclusion:The performance of transitional mucosa was not the cancer precursor event,but the non-specificity reaction of carcinoma or inflammation.
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Objective: To examine the therapeutic effects of dual dorsolateral prefrontal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on auditory hallucinations experienced by schizophrenic patients. Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled study was conducted. Totally 25 schizophrenic patients met DSM-Ⅳ criteria for schizophrenia and had anditory hallucination with stable antipsychotic drugs treatment were recruited. Subjects were grouped into active treatment subgroup and sham subgroup randomly. Measurements including the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) for clinical symptom and the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) for side-effects were evaluated Results: Totally 25 subjects completed the trial. The treatment efficiency of active treatment group was higher than that of sham group (75% vs. 31%) .No overt side effects of rTMS were observed. Conclusion: It is effective for rTMS to treat schizophrenia with auditory hallucination at 1Hz. rTMS may be a new selection of schizophrenia treatment.
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Objective To develop a gut-brain interaction animal model of IBS which combines multiple factors including behavior, visceral sensation and motility. Methods Setting up a multifactor interactional animal model (chronic acute combining stress model, CACS) based on a chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression (CUMS) while combined with wrap restraint stress (WRS) , changes of some indexes were recorded including motility (granules of defecating, time of defecating), visceral sensitivity ( spontaneous contraction of abdominal striated muscles ) and behavior/mind ( sucrose consumption, body weight). G protein subunits were measured by Western blot in both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex simultaneously. Results ( 1 ) Compared with the state before stress given, defecating granules increased, defecating time of glassie from rectum shorten, number of abdominal contraction increased, and sucrose consumption decreased in CACS, however, neither significant change was found on defecating behavior in CUMS nor on sucrose consumption in WRS; (2) Compared with the control group, some G protein submits expression decreased in both CACS and CUMS( P < 0. 05 ) , while no significant changes of any G protein subunits were found in WRS. Conclusion The CACS animal model was a new, brain-gut interaction model, which can mimic part of human symptoms of IBS very well.
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Objective:To study the clinical value and telomerase activity of malignant ascites treated by lifein combination with cisplatin.Methods:48 patients with malignant ascites were divided randomly into two groups.Treatment group of 28 cases were treated with lifein and cisplatin,control group of 20 cases were treated with cisplatin alone.Telomerase activity was detected by semi-TRAP assay before treatment,at the first week,the second week and the third week after treatment,respectively.Results:the effective rates of treatment group(89.3%) was much higher than that of control group (60%),P
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Objective To construct yeast eukaryotic expression vector carrying human endostatin (ES) cDNA. Methods The functional fragment of endostatin gene in human hepatic tissue was amplified by using RT-PCR technology, and cloned into yeast pPIC9 expression vector. The positive clone was sequenced by using automatized sequencer. Results The endostatin cDNA was successfully cloned. The positive ES clone gene in pPIC9 expression vector was sieved, and its coding sequence was identified to be as same as the previously reported sequence. Conclusion The successful construction of ES gene in pPIC9 expression vector using molecular biological method maybe helpful for the high expression of ES protein, which may lay the foundation for the treatment of malignant tumor through anti-angiogenesis appoach.
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Objective: To investigate pathophysiological mechanism of tardive dyskinesia (TD) by comparing the level of serum prolactin ( PRL ) of schizophrenic patients with TD to that of patients without TD (TD-) and normal volunteers. Methods: To assay the level of serum PRL in normal controls (n=44), chronic schizophrenic patients with TD (n=46), and without TD (n=46) by radio-immunity assay (RIA). The TD group and TD
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Objective: Affective disorder patients can be effectively treated by electro-acupuncture methods without many side effects, but the mechanism of the treatment is not known. The object of this study was to discover whether there is change of guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) level in platelets membrane from major depression patients before and after treatment by fluoxetine and electro-acupuncture. Methods:We utilized selective antibodies to quantitate the levels of the G-protein ? subunits in platelets membrane of 78 major depression patients (24 received fluoxetine treatment, 24 received electo-acupuncture treatment and 30 received placebo treatment) and 30 matched comparison subjects.Result:Levels of both G?i and G?q of the patient groups were higher than matched normal comparison subjects before treatment of fluoxetine and electro-acupuncture,the level of G?i and G?q did not change after the treatment of fluoxetine, electro-acupuncture and placebo. The level of G?s wasn't significantly different with matched comparison subjects.Conclusion:The levels of G?i、G?q in platelets membrane from major depression patients are higher than normal, the high levels of G?i and G?q in platelets membrane may be a trait abnormality for major depression patients, not a state abnormality for major depression.
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Objective:to do neuropsychological tests and apply functional questionnaire in screening of Alzheimer disease in rural area of north China. Method: subjects positive in screening with MMSE were applied a battery of neuropsychological tests including Fuld Object Memory test (FOM), a categorical test (Animal Naming Test), Digit Span Subtest from WAIS-R, and Block Design Subtest from WISC-III. Examination of apraxia and Pfeffer Functional Questionnaire were also applied.Result:There were significant differences of FOM in different groups, such as Alzheimer disease (AD) group, vascular dementia (VD) group, depression group, and VD+AD group. FOM had better sensitivity and specificity, while the sensitivities of RVR and apraxia were low, and the specificity of Digital Span and Block Design were not high enough.Conclusion:FOM may play an important role in diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between angiotensin I converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and Alzheimer disease (AD), as well as the effect of hypertension on the relationship.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This case-control study, included 96 AD patients meeting the DSM-IV diagnosis, and 96 subjects as controls coming from the same area and in the same environmental condition. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified the DNA segments, and the PCR products were identified by 2% agarose gel and visualized by ethidium bromide staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was significant difference between AD patients and controls in ACE genotypes and alleles distribution, as well as between AD patients with high blood pressure and controls with high blood pressure. But between normotensive AD patients and normotensive controls, there was no significant difference in ACE genotypes distribution (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ACE genotypes associated with the risk of AD, but II genotype as risk genetic factor only restricted in subjects with high blood pressure.</p>
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Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Alzheimer Disease , Genetics , Asian People , Genetics , Case-Control Studies , Hypertension , Genetics , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A , Genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Objective:To study the effect of simvastatin therapy on bone density and metabolism in rats with osteoporosis. Methods:Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four group: control group-A (sham operation group), ovariectomized group-B(OVX), OVX with oestrogen treatment group-C and OVX with simvastatin treatment group-D. Thirty days after surgery, oestrogen replacement therapy(nilestriol 1 mg/(kg?d), ig once a week for 12 weeks) in group-C and simvastatin therapy(with simvastatin 5 mg/(kg?d), ig once a day for a week, paused for two weeks,and given for another one week,until 12 weeks)in group-D.After 12 weeks, all rats were sacrificed. On the 12th day and the 4th day before sacrifice,all rats received subcutaneous injections of tetracycline as in vivo label. The proximal tibiae of rats were processed to undecalcified sections and stained with HE or Von Kossa.The microarchitecture was studied by bone histomorphometry. Results:Osteoporotic changes in proximal tibiae were observed in all ovariectomized rats and not in sham-operated rats. There was significant difference in static parameters (%Tb.Ar, Tb.N,Tb.Sp) comparing group C or D with group B respectively(P
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Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive gastropathy(PHG). Methods Two rat models with portal hypertension(PHT) and a sham operation group were established to detect the pathological changes in histology and ultrastructure of the gastric mucosa as well as quantitative changes in histological morphology by graphic analysis computer system. Results Prominent edema, scattered red dots/ecchymosis were found in gastric mucosa in rats with PHT. Light and scan electron microscopy showed swelling or exfoliating of the epithelium cell, reduction of gastric gland number, thin of gastric mucosa, while infiltration of inflammatory cells, epithelium metaplasia were not found. The most characteristic findings were the changes of the mucosal capillaries and venules in both mucosal basal lamina and submucosa layer light microscopically, as well as the transmutation, stenosis and loose intercellular joining of the capillaries on electron microscopy. Ultrastructure observation revealed numerous pinocytes in epithelial cells as well as proliferation and hyperplasia of smooth muscle, collagenous fiber and extracellular matrix in venules. Quantitative analysis showed that the ratios of the cross sectional area and the vascular wall area between the gastric wall area(CSA/GWA & VWA/GWA) was higher in liver cirrhosis(LC) and portal vein stenosis(PVS) groups than that in sham operation(SO) group. There was a positive correlation between portal vein pressure and the ratio of the length of damaged mucosa and the length of mucosa(LDM/LM that was higher in LC group than in PVS group). Conclusions In rats with cirrhotic portal hypertension, distinct gastric microvascular morphological changes are the major etiological factor of PHG as a part of pathological changes in portal hypertension.