[Independent and combined effects of pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational diabetes on early adiposity rebound timing in children]

Objective: To examine the independent and combined effects of pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational diabetes (GDM) on early adiposity rebound (AR) timing in children. Methods: Based on the "Ma'anshan Birth Cohort Study", 2 896 eligible maternal and infant pairs were recruited. In the cohort, we collected pre-pregnancy height, weight, 24 to 28 weeks GDM diagnosis, follow-up at 42 days, three months, six months, nine months of age, and every six months after one year of age, and continuously followed up to 6 years old, and obtained the child's length/height, weight, and other data. The intensity of the association between pre-pregnancy BMI, GDM, and early AR timing was analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression model. Multiplication and additive models were used to analyze how pre-pregnancy BMI and GDM influenced early AR timing in children. Results: The prevalence of underweight, average weight, overweight, and obesity before pregnancy were 23.2% (672), 66.4% (1 923), 8.7% (251), and 1.7% (50). The prevalence of GDM was 12.4%. We found that 39.3% of children had AR, and the average age at AR was (4.38±1.08). The results of multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that pre-pregnancy overweight (OR=1.67,95%CI:1.27-2.19), pre-pregnancy obesity (OR=3.05,95%CI:1.66-5.56), and maternal GDM (OR=1.40,95%CI:1.11-1.76) were risk factors for early AR timing in children. In contrast, pre-pregnancy underweight (OR=0.60,95%CI:0.49-0.73) was a protective factor for early AR timing in children. Compared with the different effects of pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and maternal GDM alone, the combined effect caused a higher risk of early AR timing in children, with OR values (95%CI) were 2.03 (1.20-3.44), 3.43 (1.06-11.12), respectively. The multiplication and additive models showed no interaction between pre-pregnancy BMI and GDM-influenced early AR timing in children. Conclusion: Higher pre-pregnancy BMI and maternal GDM are the independent risk factors for the early AR timing in children, and the co-occurrence of the two is higher risks, but there was no statistical interaction.

Analysis of reproductive damage in earthworms (Amynthas corticis) exposed to cypermethrin

Cypermethrin contamination was a potential threat to soil organisms. In the present work, reproductive damage in earthworms (Amynthas corticis) exposed to cypermethrin was investigated. It was found that earthworms could absorb and accumulate residual cypermethrin in soil, and also earthworm activities helped accelerate the degradation of cypermethrin in soil. The accumulation of cypermethrin in earthworms induced sperm damage, and cypermethrin not only caused the imbalance of calcium homeostasis in earthworm sperm cells by inhibiting earthworm sperm Ca²⁺-ATP and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATP enzyme activities but also caused barriers in acrosome reaction. It also affected sperm energy supply of earthworms by inhibiting the activity of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase of earthworm sperm. Meanwhile, the inhibition of acrosome enzyme activity of earthworm sperm by cypermethrin led to hinder fertilization and reduced cocoon production of earthworms, and the damage of cypermethrin to sperm of earthworm was a significant cause of its reproductive toxicity. The results of the evaluation of IBR index showed that reproductive toxicity of cypermethrin to earthworms reduced with the increasing time. The decreased reproductive toxicity of cypermethrin to earthworms at the later stage of exposure (42-56 d) might be due to a combination of reduced absorption of cypermethrin in soil by earthworms, decreased accumulation of cypermethrin in the body, and improved sperm capacitation.

[The clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of ocular Kimura disease and epithelioid hemangioma]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of ocular Kimura disease (KD) and epithelioid hemangioma. Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. The data of 10 patients with ocular KD and 3 patients with ocular epithelioid hemangioma from the Pathology Department of Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical manifestations, morphology and immunophenotypes. Results: Among patients with ocular KD, there were 9 males and 1 female with an age from 7 to 75 years (mean, 30 years). There were 6 unilateral cases and 4 bilateral cases. The disease mainly involved the orbit in 3 patients, the lacrimal gland in 5 patients and the eyelid in 2 patients. The ophthalmic presentation included a palpable periorbital or eyelid mass with eyelid swelling and ptosis, proptosis and displacement of the eyeball, and ocular dysmotility. Three patients had a history of lymphadenopathy. The disease course ranged from 6 months to 7 years (mean, 34 months). All the patients had elevated peripheral blood eosinophilia. Three patients of ocular epithelioid hemangioma were all males with age from 25 to 60 years old. They were all unilateral cases with 1 right eye and 2 left eyes. The disease respectively involved eyelid and orbit, the eyebrow skin and the inner canthus skin. They presented with eyelid swelling, orbital mass or subcutaneous nodule for 5 months to 2 years. All patients (11 eyes) with KD underwent incisional or excisional biopsy. The histopathology revealed follicular hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue with active germinal centers in orbital fibroadipose tissue. There were massive interfollicular eosinophils with eosinophilic microabscesses. Some swelling endothelial cells of proliferating vessels were seen. All the 3 patients (3 eyes) with ocular epithelioid hemangioma underwent excision of the lesions. Histopathological examination showed proliferation of small and medium blood vessels. The vessels were lined by endothelial cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm which protruded into the lumen. The endothelial cells were positive for CD31, factor Ⅷ-related antigen and E26 transformation-specific related gene immunohistochemically. There was a moderate amount of lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils surrounding blood vessels without eosinophilic microabscess. Conclusions: Both ocular KD and epithelioid hemangioma are more commonly seen in males and share the common histopathological features of vascular proliferation, swelling endothelial cells and eosinophilic infiltration. KD is an allergic benign lymphoid tissue proliferation characteristic of massive eosinophilic infiltration, whereas epithelioid hemangioma is a benign neoplasm of blood vessels with plump and epithelioid endothelial cells. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 689-695).

[The Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (2020)]

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) are highly heterogeneous, and the management of pNENs patients can be intractable. To address this challenge, an expert committee was established on behalf of the Group of Pancreatic Surgery, Chinese Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association, which consisted of surgical oncologists, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists, and nuclear medicine specialists. By reviewing the important issues regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pNENs, the committee concluded evidence-based statements and recommendations in this article, in order to further improve the management of pNENs patients in China.

Identifying Schizo-Obsessive Comorbidity by Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and Probabilistic Tractography

A phenomenon in schizophrenia patients that deserves attention is the high comorbidity rate with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Little is known about the neurobiological basis of schizo-obsessive comorbidity (SOC). We aimed to investigate whether specific changes in white matter exist in patients with SOC and the relationship between such abnormalities and clinical parameters. Twenty-eight patients with SOC, 28 schizophrenia patients, 30 OCD patients, and 30 demographically matched healthy controls were recruited. Using Tract-based Spatial Statistics and Probabilistic Tractography, we examined the pattern of white matter abnormalities in these participants. We also used ANOVA and Support Vector Classification of various white matter indices and structural connection probability to further examine white matter changes among the 4 groups. We found that patients with SOC had decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity in the right sagittal stratum and the left crescent of the fornix/stria terminalis compared with healthy controls. We also found changed connection probability in the Default Mode Network, the Subcortical Network, the Attention Network, the Task Control Network, the Visual Network, the Somatosensory Network, and the cerebellum in the SOC group compared with the other 3 groups. The classification results further revealed that FA features could differentiate the SOC group from the other 3 groups with an accuracy of .78. These findings highlight the specific white matter abnormalities found in patients with SOC.

[Ocular natural killer/T cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic analysis]

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathological features of ocular natural killer(NK)/T cell lymphoma. Methods: Data of 21 patients (22 eyes) with ocular NK/T cell lymphoma treated at Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University from January 2006 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed for clinical data, morphology, immunophenotype and outcomes. Results: There were 10 males and 11 females with ages from 3 to 77 years (mean, 43 years). There were 20 unilateral cases (10 left eyes and 10 right eyes) and 1 bilateral case. Except for 1 case of corneal perforation resulting from the involvement of the conjunctiva and cornea, the other cases all involved the orbit (including eyelids and conjunctiva) as demonstrated by radiologic studies, with the lacrimal sac involved in 3 cases, and the nasal cavity or maxillary sinus involved in 2 cases. Three patients had been previously diagnosed sinonasal NK/T cell lymphoma with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two patients had a history of ovarian NK/T cell lymphoma with chemotherapy. One patient had multiple ulcers of skin and mucosa at presentation. There were 13 primary ocular NK/T cell lymphomas without evidence of nasal or systemic involvement. All patients presented with eyelid swelling and decreased visual acuity. There were proptosis in 18 cases, motility restriction in 13 cases, eyelid ulceration in 3 cases, and fever in 4 cases. They had all been previously diagnosed as orbital pseudotumor or cellulitis and there was no response to steroids and antibiotics. Pathological examination showed atypical lymphoid infiltration with an angioinvasive growth pattern causing coagulative necrosis. Cytologically, the medium-sized neoplastic cells showed irregular folded nuclei. The neoplastic cells were positive for cytoplasmic CD3ε, CD56, and cytotoxic molecules and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. Ten patients died 2.0 to 17.0 months after diagnosis (mean, 6.3 months) despite treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Conclusions: Ocular NK/T cell lymphoma is a rare form of ocular lymphoma. There are primary NK/T cell lymphoma and secondary ocular NK/T cell lymphoma with nasal or systemic involvement. The rarity of this tumor and inflammatory signs make it challenging to identify these tumors early. The neoplastic cells are positive for cytoplasmic CD3ε, CD56, cytotoxic molecules and EBER in situ hybridization. Despite aggressive therapy, it demonstrates high lethality with poor prognosis. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 374-380).

Altered grey matter volume and cortical thickness in patients with schizo-obsessive comorbidity

Recent findings suggest that schizo-obsessive comorbidity (SOC) may be a unique diagnostic entity. We examined grey matter (GM) volume and cortical thickness in 22 patients with SOC, and compared them with 21 schizophrenia (SCZ) patients, 22 obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients and 22 healthy controls (HCs). We found that patients with SOC exhibited reduced GM volume in the left thalamus, the left inferior semi-lunar lobule of the cerebellum, the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortex (medial oFC), the medial superior frontal gyrus (medial sFG), the rectus gyrus and the anterior cingulate cortex (aCC) compared with HCs. Patients with SOC also exhibited reduced cortical thickness in the right superior temporal gyrus (sTG), the right angular gyrus, the right supplementary motor area (SMA), the right middle cingulate cortex (mCC) and the right middle occipital gyrus (mOG) compared with HCs. Together with the differences in GM volume and cortical thickness between patients with SOC and patients with only SCZ or only OCD, these findings highlight the GM changes specific to patients with SOC.

Olfactory identification deficit and its relationship with hedonic traits in patients with first-episode schizophrenia and individuals with schizotypy

OBJECTIVE

Olfactory identification impairments have been consistently found in schizophrenia patients. However, few previous studies have investigated this in first-episode patients. There are also inconsistent findings regarding olfactory identification ability in psychometrically-defined schizotypy individuals. In this study, we directly compared the olfactory identification ability of first-episode schizophrenia patients with schizotypy individuals. The relationship between olfactory identification impairments and hedonic traits was also examined.

METHODS

Thirty-five first-episode schizophrenia patients, 40 schizotypy individuals as defined by the Chapman's Anhedonia Scales and 40 demographically matched controls were recruited. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test was administered. Hedonic capacity was assessed using the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS).

RESULTS

The results showed that both the schizophrenia and schizotypy groups showed poorer olfactory identification ability than controls, and the impairment was significantly correlated with reduced pleasure experiences.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support olfactory identification impairment as a trait marker for schizophrenia.

Effect and mechanism analysis of siRNA in inhibiting VEGF and its anti-angiogenesis effects in human osteosarcoma bearing rats

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of siRNA in inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in tumor cells from human osteosarcoma bearing rats and its anti-angiogenesis effect, to further study the reliability, effectiveness and safety of VEGF as a therapeutic target in treating osteosarcoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After treatment, the long diameter and short diameter of tumor lesion were detected by Vernier caliper, and the tumor volume and tumor inhibition rate were calculated. The whole-body fluorescence imaging was used to detect the general morphology and volume change of tumor lesion before and after treatment. The rats were killed after treatment, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect VEGF expression. MTT was used to detect the proliferative ability of tumor cells in vitro.

RESULTS

Three chemotherapies could inhibit the growth of tumor lesion, the decrease of tumor volume was significant (p < 0.05), the therapeutic effect in Ad-VEGF-siRNA + neoadjuvant chemotherapy group was better than the other two groups, the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the three chemotherapies could inhibit the invasiveness of tumor cells, which was most significant in Ad-VEGF-siRNA + neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The growth of tumor tissue in osteosarcoma bearing rats is inhibited in Ad-VEGF-siRNA group, Ad-VEGF-siRNA + neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and Ad-VEGF-siRNA + anti-angiogenesis chemotherapy group. The effect in Ad-VEGF-siRNA + neoadjuvant chemotherapy is more significant than simple biological therapy or Ad-VEGF-siRNA + anti-angiogenesis chemotherapy.

Childhood trauma associates with clinical features of bipolar disorder in a sample of Chinese patients

OBJECTIVES

Childhood trauma is a major public health problem which has a long-term consequence, a few studies have examined the relationship between childhood trauma and clinical features of bipolar disorder, most in western culture, with no such studies done in Chinese culture.

METHODS

The CTQ-SF was administered to 132 Chinese patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder. Participants also completed the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire (CECA.Q), the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The CTQ-SF cut-off scores for exposure were used to calculate the prevalence of trauma. The relationship between childhood trauma and clinical features of bipolar disorder were examined.

RESULTS

The internal consistency of CTQ-SF was good (Cronbach׳s α=0.826) and four week test-retest reliability was high (r=0.755). 61.4% of this sample reported physical neglect (PN) in childhood, followed by emotional neglect (EN, 49.6%), sexual abuse (SA, 40.5%), emotional abuse (EA, 26.0%) and physical abuse (PA,13.1%). Significant negative correlations existed between age of onset and EA and EN score (r=-0.178~-0.183, p<0.05). Significant positive correlations were observed between EA, CTQ-SF total score and intrusion and hyper-arousal scores of IES-R (r=0.223~0.309, p<0.05). Similarly, significant positive correlations were found between EN, PN, CTQ-SF total and STAI score (r=0.222~0.425, p<0.05).

LIMITATIONS

Data on childhood trauma were derived from a retrospective self-report questionnaire without independent corroboration. A number of potential patients (more severe or chronic patients) was excluded because they were either refused to participate or inappropriate to participate in research.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant number of subjects in patients with BD reported experience of childhood abuse and neglect. Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with age of onset of illness, co morbid PTSD and anxiety symptoms. To study the pathogenesis of childhood trauma on bipolar disorder and explanation the interaction between childhood trauma and susceptibility genes are proposed.

Anhedonia was associated with the dysregulation of hippocampal HTR4 and microRNA Let-7a in rats

OBJECTIVE

Depression is a serious mental illness. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of depression remain unknown.

METHODS

In this study, animal models of depression were established using maternal deprivation (MD) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUPS). Behavioral performance of rats was monitored by open field test, forced swim test, and sucrose consumption test. The expression of serotonin receptor-4 (Htr4) mRNA and Let-7a microRNA was detected by real-time PCR, while Htr4 protein level was measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

In the open field test, rats subjected to MD and CUPS exhibited significant decreases in vertical activity. CUPS rats spent less time in the central area and excreted more fecal pellets than MD and control rats. In the forced swim and sucrose consumption tests, CUPS and MD rats exhibited significantly longer floating time and consumed less sucrose than control rats. MD rats exhibited significantly shorter floating time and consumed less sucrose than CUPS rats. MD rats showed significantly lower Htr4 mRNA and protein expression and significantly higher Let-7a level in the hippocampus than control rats. Htr4 mRNA and protein expression negatively correlated with Let-7a expression. Htr4 mRNA expression positively correlated with sucrose preference rate, while Let-7a expression negatively correlated with the sucrose preference rate.

CONCLUSION

Anhedonia, not despair or a decline in exploratory interest, may be associated with upregulation of Let-7a and downregulation of Htr4 expression in the hippocampus. The hippocampal Htr4 level may be regulated by Let-7a in rats.

Anhedonia was associated with the dysregulation of hippocampal HTR4 and microRNA Let-7a in rats

OBJECTIVE

Depression is a serious mental illness. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of depression remain unknown.

METHODS

In this study, animal models of depression were established using maternal deprivation (MD) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUPS). Behavioral performance of rats was monitored by open field test, forced swim test, and sucrose consumption test. The expression of serotonin receptor-4 (Htr4) mRNA and Let-7a microRNA was detected by real-time PCR, while Htr4 protein level was measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

In the open field test, rats subjected to MD and CUPS exhibited significant decreases in vertical activity. CUPS rats spent less time in the central area and excreted more fecal pellets than MD and control rats. In the forced swim and sucrose consumption tests, CUPS and MD rats exhibited significantly longer floating time and consumed less sucrose than control rats. MD rats exhibited significantly shorter floating time and consumed less sucrose than CUPS rats. MD rats showed significantly lower Htr4 mRNA and protein expression and significantly higher Let-7a level in the hippocampus than control rats. Htr4 mRNA and protein expression negatively correlated with Let-7a expression. Htr4 mRNA expression positively correlated with sucrose preference rate, while Let-7a expression negatively correlated with the sucrose preference rate.

CONCLUSION

Anhedonia, not despair or a decline in exploratory interest, may be associated with upregulation of Let-7a and downregulation of Htr4 expression in the hippocampus. The hippocampal Htr4 level may be regulated by Let-7a in rats.

Guidance on the conversion of the Chinese versions of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (C-QIDS-SR) and the Montgomery-Asberg Scale (C-MADRS) in Chinese patients with major depression

BACKGROUND

The 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR) is a newly introduced screening tool, while the Montgomery-Asberg Scale (MADRS) is commonly used in research and clinical practice in China. Converting the total scores between the two instruments could facilitate the comparison of different studies.

METHODS

This study included 1164 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The diagnosis was established using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed with the Chinese versions of MADRS (C-MADRS) and QIDS-SR (C-QIDS-SR) at baseline and 6 weeks later (exit point). Total scores of both scales were converted using Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis.

RESULTS

At baseline, the C-MADRS and C-QIDS-SR were not unifactorial, therefore the conversion between them could not be performed. At exit, the C-MADRS and C-QIDS-SR were unifactorial, meeting the unidimensionality assumption of the IRT approach. Depression severity thresholds for the QIDS-SR are suggested as 6-10 for mild, 11-15 for moderate, 16-20 for severe, 21+ for very severe depression and ≤ 5 for remission (www.ids-qids.org). Based on the results of this study, the corresponding C-MADRS thresholds are 9-17 for mild, 18-24 for moderate, 25-33 for severe, 34+ for very severe depression and ≤ 7 or 8 (7.5) for remission.

CONCLUSIONS

The conversion of C-QIDS-SR and C-MADRS total scores would help researchers understand findings across different studies using these scales.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese versions of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Clinician Rating (C-QIDS-C) and Self-Report (C-QIDS-SR)

BACKGROUND

Developing accurate and time-efficient tools to measure depressive symptoms is important for research and clinical practice. This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Clinician Rating (C-QIDS-C) and Self-Report (C-QIDS-SR).

METHODS

This study included 998 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) established using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), C-QIDS-C and C-QIDS-SR at baseline and 6 weeks later.

RESULTS

Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0.73 to 0.82 for C-QIDS-C and C-QIDS-SR at both the baseline and exit. The involvement and energy domains at baseline, and sad mood, concentration/decision making, self outlook, involvement and agitation/retardation domains at exit had the highest item-total correlations across the two C-QIDS scales. The C-QIDS-C and C-QIDS-SR total scores were highly correlated with the HAMD total score at both baseline (r=0.61, p<0.01 and r=0.54, p<0.01, respectively) and exit (r=0.75, p<0.01 and r=0.72, p<0.01, respectively). The C-QIDS-C, C-QIDS-SR and HAMD were equally sensitive to change of depressive symptoms, suggesting high concurrent validity. The C-QIDS-C and C-QIDS-SR showed uni-dimensional measurement properties in exploratory factor analyses at both baseline and exit.

CONCLUSIONS

The C-QIDS-C and C-QIDS-SR have excellent psychometric properties and are sensitive measurement of symptom severity in MDD.

Effects of Bacillus subtilis var. natto and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented liquid feed on growth performance, relative organ weight, intestinal microflora, and organ antioxidant status in Landes geese

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis var. natto N21 (BAC) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y10 (SAC) fermented liquid feed (FLF) during different incubation times on the growth performance, relative organ weight, intestinal microflora, and organ antioxidative status in Landes geese. Two hundred forty male Landes geese (10 wk old) with the BW of 4.163 ± 0.108 kg were selected for a 3-wk trial and randomly allotted to 3 treatments according to their BW (10 replicates/treatment and 8 geese/replicate). The treatments included 1) CON, dry basal feed (corn-soybean basal diet mixed with water) before feeding (2:1 wt/wt), 2) FLF24, 24 h FLF, and 3) FLF48, 48 h FLF. The FLF diet was prepared by storing basal diet with 10(9) cfu/g feed of each BAC and SAC and water (2:1 wt/wt) in a closed tank at 20°C fermented for 24 or 48 h. The BW gain and feed intake of geese fed FLF24 and FLF48 was greater (P < 0.05) than CON treatment. Feeding geese with FLF24 and FLF48 feeds increased (P < 0.05) the relative weight of leg muscle whereas the liver was heavier (P < 0.05) in FLF48 treatment than CON and FLF24 treatments. The FLF24 and FLF48 increased (P < 0.05) the Lactobacillus population and depressed (P < 0.05) Escherichia coli population in small and large intestine. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was greatest (P < 0.05) in FLF48 whereas the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was less (P < 0.05) in FLF24 and FLF48 treatments than CON. Geese fed FLF48 diet had greater glutathione peroxidase activity and less malondialdehyde content in heart and liver than those fed CON diet. In breast muscle, the superoxide dismutase activity were increased (P < 0.05) by FLF24 and FLF48 treatments than CON diet. In conclusion, the results indicated that feeding geese with BAC and SAC mix FLF can improve growth and feed intake, modulate the intestine ecology, and decrease the blood cholesterol concentrations; it also can improve the antioxidative status of organs and breast muscle.

Schwannoma of the gastrointestinal tract: a clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of 33 cases

AIMS

Thirty-three cases of gastrointestinal schwannomas were analysed to elucidate their peculiar clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The patients were 16 men and 17 women, whose ages ranged from 27 to 81 years (median 52.6 years). Tumour size ranged from 10 to 120 mm in diameter. Follow-up in 23 cases from 6 months to 13 years showed no recurrences or metastases. Microscopically, all tumours were composed of spindle cells with focal epithelioid cells in four cases. In all cases except one, there were peripheral cuff-like lymphoid aggregates. Immunohistochemically, tumours were strongly positive for S100 protein and vimentin, the tumours were variably positive for nestin (78.8%, 26/33) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (63.6%, 21/33), three tumours had CD34+ cells, but all were negative for CD117, alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin. Ultrastructurally, the tumours were composed of elongated spindle shaped cells with prominent parallel membranous structures.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastrointestinal schwannomas have characteristic histological features, especially the presence of a lymphoid cuff, that are different from their soft tissue and central nervous system counterparts. Gastrointestinal tract schwannomas behave in a benign fashion.

Protective effect of HSP70 on gastric mucosal cells against apoptosis

AIM: To investigate whether HSP70 can protect gastric mucosal cells from apoptosis induced by chronic emotional stress.

METHODS: Seventy mice were randomly devided into control group (n = 16), heat shock stress group (HS, n = 18), psychological stress group (PS, n = 18), heat shock stress plus psychological stress group (HPS, n = 18). Mice in HS, PS and HPS groups were subjected to heat shock stress, psychological stress, and heat shock stress plus psychological stress respectively. Apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells and the expression level of HSP70 were detected by TUNEL technique and immunohistochemical staining respectively after 1, 2, and 3 mo.

RESULTS: After 1 mo, apoptotic cells among the 4 groups were not significant. After 2 mo, apoptotic rate in PS group was significantly higher than control group (3.7 ± 1.9% vs 1.3 ± 1.4%, P = 0.017 < 0.05), SH group (3.7 ± 1.9% vs 1.2 ± 1.6%, P = 0.010 < 0.05), and HPS group (3.7 ± 1.9% vs 1.3 ± 1.1%, P = 0.012 < 0.05). After 3 mo, apoptotic rate in PS group was significantly higher than that in control group (4.1 ± 3.9% vs 1.0 ± 1.1%, P = 0.025 < 0.05), HS group (4.1 ± 3.9% vs 0.4 ± 0.7%, P = 0.009 < 0.05), and HPS group (4.1 ± 3.9% vs 1.4 ± 1.5%, P = 0.046 < 0.05). After 1 mo, HSP70 level was significantly higher in HS group and HPS group than that in control group (64 ± 11% vs 20 ± 11%, P = 0.00 < 0.05; 72 ± 6% vs 20 ± 11%, P = 0.00 < 0.05) and psychological stress group (64 ± 11% vs 34 ± 15%, P = 0.00 < 0.05; 72 ± 6% vs 34 ± 15%, P = 0.00 < 0.05). After 2 mo, HSP70 level was significantly higher in HS and HPS group than that in control group (84 ± 13% vs 25 ± 15%, P = 0.00 < 0.05; 87 ± 7% vs 25 ± 15%, P = 0.00 < 0.05) and PS group (84 ± 13% vs 46 ± 30%, P = 0.02 < 0.05; 87 ± 7% vs 46 ± 30%, P = 0.01 < 0.05). After 3 mo, HSP70 level was also significantly higher in HS and HPS group than those in control group (61 ± 16% vs 16 ± 9%, P = 0.02 < 0.05; 65 ± 29% vs 16 ± 9%, P = 0.01 < 0.05) and PS group (61 ± 16% vs 33 ± 29%, P = 0.09 < 0.05; 65 ± 29% vs 33 ± 29 %, P = 0.046 < 0.05). HSP70 level was negatively correlated with apoptotic rate of gastric mucosal cells (r = -0.320, P = 0.008 < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Chronic emotional stress can induce apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells while HSP70 can protect them from apoptosis.

[On cleanliness of hands in diminution of Ascaris lumbricoides infection in children]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between cleanliness of children's hands and diminution of Ascaris lumbricoides infection.

METHODS

Before the study all persons positive for ascaris eggs in the preliminary survey were treated with albendazole. Hand-washing habit before meal and after defecation was kept in children of experimental group, but not in the control group. Kato thick smear stool examination was done once every two months for one year to compare the new infection rates in children without ascaris infection in the two groups, and the reinfection rates in the cured negative cases were also compared between them in half a month after chemotherapy.

RESULTS

All the new infection rates as well as reinfection rates of each reexamination in the experimental group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001). Reexamination one year later showed that the ascaris infection rate of the experimental group was 35.2%, reducing by 48.5% as compared with 68.3% before the operation of the project; while ascaris infection rate of the control group was 73.7%, increasing by 78.0% as compared with 41.4% before the operation of the project.

CONCLUSION

Washing hands with toilet soap to keep hands clean can significantly reduce ascaris infection rate.

Clinicopathological and molecular genetic analysis of 4 typical Chinese HNPCC families

AIM: To study the clinicopathological and mole cular genetic characteristics of typical Chinese hereditary nonpolyposis cotorectal cancer (HNPCC) families.

METHODS: Four typical Chinese HNPCC families were analyzed using microdissection, microsatellite instability analysis, immunostaining of hMSH2 and hMLH1 proteins and direct DNA sequencing of hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes.

RESULTS: All five tumor tissues of 4 probands from the 4 typical Chinese HNPCC families showed microsatellite instability at more than two loci (MSI-H or RER+ phenotype). Three out of the 4 cases lost hMSH2 protein expression and the other case showed no hMLH1 protein expression. Three pathological germline mutations (2 in hMSH2 and 1 in hMLH1), which had not been reported previously, were identified. The same mutations were also found in other affected members of two HNPCC families, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Typical Chinese HNPCC families showed relatively frequent germline mutation of mismatch repair genes. High-level microsatellite instability and loss of expression of mismatch repair genes correlated closely with germline mutation of mismatch repair genes. Microsatellite instability analysis and immunostaining of mismatch repair gene might serve as effective screening methods before direct DNA sequencing. It is necessary to establish clinical criteria and molecular diagnostic strategies more suitable for Chinese HNPCC families.

APC and K-ras gene mutation in aberrant crypt foci of human colon

AIM: To study the genetic alteration in ACF and to define the possibility that ACF may be a very early morphological lesion with molecular changes, and to explore the relationship between ACF and colorectal adenoma even carcinoma.

METHODS: DNA from 35 CRC, 15 adenomas, 34 ACF and 10 normal mucus was isolated by means of microdissection. Direct gene sequencing of K-ras gene including codon 12, 13 and 61 as well as the mutation cluster region (MCR) of APC gene was performed.

RESULTS: K-ras gene mutation frequency in ACF, adenoma and carcinoma was 17.6% (6/34), 13.3% (2/15), and 14.3% (5/35) respectively, showing no difference (P > 0.05) in K-ras gene mutation among three pathologic procedures. The K-ras gene mutation in adenoma, carcinoma and 4 ACF restricted in codon 12 (GGT→GAT), but the other 2 mutations from ACF located in codon 13 (GGC→GAC). K-ras gene mutation was found more frequently in older patients and patients with polypoid cancer. No mutation in codon 61 was found in the three tissue types. Mutation rate of APC gene in adenoma and carcinoma was 22.9% (8/35) and 26.7% (4/15), which was higher than ACF (2.9%) (P < 0.05). APC gene mutation in carcinoma was not correlated with age of patients, location, size and differentiation of tumor.

CONCLUSION: ACF might be a very early morphological lesion in the tumorogenesis of colorectal tumor. The morphological feature and gene mutation status was different in ACF and adenoma. ACF is possibly putative "microadenoma" that might be the precursor of adenoma. In addition, the development of a subgroup of colorectal carcinomas might undergo a way of "normal epithelium→ACF→carcinomas".

Highly efficient ligands for palladium-catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of ketone enolates

[figure: see text] Ferrocene-modified chiral pocket ligands have been studied in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of simple ketone enolates, in which (R,R,Sp,Sp)-1 containing two pairs of matched chiralities, central chirality and planar chirality, behaved very efficiently in this reaction and up to 95% ee value was achieved.

Deciduoid pleural mesothelioma affecting a young female without prior asbestos exposure

Pleural mesothelioma is commonly associated to asbestos exposure. A 40-year-old woman is described who presented with shortness of breath. She had a smoking history but no history of asbestos exposure. Chest radiography and computed tomography showed a large tumour on the right lower lung. An open pleural biopsy was performed. A metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pleura was primarily diagnosed. The tumour progressed and after surgical excision an accurate histological and immunohistochemical examination was performed. It revealed a pleural mesothelioma with a deciduoid differentiation that has not been described before.

Differential effects of L-deprenyl on MPP+- and MPTP-induced dopamine overflow in microdialysates of striatum and nucleus accumbens

The present studies investigated the effects of L-deprenyl, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on the efflux of dopamine and its metabolites in microdialysates of striatum and nucleus accumbens in rats. L-Deprenyl or L-amphetamine perfusion into striatum had no effects on basal dopamine efflux, though L-deprenyl reduced the basal efflux of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid. MPP+ or MPTP perfusion into striatum significantly increased the dopamine efflux, and the action of MPTP was more potent than that of MPP+. Pretreatment with L-deprenyl antagonized the actions of MPP+ and MPTP. The striatal dopamine efflux of rats was gradually restored by itself after the overflow caused by 2-h perfusion of the dopaminergic neurotoxins, while L-deprenyl could not accelerate the recovery. Perfusion with L-deprenyl or L-amphetamine, but not pargyline, into nucleus accumbens increased the dopamine efflux in a dose-dependent fashion, which could be antagonized by haloperidol pretreatment. MPP+ or MPTP perfusion into nucleus accumbens also increased the dopamine efflux, and the action of MPTP was also more potent than that of MPP+. Pretreatment with L-deprenyl could not antagonize the actions of MPP+ and MPTP. These findings suggest that L-deprenyl, MPP+ and MPTP induce differential effects on nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways in vivo. L-Deprenyl has neuroprotective rather than neurorestorative action against MPP+- and MPTP-induced dopamine overflow from striatum. Further, L-deprenyl-induced dopamine overflow from nucleus accumbens may explain the amphetamine-like reinforcing property of L-deprenyl.

Amyloid-beta 25-35 peptide induces expression of monoamine oxidase B in cultured rat astrocytes

AIM

To investigate the effects of amyloid-beta 25-35 peptide (A beta 25-35) on monoamine oxidase (MAO) expression and activity in primary cultured rat astrocytes.

METHODS

Immunocytochemistry was used to observe the morphological changes in astrocytes. Fluorescence spectrophotometry was used to measure the activity of MAO in astrocytes. The expression of MAO in astrocytes was assayed by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

A beta 25-35 induced a reactive morphological change in cultured rat astrocytes which was accompanied by increased immunoreactivities for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Treatment with A beta 25-35 resulted in an elevation of MAO activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. A beta 25-35-induced enhancement of MAO activity was of type B (MAO-B). The increase in MAO-B activity appeared to be due to an increase in the number of enzyme molecules since kinetic analysis demonstrated a 1.5 fold increase in Vmax with no change in Km. Treatment with A beta 25-35 also led to a substantial increase in MAO-B mRNA level in the astrocytes.

CONCLUSION

A beta 25-35 is able to selectively induce MAO-B expression in rat astrocytes and that the upregulation of MAO-B in A beta 25-35-stimulated astrocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Reactive oxygen species-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and protective effect of bilobalide

Although clinical studies have demonstrated that EGb 761, a standard extract of Ginkgo biloba, was effective in mild-to-moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's disease patients, the mechanism underlying its neuroprotective effect remains unclear. In this study, effects of bilobalide, the main constituent of the nonflavone fraction of EGb 761, on reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was studied. Exposure of cells to xanthine (100 microM)/xanthine oxidase (150 mU/ml) (ROS producer) resulted in a characteristic DNA fragmentation and an increase in the apoptosis rate. When p53, c-Myc, Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), and Bax were measured by flow cytometry and the activities of caspase-1- and caspase-3-like protease determined with Ac-YVAD-AMC or Ac-DEVD-AMC as substrates, the profile of ROS-induced changes in these apoptosis regulatory and effector proteins suggests that elevation of c-Myc, p53, and Bax and activation of caspase-3 play an important role in the apoptosis. When cells were treated with ROS and bilobalide (25-100 microM) simultaneously, a dose-dependent reduction in the apoptotic rate was found. The percentage of cells with positive staining for c-Myc and p53 decreased from 27.8 and 50.1% to 16.7 and 23.2%, respectively, when bilobalide (25 microM) was present. Bilobalide also reduced ROS-induced elevation of Bax and activation of caspase-3 effectively. Our results provide the first direct evidence that bilobalide can protect neurons against oxidative stress. Bilobalide may block the apoptosis in the early stage and then attenuate the elevation of c-Myc, p53, and Bax and activation of caspase-3 in cells.

Neurotoxic effects of interleukin-6 and sodium nitroprusside on cultured rat hippocampal neurons

The neurotoxicity of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, CAS 13755-38-9) was examined using primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons. The cell viability was significantly reduced after the cultures were co-incubated with IL-6 4, 40, 400 ng/ml or SNP 1, 10, 100 mumol/l for 24 h. In addition, N omega-nitro-L-arginine (NNA, CAS 2149-70-4) at 0.1 mmol/l, when co-added with IL-6 400 ng/ml in cultures, significantly increased IL-6 reduced viability from 78.3 +/- 6.7% to 113.3 +/- 10.0%. These results indicate that IL-6 exerts neurotoxicity on cultured hippocampal neurons probably via overformation of nitric oxide in cultures.

Protective effect of bilobalide against nitric oxide-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

AIM

To examine the effects of bilobalide on nitric oxide-induced neurotoxicity in pheochromocytoma-derived PC12 cells (PC12 cells).

METHODS

PC12 cell survival was monitored by LDH release and 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Superoxide dismutases (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured based on their abilities to inhibit the oxidation of epinephrine by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system or to decompose H2O2 respectively. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by a fluorometric assay to indicate the lipid peroxidation.

RESULTS

3-Morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1, 50-300 mumol.L-1) induced PC12 cell damage. After the cells had been pretreated with 10 mumol.L-1 bilobalide for 24 h, the cell viability was increased to 91% +/- 30% from 52% +/- 14% in SIN-1 alone group. Moreover, the activities of SOD and CAT were increased after cells were treated with bilobalide.

CONCLUSION

The NO-induced neurotoxicity can be protected by bilobalide in PC12 cells. The bilobalide-induced increase in SOD and CAT activities may serve as one of the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of bilobalide.

Atypical antipsychotic effects of quetiapine fumarate in animal models

AIM

To evaluate the effect of quetiapine fumarate in animal models of schizophrenia and its possibility to induce extrapyramidal side effects (EPSE).

METHODS

The enhancement of immobility in a forced swimming test of mice induced by repeated treatment with phencyclidine and amphetamine swimming "normalization" test of mice were used as animal models of negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia, respectively. The paw test of rats was used to evaluate the possibility by quetiapine fumarate to induce EPSE.

RESULTS

After treatment with phencyclidine (10 mg.kg-1.d-1, s.c., 14 d), the immobility time in the forced swimming test of mice was increased (P < 0.01). Quetiapine fumarate (20, 40, and 80 mg.kg-1, ig) and clozapine (10 and 30 mg.kg-1, ig) attenuated the enhanced immobility in the forced swimming test induced by repeated treatment with phencyclidine (P < 0.01), whereas haloperidol (0.3 and 1 mg.kg-1, ig) had no effect. In amphetamine swimming "normalization" test, quetiapine fumarate ameliorated the disorder induced by amphetamine in a dose-dependent manner. In paw test, quetiapine fumarate was much less effective in increasing the forelimb retraction time (FRT) than the hindlimb retraction time (HRT). The minimal effective dose (MED) of HRT (MEDHRT) and FRT (MEDFRT) of quetiapine fumarate was 20 mg.kg-1 and 100 mg.kg-1, respectively, and the ratio of MEDFRT to MEDHRT was 5.

CONCLUSION

The effects of quetiapine fumarate in these models indicated its clinical effect on schizophrenia with a reduced liability to produce EPSE.

Effects of intrahippocampal infusion of interleukin-6 on passive avoidance and nitrite and prostaglandin levels in the hippocampus in rats

Bilateral infusion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) 80 ng into the hippocampus has been shown to impair retention of a step-through passive avoidance task via shortening the step-through latency in testing. This infusion with IL-6 also increased the levels of nitrite and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) in rat hippocampus. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of NG-nitro-L-arginine (CAS 2149-70-4) 100 mg/kg for 5 days improved the retention impairment induced by IL-6 and meanwhile antagonized the increase in nitrite levels. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection with indometacin (CAS 53-86-1) 10 mg/kg daily for 5 days reduced the IL-6-induced increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels. These results indicate that IL-6 impairs retention of passive avoidance probably via the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) and suggest that IL-6 may possess an inducible effect on NO synthase and cyclo-oxygenase in the hippocampus. These findings support the hypothesis that central IL-6 participates in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and the overproduction of nitric oxide in the brain may partially mediate the amnesic effect of IL-6.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor in human glioma cells

AIM

To study the effects of antisense vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) on the expression of VEGF in human glioma cell line (A172 cells).

METHODS

VEGF mRNA level was measured by semiquantification reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). VEGF protein expression in the cells was determined by immunohistochemistry. VEGF protein level in the media was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

When the cells were treated with antisense VEGF ODN (6.25-50 mumol.L-1), VEGF mRNA level in the cells decreased remarkably in a concentration-dependent manner. No change was found when the cells were treated with sense or missense ODN. When the cells were treated with antisense VEGF ODN 25 mumol.L-1, VEGF protein level decreased greatly both in the cells and the media.

CONCLUSIONS

Antisense VEGF ODN inhibited VEGF expression specifically in A172 cells in vitro and thus the results provided the basis for the further studies in vivo.

Bilobalide promotes expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in rat astrocytes

AIM

To study the effects of bilobalide on the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat astrocytes in vitro.

METHODS

Semiquantification polymerase chain reaction (SQ-PCR) was used to investigate GDNF and VEGF mRNA expression in the astrocytes after bilobalide (5, 15, 50, 100 mumol.L-1) treatment. Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect GDNF and VEGF protein expression in cells treated with bilobalide 50 mumol.L-1 for 24 h.

RESULTS

GDNF and VEGF mRNA increased markedly after astrocytes were treated with bilobalide 50 mumol.L-1 for 12 h. GDNF and VEGF protein were detected in the cytoplasm of astrocytes after the cells were treated with bilobalide 50 mumol.L-1 for 24 h.

CONCLUSION

Bilobalide induced GDNF and VEGF expression in the cultured astrocytes.

Protective effects of bilobalide on amyloid beta-peptide 25-35-induced PC12 cell cytotoxicity

AIM

To study the effect of bilobalide, a terpene extracted from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, on beta-amyloid peptide fragment 25-35 (A beta 25-35)-induced PC12 cell cytotoxicity.

METHODS

3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assay were used to measure the viability of PC12 cells. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were measured to determine lipid peroxidation of cells. Antioxidant enzymes in PC12 cells were detected.

RESULTS

Treatment of PC12 cells with A beta 25-35 (100 mumol.L-1) for 24 h caused a great decrease in cell viability (P < 0.01 compared with control). Bilobalide 25-100 mumol.L-1 dose-dependently attenuated the cytotoxic effect of A beta 25-35. Bilobalide also inhibited A beta 25-35 (100 mumol.L-1)-induced elevation of lipid peroxidation and decline of antioxidant enzyme activities.

CONCLUSION

Bilobalide protected PC12 cells from A beta 25-35-induced cytotoxicity.

Basic fibroblast growth factor up-regulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in primary cultured rat astrocytes

AIM

To examine the effect of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in primary cultured rat astrocytes.

METHODS

Semiquantification PCR (SQ-PCR) and immunocytochemistry were used to investigate the effect of bFGF on VEGF mRNA level and protein level, respectively.

RESULTS

Treatment with bFGF dose-dependently increased the VEGF mRNA level in astrocytes. The up-regulation of VEGF mRNA induced by bFGF (10 micrograms/L) was detected as short as 3-h treatment. The increase of VEGF mRNA level reached the maximum after 24-h treatment with bFGF. The immunocytochemical staining showed that the VEGF protein level in astrocytes also increased after the cells were incubated with bFGF.

CONCLUSION

bFGF induced a marked time- and concentration-dependent increase in VEGF expression in primary cultured astrocytes, suggesting that the effect of bFGF on angiogenesis in brain may act partly by up-regulating VEGF expression in astrocytes.

Roles of p53, c-Myc, Bcl-2, Bax and caspases in serum deprivation-induced neuronal apoptosis: a possible neuroprotective mechanism of basic fibroblast growth factor

Using flow cytometric analysis, we examined the temporal changes of p53, c-Myc, Bcl-2, Bax expression in rat primary cortex neurons after serum deprivation. Activities of caspase-1 and caspase-3 were also measured. Serum deprivation induced apoptosis accompanied by a rapid down-regulation of p53, Bcl-2 and an up-regulation of c-Myc, Bax and caspase-3 activity. Pretreatment with basic fibroblast growth factor prevented the apoptosis with an attenuation of the changes of p53, Bcl-2, Bax levels and caspase-3 activity but had no effect on the change of c-Myc level. These results suggest that serum deprivation induces apoptosis through a signaling pathway involving p53, Bcl-2, Bax, c-Myc and caspase-3. The effect of the basic fibroblast growth factor against apoptosis may result from its capability of blocking the apoptosis cascade.

Increased expression and nuclear accumulation of basic fibroblast growth factor in primary cultured astrocytes following ischemic-like insults

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a biological active polypeptide with potent trophic effects on neurons, glia and endothelial cells. In the present study, we examined the temporal expression profile of bFGF protein in cultured cortical astrocytes under ischemic-like conditions such as serum-free, glucose-free or glutamate application. A peak increase of bFGF level was observed at 24 h after the initiation of insults. A striking increase in the bFGF immunoreactivity and a moderate increase in the fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1) immunoreactivity were also found in the astrocytes treated with serum- or glucose-deprivation or glutamate. The increased bFGF immunoreactivity and FGFR-1 immunoreactivity were mainly accumulated in the nuclei of astrocytes. The results suggest that the expression of bFGF and FGFR-1 in the astrocytes, especially in the nuclear interior, can be up-regulated under ischemic-like conditions and that the up-regulation of bFGF and FGFR-1 may play an important role in the maintenance and repair of the central nervous system (CNS) after ischemia.

Roles of p53, c-Myc, Bcl-2, Bax and caspases in glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis and the possible neuroprotective mechanism of basic fibroblast growth factor

By using flow-cytometric analysis, we examined the involvement of p53, c-Myc, Bcl-2 and Bax in the glutamate-induced cell death in cultured cortical neurons. The activities of caspase-1-like and caspase-3-like proteases were also measured after the glutamate treatment. The apoptosis rate of the cells increased after 12 h and 24 h treatment with glutamate. The temporal profile of p53, c-Myc, Bcl-2, Bax expression and caspases activation after glutamate treatment suggest that Bcl-2, c-Myc and caspase-3 play important roles in the excitotoxic neuronal cell death. The down-regulation of Bcl-2 may be an important early stage event, which may cause the activation of caspase-3. c-Myc is also involved in the process of apoptosis though its precise role remains elusive. bFGF exhibited the capability to antagonize the neuronal apoptosis caused by glutamate. The antiapoptotic potential of bFGF may result from its attenuating effect on the down-regulation of Bcl-2 induced by glutamate and, subsequently, blockade of apoptosis cascade. This may provide a possible explanation for its neuroprotective effect against ischemic cell death.

Involvement of monoamine oxidase inhibition in neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against MPTP-induced nigrostriatal dopaminergic toxicity in C57 mice

The present study investigated the neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) and its two components ginkgolides A (BN52020) and B (BN52021) in mice. 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (30 mg/kg/d i.p. for six days) significantly reduced striatal dopamine (DA) levels in C57 mice measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). When C57 mice were pretreated with EGb 761 (20, 50, 100 mg/kg/d i.p.) for 7 days and then treated with the same extract 30 min before MPTP injection for 6 days, the neurotoxic effect of MPTP was antagonized in a dose-dependent fashion. Similar treatment with ginkgolides A and B (5, 10, 50 mg/kg/d i.p.) showed no protective effect. When C57 mice were treated with EGb 761 (50 mg/kg/d i.p.) after MPTP-lesion, the recovery of striatal dopamine (DA) levels was accelerated. However, similar treatment with ginkgolides A or B (10 mg/kg/d i.p.) did not show any effect. EGb 761, but not ginkgolides A and B, nonselectively inhibited mouse brain MAO activity in vitro (IC50 = 36.45 +/- 1.56 microg/ml) tested by an improved fluorimetric assay. The results demonstrate that EGb 761 administered before or after MPTP treatment effectively protects against MPTP-induced nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity and that the inhibitory effect of EGb 761 on brain MAO may be involved in its neuroprotective effect.

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on focal ischemic injury and antioxidant enzyme activities

AIM

To explore the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on focal cerebral ischemic injury and antioxidant enzyme activities.

METHODS

Rats underwent 24-h middle cerebral artery occlusion by intraluminal suture. Infarction volume was shown with staining and quantitated by image analysis system. Neurologic deficit scores were determined with a 0-5 grade scale. Antioxidant enzyme activities of forebrains were detected.

RESULTS

bFGF (45 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 i.v. for 3 h, started 5 min after the onset of ischemia) showed potent neuroprotective effects. Infarction volumes were decreased from 272 mm3 +/- 22 mm3 (saline-treated) to 201 mm3 +/- 30 mm3 (bFGF-treated). Neurologic deficit scores were decreased from 3.6 +/- 1.5 (saline-treated) to 2.3 +/- 1.6 (bFGF-treated). Focal cerebral ischemia induced an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), but a decrease in the level of glutathione s-transferase (GSH-ST). Treatment of bFGF further increased the CAT activity but had no effect on the activities of SOD, GSH-PX, and GSH-ST.

CONCLUSION

bFGF has a neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral ischemic injury. The elevation of CAT activity by bFGF may be involved in this effect.

Neuroprotective rather than neurorescue or neurorestorative effect of selegiline against MPTP-induced dopaminergic toxicity

AIM

To study the neuroprotective, neurorescue, neurorestorative effects of selegiline (Sel) on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal system and its inhibition of brain monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B).

METHODS

The striatal levels of dopamine and its metabolites were measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC). The inhibition of MAO-B was tested by an improved fluorimetric assay.

RESULTS

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine (MPTP) (30 mg.kg-1 i.p.) reduced the striatal dopamine level by 73% in mice. Selegiline (Sel, 10 mg.kg-1 i.p.) before, but not after, MPTP treatment protected against MPTP-induced nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. There were no differential effects between Sel and saline treatments on the recovery of striatal dopamine levels, which were partially restored during 2 wk. 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) (5 mg.kg-1 i.p.) produced no dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Furthermore, Sel selectively and irreversibly inhibited mouse brain MAO-B in vitro (IC50 = 17 nmol.L-1, 95% confidence limits = 14-20 nmol.L-1).

CONCLUSION

Selegiline has neuroprotective rather than neurorescue or neurorestorative effects on MPTP-induced nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal degeneration, which is directly pertinent to its selective and irreversible inhibition of brain MAO-B activity.

Study of prognostic predictors for non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The outcome of treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poor. One of the reasons is that in many patients its biological behavior does not follow a definite pattern, and can not be accurately predicted prior to treatment. In the present study we have examined the significant prognostic predictors.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-eight patients with NSCLC entered this study. They received surgery alone (95 cases) or combined therapy with postoperative irradiation (63 cases). Three types of data have been collected: (1) clinical characteristics: age, sex, Karnofsky performance status, weight loss, T stage, and N stage; (2) histopathology studies: histological types, tumor differentiation, status of vascular and lymphatic vessel invasions; (3) laboratory measurements by immunohistochemistry assay: oncoprotein overexpression, including pan-ras, c-myc, neu, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and p53, and tumor cell proliferation by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

RESULTS

For the entire group, 5-year actuarial survival, local control and distant metastasis rates were 44, 63 and 40%, respectively. In the univariate analyses, T stage, N stage and lymphatic vessel invasion correlated to survival; T stage and N stage to local control; N stage, lymphatic vessel invasion and pan-ras protein positive stain to distant metastasis. When the index of oncoprotein positive stains was used, the higher index was associated with a higher distant metastasis rate. In the multivariate analyses, T stage, N stage and lymphatic vessel invasion could be independent predictors for survival; T stage for local control; N stage, lymphatic vessel invasion and index of positive oncoprotein stains for distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Late T and N stages, lymphatic vessel invasion and multi-oncoprotein positive stains would predict poor prognoses for NSCLC.

The amphetamine-like reinforcing effect and mechanism of L-deprenyl on conditioned place preference in mice

The present study investigated the reinforcing effect of L-deprenyl on conditioned place preference in mice and its mechanism. Conditioned place preference was induced by 10 and 25 mg/kg L-deprenyl in a dose-dependent fashion during five consecutive conditioning days, and its reinforcing property was about five-fold less potent than that of L-amphetamine. Pretreatment with the dopamine antagonist, haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.), effectively blocked the place preference produced by L-deprenyl (10 and 25 mg/kg i.p.) and L-amphetamine (2 and 5 mg/kg i.p.), but haloperidol itself produced no place aversion. The neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 30 mg/kg did not modify the place preference induced by both L-deprenyl and L-amphetamine, though the dopamine concentration in striata assayed by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) was significantly reduced. These results suggest that L-deprenyl has amphetamine-like reinforcing properties. The reinforcing effect of L-deprenyl may be mediated by central dopaminergic neuronal systems, while the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway is not involved.

Basic fibroblast growth factor protected forebrain against ischemia-reperfusion damage in rats

AIM

To study the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on acute forebrain ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

METHODS

Both vertebral arteries were occluded by electrocautery and severe but transient bilateral cerebral ischemia was produced by clamping both common carotid arteries for 20 min in rats. The contents of dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in striatum were determined by HPLC with electrochemic detector (HPLC-EC) at 3, 6, 12, 24 h after the onset of reperfusion. The contents of sodium, potassium in forebrain were determined by atomic absorption spectro-photometric method at 6-h reperfusion. Morphological changes of the striatum were also examined.

RESULTS

At 6-h reperfusion, the DA content in striatum decreased from (99 +/- 16) micrograms.g-1 (protein) in sham-operation group to (70 +/- 20) micrograms.g-1 (protein); the water and the sodium contents in forebrain increased from 77.34% +/- 0.19% to 79.6% +/- 0.6% and from (9.3 +/- 0.6) to (10.5 +/- 0.6) mg.g-1 (dry weight), respectively. bFGF (i.v. 45 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 for 3 h) from the start of reperfusion prevented the decrease of DA in striatum and the increases of water and sodium contents in forebrain. Histological examination also indicated that bFGF ameliorated the injury of neurons.

CONCLUSION

bFGF prevented the brain from injury of ischemia and reperfusion.

Up-regulation of LPS-induced iNOS activity in dibutyryl cyclic AMP-differentiated rat astrocytes

AIM

To study the effect of dBcAMP on bacterial endotoxin LPS-induced NOS activity.

METHODS

Microscopic changes were observed. Nitrite levels were measured by fluorometric assay. NOS activity was measured by citrulline assay.

RESULTS

Within 3-4 h after the addition of dBcAMP 1 mmol.L-1 to culture medium, a morphological transformation reminiscent of in vivo differentiation occurred. Coincubation with LPS and dBcAMP 1 mmol.L-1 resulted in a marked increase in the nitrite production as compared with LPS alone. This increase was concentration- and time-dependent with a maximal effect after 24 h treatment. Nitrite production stimulated by LPS is parallel to the degree of cell differentiation. After a 24-h costimulation with LPS and dBcAMP, L-citrulline formation assay revealed a 3-fold increase in NOS activity over LPS treatment alone. Simultaneous incubation with L-NAME, completely inhibited the stimulation effect of LPS/dBcAMP on nitrite production. Cycloheximide and dactinomycin also suppressed enhancement of NOS activity stimulated by LPS/dBcAMP, both in nitrite production and citrulline assay, indicating that the enhancement of NOS activity was due to the expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) gene and protein.

CONCLUSION

Inflammatory signals can trigger astrocytes to express substantially different levels of iNOS depending on their degree of differentiation.

Sialographic characterization of the normal parotid gland of the miniature pig

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the structure of the parotid gland of the miniature pigs (minipig).

METHODS

Sialographic, anatomical, histological and ultrastructural studies of the parotid gland were performed on 11 minipigs.

RESULTS

Sialograms showed a long main duct and a triangular shaped gland. All branching ducts extended from the inferior-posterior margin of the main duct. No accessory glands were found. Typical serous acini were found microscopically and histochemically.

CONCLUSION

This study provides basic structural information on the parotid gland of the minipig.

Investigation of the clinical value of total saliva flow rates

The symptom of dry mouth was correlated with unstimulated (UWSFR) and stimulated (SWSFR) whole-saliva flow rate on chewing medical paraffin in 62 patients with dry-mouth complaints (30 with Sjögren's syndrome, 32 with sialosis) and 23 controls. The symptom of dry mouth was classified into grades 0,1,2,3,4 according to a Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). UWSFR and SWSFR were determined after fasting in the morning. UWSFR was 0.070 +/- 0.089 ml/min in Sjögren's syndrome, 0.175 +/- 0.115 ml/min in sialosis, 0.330 +/- 0.188 ml/min in controls. SWSFR was 0.709 +/- 0.720 ml/min in Sjögren's syndrome, 1.561 +/- 0.867 ml/min in sialosis, 1.894 +/- 0.661 ml/min in controls. A highly significant correlation was found between TESS score and UWSFR and between TESS score and SWSFR. Only UWSFR was decreased in the patients with a TESS score of 1 or 2, while both UWSFR and SWSFR were significantly decreased in the patients with TESS scores of 3, 4. It is concluded that UWSFR is more sensitive in relation to dry-mouth complaints than SWSFR, and that a mild dry mouth is mainly related to decreased UWSFR.

Pharmacokinetics of recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor in Macaca mulatta

AIM

To examine the pharmacokinetics of i.v. and s.c. recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) in Macaca mulatta.

METHODS

Plasma levels of rhGM-CSF were detected with sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Plasma concentration-time curves after i.v. rhGM-CSF in monkeys were best fitted with 3-compartment model. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd phase T1/2 were 0.05-0.07, 0.14-0.58, and 1.4-4.1 h. Cl and K10 were similar between different doses, respectively. Cmax was 0.93 +/- 0.16 microgram.L-1, Tmax was 2.65 +/- 0.14 h, and elimination T1/2 was 2.5 +/- 0.3 h after s.c. rhGM-CSF. The bioavailability after s.c. rhGM-CSF was 0.61.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacokinetics of rhGM-CSF in Macaca mulatta provided a useful index for clinical trial.

Further evaluation of the safety and protective efficacy of live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine (H2-strain) in humans

A study on the possibility of transmission of live hepatitis A vaccine (H2-strain) from vaccinees to nonvaccinees was conducted. As a result, no seroconversion was found among 87 seronegative nonvaccinees, who had a close contact with their 141 subcutaneously vaccinated classmates nor was it found among 101 seronegative children administered the vaccine orally. The above fundings suggest that by losing the ability to be transmitted orally the vaccine virus may result in a decreasing possibility of dissemination among contacts. A 4-year study on the protective efficacy of the H2-strain vaccine was done at 11 primary schools starting at 1991 in Shaoxing County. Since then, there has been no hepatitis A reported among 18102 cumulative person-years in the vaccination group, while 495 cases occurred among 242168 cumulative person-years in the control groups. A large scale vaccination with a cumulative vaccination coverage of 89.45% was carried out in Jiaojiang City among children 1-15 years old. Hepatitis A in this age group in the city, which had 12-87 cases per annum with an average of 32 for 8 years before vaccination, decreased drastically to 0-1 cases after vaccination. The protective efficacy of H2-strain vaccine proved to be satisfactory.

Production of anti-peptide antibody of rat brain nitric-oxide synthase

AIM

To raise antibody of rat brain nitric-oxide synthase (bNOS) through immunizing animal with a peptide of bNOS that can represent the holoprotein.

METHODS

The amino acid sequence for the bNOS was analyzed by GenePro computer program. According to the hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, antigenicity, and the potentiality to form protein second structures of alpha-helix, beta-sheet and beta-turn, the structure of bNOS was predicted. The peptide 277-287 was selected that was predicted to be in the antigen epitope of bNOS. The peptide was chemically synthesized, coupled to keyhole limphet hemocyanin carrier protein and injected into rabbits to raise antibody. The specificity of the antibody was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

The antibody bound the protein in rat cerebellum extract. In Western blotting, the antibody bound the protein band of 150 kDa in SDS-PAGE, and the binding was inhibited by peptide conjugated with carrier protein. In immunohistochemistry, the stain was collocated with the stain in NADPH-dehydrogenase histochemistry.

CONCLUSION

The antibody against the peptide recognized the natural bNOS in rat brain, and the peptide 277-287 was located on the surface of bNOS.