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OBJECTIVE Pediatric intracranial aneurysms are rare. Most large series in the last 15 years reported on an average of only 39 patients. The authors sought to report their institutional experience with pediatric intracranial aneurysms from 1991 to 2021 and to compare pediatric patient and aneurysm characteristics with those of a contemporaneous adult cohort. METHODS Pediatric (≤ 18 years of age) and adult patients with one or more intracranial aneurysms were identified in a prospective database. Standard epidemiological features and outcomes of each pediatric patient were retrospectively recorded. These results were compared with those of adult aneurysm patients managed at a single institution over the same time period. RESULTS From a total of 4500 patients with 5150 intracranial aneurysms admitted over 30 years, there were 47 children with 53 aneurysms and 4453 adults with 5097 aneurysms; 53.2% of children and 36.4% of adults presented with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Pediatric aneurysms were significantly more common in males, more likely giant (≥ 25 mm), and most frequently located in the middle cerebral artery. Overall, 85.1% of the pediatric patients had a modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2 at the last follow-up (with a mean follow-up of 65.9 months), and the pediatric mortality rate was 10.6%; all 5 patients who died had an SAH. The recurrence rate of treated aneurysms was 6.7% (1/15) in the endovascular group but 0% (0/31) in the microsurgical group. No de novo aneurysms occurred in children (mean follow-up 5.5 years). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric intracranial aneurysms are significantly different from adult aneurysms in terms of sex, presentation, location, size, and outcomes. Future prospective studies will better characterize long-term aneurysm recurrence, rebleeds, and de novo aneurysm occurrences. The authors currently favor microsurgical over endovascular treatment for pediatric aneurysms.

Background Primary duodenal tuberculosis is very rare. Due to a lack of specificity for its presenting symptoms, it is easily misdiagnosed clinically. Review of the few case reports and literature on the topic will help to improve the overall understanding of this disease and aid in differential diagnosis to improve patient outcome. Case summary A 71-year-old man with a 30-plus year history of bronchiectasis and bronchitis presented to the Gastroenterology Department of our hospital complaining of intermittent upper abdominal pain. Initial imaging examination revealed a duodenal space-occupying lesion; subsequent upper abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography indicated duodenal malignant tumor. Physical and laboratory examinations showed no obvious abnormalities. In order to confirm further the diagnosis, electronic endoscopy was performed and tissue biopsies were taken. Duodenal histopathology showed granuloma and necrosis. In-depth tuberculosis-related examination did not rule out tuberculosis, so we initiated treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs. At 6 mo after the anti-tuberculosis drug course, there were no signs of new development of primary lesions by upper abdominal computed tomography, and no complications had manifested. Conclusion This case emphasizes the importance of differential diagnosis for gastrointestinal diseases. Duodenal tuberculosis requires a systematic examination and physician awareness.

Introduction Hemangioblastomas typically present throughout the neuroaxis, particularly within the cerebellum and spinal cord. A rare case of cystic hemangioblastoma within the quadrigeminal cistern is described. Case Report A 18-year-old female presented with 3 weeks of worsening headaches and vomiting. Workup revealed multiple contrast enhancing lesions throughout the neuroaxis concerning for hemangioblastoma, with the largest cystic mass within the quadrigeminal cistern causing brainstem compression and hydrocephalus. The patient experienced an acute neurologic decompensation likely due to brainstem compression and hydrocephalus, which was temporized by cyst drainage and endoscopic third ventriculostomy. After neurological stabilization and Von Hippel Lindau disease workup, she underwent a suboccipital craniotomy and resection of the hemangioblastoma via a transcystic approach. Intraoperatively, the trochlear nerve was identified and preserved. Conclusion Operative approaches to the quadrigeminal cistern typically include the infratentorial supracerebellar approach and the occipital transtentorial approach. Here, we describe a safe and efficacious transcystic approach to a quadrigeminal cistern hemangioblastoma.

Background Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is effective for the treatment of nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux (NERD), but long-term use of PPI is prone to have complications and recurrence after withdrawal. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can relieve the symptoms of reflux and improve the quality of life. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Hewei Jiangni recipe (HWJNR) in the treatment of NERD with cold-heat complex syndrome, and clarify the mechanism of HWJNR on NERD based on the correlation analysis of intestinal flora and metabolites. Methods This is a single-center, randomized controlled, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 72 eligible participants with NERD and TCM syndrome of intermingled heat and cold will be randomly allocated in the ratio of 1:1 to two groups: TCM group and western medicine group. The TCM group will receive HWJNR with omeprazole enteric-coated tablets placebo, while the western medicine group will receive omeprazole enteric-coated tablets with HWJNR placebo. Each group will be treated for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the score of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) health-related quality of life questionnaire (GERD-Q). Secondary outcomes include SF-36 quality of life scale (SF-36), patient-reported outcomes (PRO) self-rating scale score, syndrome score of TCM, and adverse events. Mechanistic outcome is the correlation analysis of intestinal flora and metabolites from healthy individuals and NERD participants before and after the treatment respectively. Discussion The goal of this trial is to investigate the efficacy and safety of HWJNR in the treatment of NERD with cold-heat complex syndrome, and to study the composition structure and metabolite expression profile of intestinal flora in patients with NERD through 16SrRNA sequencing and metabolomic correlation analysis of fecal flora, which makes us identify the dominant links of treatment and reveal the potential mechanism of HWJNR. ChiCTR2000041225. Registered on 22 December 2020

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) has been described in the literature as one of the most debilitating presentations of orofacial pain. This review summarizes over 150 years of collective clinical experience in the medical and surgical treatment of TN. Fundamentally, TN remains a clinical diagnosis that must be distinguished from other types of trigeminal neuropathic pain and/or facial pain associated with other neuralgias or headache syndromes. What is increasingly clear is that there is no catch-all medical or surgical intervention that is effective for all patients with trigeminal neuralgia, likely reflective of the fact that TN is likely a heterogenous group of disorders that jointly manifests in facial pain. The first-line treatment for TN remains anticonvulsant medical therapy. Patients who fail this have a range of surgical options available to them. In general, microvascular decompression is a safe and effective procedure with immediate and durable outcomes. Patients who are unable to tolerate general anesthesia or whose medical comorbidities preclude a suboccipital craniectomy may benefit from percutaneous methodologies including glycerol or radiofrequency ablation, or both. For patients with bleeding diathesis due to blood thinning medications who are ineligible for invasive procedures, or for those who are unwilling to undergo open surgical procedures, radiosurgery may be an excellent option—provided the patient understands that maximum pain relief will take on the order of months to achieve. Finally, peripheral neurectomies continue to provide an inexpensive and resource-sparing alternative to pain relief for patients in locations with limited economic and medical resources. Ultimately, elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying trigeminal neuralgia will pave the way for novel, more effective and less invasive therapies.

Qing-E Xie,1– 3,* Xin Du,4,* Mengyao Wang,1,2,5 Fenfen Xie,3 Zuoyang Zhang,6 Yunxia Cao,1,2,5,7,8 Yajing Liu1,2,5,7,8 1Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People’s Republic of China; 2NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 4 901th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Heifei, 230031, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 5Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 7Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 8Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yunxia Cao; Yajing Liu Email caoyunxia6@126.com; 13385690561@163.comPurpose: Cumulative evidence has demonstrated that breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Despite growing evidence for a link between serotonin and tumorigenesis, research on the expression of serotoninergic systems in the human breast cancer cell and tissue has only rarely been reported.Methods: First, immunofluorescence staining, ELISA and Western blotting were used to detect serotonin and melatoninergic systems in various breast cancer cell types. Then, serotonin expression was evaluated in the cultures of TPBC cell line BT-474 and TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 using immunofluorescence assay. To further explore the diagnostic role of serotonin in breast cancer, serotonin expression was conducted in the TPBC and TNBC tumor sections by immunostaining analysis.Results: Our results suggested that both human breast cancer cells and human breast epithelial cell line could synthesize serotonin and melatonin. Unlike melatonin, serotonin levels varied significantly between human breast cancer and breast epithelial cell line (p< 0.01). In addition, serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT), the key enzymes in the pathway of melatonin synthesis from serotonin, were also detectable. In agreement with these findings of human breast cancer cell and human breast epithelial cell line, serotonin expression was also much higher in triple-negative (PR−, ER−, HER-2−) breast cancer (TNBC) and triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC) compared to para-carcinoma tissues (PCTs).Conclusion: Here, we provided evidence that the human breast cancer cell (MCF-7, Bcap-37) and human breast epithelial cell (MCF-10A) could synthesize intrinsic serotonin and melatonin, and serotonin expression was higher in the breast cancer tissue compared with PCT. The findings suggested that serotonin might be used as a predictive marker for breast cancer patients.Keywords: serotonin, melatonin, breast cancer, serotonin N-acetyltransferase, acetylserotonin methyltransferase

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disease characterized by visceral hypersensitivity-related abdominal pain, in which diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) is the main subtype and has a high clinical incidence. Tongxie Anchang Decoction (TXACD) has been proved to significantly improve abdominal pain in patients with IBS-D, but its underlying therapeutic mechanism still remains unclear. In the present study, IBS-D model rats were induced by neonatal maternal separation (NMS) combined with restraint stress (RS). The therapeutic effect of TXACD was evaluated by fecal characteristics and abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores. After 14 days of intragastric administration, the colonic tissues of rats were collected to detect the protein and gene level of the NGF, TrkA, and TRPV1 using Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively, and detect mast cells infiltration using toluidine blue staining. The abdominal aorta blood centrifuged was collected for detecting serum levels of SP, 5-HT, and CGRP with ELISA. The results revealed that TXACD could significantly improve visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats, reflected in the decrease of AWR score and the serum levels of SP, 5-HT, and CGRP. In addition, TXACD treatment could alleviate mast cells infiltration. Moreover, the expression levels of the NGF, TrkA, and TRPV1 were repressed by TXACD. The findings of the present study indicated that the therapeutic effect of TXACD on visceral hypersensitivity might be closely related to the downregulation of the NGF/TrkA signaling pathway, the reversal of TRPV1 expression and mast cells infiltration, and the decreased release of neuroendocrine factors SP, 5-HT, and CGRP.

Objective The clinical symptoms of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) can be effectively improved by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, based on the usage of specific therapies for different TCM syndromes. However, in the stage of diagnosis, the standard criteria for the classification of TCM syndrome were still deficient. Through serum metabolic profiling, this study aimed to explore potential biomarkers in IBS-D patients with different TCM syndromes, which can assist in diagnosis of the disease. Methods Serum samples were collected from healthy controls (30 cases), IBS-D patients with Liver-Stagnation and Spleen-Deficiency syndrome (LSSD, 30 cases), Yang Deficiency of Spleen and Kidney syndrome (YDSK, 11 cases) and Damp Abundance due to Spleen-Deficiency syndrome (DASD, 22 cases). Serum metabolic profiling was conducted by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The potential biomarkers were screened by orthogonal partial least square-discriminate analysis, while metabolic pathways undergoing alterations were identified by pathway enrichment analysis in MetaboAnalyst 4.0. Results Overall, 34 potential biomarkers were identified in LSSD group, 36 in YDSK group and 31 in DASD group. And the 13 metabolites shared by three groups were determined as the potential biomarkers of IBS-D. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was disturbed significantly in IBS-D patients, which may play a role in IBS-D through inflammation. What’s more, three TCM syndromes have the specific potential biomarkers in glycerophospholipid metabolism. Conclusion The serum metabolomics revealed that different TCM syndrome types in IBS-D may have different metabolic patterns during disease progression and glycerophospholipid metabolism was one of the pathways, whose metabolism was disturbed differently among three TCM syndromes in IBS-D. Therefore, the specific potential biomarkers in glycerophospholipid metabolism of three TCM syndromes in IBS-D can serve as the objective indicators, which can facilitate the TCM-syndrome objective classification of IBS-D.

BRAF and MLH1 promoter methylation testings have been proven effective prescreens for Lynch Syndrome. We aimed to compare different screening strategies for Lynch Syndrome in patients with MLH1(-) CRC. Patients with MLH1(-) CRC who had been tested for BRAF mutation and germline variants of DNA mismatch repair genes were included. We compared the sensitivities and specificities for identifying Lynch Syndrome and the cost-effectiveness of four screening approaches that used the following tests as prescreens: BRAF testing, MLH1 methylation testing, MLH1 methylation & BRAF testing, and MLH1 methylation testing & Revised Bethesda Criteria. Of 109 patients included, 23 (21.1%) were Lynch Syndrome patients. BRAF mutation and MLH1 methylation occurred in 6 (5.5%) and 40 (36.7%) patients, respectively. The sensitivity for identifying Lynch syndrome of BRAF testing was 100%, but the specificity was only 7%. MLH1 methylation testing had a lower sensitivity than BRAF testing (97.5% vs 100%), but had a markedly higher specificity (45.3% vs 7%). The combination of the two testings had a slightly higher specificity than MLH1 methylation testing alone (47.7% vs 45.3%). The MLH1 methylation testing approach had a 10% lower cost of identifying MLH1(-) Lynch syndrome carriers per case than universal genetic testing, but it missed 4.5% of patients. BRAF and MLH1 promoter methylation testings as prescreens for Lynch syndrome are less effective in Chinese patients with MLH1(-) CRC than in their Western counterparts. Universal genetic testing could be considered an up-front option for this population.

Cortical layer 1 (L1) interneurons have been proposed as a hub for attentional modulation of underlying cortex, but the transformations that this circuit implements are not known. We combined genetically targeted voltage imaging with optogenetic activation and silencing to study the mechanisms underlying sensory processing in mouse barrel cortex L1. Whisker stimuli evoked precisely timed single spikes in L1 interneurons, followed by strong lateral inhibition. A mild aversive stimulus activated cholinergic inputs and evoked a bimodal distribution of spiking responses in L1. A simple conductance-based model that only contained lateral inhibition within L1 recapitulated the sensory responses and the winner-takes-all cholinergic responses, and the model correctly predicted that the network would function as a spatial and temporal high-pass filter for excitatory inputs. Our results demonstrate that all-optical electrophysiology can reveal basic principles of neural circuit function in vivo and suggest an intuitive picture for how L1 transforms sensory and modulatory inputs. Video Abstract: [Figure presented] By simultaneously combining genetically targeted voltage imaging with optogenetic modulation of neuronal activity, Fan et al. demonstrate that all-optical electrophysiology in awake animals can be a powerful tool for revealing hidden principles of neural circuit function.

The stability of neural dynamics arises through a tight coupling of excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) signals. Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) can report both spikes and subthreshold dynamics in vivo, but voltage only reveals the combined effects of E and I synaptic inputs, not their separate contributions individually. Here we combine optical recording of membrane voltage with simultaneous optogenetic manipulation to probe E and I individually in barrel cortex Layer 1 (L1) neurons in awake mice. Our studies reveal how the L1 microcircuit integrates thalamocortical excitation, lateral inhibition and top-down neuromodulatory inputs. We develop a simple computational model of the L1 microcircuit which captures the main features of our data. Together, these results suggest a model for computation in L1 interneurons consistent with their hypothesized role in attentional gating of the underlying cortex. Our results demonstrate that all-optical electrophysiology can reveal basic principles of neural circuit function in vivo.One Sentence SummaryAll-optical electrophysiology revealed the function in awake mice of an inhibitory microcircuit in barrel cortex Layer 1.

Common bile duct (CBD) stone is one of the most common diseases among elderly people. In recent decades, there are numerous studies regarding the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). Elderly patients are often regarded as high-risk patients because they are more likely to present with age-specific deterioration of organ function and coexisting chronic diseases, which may reduce their tolerance of laparoscopic surgery. Although laparoscopic surgery for choledocholithiasis is now widely accepted as the treatment for CBD stone, its appropriateness for the treatment of elderly patients or those with coexisting high-risk patients has not been well established. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to analyze the safety and efficacy of LCBDE in elderly patients.Between January 2012 and November 2015, 376 patients underwent LCBDE in our center. Based on their ages, they were divided into two groups, and a retrospective study was performed. By making comparisons between younger group who were younger than 70 years (n = 253) and elderly group who were 70 years old or older (n = 123), the demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory data, operative parameters and outcomes were analyzed.Before operation, elderly patients had more coexisting chronic diseases and risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, heart diseases, pulmonary diseases and previous abdominal surgery (P 0.05). In both groups, LCBDE was equally successful with a high clearance rate (100 % in elderly patients vs. 98.8 % in younger group, P = 0.554). Besides, the operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, total costs and overall complication showed no significant difference between two groups (P 0.05). There was no major bile duct injury or death in either group.Although elderly patients are frequently confronted with coexisting disorders, LCBDE can be considered as a safe and effective technique in choledocholithiasis treatment for elderly patients.

Camptotheca acuminate plant is an important phytomedicinal species that contains camptothecin (CPT), a natural pentacyclic indole alkaloid. This study was aimed at the effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) development on the accumulation and location of this metabolite in C. acuminate seedling roots. Autofluorescence of CPT shows the localization of CPT in mycorrhizal roots. We examined CPT level in response to AM development in C. acuminate roots by the combination of confocal laser scanning microscopy and spontaneous fluorescence of CPT. CPT was specifically localized around AM fungi in AM roots of C. acuminate, and the level of CPT rose with increasing colonization of roots with AM fungi. The accumulation and localization of CPT was directly correlated with the formation and development of AM in C. acuminate roots.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on depression in nicotine withdrawal. Methods Seventy-four cases of depression after nicotine withdrawal were selected as the subjects in observation and they were randomized into an acupuncture group (38 cases) and a western medicine group (36 cases). In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to Baihui ( GV 20), Yintang ( EX-HN 3), Sānyīnjiāo ( SP 6), Taichōng ( LR 3), Neiguān ( PC 6) and Hegŭ ( LI 4). In the western medicine group, Fluoxetine was prescribed for oral administration, once per day. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was adopted for the evaluation before and after treatment separately and the changes in HAMD score as well as the efficacy were compared before and after treatment. Results HAMD score in either acupuncture group or western medicine group was improved significantly as compared with that before treatment (all P 0.05). Conclusion The efficacy of acupuncture is similar to that of Fluoxetine in the treatment of depression in nicotine withdrawal.

Little was known with regard to the value of preoperative systemic restaging for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). This study was designed to evaluate the role of chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on preoperative restaging in LARC after neoadjuvant CRT and to assess the impact on treatment strategy. Between January 2007 and April 2013, 386 newly diagnosed consecutive patients with LARC who underwent neoadjuvant CRT and received restaging with chest and abdominal CT/MRI scan were included. Imaging results before and after CRT were analyzed. Twelve patients (3.1%) (6 liver lesions, 2 peritoneal lesions, 2 distant lymph node lesions, 1 lung lesions, 1 liver and lung lesions) were diagnosed as suspicious metastases on the restaging scan after radiotherapy. Seven patients (1.8%) were confirmed as metastases by pathology or long-term follow-up. The treatment strategy was changed in 5 of the 12 patients as a result of restaging CT/MRI findings. Another 10 patients (2.6%) who present with normal restaging imaging findings were diagnosed as metastases intra-operatively. The sensitivity, specificity accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive values of restaging CT/MRI was 41.4%, 98.6%, 58.3%, and 97.3%, respectively. The low incidence of metastases and minimal consequences for the treatment plan question the clinical value of routine restaging of chest and abdomen after neoadjuvant CRT. Based on this study, a routine restaging CT/MRI of chest and abdomen in patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant CRT is not advocated, carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) -guided CT/MRI restaging might be an alternative.

The transcription factor E2F is a target of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) and may mediate pRB regulation of S phase entry in mammalian cells. The recent identification of mutant alleles of the Drosophila E2F gene (dE2F) has shown that dE2F is required for embryogenesis. dE2F-mutant embryos lack a co-ordinated program of gene expression which accompanies S phase entry and DNA synthesis declines to levels that are barely detectable. We have investigated the role of the dE2F gene at later stages of development. dE2F is expressed in several larval tissues and is required for cell proliferation in the eye imaginal disc. Surprisingly, dE2F expression persists in post-mitotic cells of the eye disc of third-instar larvae. The loss of dE2F function in these cells causes a novel phenotype, characterized by loss of photoreceptors and abnormal rhabdomere cell morphology. These results show that dE2F is required at multiple stages of development and suggest that E2F may have an important function in post-mitotic cells in addition to its role during cell proliferation.

This paper outlines the initial ideas and results surrounding the development of an accurate hand movement measurement tool. This tool will assist medical clinicians, specifically rheumatologists and orthopeadic hand surgeons, with measuring the loss of movement in the human hand. This has many direct applications within medical practice including diagnosis, prognosis and recovery assessment of patients with conditions specific to the hand e.g. to measure how far a patient can close their fingers (with a flare up in arthritis patients may not be able to make a fist).

This paper outlines the initial ideas surrounding the development of an accurate hand movement measurement tool. This tool will assist medical clinicians, specifically rheumatologists and orthopeadic hand surgeons, with the accurate measurement of the loss of movement in the human hand. This has many direct applications within medical practice including diagnosis, prognosis and recovery assessment of patients with conditions specific to the hand e.g. to measure how far a patient can close their fingers (with a flare up in arthritis patients may not be able to make a fist). Current measurement techniques available to clinicians are either invasive (x-rays) or rely heavily on manual evaluation such as vision and touch which are dependent on training and experience and results often vary between observers. Measuring tape is commonly used to measure distances e.g. between palm and fingertip which also leads to issues with accuracy. Also patient self questionnaires are often used which introduce interpretation problems.

Some Chinese herbs are anti-thrombolysis, and anti-inflammatory, improves brain RNA content, promotes brain protein synthesis, enhances dopamine function, regulates brain hormones, and improves microcirculation in central nervous system that might improve, repair and rehabilitation from the stroke and brain injury. Specific Chinese herbs and their components, such as Acanthopanax, Angelica, could maintain the survival of neural stem cells, and Rhodiola, Ganoderma spore Polygala, Tetramethylpyrazine, Gardenia, Astragaloside and Ginsenoside Rg1 promoted proliferation of neural stem cells, and Rhodiola, Astragaloside promoted differentiation of neural stem cell into neuron and glia in vivo. Astragalus, Safflower, Musk, Baicalin, Geniposide, Ginkgolide B, Cili polysaccharide, Salidroside, Astragaloside, Antler polypeptides, Ginsenoside Rg1, Panax notoginseng saponins promoted proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro. Salvia, Astragalus, Ginsenoside Rg1, P. notoginseng saponins, Musk polypeptide, Muscone and Ginkgolide B promoted neural-directed differentiation of MSCs into nerve cells. These findings are encouraging further research into the Chinese herbs for developing drugs in treating patients of stroke and brain injury.

The responses of cells to the distinct PDGF isoforms have been correlated directly to the relative numbers of specific PDGF receptor subunits on the cell surface. The modulation of PDGF-alpha receptor subunits, the major subunit expressed in human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, by cytokines present in the periodontal wound site, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), may be an important factor influencing regenerative outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of IL-1 beta on PDGF-alpha receptor subunit expression in human PDL cells. Primary cultures of human PDL cells were treated with IL-1 beta over a range of concentrations. We assessed PDGF-alpha receptor subunits by examining the mitogenic responses of cells to PDGF-AA, specific binding of 125I-labeled PDGF-AA, immunofluorescent analysis of PDGF-alpha receptor subunits, and PDGF-alpha receptor subunit mRNA levels using Northern blot analysis. The results demonstrate a significant concentration-dependent decrease in 3H-thymidine incorporation in response to PDGF-AA following IL-1 beta treatment (p < 0.001). This decreased response correlated directly with IL-1-induced decreases in 125I-labeled PDGF-AA binding (p < 0.01), the numbers of immunolabeled PDGF-alpha receptor subunits, and in PDGF-alpha receptor subunit mRNA levels. However, when combined with TGF-beta, IL-1 beta did not show additional down-regulation in proliferative response to PDGF-AA or PDGF-alpha receptor subunits beyond that achieved with these factors individually. These experiments identify IL-1 beta, along with TGF-beta, as significant inhibitors of PDGF stimulation in human PDL cells, acting through the down-regulation of PDGF-alpha receptor subunit expression.

e12006 Background: This project compares the mortality and prevalence of SCLC and NSCLC between Detroit and other registries from the SEER database. Methods: The SEER database was analyzed for case...

This paper outlines the initial ideas and results surrounding the development of an accurate hand movement measurement tool. The system consists of a wearable glove measurement tool and a 3D interface. Real time data captured from each glove sensor will be displayed numerically and graphically. It will accurately quantify patients’ flexion, extension, adduction and abduction of finger and thumb joint movements in degrees, maximum and minimum joint range and compare joint range with normal ROM values to determine the degree of deformity of the hand and stiffness of moving finger joints. The system can simultaneously record angles from multiple fingers to detect previously unidentifiable movement patterns. It measures a shift in the position of fingers in relation to the direction of the thumb by measuring web space and recording the minimum, maximum and average values during a number of tests to analyse joint movement and identify areas for joint protection benefit. Data is recorded and used for future comparison analysis. It will be the first ambulatory system to detect joint stiffness at home and will help quantify and understand the symptom of ‘early morning stiffness’.