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To proceed from sensation to movement, integration and transformation of information from different senses and reference frames are required. Several brain areas are involved in this transformation process, but previous neuroanatomical and neurophysiological studies have implicated the caudal area 7b as one particular component of this transformation system. In this study, we present the first quantitative report on the spatial coding properties of caudal area 7b. The results showed that neurons in this area had intermediate component characteristics in the transformation system; the area contained bimodal neurons, and neurons in this area encode spatial information using a hybrid reference frame. These results provide evidence that caudal area 7b may belong to the reference frame transformation system, thus contributing to our general understanding of the transformation system.

Background: Tenidap is a liposoluble non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is easily distributed in the central nervous system and also inhibits the production and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cytokines in vitro. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of tenidap in a pilocarpine rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE)., Methods: Tenidap was administered daily at 10 mg/kg for 10 days following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in male Wistar rats after which prolonged generalized seizures resulted in TLE. After tenidap treatment, spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) were recorded by video monitoring (for 7 hours per day for 14 days). The frequency and severity of the SRSs were observed. Histological and immunocytochemical analyses were used to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of tenidap and detect COX-2 expression, which may be associated with neuronal death., Results: There were 46.88 ± 10.70 survival neurons in tenidap-SE group, while there were 27.60 ± 5.18 survival neurons in saline-SE group at -2.4 mm field in the CA3 area. There were 37.75 ± 8.78 survival neurons in tenidap-SE group, while there were 33.40 ± 8.14 survival neurons in saline-SE group at -2.4 mm field in the CA1 area. Tenidap treatment significantly reduced neuronal damage in the CA3 area (P < 0.05) and slightly reduced damage in the CA1 area. Tenidap markedly inhibited COX-2 expression in the hippocampus, especially in the CA3 area., Conclusion: Tenidap conferred neuroprotection to the CA3 area in a pilocarpine-induced rat model of TLE by inhibiting COX-2 expression.

Objective: To provide algorithmic morphological data that enables safe elevation of the flow-through perforator flap, chimeric perforator flap in the thigh., Methods: 15 fresh cadavers were injected with a modified lead oxide-gelatin mixture for three-dimensional reconstruction using a spiral computed tomography scanner and specialized volume-rendering software (MIMICS). All of specimens were then dissected by layers. Angiography and photography were used to document the precise course, size, location, and type of individual perforators in the thigh region. The surface areas of cutaneous territories and perforator zones were measured and calculate with Photoshop and Scion Image., Results: The main artery supplying the thigh is femoral artery. There are (41 +/- 4.0) perforators whose outer diameters > or = 0.5 mm. These perforators have a superficial pedicle length of (4.2 +/- 1.7) cm. The average outer diameter is (0.8 +/- 0.1) mm. Each perforator supplies an average area of (44 +/- 6.4) cm2. There are lots of truly anastomoses among perforaors to form a subcutaneous network in the thigh., Conclusions: The volume rendering technique is very useful for showing the subcutaneous network and preoperative flap design. The thigh appears to have the greatest potential for harvesting new or modified perforator flaps, especially, flow-through perforator flap or chimeric perforator flap.

The clinical use of morphine to reduce pain is limited because of its drug tolerance, dependence and addiction. In the present study, the tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) developed morphine tolerance and chronic morphine dependence by morphine injections with increasing doses (5, 10, 15, 20 mg/kg body weight for 7 days). Meanwhile, the naloxone (1.25 mg/kg body weight)-induced conditioned place aversion (CPA) and the withdrawal symptom were also found. The tree shrew model of chronic morphine dependence can be used to investigate the withdrawal symptoms and to select potential withdrawal symptoms reducing drugs in the future.

We showed that rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) can develop a morphine dependence. Rhesus monkeys successfully established a conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine treatment and this preference lasted for at least (36.3 ± 1.3) months. This animal model may be useful for research into addiction in humans.

Two kinds of membranes modules, vapor retained glassy membrane based on PEEK hollow fiber membrane modules and vapor permeated rubbery membrane system based on GMT plate-and-frame membrane modules, were used to control the oil vapor pollution during the course of receiving and transferring gasoline in oil station. The efficiencies of the membrane module and the membrane system of them were evaluated and compared respectively in the facilities which were developed by ourselves. It was found that both the two kinds of membranes modules had high efficiency for the separation of VOCs-air mixed gases, and the outlet vapor after treatment all can meet the national standard. When the vapor-enriched gas was returned to the oil tank to simulate the continuously cycle test, the concentration of VOCs in the outlet was also below 25 g x m(-3).

The objective of this study is to examine the effects of ANISpm, a novel polyamine naphthalimide conjugate, with acetylsalicylic acid against hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo and in vitro and elucidate its potential molecular mechanism. The proliferation inhibition was detected by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis, intracellular fluorescence intensity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by high content screening (HCS) analysis. Polyamines content was analyzed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography Protein expression levels were quantified by Western blotting assay. The combination treatment strongly inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis in HepG2 cells and H22 hepatoma cells, which was mediated by enhanced ANISpm uptake via up-regulation of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) and depression of intracellular polyamine. Furthermore, this synergistic apoptosis was involved in mitochondria and death-receptor signal pathway. All these findings demonstrated that the combination treatment with acetylsalicylic acid and ANISpm resulted in synergistic antitumor effects on hepatoma cells. Thus, combination therapy with these agents may be useful as a potential template for the development of better chemotherapeutic strategy against hepatoma.

Objective: To identify the risk factors of early post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and the long-time survival of patients with or without early post-TIPS HE., Methods: Consecutive cirrhotic patients who underwent TIPS for variceal rebleeding or refractory ascites in our center from January 2003 to December 2008 were included in this study. More than 60 clinical characteristics were enrolled in univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis to define the risk factors of HE in 3 months after TIPS procedure (early post-TIPS HE). The long-time survival of patients with or without early post-TIPS HE was compared by Cox regression with several covariates., Results: According to our inclusion criteria, 190 patients were included. The median follow-up was 30.5 months. Lower serum concentration of fibrinogen and higher Child-Pugh score were the independent risk factors for suffering early post-TIPS HE. Patients without early post-TIPS HE after TIPS showed better prognosis than those with early post-TIPS HE after TIPS (P = 0.044)., Conclusion: Patients with lower serum fibrinogen and higher Child-Pugh score before TIPS might be more probably attacked by early post-TIPS HE which indicated worse long-term survival.

Objective: To observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome., Methods: 19 patients with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome were divided randomly into two groups: initiate combined group and initiate UDCA-monotherapy group. Biochemical responses and pathological features before and after treatment were analyzed retrospectively with student's t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact method., Results: In the initiate combination group, biochemical responses in terms of AIH features (ALT decline to normal, IgG is less than or equal to 16 g/L) and PBC features (ALP decline ≥ 40% or to normal) were achieved. In UDCA-monotherapy group, no statistical difference existed in biochemical responses before adding glucocorticoids, whereas the levels of ALT, AST, GLB and IgG decreased significantly when combined with glucocorticoids. No statistical difference of rates of biochemical responses eixted between the two groups, whereas variance could be seen in different pathological stages. Alleviation of inflammatory infiltration after therapy appeared in 3 patients., Conclusion: Combination therapy of UDCA with glucocorticoids could be suitable for AIH-PBC overlap syndrome. Early treatment is of benefit for achieving better biochemical response and pathological improvement.

Not Abstract.

Background: Prospective mortality studies in the United States revealed that the mortality was elevated in diabetics compared to normal individuals following chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Our study was conducted to investigate the levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) of astrocytes in SCI in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats., Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: SCI group, diabetic SCI group, and sham operation control group. We employed STZ-induced diabetic SD rats and a weight-drop contusion SCI model. The rats were sacrificed on day 7 after the induction of SCI. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis were used to detect the PDGF expression level. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB) was also used to evaluate the neurological recovery level of the rats., Results: PDGF positive astrocyte numbers were significantly higher and PDGF staining was more intensive in astrocytes in the SCI group than in the diabetic SCI group (P < 0.05). The diabetic SCI group showed a slower recovery of motor function with a lower BBB score 7 days after acute spinal injury., Conclusions: PDGF is an important factor for the recovery of neurological function after acute spinal injury and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats could depress the expression of PDGF in injured spinal cord. This may help to explain the slower recovery and higher mortality in diabetics after SCI.

In the present study, the apoptotic mechanism and polyamine transporter recognition of WJH-6, a novel polyamine conjugate, were investigated in K562 and HL-60 cells. The cytotoxicity of WJH-6 was assessed by MTT assay; cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry; the protein expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, Bid and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated by high content screening (HCS) analysis; the protein expression of cytochrome c was measured by Western blotting. The results showed that WJH-6 could be recognized and transported by polyamine transporter (PAT). Furthermore, WJH-6 was able to inhibit K562 and HL-60 cells proliferation and induce apoptosis. This apoptotic effect was relative to MMP loss, cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytoplasm and the activation of Caspase-8, Caspase-9, Caspase-3 and Bid. These results suggested that WJH-6-induced K562 and HL-60 cells apoptosis was related with mitochondrial damage.

Objective: To evaluate retrospectively the feasibility, efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or percutaneous transhepatic or transsplenic approach to the portal vein with the combination of TIPS for the treatment of patients with portal vein thrombosis with or without cavernous transformation., Methods: Sixty-five patients with portal vein thrombosis from July 2002 to August 2007 at our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Indirect portography through superior mesenteric artery was performed to determine the approaches for TIPS procedure. If the intrahepatic portal vein branches were visualized, TIPS was implemented directly from transjugular approach; if the intrahepatic portal vein branches failed to be visualized, an ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic or transsplenic approach was performed to recanalize the thrombosed portal vein initially followed by TIPS placement to reconstruct the portal venous flow. Efficacy and complications were observed and revision and survival rates monitored during the follow-up., Results: TIPS were successfully created in 54 of 65 patients with portal vein thrombosis with a success rate of 83.1%. Among them, TIPS were performed directly in 36 of 40 patients; portal vein recanalization were successfully performed via transhepatic access in 15 of 25 patients, and 3 of remaining 5 who failed the transhepatic approach were successfully done from transsplenic access. Then TIPS placement was accomplished with a success rate of 72.0% (18/25). The success rate in cirrhotic patients was 82.4% (42/51) and it was not significant different from those without cirrhosis 85.7% (12/14) (P = 0.766). While the success rate in the patients with cavernous transformation 71.8% (28/39) showed a significant difference compared to that without cavernous transformation 100% (26/26) (P = 0.002). The success rates in portal vein thrombosis and cavernous transformation with or without cirrhosis were 42.9% (18/42) and 83.3% (10/12) respectively, exhibiting a significant difference (P = 0.021). The mortality rate of 30 days post-operation was 3.7% (2/54). From Day 1 to 63 months follow-up, The incidence rate of hepatic encephalopathy was 27.8% (15/54); revision rate 22.2% (12/54); median survival time 31.4 months., Conclusions: Conventional TIPS or percutaneous transhepatic or transsplenic approach combined with TIPS for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis with or without cavernous transformation are feasible, safe and effective. It is essential to recanalize the thrombosed portal vein initially followed by TIPS placement to reconstruct the portal venous flow.

Male and female heroin-dependent patients (HDPs) matched with "normal" people were tested on 4 topographical orientation tasks: schematic map-following, map-memory, schematic picture-following, and picture-memory tasks. The results showed that, in general, female HDPs demonstrated greater performance deficits in map-following and map-picture-memory tasks than did other participants. In the map-picture-following tasks, participants showed a preference for turning right versus turning left, reflected by lower correct scores and longer latencies in completing left-oriented tasks. In contrast, no difference in orientation preference was found for participants in memory tasks, except for female HDPs. Asymmetric dopamine receptor distribution in the brain, sex steroidal hormone, brain areas related to motor functioning and working memory, and gender-dependent lateralization may be involved in the different effects of heroin and rightward bias between men and women., (((c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved).)

Two novel N-solanesylpiperazine triamines (4a, 4b) were synthesized and their structures were characterized by 1H NMR, IR, MS, and elemental analysis. The preliminary in vitro tests revealed that the IC50 values of compound 4a and 4b on L1210 were 4.3 and 3.1 micromol respectively. The interaction of 4b with DNA was also investigated via UV and FL spectra with N1-(4-aminobutyl)-N4-(9-anthracenylmethyl) butane-1,4-diamine (5) as the reference compound. The results revealed that compound 5 could quench the fluorescence of DNA-EB system, while compound 4b had the opposite function. Further tests proved that the fluorescence of compound 5 and 4b could be both quenched by DNA. It was speculated that compound 4b, with the long chain and two tertiary nitrogens, interacted with DNA by the static attraction or was partially embedded into DNA, while compound 5 was typically inserted into DNA.

Objective: To evaluate the role of preoperative ultrasonography in detecting early cervical lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma., Methods: Data were reviewed retrospectively from medical records between July 2003 and July 2005, in which patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (study group): 51 (55 sides) patients of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients with impalpable node but with ultrasonic positive nodal metastasis; group B (control group): 57 (64 sides) patients with preoperative palpable cervical lymph nodes. All patients had been undergone modified neck dissection. The preoperative ultrasonographic results and the preoperative pathologic finding had been compared in group A., Results: In 51 patients (55 sides of preoperative positive ultrasonography 49 sides had been demonstrated cervical lymph nodes metastasis pathologically. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was 89.1%. Ultrasonography detected cervical lymph node believed to be uninvolved by physical examination in 41.2% of patients. 65.5% of the cervical lymph metastasis was multilevel and the most frequent involvement site was middle neck and the involvement rate was 70.9% in ultrasonography. 75.5% of the cervical lymph metastasis was multilevel and the most frequent involvement site was level Ill (65.3%) in pathologic finding., Conclusions: Preoperative ultrasonograpy is a mainstay in detecting cervical lymph nodes metastasis in thyroid cancer patients. It can detect the early cervical lymph node metastasis and localize the position of the cervical metastasis. All the thyroid cancer patients should undergo preoperative ultrasonography and the extent of the neck dissection relies on the preoperative ultrasonic finding of the neck.

Adenosine receptors play an important role in learning and memory as their antagonists have been found to facilitate learning and memory in various tasks in rodents. However, few studies have examined the effect of adenosine A2A receptor deficiency on cognition. In the present study, we therefore used the Y-maze, a simple two-trial recognition test to measure spatial recognition memory in mice lacking adenosine A2A receptors. The results showed that adenosine A2A receptor knockout mice had a higher percentage of novel arm visits as first choice than wild-type CD1 mice. Moreover, these mice showed longer duration of visits in the novel arm when compared with controls, suggesting that the lack of adenosine A2A receptors improved spatial recognition memory. On the other hand, mice lacking the adenosine A2A receptors had low scores in the number of arm visits, suggesting that they were hypoactive. In conclusion, these data suggest the involvement of adenosine receptors in modulating spatial recognition memory in mice, consistent with earlier findings using adenosine receptor antagonists.

Background & Objective: Posterior hypopharyngeal wall squamous cell carcinoma is few in clinic. This study was to discuss its treatment and the simultaneous reconstruction and function of hypopharyngeal wall., Methods: Clinical data of 36 posterior hypopharyngeal wall squamous cell carcinoma patients (24 men and 12 women; 4 in stage I, 4 in stage II, 9 in stage III, 19 in stage IV), treated in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between Jun. 1967 and Jan. 2000, were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 36 patients, 20 received combined therapy (surgery plus radiotherapy), 10 received radical radiotherapy, 3 received surgery alone, 3 received salvage surgery after failure of radiotherapy (2 at neck, 1 at hypopharynx and neck). Simultaneous reconstruction of hypopharyngeal wall used gastric tissue, jejunum tissue, ileum tissue, musculi pectoralis majoris flap, forearm flap, larynx tissue, gastroepiploic tissue, platysmal flap, and musculus trapezius flap., Results: The 5-year survival rates were 40% in combined therapy group, and 30% in radical radiotherapy group. In surgery alone group, 2 patients were died, and 1 was lost of follow-up. All 3 patients in salvage surgery group were died within 3 years. Of the 24 patients underwent surgery, 4 (17%) underwent local resection, 20 (83%) underwent hypopharyngeal reconstruction; of the 20 patients, 11 (55%) patients used gastric tissue or jejunum tissue, and 9 (45%) patients used other tissues; no patient died during perioperation; the occurrence of complications was 15%; the reconstruction success rate was 85%; the mean time to eating was 2-3 weeks; 3 patients suffered local recurrence., Conclusions: The combined therapy, emphasized on resume swallow function, has good effect on posterior hypopharyngeal wall squamous cell carcinoma. Simultaneous reconstruction of hypopharynx may resume swallow function without increase of prognosis hazard. Gastric and jejunum tissues are mainly used in reconstruction. Local resection could be applied to some patients to preserve swallow function.

Objective: To evaluate perioperative radiotherapy and laryngeal preservation clinical result of hypopharyngeal pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma., Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of 134 pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma cases who were treated at this institute in Department of Head and Neck Surgery from September 1985 to July 2001. One hundred patients received preoperative radiotherapy and surgery (R + S). Thirty-four patients received surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (S + R). The median follow-up interval was 38.1 months., Results: (R + S) and (S + R) group 3-year and 5-year survival according to Kaplan-Meier were 54.8%, 50.1%; 51.1%, 45.9% respectively, and had no significant differences (all P > .05). The laryngeal function preservation of T1, T2, T3, T4 in (R +S) and (S + R) were 4/5, 3/3; 66.7% (32/48), 6/6; 32.4% (12/37), 0 (0/16); 0 (0/10), 0/9 respectively. T3 stage in (R + S) was good and significant different than in (S + R) (P < 0.05) and laryngeal preservation didn't increase hazard of survival and local recurrence. The two group Pathology( + ,P + ) in specimen margin were 7.0% (7/100); 20.6% (7/34) and had significant difference (P <0. 05). P + in specimen margin and clinical N stage are obvious interrelated in prognosis(P < 0. 05)., Conclusions: Combined therapy (R + S) and (S + R) are equal in treat result. T3 (only paraglottic space is invaded) stage of (R + S) could increase preserved laryngeal ratio if condition is permitted and didn't add hazard. P + in specimen margin could be receded in (R + S) and profit to prognosis and function. Clinical N stage is obvious hazard and is an emphasis in combined therapy.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics, surgical procedures and correlated prognostic factors of the cases with subglottic carcinoma; to seek for the optimal surgical treatment for the patients suffering from subglottic carcinoma., Methods: Twenty-four cases with subglottic carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed, the disease-free survival rates of the patients at 3 years were analyzed according to the different T N phases and the surgical modalities., Results: The free-disease survival rate at 3 years was 50.0% (12/24) for 24 cases with subglottic carcinoma. The survival rates of 19 cases with total laryngectomy was 47.4% (9/19), and the survival rates in T2, T3, T4 phases were respectively 1/1, 6/11, 2/7. The survival rates of 5 cases with partial laryngectomy was 3/5, the survival rates in T2, T3 phases were respectively 3/4, 0/1, and the surgical margins were verified to be positive in 2 of 5 cases being performed partial laryngectomy. The metastasis rate of lymph nodes was 33.3% (8/24). The survival rates of patients with N0, N1, N2 disease were respectively 10/16, 1/4, 1/4. The positive lymph nodes were verified in the neck regions of II-VI and superior mediastinum., Conclusions: Prognoses of the cases with subglottic carcinoma were poor, early treatment could result in good effect. Until now total laryngectomy still the mainly treatment of subglottic carcinoma. Only the patients with earlier subglottic carcinoma are amenable to partial laryngectomy and should be given postoperative irradiation. Lymph node metastasis was a very important prognostic factor. Paratracheal lymph nodes are the sentinel nodes for subglottic carcinoma, and it is reasonable to probe the nodes. Once verifying positive lymph node, the typical neck dissection involving I-VI regions and superior mediastinum should be performed.

The aim of the present study was to investigate if different levels of circulating corticosterone (CORT) modulate the effect of nicotine on prepulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating that is disrupted in schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Four groups of mice were investigated: sham-operated, adrenalectomized (ADX) and implanted with a cholesterol pellet, ADX and implanted with a 10 mg CORT pellet, or ADX and 50 mg of CORT. Different CORT levels or doses of nicotine did not significantly affect startle responses. Baseline PPI was significantly reduced in mice implanted with the highest dose of CORT. In ADX mice implanted with cholesterol, nicotine treatment influenced PPI depending on the prepulse intensity. In ADX mice implanted with 50 mg of CORT, treatment with 10 mg/kg of nicotine caused a significant increase in PPI at all prepulse intensities. Binding studies showed that corticosterone treatment had significantly affected nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) density in the mouse brain. Treatment with 50 mg CORT decreased 125I-epibatidine binding in the globus pallidus and 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin binding in the claustrum. These results suggest a possible interaction of corticosterone and nicotine at the level of the alpha4- and alpha7-type nAChR in the regulation of PPI. In situations of high circulating levels of corticosterone, nicotine may be beneficial to restore disruption of PPI.

In this paper, one method was introduced, which was a combination of the cue-related morphine addiction model and a technique for obtaining chronic extracellular recordings of single unit in freely moving rats. With the combination and improvement of this technique, we have successfully applied this new method to study the neuronal activity of the hippocampus CA1 region in morphine withdrawal rats. In all, we found some more accurate and objective cellular characteristics of hippocampal neurons, and considered these characteristics as one of electrophysiological indexes of morphine addiction rats.

Aim: To study whether melatonin has effect on oocyte maturation of mouse in vitro., Methods: Mouse oocytes were cultured in maturation medium, HX-medium, or HX-medium supplemented with FSH, and the effects of MT on meiotic maturation of mouse oocyte were examined., Results: (1) MT at all doses of 0.1 g/L, 0.02 g/L, 0.4 g/L or 0.8 g/L inhibited the formation of PB1 in CEO cultured in maturation medium and had no effect on GVBD. (2) MT could delay GVBD and the extrusion of PB1 in CEOs of mouse oocytes by dynamic curves. In contrast to the control, GVBD and PB1 extrusion of oocytes in the treated groups had been delayed by 8-10 hours and 3-4 hours respectively. (3) MT inhibited the effect of FSH on resumption of meiosis, but no effect on the formation of PB1. (4) MT and HX had cooperation effects on spontaneous oocyte maturation in CEO, but not in DO., Conclusion: MT is able to affect mouse oocyte maturation and the regulation mechanisms may be related to cumulus cells.

The Bactrian camel is an important domestic animal in some of the desert and semi-desert areas of the world. However, there is no detailed report about the nervous supply to the nasal cavity of the Bactrian camel. In the present study, seven heads of adult Bactrian camels were collected and the nerve distribution in the nasal cavity was dissected grossly. The results demonstrated that the nerves supplying to the nasal cavity included the olfactory nerve, the ethmoidal nerve from the ophthalmic nerve, and the caudal nerve from the maxillary nerve. The general patterns of nervous distribution in the nasal cavity of the Bactrian camel corresponded with those of other domestic animals. However, the terminal nerve was not observed by this gross anatomical method in the Bactrian camel.

Previous studies have shown that several types of stress can induce memory impairment. However, the memory effects of paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD), a stressor in itself, are unclear. We therefore compared passive avoidance behavior of rats undergoing PSD and PSD stress yoked-control (PSC) using the "reversed flowerpot method." When rats were kept isolated on a PSC platform for 24 h immediately after criterion training, retention trials showed impaired aversive memory storage. When delayed for 24 h after criterion training, PSC stress did not disrupt retention performance. In rats subjected to PSD, either immediately or 24 h after criterion training, there was no disruption of aversive memory consolidation. These results suggest that, during stress, paradoxical sleep plays a role in erasing aversive memory traces, in line with the theory that we "dream in order to forget."

Objective: To investigate the inhibition consequence of NF-kappaB activity and cell viability by transfecting mutated inhibitor kappa B alpha (mI(kappa)B(alpha)) into liver cancer cell line of SMMC-7721 cells., Methods: The nucleic proteins of SMMC-7721 cells transfected with mI(kappa)B(alpha) plasmid and cells with empty pcDNA3 vector were used to determine not only the binding of the 32P-labelled kappaB probes by EMSA, but also the expression of NF-kappaB by western blot. Cell viability was also analyzed., Results: NF-kappaB nuclear translocation was inhibited remarkably in SMMC-7721 cells transfected with mI(kappa)B(alpha) at 0, 24, 48 and 96 hours. Furthermore, NF-kappaB was not detected in the nucleic protein of mI(kappa)B(alpha) -transfected cells at the same intended time by western blot. Compared with that of control cells, the growth of SMMC-7721 cells transfected with mI(kappa)B(alpha) was suppressed evidently, especially on the second day, the cpm values of mI(kappa)B(alpha) -transfected cells, pcDNA3-transfected cells, and control cells were 5,092.63+/-541.41, 7,851.87+/-72.76, and 8,240.8+/-603.26 respectively (t = 14.29, P<0.01; t = 10.99, P<0.01)., Conclusion: Stable expression of mI(kappa)B(alpha) in SMMC-7721 cells transfected with mI(kappa)B(alpha) plasmid inhibits NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, then suppresses the cell growth.