[Prevention and treatment of stroke in Chinese and African young adults].

Over the past two decades, with the improvement of living standards and the change of lifestyle, the incidence of stroke in young adults had been increasing year by year. Compared with elderly patients, young patients had a higher proportion of intracranial and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The etiologies of ischemic stroke in young patients were more diverse, with increasing risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, and oral contraceptives. Due to the atypical clinical symptoms, various etiologies, the clinical inertia of the receiving physicians and the concerns about the use of statins in young stroke patients, timely diagnosis and standardized treatment are still challenging. China has been providing medical assistance to African countries for nearly 60 years. Considering the regional differences in medical level between China and Africa, in order to help Chinese medical teams to have a deep understanding of the current situation of stroke in young African adults, this paper comprehensively analyzed the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors and prevention measures of stroke in young adults, especially in Chinese and African, which could provide corresponding reference for early identification, treatment, prevention and education of stroke in young people.

[Risk factors of low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac valvular surgery in elderly patients with valvular disease complicated with giant left ventricle].

Objective: To explore the risk factors of low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) after cardiac valvular surgery in elderly patients with valvular disease complicated with giant left ventricle. Methods: This was a retrospective study. The clinical data of patients over 60 years old with giant left ventricle who underwent cardiac valvular surgery in Henan Provincial People's Hospital (Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital) from January 2016 to January 2020 were collected in this study. Patients were divided into LCOS group and non-LCOS group. The clinical data, preoperative echocardiographic results and surgical data of all patients were collected. Taking LCOS as dependent variable and statistically significant variables in univariate analysis as independent variable, multivariate logistic regression equation was constructed to identify the risk factors of LCOS after cardiac valvular surgery in elderly patients with valvular disease complicated with giant left ventricle. On the basis of logistic regression, the risk factors of continuous variables were put into the regression model for trend test. Results: A total of 112 patients were included, among whom 76 patients were male, the mean age was (65.3±3.8) years. There were 21 cases in LCOS group and 91 cases in non LCOS group. Univariate analysis showed that age≥70 years, preoperative NYHA cardiac function class Ⅳ, preoperative renal dysfunction, preoperative cerebrovascular disease, preoperative LVEF<40%, blood loss/total blood volume>20%, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time>130 minutes and aortic cross-clamp time>90 minutes all had statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age≥70 years (OR=5.067, 95%CI 1.320-19.456, P=0.018), preoperative NYHA cardiac function class Ⅳ (OR=3.100, 95%CI 1.026-9.368, P=0.045), renal dysfunction (OR=3.627, 95%CI 1.018-12.926, P=0.047), CPB time>130 minutes (OR=4.539, 95%CI 1.483-13.887, P=0.008) were the independent risk factors of LCOS after cardiac valvular surgery in elderly patients with giant left ventricle. Risk of LCOS was significantly higher in patients aged from 65 to 70 years (OR=1.784, 95%CI 0.581-5.476) and aged 70 years and above (OR=4.400, 95%CI 1.171-16.531) than in patients aged from 60 to 65 years. The trend test results showed that the risk of LCOS increased significantly in proportion with the increase of age (P for trend=0.024). Risk of LCOS was significantly higher in patients with CPB time between 90 and 110 minutes (OR=1.917, 95%CI 0.356-10.322), 110 and 130 minutes (OR=1.437, 95%CI 0.114-18.076) and 130 minutes and above (OR=5.750, 95%CI 1.158-28.551) than in patients with CPB time ≤ 90 minutes (P for trend=0.009). Conclusions: The risk factors of LCOS after cardiac valvular surgery are age≥70 years, preoperative NYHA cardiac function class Ⅳ, renal dysfunction, CPB time>130 minutes in elderly patients with giant left ventricle.

[Preliminary study on the effect of B7H3 interaction with fibronectin on apoptosis of human chronic myeloid leukemia cells].

Objective: To explore the effect of the interaction between B7H3 and fibronectin (FN) on the apoptosis of human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. Methods: The expression of B7H3 molecules in K562 cells was detected using flow cytometry and B7H3 overexpressing cells were constructed. The interaction between B7H3 and FN was detected using the co-immunoprecipitation technology. After adding exogenous FN, cell experiments were performed to detect changes in adhesion and cell apoptosis. The changes in apoptosis-related proteins and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected using Western blot. Results: The expression of B7H3 was low in K562, and the cell line K562 OE (overexpression) -B7H3 and the control cell line K562 NC (negative control) -B7H3 were obtained after lentivirus transfection. There is an interaction between B7H3 and FN (P=0.036) , and this interaction promoted cell adhesion (P<0.05) , inhibited cell apoptosis (P<0.05) , and activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway (P<0.05) . Conclusion: B7H3 interacts with FN to promote cell adhesion and may inhibit K562 cell apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

[Study on the relationships between precollege sexual abuse experiences at different stages and adult attachment in college students].

Objective: To explore the association between precollege sexual abuse experiences at different periods and adult attachment in college students. Methods: In October 2018,a total of 4 034 college students were selected from 4 colleges in Hefei City by using the stratified cluster sampling method. A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the demographic characteristics, sexual abuse experience, and attachment style of participants. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between different periods, types of precollege sexual abuse experiences and attachment style in college students. Results: The rate of total precollege sexual abuse, noncontact sexual abuse, and contact sexual abuse was 14.1% (569), 12.7% (512) and 5.4% (219), respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that secure attachment [ß(95%CI)=-0.205 (-0.292, -0.117)] was negatively correlated with total precollege sexual abuse experiences, whereas anxiety attachment [ß(95%CI)=0.211 (0.110, 0.310)], avoidant attachment [ß(95%CI)=0.117 (0.020, 0.216)] were positively correlated with total precollege sexual abuse experiences. The number of periods of precollege noncontact sexual abuse was negatively correlated with secure attachment [ß(95%CI)=-0.106(-0.171, -0.041)]and positively correlated with anxiety attachment [ß(95%CI)=0.158 (0.084, 0.231)]and avoidant attachment [ß(95%CI)=0.080 (0.008, 0.152)]. The noncontact [ß(95%CI)=0.427 (0.018, 0.775)] and contact sexual abuse [ß(95%CI)=0.468 (0.251, 0.687)] in high school were positively correlated with anxiety attachment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Different periods, types of precollege sexual abuse experiences were all associated with adult attachment in college students.

MiR-34 promotes apoptosis of lens epithelial cells in cataract rats via the TGF-ß/Smads signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-34 on the lens epithelial cell functions in the cataract rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Differentially expressed miRNAs in the lens epithelial cells of the cataract rats were screened out by analyzing microarrays. The lens epithelial cells of the cataract rats transfected with miR-34 mimics were set as transfection group. Cells with silenced transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) using RepSox were regarded as the transfection + inhibitor group, and the cells transfected with NC constituted control group. Relative expressions of miR-34, key genes in the TGF-ß/Smads signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins [B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2 associated K protein (Bak), caspase-9 and surviving] in the control group, transfection group, and transfection + inhibitor group were detected. The proportions of apoptotic cells in the three groups were determined via flow cytometry. RESULTS: The differentially expressed miRNAs in the lens epithelial cells of the cataract rats included miR-5, miR-128, etc. Among the tested miRNAs, miR-34 presented remarkably downregulated expression [log2 fold change (FC) =-2.11, p=0.000]. After the lens epithelial cells of the cataract rats were transfected with miR-34 mimics, the expression of miR-34 was evidently elevated (p=0.000), while the expressions of TGF-ß, Smad1, and Smad3 were significantly up-regulated. Following the treatment with the TGF-ß inhibitor RepSox, the expressions of TGF-ß, Smad1, and Smad3 were downregulated. After transfection of miR-34 mimics in lens epithelial cells of the cataract rats, upregulated Bax and Bak, downregulated Bcl-2 and surviving, and elevated apoptosis rate were observed. After the TGF-ß inhibitor RepSox was added, the expressions of Bax and Bak declined prominently, while those of Bcl-2 and survivin were on the contrary, manifesting a declining cell apoptosis rate. The expression of caspase-9 had no significant change among the three groups. The proportion of apoptotic cells in control group, transfection group, and transfection + inhibitor group was 2.33%, 38.14%, and 16.88%, respectively, displaying differences among the three groups (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: MiR-34 can promote the apoptosis in lens epithelial cells of cataract rats via the TGF-ß/Smads signaling pathway.

[Association between suffering experiences from precollege peer bullying at different stages and the quality of health-related life among college students].

Objective: To explore the effects of precollege peer bullying at different stages, on quality of life (QOL) among college students. Methods: A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select participants in October, 2018. Cluster sampling method was adopted to recruit a sample of 4 034 college students from four universities in Hefei city, Anhui province. Relations between peer bullying at different stages before entering college, and the quality of life, were investigated. t test and analysis of variance were used to compare the differences of QOL in different groups. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the associations between various types of peer bullying at different stages and the QOL at precollege days. Results: Among all the 4 034 college students under study, mean scores of the 4 dimensions of QOL appeared as physical (12.61±2.02), psychological (14.09±2.62), social relationship (13.72±2.71) and environment (13.77±2.46), respectively. After adjusting the confounding factors, data from multiple linear regression showed that, factors as verbal bullying victimization during primary school (ß=-0.21)/secondary school (ß=-0.27)/or at both periods (ß=-0.56), relational (ß=-0.21) and physical (ß=-0.38) bullying victimization in secondary school, and physical bullying victimization in both periods (ß=-0.67) were negatively correlated with the physical dimension of QOL. Verbal bullying victimization in both periods (ß=-0.41) and relational bullying victimization in secondary school (ß=-0.42) were negatively correlated with psychological dimension of QOL. Factors as relational (ß=-0.32) and physical (ß=-0.51) bullying victimization in secondary school, physical/cyber bullying victimization in both periods (ß=-0.57) were negatively correlated with the social dimension of QOL. Verbal bullying victimization during primary school (ß=-0.20) and both periods (ß=-0.46), relational bullying perpetration during primary school (ß=-0.35) or at both periods (ß=-0.90) were negatively correlated with the environmental dimension of QOL (All P<0.05). Index related to bullying victimization (ß=-0.33, -0.36, -0.30, -0.33) and bullying perpetration ß=-0.28, -0.31, -0.23, -0.28) were both negatively correlated to all the 4 dimensions (physical, psychological, social relationship and environment) of QOL (P<0.001). Conclusions: Various forms of peer bullying experiences occurring before college, were associated with the decreased scores of QOL in different domains, among the university students. Programs on prevention and control of peer bullying in different stages before college days seemed important thus should be strengthened.

[The role of hypothalamus polycomb gene methylation in bisphenol A exposure during pregnancy and premature puberty in female offspring].

Objective: To explore the role of hypothalamus Polycomb Group (PcG) gene (Eed, Ezh) methylation in the relationship between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy and premature puberty in female offspring. Methods: A total of 40 pregnant CD-1 mice were randomly and averagely assigned into four groups: control group (corn oil) and low, middle and high BPA-exposed groups (the poisonous doses were 8 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg, respectively) by random number table method. Each group was administered by gavage from gestational day (GD) 1 to 18. The vaginal opening of female offspring was observed from postnatal day (PND) 21 to 33. All female offsprings were sacrificed, and hypothalamus was remained on the PND 34. The methylation levels of Eed and Ezh in the hypothalamus were measured. The early puberty of CD-1 mice was evaluated by the rate of vaginal opening in advance, initial time of vaginal opening, the first estrus occurrence and vaginal opening days in advance. The path model was used to explore the role of Eed and Ezh gene methylation in the early puberty of female offspring with maternal BPA exposed including the number of days of vaginal opening in advance as a dependent variable and BPA exposure as an independent variable. Results: The rate of vaginal opening on the 28 day in each maternal BPA-exposure group [low, middle and high BPA-exposed groups were 40.00% (29/72), 47.62% (25/53) and 37.84% (20/53), respectively] was higher than that rate in the control group [14.06%(9/64)]. Similarly, the P(50)(P(25), P(75)) values of initial time of vaginal opening in low, middle and high BPA-exposed group were 28 (26, 30), 28 (26, 29), 28 (26, 30) days, respectively and the P(50)(P(25), P(75)) values of the first estrus occurrence in low, middle and high BPA-exposed group were 31 (27, 32), 30 (27, 31), 31 (28, 33) days, respectively, which were earlier than those in the control group [initial time of vaginal opening was 30(28, 31) days, and the first estrus occurrence was 32(30, 33) days] (all P values<0.05). Compared with the control group (the methylation levels of Eed1, Eed2, Ezh2 were 1.47%, 1.26%, 2.56%, respectively), the methylation levels of Eed1 (1.61%-1.82%), Eed2 (1.36%-1.43%) and Ezh2 (2.87%-3.05%) in female offspring were significantly higher in BPA-exposed groups (all P values<0.05). The results of path model analysis showed that BPA had no direct influence on puberty in advance, but had an indirect effect on puberty in advance (indirect effect path coefficient was 0.045 and 0.142, respectively) by mediating methylation of Eed2, and Ezh2. Conclusion: Early puberty in female offspring induced by maternal exposure to BPA during pregnancy through the increased methylation levels of hypothalamus PcG gene (Eed, Ezh) in female offspring.

[Awareness of health co-benefits of carbon emissions reduction in urban residents in Beijing: a cross-sectional survey].

Objective: To understand the awareness of the health co-benefits of carbon emission reduction in urban residents in Beijing and the influencing factors, and provide information for policy decision on carbon emission reduction and health education campaigns. Methods: Four communities were selected randomly from Fangshan, Haidian, Huairou and Dongcheng districts of Beijing, respectively. The sample size was estimated by using Kish-Leslie formula for descriptive analysis. 90 participants were recruited from each community. χ(2) test was conducted to examine the associations between socio-demographic variables and individuals' awareness of the health co-benefits of carbon emission reduction. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors influencing the awareness about the health co-benefits. Results: In 369 participants surveyed, 12.7% reported they knew the health co-benefits of carbon emission reduction. The final logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR=0.98), attitude to climate warming (OR=0.72) and air pollution (OR=1.59), family monthly average income (OR=1.27), and low carbon lifestyle (OR=2.36) were important factors influencing their awareness of the health co-benefits of carbon emission reduction. Conclusion: The awareness of the health co-benefits of carbon emissions reduction were influenced by people' socio-demographic characteristics (age and family income), concerns about air pollution and climate warming, and low carbon lifestyle. It is necessary to take these factors into consideration in future development and implementation of carbon emission reduction policies and related health education campaigns.

Description of the novel KIR2DL1*034 allele Identified from a southern Chinese Han individual.

The novel KIR2DL1*034 allele differs from the closest allele KIR2DL1*00302 by a single missense mutation.

Identification of the novel KIR2DL1*033 allele from a southern Chinese Han individual by sequencing-based typing.

The novel KIR2DL1*033 allele differs from the closest allele 2DL1*00302 by a single nonsynonymous mutation.

Description of the novel KIR3DL3*04802 allele identified in a southern Chinese Han individual.

The novel KIR3DL3*04802 allele differs from the closest allele KIR3DL3*04801 by a single synonymous mutation.

Identification of the novel KIR2DL4*00503 allele from a southern Chinese Han individual.

The novel KIR2DL4*00503 allele differs from the closest allele 2DL4*00501 by a single synonymous mutation.

Universality analysis of the existence of substantia nigra "swallow tail" appearance of non-Parkinson patients in 3T SWI.

OBJECTIVE: To use the 3.0T susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for universality analysis of the "swallow tail" appearance in the substantia nigra of non-Parkinson disease and discuss its lack of the value of imaging diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Take 3.0TMR SWI in 60 PD patients (Group PD) and non-PD volunteers (Group N-PD), on the map of range analyze morphology and number of "swallow tail" appearance in substantia nigra of N-PD group volunteers, and compare the performance image of the corresponding region of the patients in the PD group. RESULTS: After, 15 patients with lesions in the brain stem and significant motion artifacts were excluded. Forty-nine cases of group N-PD (96.08%) had typical "swallow tail" appearance in the bilateral or unilateral substantia nigra compacta posterolateral. All 54 patients with group PD (100%) lacked the "drop" rear elliptical high signal. CONCLUSIONS: On the 3.0T SWI range map, the "swallow tail" appearance is ubiquitous in the substantia nigra of patients with non-PD. The deficiency of the signs has high sensitivity and specificity for PD diagnosis.

[Clinic analysis of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. METHODS: The interventional case series enrolled 314 eyes undergoing cataract surgery in Xiamen Ophthalmic Center between April and December 2013, patients were randomized to femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(153 eyes) and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery(161 eyes). The clincic parameters of preoperation, during operation and postoperation were compared and statistically studied. Quantitative data were analyzed using the analysis of variance, independent t tests. Qualitative datawere analyzed using the crosstabs analysis chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The patient's demographics parameters(age, gender, IOP, axial length, mean keratometry, AC depth, Cataract grade) did not differ significantly between groups (P>0.05) . The CDE showing 4.78% (3.18%-8.88%) and EPT showing 14.05 s (10.07-20.85 s) in the laser group were significantly lower than the CDE showing 8.82% (6.01%-19.16%) and EPT showing 23.65 s (18.36-46.96 s) in the conventional group (z=2.30, 2.91; P<0.05) . The relative diameter and circularity in laser-assisted capusulotomies were significantly more accurate (t=2.58, 3.92; P<0.05). The corneal endothelial cell loss showing 73.50 (-69.51-111.03)/mm(2) was significantly lower in the laser group than the loss of 118.06 (53.55-299.03)/mm(2) in the conventional group 1 month postoperatively (z=2.44; P<0.05). Postoperative anterial chamber flare was significantly greater in the conventional group at 1 day of 18.81 (13.32-20.23) ph/ms in laser group, 24.51(16.38-32.18)ph/m in conventional group and at 1 month of 13.01(9.23-16.28) ph/ms in laser group, 18.05(12.37-24.97) ph/ms in conventional group than the laser group (z=2.40, 2.31; P<0.05). There were no severe surgical complications for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery was effective and safe. It reduced EPT and CDE during operation, therefore decreased endothelial damage and postoperative anterior chamber inflammation. It also provided more precise and reproducible capsulotomies.

[Resting-state functional magnetic resonance study of brain function changes after TIPS operation in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Objective: To investigate the brain function changes in cirrhosis patients after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) performed and fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) was analyzed. Methods: From January 2014 to February 2016, a total of 96 cirrhotic patients from invasive technology department and infection department in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were selected , the blood ammonia data of 96 cirrhotic patients with TIPS operation in four groups were collected after 1, 3, 6 and 12 month, and all subjects performed rs-fMRI scans. The rs-fMRI data processed with DPARSF and SPM12 softwares, whole-brain fALFF values were calculated, and One-Way analysis of variance , multiple comparison analysis and correlation analysis were performed. Results: There were brain regions with significant function changes in four groups patients with TIPS operation after 1, 3, 6 and 12 month, including bilateral superior temporal gyrus, right middle temportal gyrus , right hippocampus, right island of inferior frontal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, left olfactory cortex, left orbital superior frontal gyrus (all P<0.005). Multiple comparison analysis showed that compared with patients in the 1-month follow-up, patients in the 3-month follow-up showed that brain function areas increased in left olfactory cortex, left inferior temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, left orbital middle frontal gyrus, left putamen, left cerebelum, and decreased in left lingual gyrus; patients in the 6-month follow-up showed that brain function areas increased in left middle temportal gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, right temporal pole, right central operculum, and decreased in left top edge of angular gyrus, left postcentral gyrus; patients in the 12-month follow-up showed that brain function areas increased in right hippocampus, right middle cingulate gyrus, and decreased in right middle temportal gyrus.Compared with patients in the 3-month follow-up, patients in the 6-month follow-up showed that brain function areas increased in left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, right temporal pole, right island of inferior frontal gyrus, and decreased in left cerebelum, left orbital inferior frontal gyrus; patients in the 12-month follow-up showed that there were no obvious increase and decrease brain function areas.Compared with patients in the 6-month follow-up, patients in the 12-month follow-up showed that there were no obvious increase brain function areas , but brain function areas decreased in bilateral middle temportal gyrus(P<0.001). Brain regions were positively related to blood ammonia in right middle cingulate gyrus, right central operculum, left parahippocampal gyrus, while as brain regions were negatively related to blood ammonia in bilateral medial prefrontal lobe, anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyrus, right top edge of angular gyrus, right middle temportal gyrus, left anterior central gyrus, left posterior central gyrus (all P<0.005). Conclusion: The resting state brain function increased or decreased with course of disease in cirrhosis patients after TIPS operation. The brain activity of limbic system and sensorimotor system all had significant correlation with blood ammonia levels. The blood ammonia level and the function of relative brain regions after 6-month with TIPS operation can be gradually improved.

Visualization of nigrosomes-1 in 3T MR susceptibility weighted imaging and its absence in diagnosing Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the imaging features of nigrosomes-1 in the substantia nigra through 3T MR susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and its disease-specific changes for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 116 subjects were included in this study and allocated into 3 groups: 54 patients diagnosed with PD were assigned to the PD group, 51 age- and sex-matched volunteers without PD served as the control N-PD group, and 11 clinically suspected PD patients were allocated to the undiagnosed (UD) group. All patients received 3.0T superconducting MRI scanning on xxx. The images were analyzed and compared to assess the ability of nigrosomes-1 signals to depict PD pathology. RESULTS: The signals of nigrosomes-1 were strong, droplet-like or oval in shape, and were found in 49 patients from the N-PD group (96.08%), on both sides of the SN (47 cases) and unilaterally (2 cases). In contrast, these signals were absent in all 54 cases from the PD group, and were undetected in 7 out of 11 cases in the UD group, 7 cases without the "drop" and 1 case with narrow strips of hyperintensity were clinically proven to PD, 2 cases with the typical hyperintensity were clinically proven to Parkinson's plus syndrome, 2 cases with slightly wider strip of hyperintensity were less sensitive to the drug levodopa. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of typical droplet-like or oval-shaped nigrosomes-1 signals in 3.0T MR SWI may prove useful in identifying PD and Parkinson's syndrome with high sensitivity and specificity.

A study on the protective role of doxycycline upon dopaminergic neuron of LPS-PD rat model rat.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective role of doxycycline upon the dopaminergic neuron of the lipopolysaccharide-Parkinson disease (LPS-PD) model rat and its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, LPS group and doxycycline intervention. Group; establishing The PD model was created by injecting LPS stereo-tactically into the substantia nigra; observing the changes in the dopaminergic neurons and the major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) positive microglia before and after the intervention of doxycycline with immunohistochemical staining. Using the HPLC-ED (high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector) to test the changes in the striatal dopamine (DA), and DOPAC (dihydroxy phenyl acetic acid) content; adopting Western blotting was adopted to test the expression of the substantia nigra microglia MHC II (major histocompatibility complex II) protein. RESULTS: After the intervention of doxycycline, in the LPS group, the surviving dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra rose from 38% ± 5% to 79% ± 4% (p < 0.01); striatal DA and DOPAC content of the LPS group increased from 4.89 ± 0.27 and 0.70 ± 0.07 to 7.00 ± 0.34 and 1.10 ± o. 10 respectively (p < 0.01). The average number of rotation induced intraperitoneal injection of apomorphine of the animals in the LPS group reduced from (208 ± 14); time/30 min to (80 ± 12) times/30 min (p < 0.01); while the number of the MHC II positive cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta in the LPS group reduced from 835 ± 82 to 354 ± 59 (p < 0.01); Western blotting of the MHC II protein expression showed a significant reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Doxycycline can inhibit degeneration of LPS-induced dopaminergic neurons. Its neuroprotective function is achieved by downregulating the microglia MHC II expression.

Study on the carotid atherosclerotic plaque of patients suffering from ischemic cerebrovascular disease by 64 slices CT.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between the features of a carotid plaque of patients suffering from carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic cerebrovascular disease by 64 slices computed tomography (CT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with carotid atherosclerosis were divided into the ischemic event group (n=48) and non-ischemic event group (n=52). The features of the carotid plaque were detected by 64 slices CT. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen plaques were found in the ischemic event group. The proportions of fatty, calcified, and mixed plaque were 35.4%, 30.1%, and 34.5%. There are 78 plaques found in the non-ischemic event group. The proportions of fatty, calcified, and mixed plaque were 21.8%, 51.3%, and 26.9%. The distribution difference between the three types of plaques was statistically significant (p<0.05). The proportions of mixed plaque composed mainly of fatty plaque were 64.1% and 23.8%. These two constituent ratios are significantly different from those of statistical processing (p<0.01). There are 10 cases of plaque ulceration out of the 100 cases, among which eight are from the ischemic event group and two cases from the other group. After statistical processing, the incidence rates of plaque ulceration from these two groups are significantly different (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 64 slices CT can accurately present the morphological features of the carotid plaque. It indicates that the fatty plaque, mixed plaque composed mainly of fatty plaque and ulcerative plaque can cause ischemic cerebrovascular events.

Efficacy of type a botulinum toxin injections and infrared polarized light on treating chronic migraine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of the combination of ultrasound-and-hyponome-guided type A botulinum toxin injection and infrared polarized light on treating chronic migraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-one patients with chronic migraine were randomly divided into four groups: in the control group (group A, 22 cases in total), nimodipine was used in the treatment of chronic migraine for two months; in the infrared polarized light therapy group (group B, 22 cases in total), infrared polarized light was adopted in the treatment of chronic migraine for 50-60d; in the botulinum toxin treatment group (group C, 24 cases in total), ultrasound-and-hyponome-guided type A botulinum toxin was injected into frontal, temporal, and occipital muscles in treating chronic migraine; in the joint treatment group (group D, 23 cases in total), ultrasound-and-hyponome-guided type A botulinum toxin injection in group C and infrared polarized light in group B were both used here in the treatment of chronic migraine. Infrared polarized light therapy lasted 50-60d and the time of study lasted six months. The survey would include the conditions of patients with chronic migraine three months before treatment and at one, three and six months after treatment. Patients were asked to fill the MIDAS (migraine disability assessment questionnaire) and were graded on the evaluation scale of life quality, so that the researchers would be able to compare attack frequency, duration of attack, attack severity, the use of painkillers and their recovery from chronic migraine, and then observe their adverse reactions. RESULTS: Eleven cases dropped out during the treatment, three cases in A group, two cases in group B, four cases in group C and two cases in group D. One, three and six months after treatment, the MIDAS scores in group A, B, C and D were significantly lower than before the treatment. Hence, the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The scores in quality of life rating scale were significantly higher than pre-treatment scores, so the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The MIDAS scores and quality of life rating scale scores in group D were compared with those in group A, B, and C respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Two patients were recorded with dizziness, and the dizziness disappeared after two weeks with no treatments at all. Forehead lines and crow's feet of 21 patients shallowed or disappeared in varying degrees after the injection. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ultrasound-and-hyponome-guided type A botulinum toxin injection and infrared polarized light on treating chronic migraine demonstrated a significant clinical effect.

Rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimuli on motor and balance function of patients with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Discuss the effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimuli on motor and balance function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with PD participated in this study. The control group used a routine drug treatment for eight weeks. The comprehensive treatment group used conventional drug treatment with sound rhythm metronome released as the rhythmical auditory stimulation, in accordance with the ground fixed ribbon rhythmic visual stimulation walking training for eight weeks. After four and eight weeks, the two groups of subjects took the walking parameters test, and used the disease Parkinson score scale to assess the damaged degree of motor function of PD patients. The Berg Balance Scale was used to evaluate the balance function of the PD patients. A six minute walk test was used to evaluate the walking motor function of the patients. RESULTS: The comparison between the groups suggests that after treatment of rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimulation group, the step size increased, frequency decreased, pace increased, and PD score scale part II decreased. As well, the PD score scale part III reduced, the six minute walking distance increased, and the Berg Balance Scale score increased significantly. There were significant differences compared with the control group after the treatment (p < 0.01). Comparison of time points suggests that after rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimulation group trained for eight weeks, the step size increased, frequency decreased, pace increased, and PD score scale part II were reduced. As well the PD score scale part III reduced, six minute walking distance increased, Berg Balance Scale increased. There were significant differences compared with the parameters of training for four weeks (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Rhythmic auditory stimulation with visual stimulation can improve motor and balance function of patients with PD.