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Objective:To discuss the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of linear scleroderma (LS).Methods:A case of LS diagnosed in the Second Hospital of Shandong University in October 20, 2020, was reported and the clinical features and pathological documentation of the disease reported in the literature were reviewed.Results:A 24-year-old woman presented cicatricial alopecia on the left frontoparietal area and facial atrophy for about 10 years. Two years before, she began to suffer ptosis and neurological complaints. Clinical features of different stages of the disease are presented. All 15 patients reported in the literature were analyzed, with a median of 22 years and a male to female ratio of 9∶6. There were 4 cases of linear scleroderma with ipsilateral drooping eyelids and lateral contraction, 3 cases of linear scleroderma with demyelinating lesions, combined with lateral contraction, 3 cases of linear scleroderma combined with lateral atrophy, and 1 case of linear scleroderma with ipsilateral facial spasm. Two cases were with the chest sclerosing spot. Two cases of linear scleroderma were with epileptic seizure and white matter demyelination lesion. Six cases were treated with hormone, 2 cases were treated with methotrexate. One case was treated with both hormone and methotrexate. One case was treated with botulinum toxin. Three cases were treated with surgical correction of eyelid ptosis. One case was treated with ultraviolet A1 radiation phototherapy and 1 case was treated with vitamin therapy.Conclusions:Patients with scleroderma may have ipsilateral facial atrophy, blepharoptosis and facial spasm. Some patients involving the nervous system may have epilepsy and myelitis. And demyelinating lesions can be seen in magnetic resonance imaging. Localized scleroderma may develop into systemic scleroderma. Therefore, it is recommended to combine immunosuppressants as soon as possible to control the development of the disease if necessary.
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Ischemic stroke is mainly seen in the elderly,and more than 90％ of the patients have suffered hypertension.Thiazide diuretic is one of the five types of the first-line antihypertensive drugs,its characteristics include relaxation in action,a broad spectrum of anti-hypertension,exact effect,safety,and low price.It has been used for antihypertensive treatment for more than 50 years.As global evidence-based medicine,it is especially suitable for the elderly patients.Thiazide diuretic can effectively reduce the incidence and recurrence of stroke for the elderly hypertensive patients,no matter how it is used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs,the efficiency of thiazide diuretic has withstood the test of time and practice and has been confirmed with clear evidences.Thus,in the elderly patients at high-risk for ischemic stroke,the use of this effective antihypertensive drug should be further emphasized.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the association of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) gene methylation with cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-three patients with cerebral infarction and 94 healthy controls were enrolled. Based on cerebral MR findings, the size of infarction, extent of intracranial atherosclerosis, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and Barthel index were calculated. Methylation-specific PCR was used to analyze the methylation status of the EC-SOD gene in peripheral blood samples and its correlation with cerebral infarction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of EC-SOD gene promoter region methylation of the cerebral infarction group was lower than that of the control group (30.1% vs. 53.2%, P < 0.05). Patients with larger area of cerebral infarction (>4 cm in diameter) showed a lower methylation rate than those with a smaller cerebral infarction (0 vs. 39.1%, P < 0.05). Based on their cerebral MRA, 57 patients were divided into none, mild, moderate, and severe cerebral arteriosclerosis groups. The rate of EC-SOD gene methylation of the four groups showed a downward trend (at 45.5%, 42.9%, 23.8%, and 14.3%, respectively), though no statistical significance was found (P > 0.05). For the cerebral infarction group, those with higher rate of methylation had lower NIHSS scores (P < 0.05) but insignificantly higher Barthel index (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The EC-SOD methylation frequency of case group was lower than the control group. The methylation status is associated with the size of cerebral infarction, degree of cerebral arteriosclerosis and severity of neurological impairment.</p>
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Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cerebral Infarction , Genetics , DNA Methylation , Extracellular Space , Superoxide Dismutase , GeneticsABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)and its effect on the cognation in the PDGF hAPPV717I transgenic mice of Alzheimer's disease model.Methods Totally 36 PDGF hAPPV717I transgenic mice were randomly divided into two groups:G-CSF group and control group.The G CSF group was subcutaneously injected with 50 μg · kg-1 · d-1 of G-CSF for 7 days.The control group was injected subcutaneously with an equal volume of PBS in parallel.The animals were tested in Morris water maze on the 7th,14th,and 28th days after the last day of the injection,and the escape latency was recorded.Once the test was completed,the peripheral blood was taken to evaluate the effect of G-CSF to induce hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) via flow cytometry.Then the mice were killed,their brains were quickly removed and frozen on dry ice.With the immunohistochemical staining and double immunofluorescence staining,the neurogenesis could be observed in the model mice.Results We found that G-CSF significantly shortened the escape latencies in PDGF-hAPPV717I transgenic mice compared to controls on the 7th,14th,and 28th day after G-CSF treatment [7 d:(27.19±4.07) s and (46.07±7.21) s,P＜0.000; 14 d:(26.48±5.29) sand (42.99±11.70) s,P＜0.010; 28 d:(24.97±3.61) s and (45.54±9.55) s,P＜0.002)].At the same time,we found that the percentage of CD34+/CD45+ cells in the peripheral blood was 0.358±0.161,0.223±0.038,0.168±0.049 on the 7th,14th,and 28th day after G-CSF treatment,respectively.Compared with the control group (0.073±0.026,0.067±0.034,0.072± 0.037),the percentage of CD34′ /CD45+ cells in the peripheral blood were increased (P＜0.001).BrdU+ cells were found in dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus and the cortex of the G-CSF group,where the BrdU+ /Ncstin- and BrdU-/MAP-2+ cells were also detected positively.Conclusions Subcutaneous administration of G- CSF may improve the cognition in APP transgenic mouse model of AD.G-CSF may mediate the proliferation,differentiation of hcmatopoietic stem cells (HSCs).and may induce the neural stem cells into the brain.
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Objective To investigate the influence of aerobic exercise on the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques and to observe the concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9 ) and matrix metalloproteinase-14(MMP-14) in carotid atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E (APoE) gene deficient mice.Methods Eighty male, APoE gene deficient mice were divided into two equal groups: an aerobic exercise group and a limited action control group. Carotid atherosclerotic lesions were induced by perivascular constrictive collars placed on the right common carotid artery. Blood lipid levels in the exercise group were measured after 8 weeks of treadmill running and also in the control group. The morphological characteristics of carotid atherosclerotic plaques were observed in the two groups. Plaque area and fibrous cap thickness were measured. Lipid and collagen positive areas were quantified and the ratios correlated with the entimal areas were calculated. Plaque rupture rate and vulnerable index were calculated.Immunostaining was used to detect MMP-9 and MMP-14 expression in the atherosclerotic plaques. The mRNA levels of MMP-9 and MMP-14 mRNA in the fresh carotid plaques were quantified using a real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blotting was performed for examining MMP-9 and MMP-14 protein expression in the fresh carotid plaques.Results No significant difference in serum lipid profiles or plaque area was found between the exercise and control groups. Compared with the control group, mean fibrous cap thickness, cap/core ratio and collagen content were all significantly higher in the exercise group, and lipid content was significantly lower. Plaque rupture rate and the vulnerable index were both significantly lower in the exercise group. Immunostaining showed that MMP-9 and MMP-14 expression were lower in the exercise group compared with the control group.The mRNA expression of MMP-9 and MMP-14 was also significantly lower.Conclusions Aerobic exercise can decrease the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-14 in carotid atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE gene deficient mice. Aerobic exercise may play a role in forestalling atherosclerosis by increasing the stability of plaque and decreasing plaque vulnerability.
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Objective To investigate the effects of rhG-CSF on the improvement of cognitive impairment and anti-apoptosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) induced by Aβ1-42 in rat. Methods Healthy male Wistarirats were randomly assigned to the Aβ group, treatment group and sham operation group. Aβ1-42 (10μg) was injected into bilateral hippocampus to create the rat model of AD. Rats in rhG-CSF group were subcutaneously subjected to 50μg/(kg · d) rhG-CSF for 5 days, while rats in Aβ group were subjected to normal saline. Morris water maze tests were done and expressions of caspase-3 protein were determined by immunohistochemical method on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day after administration. Results (1) The avoiding latent periods of rhG-CSF group ( ( 34. 33 ±6. 47 ) s, (42. 08 ± 6. 36 ) s, (46. 88 ± 7. 66 ) s, respectively ) were shorter than that of Ap group ((49.79 ±4.87)s, (50.25 ±6.81 )s, (51. 33 ±6.90)s, respectively). The percentages of swimming distances in the target quadrant in rhG-CSF group ( (41.00 ±7.62)% ,(43.33 ±8. 16)% ,(44. 67 ±8.07)% ,respectively) were increased comparing with Ap group((25.33 ±6.89)% , (23. 83 ±4.67)% ,(21.50 ±4.64)% ,respectively). The differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). (2) Compared with sham operation group,the positive rate of caspase-3 protein in rat's hippocampus of Ap group significantly increased after injecting Aβ1-42 The positive rates of caspase-3 protein in rhG-CSF group on the 7th, 14th day ( (7. 93 ±6. 33) and (8. 83 ±5. 94) were lower than Aβ group ( ( 10.43 ±7. 16) and ( 11. 34 ± 5. 17 ) . The differences were statistically significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion RhG-CSF can improve the cognitive impairment of Alzheimer Disease (AD) induced by Aβ1-42 in rat, decrease the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and delay the decline of its learning and memory ability to some extent.
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Objective To observe the effectiveness of early intervention with ultrashort wave diathermy in the treatment of experimental avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH). Methods Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups:a normal group(group A),a model group(group B) and an ultrashort wave diathermy group(group C). The animals in groups B and C were subject to injection of horse blood serum and methyl prednisolone to induce ANFH, while those in group A were administered with injection of normal saline. The TXA 2, PGI 2, TG, TCh and hemorrheological indice were tested with all the rats. Results The animals in the model group were found with ANFH manifesting avasular necrosis of femoral head bone cells, decrease of bone marrow cells, high blood viscosity and imbalance of TXA 2 PGI 2. The ultrashort wave diathermy group demonstrated significant improvement with regard to the blood supply, the TG level and blood viscosity,as well as the PLT activity and the TXA 2 PGI 2 ratio. Conclusion The ultrashort wave diathermy could be an effective treatment method for preventing ANTH when used in the early stage of development of the condition.
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Objective To investigate the effects of soybean isoflavones on cognition and expression of NMDA receptor (NR2B) subtype in hippocampus in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats induced by amyloid ?-peptide 25-35(A? 25-35).Methods 60 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: model group, low dose of soybean isoflavone treatment group, high dose of soybean isoflavone treatment group, estrogen group and control group. AD models were made by injection A? 25-35 into bilateral hippocampus and normal saline was used in control group. Different dose of soybean isoflavone and estrogen were administered in soybean isoflavone treatment groups and estrogen treatment group for 18 d, respectively. The praxiology of rats was assessed by Morris water maze and the expression of NR2B in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry method.Results Compared with control group,the learning and memory ability of model group obviously damaged and the expression of NR2B in hippocampus decreased (all P
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)0.05).Conclusions There is a predominant expression of Th_2-type cytokines in PBMC in PD patients. Abnormal immune function is one of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of PD.
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Objective To explore the clinical feature and treatment method of the dopa responsive dystonia (DRD).Methods To observe the clinical manifestation,auxiliary test and the response on the treatment of levodopa in 6 patients from 4 families.Results 1 patient for childhood onset and 2 patients for adolescent onset with DRD, first symptom showed leg dystonia and toe walking with difficulty, whereas 3 patients of adult onset showed tremor and rigidity. Babinski sign was presented in 3 cases. Diurnal fluctuation in symptom severity occurred in all cases. All patients had obvious response to small dose levodopa in 1～6 days. In 2 cases, the effect was maintained for 7 years, without increasing the intake of levodopa.Conclusion The clinical feature of DRD was more remarkable,the therapeutic effectiveness of levodopa was rapid,sustained and obvious.