Toward future adaptive deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease:the novel biomarker--narrowband gamma oscillation

Parkinson's disease(PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases,affecting individuals especially over 60 years of age.In the next three decades,more than 12 million people will suffer from PD worldwide(Rocca,2018).The characteristic symptoms of PD begin as a movement disorder including bradykinesia,resting tremor,rigidity,and postural instability.     

Identification of differentially expressed genes in omental adipose tissues of obese patients by suppression subtractive hybridization

To identify differentially expressed genes between obese individuals and normal control, we have undertaken suppression subtractive hybridization （SSH）. Omental adipose tissues were obtained via abdominal surgery for appendicitis in both 13 obese subjects[BMI （body mass index） 〉 30 kg/m（2）] and 13 normal subjects （BMI 〉 18 and 〈 25 kg/m（2））.     

Related factors of cognitive impairment after stroke

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment after stroke associates with various factors, such as age, educational years, etc. Besides concerning about the recovery of limb function after stroke, we should also focus on the rehabilitation of cognition. Moreover, we'd better pay attention to the control of all the risk factors of stroke, and improve the quality of life in stroke patients. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors that affect cognitive impairment after stroke. DESIGN: A related factors analysis. SETTINGS: Department of Neurology of Dalian Port Hospital and Dalian Second People's Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Totally 148 stroke inpatients were selected from Department of Neurology, Dalian Port Hospital and Dalian Second People's Hospital from April 2004 to December 2005, including 100 males and 48 females, aging 45-75 years with an average age of (67±8) years; Their educational years ranged 2-10 years with an average of (6.1±3.7) years; The disease course ranged 15-30 days; All were right-handed. Inclusive criteria: All were accorded with the diagnostic standard set by the Fourth National Academic Meeting for Cerebrovascular Disease; Confirmed by CT or MRI; Informed consents were obtained from all the subjects. METHODS: After the disease conditions were stable, the patients were assessed with Wechsler memory scale (WMS) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). WMS included forward and backward recitation of numbers and short-term memory (verbal memory, visual recognition). The number of times for correct and wrong classifications in WCST and the time to complete the trail making tests A and B were recorded. The focal volume, area and layer were recorded at 24 hours after admission. The general data of the patients were recorded, including name, sex, age, educational years, history of hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus. Electroencepalograph (EEG) was examined to record the wave shape, blood lipids were detected, and the cognition related indexes were analyzed with the Pearson correlation analysis. The correlation between cognitive indexes after stroke and the influencing factors were analyzed with multiple linear regression analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Correlation between cognitive indexes and imaging indexes; ② Influencing factors for cognitive indexes after stroke. RESULTS: All the 148 stroke patients were involved in the analysis of results. ① Correlation between cognitive indexes and CT indexes: There were obvious negative correlations between numerical symbol and focal layer (r =-0.234, P < 0.05), as well as between verbal memory and the focal area and volume (r =-0.363, -0.279, P < 0.05); Trail making test A had obvious positive correlation with focal area and volume (r =0.256, 0.256, P < 0.05). Results of multiple linear regression analysis: Correct classification was correlated with triglyceride (partial wave and θ wave (partial regression coefficient=0.231-0.908, P < 0.05); Verbal memory was correlated with EEG α wave, focal volume, sex, educational years and diabetes mellitus (partial regression coefficient=0.219-1.017, P < 0.05-0.01). Visual recognition had correlation with educational years and hypertension (partial regression coefficient=0.326, -1.163, P < 0.01). Trail making tests A and B were correlated with focal volume (partial regression coefficient=4.680, -18.561, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The factors that affect the cognitive function after stroke include sex, age, educational years, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, triglyceride, EEG wave shape, and the focal area, volume and layer     

Microsurgical resection of ventral foramen magnum meningiomas via a far-lateral suboccipital approach

BACKGROUND: In recent years some reports have been published propagating microsurgical resection of ventral foramen magnum meningiomas (VFMMs). Operative approaches to these lesions have been studied by various authors, but remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the operative technique and outcome in patients with VFMMs who had been treated via a far lateral suboccipital approach. DESIGN: Retrospectively clinic case investigation. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, the Ninth People's Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. PARTICIPANTS: Between January 1997 and June 2003, 10 patients were treated surgically with VFMMs in Department of Neurosurgery, the Ninth People's Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In the series of 10 patients, ages ranged from 37 to 72 years, mean (53±10) years, were consisted of 6 males and 4 females. All the subjects were informed of the treatment plan and agreed to join the experiment. Early symptoms included headache and upper cervical pain. The time between the first occurrence of symptoms and the diagnosis ranged from 6 months to 17 months, mean (10.3±3.4) months. Main presenting symptoms were unilateral upper extremity sensory and motor deficits in 6 cases, swallowing difficulties in 2 and spastic quadriparesis in 2. VFMMs were demonstrated as round by the computed tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in all patients. The maximum diameter of tumors ranged from 2 to 4 cm, mean (2.55±0.57) cm, including 2 cm in one case, 2.0-3.0 cm in six and 3.0-4.0 cm in three. METHODS: ①All tumors were removed via the far lateral suboccipital approach. Resection of the posterior 5 mm of the condyle was necessary in one patient whose tumors' diameter were 2 cm. The patient was situated in the lateral decubitus position. The head was fixed in a Mayfield headrest. A C-shaped incision made behind the ear 2 cm medial to the mastoid process, turning vertically down to the level C4, to expose the extradural segment of the vertebral artery (VA). After the dura was opened longitudinally behind VA entry point, the tumor was revealed to identify the complete cranial nerves and the intracranial VA under magnification of the surgical microscope. Every attempt should be made to keep the arachnoid and the dentate ligament was sectioned. Then the tumor was debulked significantly, and dissected away from the cranial nerves and the blood vessels with microsurgical techniques. If it was risk to dissect tumor from the vertebral artery, its branches, or any cranial nerve, the progression was discontinued and portion of the tumor was left behind. After resection of the tumor, the site of its attachment was coagulated and the involved layer of dura was resected. ②The degree of tumor resection was classified based on Al-Mefty's grade into three categories: gross-total resection: excision of the dural attachment and drilling of adjacent bone; near-total resection: a few millimeters of insulated and cauterized tumor were left on the vertebral artery or other vital; subtotal resection: more than 50% of the tumor mass were removed. ③All patients underwent clinical examination for lower cranial nerves or long tract deficits on the first day postoperatively. CT or MRI and neurological examinations were performed at 3 months of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative effect. RESULTS: All ten patients with VFMMs were treated via a far lateral suboccipital approach. Gross total resection was achieved in 6 patients, near-total resection was carried out in 2 and subtotal resection in 2 patients. One patients died in the postoperative period due to acute respiratory distress syndrome, five patients kept normal neurological status, whereas other four patients suffered from lower cranial nerve deficits and aspiration pneumonia was observed in two of them. The data of following up for 3 months showed that 2 patients still had lower cranial nerve deficit and others recovered from their illness. No tumor relapse or increment was found in CT or MRI scans. CONCLUSION: Most of VFMMs could be totally removed via a far lateral suboccipital approach with or without resection of the occipital condyle according to the tumor size, allowing most of these patients to achieve a good outcome in a 3 months follow-up.     

A study on various symptoms of chronic hepatitis treated with radix astragali and its regulative effect to levels of serum hormone

Sixty-seven cases of chronic hepatitis were treated with Radix Astragali. After treatment (2-month course), the clinical improvement rate in 38 cases of the Stagnation of the Liver-Qi and Deficiency of the Spleen type was 92.1%, and in 26 cases of the Deficiency of Liver Yin and Kidney Yin type was 88.5%, more effective than in the control group (P<0.05). The regulative effect to the levels of serum hormone was observed in the patients of the Stagnation of the Liver-Qi and Deficiency of the Spleen type treated with this medicine. The results showed that the levels of serum triiodothyronine, estradiol (female) and testosterone (male) were increased after treatment (1.40±1.38 ng/dl, 129.30±1.23 pg/ml and 496.24±1.47 ng/dl). Pre-treatment levels were 1.22±1.49 ng/dl, 104.60±1.45 pg/ml and 398. 17±1.55 ng/dl respectively (P<0.05); however, the level of serum prolactin (2.75±4.46 ng/ml) was lower after treatment than before treatment (3.20±3.82 ng/ml,P<0.05). No obvious changes were observed in the levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine uptake ratio and cortisol after treatment.     

Influence of mild hypothermia on vascular endothelial growth factor and infarct volume in brain tissues after cerebral ischemia in rats

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that mild hypothermia has obvious protective effect on both whole and local cerebral ischemia. However, the definite mechanism is still unclear for the brain protection of mild hypothermia on cerebral edema, inhibiting inflammatory reaction, stabilizing blood brain barrier, etc. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mild hypothermia on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and the infarct volume after cerebral ischemia in rats, and analyze the brain protective mechanism of mild hypothermia. DESIGN: A randomized grouping and controlled animal trial. SETTING: Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Yunyang Medical College. MATERIALS: Twenty adult male SD rats of clean degree, weighing (250±30) g, were provided by the animal experimental center, School of Medicine, Wuhan University. The kits for SP immunohistochemistry were purchased from Beijing Zhongshan Golden Bridge Biotechnology Co., Ltd. METHODS: The experiments were carried out in the laboratory of Department of Neurology, Renmen Hospital of Wuhan University from May to July 2005. ① The 20 rats were divided randomly into normal temperature group (n =10) and mild hypothermia group (n =10). Models of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion were established with modified nylon suture embolization. The rats were assessed with the Longa standards: 0 point for without nerve dysfunction; 1 for mild neurological deficit (fore claws could no extend completely); 2 for moderate neurological deficit (circling towards the affected side); 3 for severe neurological deficit (tilting towards the affected side); 4 for coma and unconscious; 1-3 points represented that models were successfully established. The rats of the normal temperature group were fed at room temperature, and those in the mild hypothermia group were induced by hypothermia from 2 hours postoperatively, and the rectal temperature was kept at 34-35 ℃ for 72 hours. ② Measurement of infarct volume: All the rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection overdose sodium pentobarbital 7 days postoperatively, and then the heads were cut down to harvest brain. The brain tissues were placed into -20 ℃ refrigerator for 20 minutes, coronal sections of 2 mm were prepared. The infarct sites were not stained, whereas normal brain tissues were stained as red. The infarct volumes were calculated by using MPLAS-500 multimedia color pathological image&&word analytical system. ③ Counting positive cells of vascular endothelial growth factor protein: The brains were harvested by cutting heads, then coronal sections of 2 mm were prepared. Routine dehydration, hyalinization, wax immersion and embedding were performed, then the detected with SP immunohistochemistry, the kits were purchased from Beijing Zhongshan Golden Bridge Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The cells whose cytoplasm was yellow-brown were positive ones, a single sample as a unit, peri-ischemic site and ischemic core were selected, and the corresponding sites in controlateral hemisphere were taken as controls. Five visual fields were selected from each site to be observed under microscope, the cells were counted, and the average number of positive cells was calculated in each group. The numbers of positive cells were determined with the image analytical apparatus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of the positive cells of vascular endothelial growth factor protein; Infarct volume of rat brain tissue. RESULTS: All the 20 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① Number of positive cells of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in brain tissue: It was obviously lower in the mild hypothermia group than in the normal temperature group [(24.02±5.05), (36.07±2.69) cells/high power visual field, P < 0.01]. ② Comparison of infarct volume of brain tissue: After MCAO, it was obviously smaller in the mild hypothermia group than in the normal temperature group [(153.25±23.14), (253.45±36.21) mm3, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia can inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and decrease the volume of cerebral infarction. The inhibition of mild hypothermia on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor may be one of the brain protective mechanisms.     

A comparative study of different interventional therapies for primary liver cancer

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Down-regulation amyloid β-protein 42 production by interfering with transcript of presenilin 1 gene with siRNA

AIM:ToinvestigatethepathogenesisofAβ42yieldingandnewdrugtargetsaswellasthepossibilityofRNAinterference(RNAi)techniquefortreatmentofAlzheimerdisease(AD).METHODS:HumanADpresenilin1(PS1)cDNAsequencewasobtainedfromNCBIwebsite.ThethreesitesofRNAiactionandonemissensecontrolsitewereselectedinPS1cDNAthroughonlinedesignofAmbioncompany.Toconfirmspecificityofthesesites,weconductedaBLASTsearchoftheIMAGEESTlibrary.Thecorrespondingdouble-strandedDNAwasusedtoconstructpSilencer3.1-H1p…     

睾丸网注射法建立转基因小鼠

目的 为了研究睾丸网注射法建立转基因小鼠的可行性。方法 本试验应用显微注射仪将脂质体包裹的质粒pEGFP—N1通过睾丸网注射到4周龄昆明（KM）小白鼠睾丸生精小管内。注射后6周，与自然发情雌鼠交配，用PCR法检测仔鼠基因组中的外源DNA。结果 共注射4只雄性小鼠，3只存活，并且具有交配，受精能力，共获仔鼠63只，其中2只为PCR阳性仔鼠。结论 用睾丸网注射法制备转基因动物是可行的。