Clinical features of long segmental myelopathy caused by nitrous oxide / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of the neurological damage caused by nitrous oxide (N2O).@*METHODS@#In the study, 10 patients in the Department of Neurology of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from October 2015 to February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed for the demographic data, the history of inhaled N2O, clinical features, blood examination, electrophysiological examination, spinal magnetic resonance imaging and therapeutic efficacy profiles.@*RESULTS@#The male-to-female ratio was 4:6 and it presented with an age-of-onset 17-26 years [the average age: (20.80±3.12) years]. The time from inhaled N2O to onset was 1 month to 1 year [the average time: (6.95±4.19) months]. Paralysis in all the patients and numbness in 9 patients were the main clinical features, while positive Lhermitte's sign in 3 patients, urinary and defecation disturbance in 4 patients were also found. Blood examination indicated anemia in 2 patients, giant cell anemia in 1 case and small cell hypochromic anemia in 1 case. 3 cases had been treated with vitamin B12 in an external hospital, and the other 7 cases had abnormal increase in homocysteine levels. Electrophysiological examinations showed sensory and motor nerve involvement in 9 patients, and motor nerve involvement in 1 patient. The severity of lower extremity lesion was significantly heavier than that of upper extremity. Spinal magnetic resonance imagings showed that long segmental lesions were present in the cervical spinal cord of all the patients, 3 cases with long segmental lesions of the thoracic cord and 2 cases with spinal cord swelling. In 6 cases, the horizontal axis had an "inverted V-type" T2 high signal, 1 case was classified as "crescent", and 3 cases were "eight-shaped". The symptoms in these 10 cases were alleviated in varying degrees after stopping the inhalation of nitrous oxide, actively supplementing high doses of vitamin B12 and doing early rehabilitation exercises.@*CONCLUSION@#Myelopathy with nitrous oxide presents as paralysis and numbness in limb extremities. In imaging, cervical spinal cord damage is common, accompanied by thoracic spinal cord damage. The horizontal axis is more common in the "inverted V-type". Treatment with high doses of vitamin B12 is effective.

Diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy Using Western Blot with Micro-sample of Muscle / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To diagnose muscular dystrophy using Western blot (WB) by improving the method of the protein extraction.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Firstly,we compared the effect of different sample buffer solutions and processing Methods on the extraction of muscle protein in rats,then selected the appropriate extracting method and the process of the muscular protein.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We put the selected sample buffer into the micro-sample,then mixed. The concentration of the extracting protein was much more,and the loss during the process was much less. We extracted enough protein in 62 cases. The protein bands were showed clearly by WB,and the abnormal protein bands were shown in some patients. Compared with the Results of immunohistochemical staining detected the severe abnormal expressions of Dys-R,Dys-C,and Dys-N in the specimens,we did not detect the corresponding target band in WB. We detected the target protein band of the specimens were abnormal position,light or normal staining in WB,while Dys were mildly expressed in immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The improved protein extraction method can save the muscle tissue,and the protein bands can be used for diagnosing the muscular dystrophy. For clinically suspected patients with dystrophinopathy,if normal or mild deficiency is shown by immunohistochemistry,WB should be applied to detect the dystrophin protein band.</p>

Significance of brain stem auditory evoked potential and somatosensory evoked potential on prognosis evaluation in patients with acute cerebral infarction / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate changes of brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP)and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) in patients with acute cerebral infarction,and discuss their relation with prognosis of the patients.Methods The study involved 60 patients with acute cerebral infarction.Changes of BAEP and SEP in each patient were detected and recorded continuously.Prognosis evaluation was performed by using GCS.Another 60 age-matched and gender-matched healthy human beings were enrolled as controls.Results Incubation period of BAEP wave Ⅰ had no significant difference between the cerebral infarction and control groups (P ＞ 0.05).However,interspike intervals of other BAEP waves in cerebral infarction group were different from those in control group (P ＜ 0.05).A series of waves of SEP (P14-N60) were all significantly prolonged in cerebral infarction group (P ＜0.05).Conclusion BAEP and SEP can effectively reflect function of brain stem in patients with acute cerebral infarction and have some values in determining their prognosis.

Mitochondrial ND5 as the causative gene of Leight syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report a Chinese Han family with two patients of Leigh syndrome (LS) and to scan the mutation in mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical features and the laboratory findings were summarized. Mitochondrial DNA chip and direct sequencing were performed to detect the mutation in entire mtDNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Failure of thrive, psychomotor retardation, hypotonia and weakness, cerebellar ataxia, and seizure were the main manifestations of the family. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed lesions at midbrain, periaqueductal gray matter, dentate nuclei of cerebellar and thalami. The levels of lactic acid and pyruvate were mildly abnormal. The mutation of ND5*13513 G to A was identified in the LS family.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients with ND5*13513 G to A mutation may have a characteristic clinical course and ND5 *13513 G to A might be a preferential candidate mutation of Leigh syndrome.</p>

The technique characteristic and clinical application of HX straight-wire appliance / 华西口腔医学杂志

HX straight-wire appliance (HX-SWA) is designed and adjusted by doctors of Orthodontic Department, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University. It is a set of appliance that is constructed according to normal occlusion features of the Chinese people, including the prescription of tip, torque, in/out, counter-tip, counter-rotation and overcorrection in brackets and buccal tubes. Some ingredients of the appliance are different from that of the most popular Roth straight-wire appliance in the world wide. Over a period of the last 10 years, doctors in our hospital kept on summarizing treatment experience with HX-SWA, which will help more doctors promote practice and results in orthodontic clinic.

Changes of the acetylcholine receptor on rat's superficial masseter muscles after functional mandibular advancement / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the maximum binding (Bmax) and affinity Kd value changes of acetylcholine receptor (n-AchR) on rat's superficial masseter muscles after functional mandibular advancement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty 5-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The mimic functional appliances were only used in experimental groups, and the rats of two groups were killed after 1, 3, 7, 14 days. Radio-ligand binding assay (RBA) was applied to determine the Bmax and Kd value of n-AchR on the superficial masseter muscles.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Bmax of n-AchR in experimental groups was higher than that in the control groups at all time points, and the differences had statistical significance. The Kd value of n-AchR was higher in experimental group than that in control groups in 1, 3, 7 days, while Kd value in experimental group of n-AchR was lower than that in control groups in 14 days. The differences had statistical significance in 7 and 14 days, but the differences had no statistical significance in 1 and 3 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The functional orthopedics can increase the Bmax and affinity of n-AchR on rapid growing rat's superficial masseter muscles.</p>

Effects of programmed cell death on human dental follicle cells and changes of programmed cell death under different hydrostatic pressures / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Tooth eruption requires the presence of the dental follicle (DF) around the unerupted tooth. This study is to investigate programmed cell death on human dental follicle cells and changes of programmed cell death under different hydrostatic pressures: 0, 50 and 100 kPa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human dental follicles from third mandibular molars were surgically removed from adolescents who need for orthodontics treatment after informed content, then trypsinized and cultured. Human dental follicle cells were divided into three groups according to different hydrostatic pressures: 0, 50 and 100 kPa and their programmed cell death were labeled by using TdT-medi-ated-dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Dental follicle cells cultured were elongate shape and exhibited fibroblastic characteristics. Compared with 0 kPa, programmed cell death cells on human dental follicle cells were increased 0.23% and 31.65% under 50 kPa and 100 kPa hydrostatic pressures respectively. 100 kPa group increased significantly (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It suggested that programmed cell death occured in human dental follicle cells cultured in vitro and was influenced by different hydrostatic pressures. Hydrostatic pressure may improve tooth erup-tion through dental follicle.</p>

Substance P regulates function of osteoclasts via neurokinin-1 receptor / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of substance P on cultured rat osteoclasts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor expression in osteoclasts was examined by immunohitochemical method, and changes of bone resorption activity caused by substance P and NK1 receptor antagonists were detected by pit formation assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunoreactivity for NK1 receptor was distributed in the cytoplasm of osteoclasts. The average of pit formation areas significantly increased with addition of substance P (10(-7)-10(-4) mol/L) (P < 0.05), but the number of pitformations did not change (P > 0.05). NK1 receptor antagonists inhibited the enhancement of the bone resorption by substance P addition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The findings suggested that substance P may stimulate osteoclasts and result in bone resorption by the mediation of NK1 receptor.</p>

Isolation and sequencing of seven Sox genes from the lacertid lizard Eremias breuchleyi

The Sox family of genes shares a high sequence similarity with the HMG box region of the human Y chromosomal gene, SRY. We used highly degenerate primers to clone and sequence seven Eremias breuchleyi Sox genes (EbSox2, EbSox3, EbSox4, EbSox11, EbSox12, EbSox14 and EbSox21). A database search for the cloned sequences revealed the following percentage identity with the homologous human SOX genes: EbSox2 = 96 percent, EbSox3 = 88 percent, EbSox4 = 94 percent, EbSox11 = 99 percent, EbSox12 = 96 percent, EbSox14 = 98 percent, EbSox21 = 97 percent. Cluster analysis indicates that they seem to belong to group B and group C of Sox gene family, respectively.

The clinic skill in fixed appliance based on characteristics of Chinese normal occlusion / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the bracket placement and arch wire bending based on ethnic differences and individual differences of normal occlusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The prominence, tip, torque, upper first molar offset of crown and arch form between Chinese and Caucasian normal occlusion were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed the ethnic differences of prominence, tip, torque, upper first molar offset of crown and arch form between Chinese and Caucasian normal occlusion. The placement of bracket was influenced by the crown morphology.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The adjustments of the bracket placement and arch wire bending with Edgewise and pre-adjusted appliance are necessary to adapt to ethnic difference and individual difference.</p>

Cephalometric evaluation of the effects of pendulum appliance on various vertical growth patterns / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the pendulum appliance in treating dental Class II patients with various vertical growth patterns.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The samples (n = 30) were divided into three groups equally based on their FMA. Pretreatment and post-treatment cephalometric radiographs were taken to measure the changes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The amount of upper molar distalization in the low-angle group was the fewest, and that in the high-angle group was the most. Upper molars had been intruded insignificantly. The amount of anchorage loss at the first premolars and overjet increased at incisors was different in the three groups. The biggest change happened in the low-angle group, and the smallest in the high-angle group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of this study showed that pendulum appliance could move the upper molars distally in a short period of time. The upper molars in different groups were intruded insignificantly. Pendulum appliance could be used to move the upper molars distally in high-angle cases.</p>

A study on PARKIN gene in three pedigrees with autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the possible relationship between PARKIN gene and the Chinese pedigree with autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson's disease(AREP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical examination was carried out in 6 patients from 3 Chinese pedigrees with AREP and their 23 family members. PCR amplification of all exons of PARKIN gene was performed. The PCR products were analyzed by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC) to screen for point mutation and polymorphism. And in the samples with abnormal DHPLC result, further sequencing was conducted to confirm the type of mutation and polymorphism.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All exons of PARKIN gene from the research subjects were successfully amplified. A heterozygous point mutation (Gly284Arg) in exon 7 was found in one pedigree. A polymorphism (Ser167Asn) in exon 4 was found in another pedigree. All the patients had the past history of exposure to environmental poison.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>When acting together with risky environmental factors, the heterozygous mutation Gly284Arg in PARKIN gene may cause AREP. The polymorphism Ser167Asn in PARKIN gene increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and may cause AREP when acting together with hydrargyrism.</p>

The effects of growth hormone on rabbit's mandibular condylar chondrocytes proliferation and secretion in vitro / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of growth hormone (GH) on the proliferation and type II collagen secretion of chondrocytes of mandibular condyle in rabbit in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Flow cytometry (FCM) and immunohistochemical technique were employed to observe the possible changes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The exogenic GH can enhance the proliferation and synthesis of DNA of the chondrocytes of mandibular condyle in rabbit in vitro. The suitable concentration of GH is 10 microg/ml. The synthesis of DNA reaches the highest level after 12 hours, while the proliferation index (PI) hits the highest after 24 hours. (2) GH (10 microg/ml) can stimulate the secretion of type II collagen of the chondrocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The exogenic GH can enhance the proliferation, the synthesis of DNA and the secretion of type II collagen of the chondrocytes of mandibular condyle in rabbit in vitro.</p>

Expression of testosterone in the rapid growing rat condylar cartilage and the expression changes after the function mandibular advancement / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of Testosterone in the condylar cartilage of rapid growing rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mimic functional appliances were used in experiment groups and rats were killed after 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks. Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of T.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>T was expressed throughout the condylar cartilage. The Highest expressions were in mature layers of both experiment and control groups. Along with the maturation, the expressions of T in the condylar cartilage were changed respectively, and the immunostain levels in the mature layer of experiment groups 2 and 3 weeks were higher than those of control groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>1. T is a member of cartilage growth and development control system. 2. The orthopedic mechanism of functional appliance may be conducted by T.</p>

Changes of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activity of cultured myoblast induced by cyclic stretch / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of stretch on sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPases activity and mRNA level and study the remodeling reaction of muscle in a variety of mechanical environments.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Myoblast from maxillofacial skeletal muscle of one-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rat was cultured and stretched cyclicly using a four-point bend device. Inorganic Phosphorus test was used to compare the activity of Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPases of myoblast before and after stretch. RT-PCR was also used to observe the Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPases mRNA level.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The activity of Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPases of myoblast down regulated significantly in 4 hours. During the period of 8 hours to 24 hours, up-regulation followed then returned to control level at the 48 hour point. RT-PCR showed that Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPases mRNA level were elevated by stretch, particularly at 2 hour and 48 hour point.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggested a transcriptional control of Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPases activity was involved in the muscle remodeling process induced by stretch.</p>

Cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 mutation result in mitochondrial encephaiomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To report a 33-year-old man with post-headache stroke-like episodes,with whom ischemic changes were found in basal ganglia and occipital-temporal lobe and muscle biopsy revealed abnormal mitochondrial structure and function without regular mutations detected in mtDNA.Methods Gene chip technique was used to detect the mutation of whole sequence of mtDNA,and direct sequencing technique was used to confirm the mutations.Results Three mutations were found.A new mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (MTCO1),a T→C transition at nucleotide position 6253 resulted in conservative methionine transferring to threonine.His mother also held the mutation,which was not found in 98 control samples.So T6253C was considered the nosogenetic mutation.Conclusion This is the first time to report a mutation in MTCO1 responsible of MELAS.