Study on the thermal behaviour of spontaneous combustion of open-pit minerals.

To study thermal behaviour during spontaneous combustion of an open-pit coal mine, mixed slag (coal, oil shale, and coal gangue) was taken as the research object. Laser thermal conductivity analyser and differential scanning calorimetry were used to test thermophysical parameters and heat release characteristics of the minerals. The parameters can be employed to calculate the apparent activation energy using the Arrhenius equation and evaluate the thermal behaviour of open-pit mixed slag. The results indicate that thermophysical parameters have stage characteristics. Thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of minerals, especially mixed slag, have a strong correlation with temperature. Heat flow of minerals exhibits five characteristic stages, and heat flow of the samples is consistent with the change in heating rate. During the heating process, thermal diffusivity and heat flow of the mixed slag are between those of a single mineral. Except for the mixed slag at 15 and 20 °C/min, the initial exothermic temperature of the other samples is mainly concentrated at 50-80 °C. Thermal energy release of the sample is mainly concentrated in the accelerated exothermic stage and rapid exothermic stage. Thermal energy release of mixed slag in rapid exothermic stage is always greater than that in accelerated exothermic stage, and the proportion of thermal energy release in these two stages exceeds 98 %. The apparent activation energy during the accelerated exothermic stage is lower, making it easier to release heat, and rapid exothermic stage is relatively high, which can readily lead to heat accumulation. Thermal analysis reveals that the thermal behaviour of mixed slag is significantly different from that of a single mineral. Its unique exothermic characteristics can provide a more accurate theoretical basis for the prevention and control of environmental pollution caused by slag spontaneous combustion.

Application and evaluation of management mode for the use of antimicrobial drugs in county-level medical communities led by anti-infective clinical pharmacists / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To provide reference for improving the rational use of antimicrobial drugs in primary township medical institutions. METHODS Based on the county prescription pre-review center， a team led by anti-infective clinical pharmacists constructed the management mode for the use of antimicrobial drugs in county-level medical communities with clinical pharmacists as the main team by finding out the main problems in the use of antimicrobial drugs in primary township medical institutions， providing feedback on the problems， organizing relevant training for the problems， improving the customization rules of the prescription pre-review software， implementing the automatic interception and pharmacist online prescription review and other measures. Data on the use of antimicrobial drugs were collected and compared in the 15 primary township medical institutions between January-June in 2022 （before the implementation of the mode） and January-June in 2023 （after the implementation of the mode）. RESULTS Compared with before the implementation of the mode， the utilization rate of antimicrobial drugs in outpatients of primary township medical institutions decreased from 24.97% before the implementation of the mode to 19.39% after the implementation of the mode； the utilization rate of antimicrobial injection in outpatients decreased from 66.10% to 46.80%； the utilization rate of intravenous drip of antimicrobial drugs in outpatients decreased from 52.33% to 40.35%； the rates of combined use of antimicrobial drugs in outpatients decreased from 12.70% to 8.19%； the reasonable rate of antimicrobial prescribing in outpatients increased from 55.28% to 73.93%. After the implementation of the mode， the proportion of antimicrobial prescriptions for each diagnosis was basically the same as before； the defined daily dose system （DDDs） and proportion of a few antimicrobial drugs changed compared with before according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical classification of drugs， among which DDDs of lincomycin， gentamicin and other drugs declined significantly； DDDs of antimicrobial drugs for each classification was basically the same as before according to AWaRe classification. CONCLUSIONS The management mode of the use of antimicrobial drugs led by anti-infective clinical pharmacists is constructed in the prescription pre-reviewing center of county-level medical communities， which can effectively improve the rational use of antimicrobial drugs in the primary township medical institutions.

The first complete chloroplast genome sequence of Pentaphragma spicatum Merr. (Pentaphragmataceae) and phylogenetic analysis.

Pentaphragma spicatum Merr. is an endemic wild edible plant of China belonging to the Pentaphragmataceae family. It is widely consumed by Shangsi County resident in Guangxi Fangchenggang. Initially, Pentaphragma was classified as a genus within the Campanulaceae family, but, later it was treated as part of the Pentaphragmataceae family. However, the chloroplast genome of Pentaphragmataceae has not yet been reported. In this study, we sequenced the first complete chloroplast (cp) genome of P. spicatum from Guangxi, China. The whole genome was 154,229 bp in length, consisting of a pair of inverted repeats (IR each 25,572 bp), a large single-copy region (LSC 84,884 bp), and a small single-copy region (SSC 18,201 bp). The complete genome contained 129 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 34 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the whole genome was 37.71%. Based on a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis, it has been determined that P. spicatum is not phylogenetically related to Campanulaceae and supports the decision to classify it as a separate family, Pentaphragmataceae. The complete chloroplast genome of P. spicatum will help enhance and integrate the existing genome data of Asterales. This will provide insights into the phylogenetic relationship within Campanulaceae.

Effect of intervention on high caries risk children in some kindergartens in Zhangjiagang / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the prevention and control effects of different management modes on children with high risk of dental caries from some kindergartens in Zhangjiagang, and to provide a basis for relevant departments to formulate oral health management strategy.@*Methods@#In September 2020, 1 600 children aged 3 years old from 9 towns in Zhangjiagang were sampled by cluster sampling method for baseline survey, including oral examination, questionnaire survey and caries susceptibility test. According to the risk assessment criteria, high risk children were screened out and divided into two groups. In the experimental group, the frequency of fluoride application was once every 3 months, combined with behavioral management and oral health guidance. In the control group, fluoride application was conducted once every 6 months, combined with behavioral management and oral health guidance. The effect of caries prevention was evaluated one year later.@*Results@#The prevalence of caries in three year old children was 50.9% at baseline, and the prevalence of caries in boys and girls was 47.5% and 54.5%, respectively, with statistical significance ( χ 2=9.64, P <0.05). A total of 1 090 high risk children were screened out, including 475 in experimental group and 615 in control group. The prevalence of caries in the two groups at baseline was 74.1% and 75.1%, respectively, and dmft were (2.98±3.33) and (3.04±3.16), respectively, with no significant difference ( χ 2/t =0.15, 0.28, P >0.05). One year after intervention, the prevalence of caries in the two groups was 78.5% and 83.0%, respectively and dmft were (4.22±3.97) and (4.51±4.08), respectively, with no statistical significance ( χ 2/t=3.17, 0.05, P >0.05). The incidence of new caries in the experimental group was 3.7%, and the incidence of new caries was (1.26±1.69), lower than 7.6% and (1.45±2.04) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ 2/t=6.89, 5.05, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The frequency of fluorination intervention once every 3 months combined with behavior management mode was more effective in controlling new caries in children with high risk of caries.

Surgical management of amputated finger replantation in close contact with a suspected COVID-19 patient / 中华显微外科杂志

Since December, 2019, the epidemic of COVID-19 occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province. In the late of January, 2020, a patient, who had exposed to a COVID-19 suspect, had a severed finger and underwent finger re- transplantation surgery in our hospital.

New Thinking on Medical Ethics / 中国医学伦理学

The ultimate goal of ethics and medical ethics is to promote the harmonious coexistence of human beings, to help health and to enhance the happiness index of human beings. With the development of society, the progress of medical science and technology, the complication of the relationship among people, the diversification of factors that influence health, the change of health reform and policy and the advance of globalization, the ethical is-sues involved in medical practice are increasingly intricate. The contradiction between doctor and patient in medical ethics is the focus point of moral rule and also the focus of medical ethics research. At present, medical ethics need to face the contradiction between the growing human health needs and all kinds of factors that threaten human sur-vival. At the same time, it still deals with various ethical problems caused by the development and evolution of hu-man health and ecology. In reality, many ethical problems in medical practice and the scope of medical ethics re-search have been beyond the field of medical research. The evaluation and research of ethical issues in medicine are not just the tasks of medical workers and medical ethics scholars, and it should adopt the way of collaboration of multidisciplinary scholars and arouse the common concern of the whole society.

Pharmacoeconomic Analysis of Penehyclidine Hydrochloride and Atropine in the Treatment of Acute Organophosphorus Poisoning / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the economics of penehyclidine hydrochloride and atropine in the treatment of acute organophosphorus poisoning (AOPP).METHODS:The information of 118 AOPP patients were collected and divided into group A (59 cases) and B (59 cases) according to therapy plan.There were 22 cases of mild poisoning,20 cases of moderate poisoning and 17 cases of severe poisoning in group A.There were 21 mild cases,21 moderate cases and 17 severe cases in group B.Based on routine treatment,group A was given Penehyclidine hydrochloride injection intramuscularly with initial dose of 1 mg (mild),2 mg (moderate) and 4 mg (severe).Group B was given Atropine sulfate injection intravenously,with initial dose of 2 mg (mild),5 mg (moderate) and 10 mg (severe).Both received maintenance treatment according to patients condition and stopped taking medicine after symptoms disappeared.Clinical efficacies,the time of acetylcholinesterase recovery and ADR were observed in 2 groups.The economics of therapy plans for mild,moderate and severe poisoning were evaluated in 2 groups by cost-effectiveness analysis.RESULTS:There was no statistical significance in total response rate of mild poisoning or the time of acetylcholinesterase recovery between 2 groups (P＞0.05).Total effective rates of moderate and severe poisoning in group A were significantly higher than group B,and the time of acetylcholinesterase recovery was significantly shorter than group B,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR in mild,moderate and severe poisoning patients (P＞0.05).Cost-effectiveness ratio of penehyclidine hydrochloride was similar to that of atropine in mild poisoning patients;that of penehyclidine hydrochloride were significantly lower than that of atropine in moderate and severe patients.It was inline with the results of sensitivity analysis.CONCLUSIONS:Based on routine treatment,penehyclidine hydrochloride is similar to atropine in therapeutic efficacy of AOPP and the time of acetylcholinesterase recovery.For moderate and severe AOPP patients,penehyclidine hydrochloride is significantly better than atropine in improving therapeutic efficacy and the time of acetylcholinesterase recovery.The safety of 2 drugs are satisfactory;penehyclidine hydrochloride possesses cost-effectiveness advantage.

A Risk Prediction Model for In-hospital Mortality in Patients with Suspected Myocarditis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that may lead to cardiac death in some patients. However, little is known about the predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with suspected myocarditis. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with suspected myocarditis by establishing a risk prediction model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was performed to analyze the clinical medical records of 403 consecutive patients with suspected myocarditis who were admitted to Ningbo First Hospital between January 2003 and December 2013. A total of 238 males (59%) and 165 females (41%) were enrolled in this study. We divided the above patients into two subgroups (survival and nonsurvival), according to their clinical in-hospital outcomes. To maximize the effectiveness of the prediction model, we first identified the potential risk factors for in-hospital mortality among patients with suspected myocarditis, based on data pertaining to previously established risk factors and basic patient characteristics. We subsequently established a regression model for predicting in-hospital mortality using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Finally, we identified the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality using our risk prediction model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The following prediction model for in-hospital mortality in patients with suspected myocarditis, including creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), age, ventricular tachycardia (VT), New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, gender and cardiac troponin T (cTnT), was established in the study: P = ea/(1 + ea) (where e is the exponential function, P is the probability of in-hospital death, and a = -7.34 + 2.99 × [Ccr <60 ml/min = 1, Ccr ≥60 ml/min = 0] + 2.01 × [age ≥50 years = 1, age <50 years = 0] + 1.93 × [VT = 1, no VT = 0] + 1.39 × [NYHA ≥3 = 1, NYHA <3 = 0] + 1.25 × [male = 1, female = 0] + 1.13 × [cTnT ≥50 μg/L = 1, cTnT <50 μg/L = 0]). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.96 (standard error = 0.015, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-0.99). The model demonstrated that a Ccr <60 ml/min (odds ratio [OR] = 19.94, 95% CI: 5.66-70.26), an age ≥50 years (OR = 7.43, 95% CI: 2.18-25.34), VT (OR = 6.89, 95% CI: 1.86-25.44), a NYHA classification ≥3 (OR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.13-14.32), male gender (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 0.99-12.20), and a cTnT level ≥50 μg/L (OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 0.91-10.62) were the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A Ccr <60 ml/min, an age ≥50 years, VT, an NYHA classification ≥3, male gender, and a cTnT level ≥50 μg/L were the independent risk factors resulting from the prediction model for in-hospital mortality in patients with suspected myocarditis. In addition, sufficient life support during the early stage of the disease might improve the prognoses of patients with suspected myocarditis with multiple risk factors for in-hospital mortality.</p>

Detection of K-ras Mutations in Predicting Efficacy of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (EGFR-TK) Inhibitor in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) inhibitors are useful in treating different advanced human cancers; however, their clinical efficacy varies. This study detected K-ras mutations to predict the efficacy of EGFR-TK inhibitor cetuximab treatment on Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A total of 87 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were treated with cetuximab for 2-16 months, in combination with chemotherapy between August 2008 and July 2012, and tissue samples were used to detect K-ras mutations. The data showed that K-ras mutation occurred in 27/87 (31%). The objective response rates and disease control rate in K-ras wild type and mutant patients were 42% (25/60) versus 11% (3/27) (p<0.05) and 60% (36/60) versus 26% (7/27) (p<0.05), respectively. Patients with the wild-type K-ras had significantly higher median survival times and progression-free survival, than patients with mutated K-ras (21 months versus 17 months, p=0.017; 10 months versus 6 months, p=0.6). These findings suggest that a high frequency of K-ras mutations occurs in Chinese mCRC patients and that K-ras mutation is required to select patients for eligibility for cetuximab therapy. Further prospective studies using a large sample size are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

Sirtuin 1 activation enhances the PGC-1α/mitochondrial antioxidant system pathway in status epilepticus.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) regulates numerous neuronal processes, including metabolism, antioxidation and aging, through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α), an upstream regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. However, the role of SIRT1 in the oxidative stress induced by seizures has yet to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate whether SIRT1 was involved in the activation of the PGC-1α/mitochondrial antioxidant system following status epilepticus (SE) in rats. The data demonstrated that SIRT1 expression and activity were enhanced in the rat hippocampus following SE. SIRT1 inhibition effectively blocked the SE-associated increase in PGC-1α and mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). Additionally, it was also demonstrated that the activation of SIRT1 enhanced mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I activity and increased ATP content. In conclusion, the present results suggest that SIRT1 activation may alleviate mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by seizures partially via PGC-1α signaling.

Abnormal expression of synaptophysin, SNAP-25, and synaptotagmin 1 in the hippocampus of kainic acid-exposed rats with behavioral deficits.

Temporal lobe epilepsy is characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) and associated with behavioral problems. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these problems are not yet clear. In this study, kainic acid (KA) was systemically administered to immature male Wistar rats to induce SRS. The behavior of the immature rats was evaluated with a water maze, elevated-plus mazes, and open field tests. The expression patterns of synaptophysin, SNAP-25, and synaptotagmin 1 (Syt 1) were examined by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. KA-treated rats with SRS demonstrated learning and memory deficits, reduced anxiety, and increased locomotor activity, compared with placebo-treated rats and KA-treated rats without SRS. No neuronal cell loss was observed in the hippocampus 6 weeks after exposure to KA. However, RT-PCR and Western blot analyses revealed decreased synaptophysin, SNAP-25, and Syt 1 expression in KA-treated rats with SRS. Synaptophysin, SNAP-25, and Syt1 expression levels were found to be positively correlated with learning and memory but negatively correlated with anxiety and locomotor activity. These data suggested that SRS may induce changes in synaptophysin, SNAP-25, and Syt1 expression and may be functionally related to SRS-induced behavioral deficits.

lntervention of losartan on lung oxidative injury induced by paraquat in rats / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTlVE To expIore the intervention effect of Iosartan on the Iung oxidative injury in-duced by paraquat(PQ). METHODS AduIt maIe SD rats were randomIy divided into 4 groups:normaI controI group,PQ intoxication group(rats were treated with singIe ig PQ 40 mg·kg-1 ),Iosartan inter-vention for 7 and 14 d groups(rats were ig given Iosartan 10 mg·kg-1 daiIy for 7 and 14 consecutive days after PQ was given). AII rats were sacrificed on the 16th day to obtain Iung tissues. HE staining was used to observe the Iung pathoIogicaI changes. The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),cataIase (CAT)and totaI antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)and content of Iipid peroxide(LPO)were detected by spectrophotometry. ReaI-time quantitative PCR was used to investigate the NF-κB mRNA expression in Iung tissue. RESULTS PathoIogicaI examination showed that acute Iung injury and significant Iung fibro-sis appeared in PQ intoxication group but were reversed by Iosartan. The IeveIs of SOD,CAT and T-AOC decreased whiIe the content of LPO in PQ intoxication group increased significantIy compared with controI group(P﹤0.05). Compared with PQ intoxication group,the IeveIs of SOD,CAT and T-AOC in-creased and the content of LPO decreased in Iosartan intervention for 7 and 14 d groups(P﹤0.05),and the IeveIs of T-AOC and LPO in Iosartan intervention for 7 and 14 d groups and the activities of SOD and CAT in Iosartan intervention for 14 d group nearIy returned to normaI. The mRNA expression of NF-κB was upreguIated after rats were exposed to PQ,downreguIated in Iosartan intervention for 7 and 14 d groups in rat Iung tissues( P﹤0.05),but nearIy returned to normaI. CONCLUSlON Oxidative stress may be invoIved in the acute PQ poisoning process and Iosartan might have intervention effect on acute PQ Iung damage by improving the antioxidant capacity and downreguIating the mRNA expression of NF-κB.

Features of a Chinese family with cerebral cavernous malformation induced by a novel CCM1 gene mutation.

BACKGROUND: Familial cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), characterized by hemorrhagic stroke, recurrent headache and epilepsy, are congenital vascular anomalies of the central nervous system. Familial CCMs is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder and three CCM genes have been identified. We report a Chinese family with CCMs and intend to explore clinical, pathological, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and pathogenic gene mutation of this family. METHODS: Totally 25 family members underwent brain MRI examination and clinical check. Two patients with surgical indications had surgical treatment and the specimens were subjected to histopathological and microstructural examination. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing were performed with genomic DNA extracted from 25 family members' blood samples for mutation detection. RESULTS: Brain MRI identified abnormal results in seven family members. All of them had multiple intracranial lesions and four cases had skin cavernous hemangioma. T2-weighted sequence showed that the lesions were typically characterized by an area of mixed signal intensity. Gradient-echo (GRE) sequence was more sensitive to find micro-cavernous hemangiomas. There was a wide range in the clinical manifestations as well as the age of onset in the family. The youngest patient was an 8-year-old boy with least intracranial lesions. Histopathological and microstructural examination showed that CCMs were typically discrete multi-sublobes of berry-like lesions, with hemorrhage in various stages of illness evolution. They were formed by abnormally enlarged sinusoids and the thin basement membranes. A novel T deletion mutation in exon 14 of CCM1 gene was identified by mutation detection in the seven patients. But unaffected members and healthy controls did not carry this mutation. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations were heterogenic within this family. We identified a novel mutation (c.1396delT) was the disease-causing mutation for this family and extended the mutational spectrum of CCMs.

The value of T(2) (*)-weighted gradient echo imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation: A study of two families.

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of T(2) (*)-weighted gradient echo imaging (GRE T(2) (*)-WI) for the detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation (FCCM). Twenty-six members of 2 families with FCCM were examined using computed tomography (CT), conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and GRE T(2) (*)-WI sequences. We identified 12 cases of FCCM using GRE T(2) (*)-WI sequences. These 12 patients had multiple lesions (mean 23). The lesions were most commonly located in the ganglia. Other areas included the cortex-subcortex, thalamus, cerebellum and brainstem. These lesions appeared as a reticulated core of mixed signal intensity with a surrounding rim of decreased signal intensity representing hemosiderin from previous hemorrhages. The mean numbers of lesions and cases of FCCM identified by various conventional MRI sequences were 5-17 and 3-9, respectively. Conventional MRI examination involved T(1)-weighted imaging (T(1)WI), T(2)-weighted imaging (T(2)WI), T(2)-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T(2)Flair), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and spin-echo imaging (SE) sequences, in that order. The numbers of lesions identified by MRI were fewer than those identified by GRE T(2) (*)-WI. CT only identified 3 cases with large lesions combined with hemorrhage and calcification. These findings suggest that GRE T(2) (*)-WI is the first choice when diagnosing FCCM compared with CT and conventional MRI.

Resveratrol pre-treatment reduces early inflammatory responses induced by status epilepticus via mTOR signaling.

Resveratrol is indicated to be involved in neuroprotection and anti-inflammation in epileptic rats. The molecular mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the role of resveratrol in nuclear factor-kappa B associated inflammatory responses induced by status epilepticus. Our data showed that seizures activated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), increased the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B and promoted the expressions of inflammatory molecules including inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin-1ß. Futhermore, resveratrol significantly inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and the production of proinflammatory molecules via mTOR pathway. Additionally, we also proved that the inhibition of mTOR signal by resveratrol was mostly attributed to AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activation. Altogether, our results suggest that resveratrol suppresses inflammatory responses induced by seizures partially via AMPK/mTOR pathway.

"Effects of baicalin on protease-activated receptor-1 expression and brain injury in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage".

"Baicalin, a major flavonoid compound isolated from the dry roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been shown to be neuroprotective after ischemic brain injury. However, little is known about its effects on brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In this study, we evaluated the effects of baicalin on ICH-induced brain injury in an ICH rat model. Male Wistar rats were injected intracerebrally with 0.5 U collagenaseVII to induce ICH, while control rats were injected with an equal volume of saline. After ICH induction, the rats were randomly divided into four groups and treated with baicalin at different doses (0, 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) through peritoneal injection. The control rats were injected with an equal volume of vehicle. Brain tissues around the hemorrhage areas were collected on day 1, 3, 5 and 10 after treatment. Brain water content was analyzed by desiccation method; mRNA and protein levels of brain protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively; cell apoptosis was evaluated by terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. The results showed that baicalin effectively attenuated brain edema and inhibited cell apoptosis following ICH in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with concomitant suppression of PAR-1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. These findings indicate that baicalin has protective effects on ICH-induced brain injury. The effects of baicalin may involve a mechanism of inhibition of PAR-1 expression."

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood in chinese following long-term treatment with flunarizine or topiramate.

OBJECTIVE: Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare and intractable disorder. The etiology and standard therapy of AHC remain unknown. The long-term effects of flunarizine or topiramate on patients with AHC are still not clear. METHODS: Fifteen patients were investigated in this study. Their neurological disturbance and mental retardation after drug therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: Nine patients treated with flunarizine therapy and three children with topimarate treatment presented with shorter duration or less frequency of the hemiplegic attacks. These drug responsive patients also showed improvements on neurological disturbance including eye movement disorder, choreoathetotic movements, dystonia, and ataxia. However, seizure episodes and cognitive impairments were not alleviated in AHC with long-term drug therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from the present study support flunarizine or topitamate as the rational treatment for AHC.

Increased expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptors 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 are involved in the microglia-mediated inflammatory response, Aß plaque formation and Aß clearance in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous studies have shown that variants in the TLR2 and TLR4 genes are associated with the risk of AD. Therefore, we hypothesize that there may be significant changes in TLR2 and TLR4 expressions on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with AD when compared to healthy control subjects. METHODS: Sixty patients with late-onset AD (LOAD) and 60 healthy controls matched for sex and age were recruited. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 proteins and real-time quantitative RT-PCR was performed to determine TLR2 and TLR4 mRNAs. RESULTS: Compared with controls, expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNAs were up-regulated in LOAD patients (TLR2/beta-actin mRNA: 0.390±0.204 versus 0.281±0.167, P<0.01; TLR4/beta-actin mRNA: 0.503±0.195 versus 0.322±0.183, P<0.01). The proteins levels were higher in LOAD patients than in controls (TLR2: 97.12±1.67% versus 41.07±18.44%, P<0.01, TLR4: 66.56±23.74% versus 14.83±4.31, P<0.01). In both cases, either AD or control group, TLR2 and TLR4 mRNAs expressions were positively correlated with the levels of proteins (TLR2: r=0.980 and 0.976,P<0.01; TLR4: r=0.938 and 0.970, P<0.01), respectively. There were significant negative correlations between TLR levels and MMSE score (TLR2: r=-0.32; P=0.01; TLR4: r=-0.29; P=0.02). In addition, CC genotype can increase the expression of TLR4 in AD patients. CONCLUSION: This study gives the first evidence that expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 in PBMCs were markedly elevated in LOAD patients.