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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disease.As the most common type of senile dementia disease,AD has no effective methods for early diagnoses.AD is characterized by the deposition of intracellular amyloid β (Aβ) plaques and extracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the brain.In addition to allomnesia and cognitive disorder,ocular manifestation such as cataracts exists in AD patients.Studies have shown that amyloid-β (Aβ) is deposited not only in the brain but also in crystalline lens.For its structure and special location,crystalline len is more accessible for imaging than the brain,which can provide a simple,convenient and early diagnosis method for AD.Hence,it is worth investigating the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and cataracts.
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Objective To explore the effects of willed movement on neurological performance and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) pathway in rats following focal cerebral ischemia.Methods Reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced in 144 male SpragueDawley rats using intraluminal sutures,and they were randomly divided into a control group,a swimming exercise group,an environment modification group,and a willed movement group.The observation time points were at 7,15 and 30 days after reperfusion.A behavioral test was performed to evaluate any neurological deficiency.Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence were used to detect the ERK and CREB responses in terms of mRNA and phosphorylated ERK (pERK) and phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) protein in the peri-ischemic brain tissue.Results The climbing frequency of the willed movement group was significantly higher than that of the environment modification group.Three days after reperfusion the neurological deficit scores of all groups began to decrease,and that of the willed movement group had decreased significantly more than in the other three groups at all time points.ERK/CREB mRNA and pERK and pCREB protein expression were dramatically up-regulated in the willed movement group at 7,15 and 30 days after reperfusion,significantly more than in the other three groups.Conclusions Willed movement may promote motor recovery by up-regulating and activating the ERK/CREB pathway following focal cerebral ischemia.
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Objective To investigate the presentation and radiologic findings of acute marchiafava‐bignami disease(MBD) . Methods Three cases of acute MBD who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed ,including the clinical symptoms ,laboratory tests ,imaging examination(such as cranial CT ,magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) ,prognosis .Results Three cases were acute onset .The symptoms may be non‐specific ,such as consciousness disorder ,psychosis ,seizures ,delirium tremor and high fever .The imaging changes in the genu and splenium of corpus callosum could be found ,even in the bihemispheric white matter of all cases .CT revealed low‐density areas ,meanwhile MRI showed iso‐or hypo‐intensity on T1WI and ADC ,hyper‐in‐tensity on T2WI and fluid attenuated inversion recovery and restricted diffusion weighted imaging .The lesions involved in bihemi‐spheric brachium pontis in one case and in the body of corpus callosum in another case .Conclusion Acute MBD may present with various clinical forms ,but have characteristic imaging findings .
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Objective To investigate the factors influencing the daily life information searching behaviors in elderly people receiving different old-age services.Methods The factors influencing the daily life information searching behaviors in 1178 elderly people with their age >60 years receiving different old-age services in the central region of China were investigated with questionnaire and assessed according to self-designed daily life information search-ing scale .Results The total score of daily life information searching behaviors in elderly people receiving home-, community-and institution-based old-age service was 62 .63 ±13 .13 , 65 .16 ±13 .37 ,and 57 .84 ±11 .98 , respec-tively.Age, health state, education level, body factors, insufficient equipments, and information search ability were the factors influencing the daily life information searching behaviors in elderly people .Conclusion Old-age service should be strengthened and the daily life information searching ability of elderly people should be improved according to the factors that influence their daily life information searching behaviors .
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Objective To investigate the change of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor α1 subunit mRNA expression in nitroglycerin induced migraine rat model,thus suggesting the relationship between GABAA receptor and migraine.Methods Thirty adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group,migraine model group,sodium valproate-treated group,each of the last 2 groups was divided into the attacking group and intermission group.The model of migraine was established using Cristina method,once a week for 5 weeks.After the second injection,rats in sodium valproate-treated group were given sodium valproate(0.5 g/L,10 ml/kg) everyday,and those in control group and model group were given normal saline solution(10 ml/kg).After the fifth injection,at the second hour(attacking groups) or the fourth day(intermission groups and control group),reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression level of GABAA receptor α1 mRNA in brainstem and trigeminal ganglion.Results The expression level of GABAA receptor α1 mRNA in modeling attacking group(1.50 ±0.13) was higher than any other group(control group:1.01 ±0.24,modeling intermission group:1.04 ±0.10,sodium valproate-treated attacking group:0.99 ± 0.22,sodium valproate-treated intermission group:0.72 ± 0.03),and it was significantly higher than modeling intermission group(x2 =9.490,P =0.009).There was no statistical difference between modeling group and any other group,and compared with control group,there was no statistical difference in sodium valproate-treated attacking group or intermission group.Conclusion The pathogenesis of migraine may be related to the expression level of GABAA receptor α1 mRNA.
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Objective To determine the relation between Marburg I polymorphism of FactorⅦ-activating protease (FSAP) and cerebral infarction,and to analyze whether it is one of the risk factors of cerebral infarction.Methods Single strand conformation polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (SSCP-PCR) was applied for the polymorphism analysis of FSAP in 159 patients with cerebral infarction and 179 non-cerebral infarction subjects.Results The phenotypes of FSAP in both the patients and the control subjects were wild type GG;no mutant of Marburg I was found. But a new gene mutation was tested, which had not been reported, requiring further investigation. Conclusion Marburg I polymorphism of FSAP may not be associated with cerebral infarction.
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Objective To investigate the mechanism of P/Q-type calcium channel in nitroglycerin induced migraine experimental model Methods Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats ( half female and half male) were randomly divided into control group and model group. The model of migraine rats was reproduced using Tasserelli Cristina method that wassubcutaneou injection of GTN of 10 mg/kg, once a week for four weeks. After the model of migraine had been established, trigeminal ganglion and trigeminocervical complex and cortex of frontal lobe were removed and the expressions of P/Q-type calcium channel were detected by RT- PCR and Western-blot, and at the same time the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ was investigated by Fluo- 3/AM fluorometric method. Results Compared with the control group, the expression of mRNA and protein of P/Q-type calcium channel of trigeminal ganglion and trigeminocervical complex (mRNA: 0. 472 36± 0. 049 54; protein: 0. 337 25 ± 0. 035 93 ) and cortex of frontal lobe ( mRNA: 0. 547 45 ± 0. 044 39 ; protein : 0. 402 13 ± 0. 029 83) in model group all upregulated (t = 2. 6697, 3. 1993, 3. 4398 and 3. 7661, all P <0. 05), at the same time the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ in model group increased (211 182 ± 12 973 vs 135 243 ± 18 105 in trigeminal ganglion and trigeminocervical complex; 186 511 ± 18 297 vs 143 289±25 175 in cortex of frontal lobe. t =10.7819 and 4. 3917, beth P<0.05). Conclusions P/Q- type calcium channel may play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine via its upregulated expression.
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@#Regeneration of axon was play an important role in the functional repair after spinal cord injury,and it was affected by vascular damage,absent availability nutrition transportation,urged to be solved.Inducing angiogenesis by electrical fields might be benefit to enhance anatomical plasticity and recovery of function after spinal cord injury.
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Objective To study the effects of valproic acid (VPA) to the expression of SMN2 mRNA in neuron-like cells (NLCs) derived from patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymerphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to select the patients with SMA. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from patients were induced into NLCs which were set as the model of neurons. The transcripts of SMN2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with sequenceing were detected. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis was performed to detect the changes of SMN2 mRNA expression between before and after the NLCs were treated by VPA. Results Two bands (266 bp and 212 bp) were found in the gel picture of RT-PCR, which were respectively the products of full length transcript (fl-SMN mRNA) and skipping exon 7 (SMN?7 mRNA). NLCs had significantly increased fl-SMN mRNA and SMN?7 mRNA levels as compared with the untreated cells after treatment with VPA, and shown a dose effect(0.210?0.035,0.282?0.041,0.351?0.020,0.450?0.052,0.553?0.035,P
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AIM: G protein-coupled inwardly rectifier potassium (GIRK) channel are distributed widely in mammalian brain. In CNS, GIRK 1/2 seems to be the predominant heterotetramers which play a pivot role in the regulation of the excitability of neurons and may contribute to the resting potential by leading to a hyperpolarization of membrane potential and reduction of the action potential frequency. In the context, the Weaver mouse is the first neurological abnormality directly linked to a genetic point mutation in the GIRK2 protein which includes spontaneous seizure. GIRK2 knock out mice showed normal development but more susceptible than normal mice to seizure induced by GABA antagonist. Here, we report that the mRNA and protein expression of GIRK subunit 2 is altered in kainic acid(KA)-induced epileptic rat hippocampus. METHODS: Rats were injected with kainate 14 mg/kg intraperitoneally to establish an acute and chronic temporal lobe epilepsy model. At chronic spontaneous seizure stage, by using of in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting, the GIRK 1,2 mRNA and protein were analyzed quantitatively in the dentate gyreus, CA1, CA3 regions of hippocampus. RESULTS: GIRK1,2 mRNA and proteins were expressed abundantly in all regions of hippocampus. KA induced seizures and caused a significant increase in GIRK2 mRNA abundance and immunoreacitivity; only GIRK1 mRNA was increased significantly, but no difference was found by Western blotting protocol. CONCLUSION: GIRK1,2 mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus of epileptic rat brain is up-regulated, which may be an adaptive response to over-excitability of neuron networks and prevent the over-excitability spread in hippocampus (DG-CA3-CA1). [
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Objective To study the value of the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in gene diagnosis on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).Methods PCR-RFLP method was used to detect the homozygous deletion of the exon 7 or exon 8 of SMN gene in 20 SMA patients of Type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and 15 normal individuals.Results Homozygous deletion of exon 7 and exon 8 of the SMN gene were all identified 7/7 in SMA TypeⅠpatients, and 5/5 and 4/5 respectively in SMA Type Ⅱ patients, but only 1/8 of SMA Type Ⅲ patients, and no homozygous deletion was found in the normal controls.Conclusions PCR-RFLP might be recommended as an effective diagnosis for spinal muscular atrophy Type Ⅰand Ⅱ patients, whereas the method might not be as useful in Type Ⅲ as in Type Ⅰand Ⅱ for the gene diagnosis.
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Objective To study the clinical and pathological manifestation of simple polymyositis. To investigate the expression of costimulatory molecules CD28/CTLA-4: B7 in peripheral blood lymphocytes and their roles in the pathogenesis of SPM.Methods The clinical situation, serum emzymes, electromyography(EMG) and muscular pathology of 141 patients with SPM were investigated. The expression of costimulatory molecules CD28, CTLA-4, B7-1, BB-1 and B7-2 in peripheral blood lymphocytes of six patients with simple polymyositis was measured with one-color flow cytometry(FCM). The control group were healthy volunteers.Results Muscle weakless, myalgia, elevation of creatine kinase and abnormal EMG of myogenic damage were very frequently to see in SPM. The muscle biopsy showed degeneration, necrosis and regeneration of muscle fibres, sporadic muscle fibre atrophy and endomysial inflammatory infiltration. The expression levels of costimulatory molecules CD28, CTLA-4, B7-1 and B7-2 in peripheral blood lymphocytes increased in SPM. Compared to control group, the mean fluorescence intensity of these molecules in SPM group showed by FCM increased remarkably (CD28, B7-2, P
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Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of lymphoplasmapheresis (LPE) in treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Methods The initial recovery time of muscle strength, muscle strength score difference, clinical therapeutic effect and the security after treatment with LPE were observed in 34 GBS patients. Meanwhile, 17 GBS patients applied with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) named TPE group were served as control group. Results LPE group was treated with LPE 51 times in all, and the mean times was 1.5. TPE group received TPE 33 times in all, and the mean times were 1.9. In LPE group, the average initial recovery time [(12.74?7.18)d] was significantly shorter than that in TPE group [(24.35?14.22)d] (P0.05).Conclusions The therapeutic effect of LPE is distinguished for treatment with GBS and the side effect is rare. It is worth to apply in clinic.
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Objective To determine the characteristic features of clinical manifestation, imaging and pathology in the patients with hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (HCP). Methods All clinical data of 1 patient with HCP were studied retrospectively. Results The patient presented with heavy headache, progressive visual acuity decreased and hoarse voice. Brain MRI displayed abnormal strengthening signals in cerebral dura mater, especially in cerebral falx and tentorium of cerebellum. Pathological examination demonstrated chronic inflammation changes including numerous plasmocytes infiltration, accrementition and glassy degeneration of fibrous tissue, formation of granulation tissue. Therapy with corticosteroid hormone showed good effect for this patient.Conclusions HCP mainly presents with headache and paralysis of multiple cranial nerves. Distinctive sign on brain MRI is strengthening signal in cerebral dura. Chronic inflammation is the pathological change of this disease and pathological examination plays important role in diagnosis of HCP.
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Objective To explore the expression of G protein inwardly rectifier potassium channels subunit 2(GIRK*!2) in hippocampus of temporal epileptic rat.Methods After temporal lobe epilepsy was induced by kainic acid (KA), we took advantage of in situ hybridization to investigate the altered expression of GIRK*!2 mRNA in rat hippocampus.Results GIRK*!2 mRNA significantly increased in epileptic rats dentate gyrus region compared with normal control( P