Relationship between HLA-DRB1 polymorphism and susceptibility or resistance to multiple sclerosis in Caucasians: a meta-analysis of non-family-based studies.

Objective: To identify the contribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles to susceptibility or resistance to multiple sclerosis (MS) in Caucasians through a meta-analysis of non-family-based studies.

Methods: A systematic review of case-control studies in Caucasians was performed. Studies examining allele or phenotype frequencies were analyzed separately.

Valproic acid improves outcome after rodent spinal cord injury: potential roles of histone deacetylase inhibition.

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitors including valproic acid (VPA) have emerged as a promising therapeutic intervention in neurological disorders. We investigated the levels of acetylated histone and the therapeutic potential of VPA in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). At different time points (12 h, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week and 2 weeks) after SCI or sham surgery, the spinal cords were collected to evaluate the levels of acetylated histone H3 (Ac-H3) and H4 (Ac-H4).

[Evaluation of cerebrovascular reserve by xenon computed tomography in patients with ischemic stroke].

Objective: To evaluate the cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) in patients of ischemic stroke with cerebrovascular stenosis by Xenon-enhanced CT.

Methods: Twenty subjects of ischemic stroke with cerebrovascular stenosis were recruited. All subjects were examined by Xenon-enhanced CT before and after acetazolamide (ACZ) challenge test to quantitatively measure the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and CVR.

Tissue kallikrein protects cortical neurons against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury via the ERK1/2 pathway.

Systemic or local delivery of human tissue kallikrein gene (hTK) has been shown to be an effective strategy to alleviate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and tissue kallikrein (TK) administration can suppress glutamate- or acidosis-mediated neurotoxicity in vitro. In the present study, the role of TK in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induced neuronal cell death was investigated. We found that TK administration could remarkably alleviate H/R-induced neuronal injury by reduction of LDH release and promotion of neuron viability.

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma with involvement of inferior vena cava as a tumor thrombus: a case report.

A 27-year-old female with chronic right-side flank pain was diagnosed with renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) extending as a thrombus into the renal vein and vena cava. Intravascular extension of EAML is quite rare; however, it may result in fatal complications if not appropriately treated. She successfully underwent a radical nephrectomy and inferior vena caval thrombectomy.

Minimally invasive stereotactic puncture and thrombolysis therapy improves long-term outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

The purpose of this study was to judge the clinical value of minimally invasive stereotactic puncture and thrombolysis therapy (MISPTT) for acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A randomized control clinical trial was undertaken. According to the enrollment criteria, 122 acute ICH cases were analyzed, of which 64 cases received MISPTT (MISPTT group, MG) and 58 cases received conventional craniotomy (CC group, CG).

Differences in glyoxal and methylglyoxal metabolism determine cellular susceptibility to protein carbonylation and cytotoxicity.

Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetic patients often leads to chronic side effects associated with protein glycation and the formation of reactive carbonyl species, such as methylglyoxal (MGO) and glyoxal (GO). We have shown that both MGO and GO carbonylated bovine serum albumin (BSA) in vitro to the same degree and stability. The carbonylated BSA formed initially could be a reversible Schiff base as the UV absorbance formed after the addition of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine was decreased when sodium borohydride was added.

Novel zwitterionic inorganic-organic hybrids: synthesis of hybrid adsorbents and their applications for Cu2+ removal.

A series of zwitterionic hybrid adsorbents were prepared via the ring-opening polymerization of pyromellitic acid dianhydride (PMDA) and N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ethylene diamine (TMSPEDA), and a subsequent zwitterionic process as well as sol-gel reaction. Their applications for Cu(2+) removal by adsorption were performed. FTIR spectra confirmed the step products.

Regulation of acid-sensing ion channel 1a function by tissue kallikrein may be through channel cleavage.

Recently, we have demonstrated that serine protease tissue kallikrein (TK) can protect cortical neurons against ischemia-acidosis/reperfusion-induced injury, and that this effect might be mediated by acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). However, little is known about how TK regulates the function of ASICs. Here we provided evidence that the regulation of ASIC1a function by TK was probably correlated with its cleavage.

Preparation of hybrid film of polyaniline and organically pillared zirconium phosphate nanosheet by electrodeposition.

α-Zirconium phosphate was chemically modified with 1,2-bis(dimethylchlorosilyl)ethane to graft organic chain, and then it was used as host material for inorganic nanosheet-polyaniline hybrid. The grafted α-zirconium phosphate was exfoliated in an acetonitrile solution with tetrabutylammonium salt and aniline. The electrodeposition in the presence of aniline was performed, and then it resulted in a formation of higher-order structure in which phosphate nanosheet was propped up by 1,2-bis(dimethylchlorosilyl)ethane with intrusion of polyaniline into the nanospace.

Effects of varicocele on testosterone, apoptosis and expression of StAR mRNA in rat Leydig cells.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of varicocele on the morphology and function of Leydig cells in the rat testis. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the experimental group underwent surgery to create a left varicocele (VC), and the control group underwent a sham operation. Serum testosterone and intratesticular testosterone levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay after 4 and 8 weeks of operation.

In vitro and in vivo animal models in priapism research.

Introduction: Priapism is an enigmatic yet devastating clinical phenomenon. In the last two decades, the use of various animal models to study this disorder has dramatically advanced our understanding of this mysterious disorder.

Aim: This report reviews various animal models used to study ischemic priapism and informs basic science researchers the broad view of priapism research.

[Dapoxetine in treatment of premature ejaculation: a systematic review].

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of dapoxetine in the treatment of premature ejaculation.

Methods: Both English and Chinese studies involving men with prematrue ejaculation who were treated with dapoxetine from the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CNKI, CBM, VIP between 1979 and 2009.were included in the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the data processed by RevMan.

Hepatocyte or serum albumin protein carbonylation by oxidized fructose metabolites: Glyceraldehyde or glycolaldehyde as endogenous toxins?

Excessive sugar intake in animal models may cause tissue damage associated with oxidative and carbonyl stress cytotoxicity as well as inflammation. Fructose became a 100-fold more cytotoxic if hepatocytes were exposed to a non-toxic infusion of H(2)O(2) so as to simulate H(2)O(2) released by Kupffer cells or infiltrating immune cells. In order to determine the molecular mechanisms involved, protein carbonylation of fructose and its metabolites were determined using the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method.

Association between polymorphisms in the serotonin 2C receptor gene and premature ejaculation in Han Chinese subjects.

Introduction: Lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) is characterized by persistently shorter intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) than found acceptable by the patient or his partner. It has been postulated to be a neurobiological dysfunction with genetic vulnerability and is related to disturbances of central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurotransmission and 5-HT receptor function.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the C-759T and G-697C polymorphisms of the 5-HT(2C) receptor and LPE.

Cytoprotection by almond skin extracts or catechins of hepatocyte cytotoxicity induced by hydroperoxide (oxidative stress model) versus glyoxal or methylglyoxal (carbonylation model).

Oxidative and carbonyl stress are detrimental in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, as well as in other chronic diseases. However, this process may be decreased by dietary bioactive compounds. Almond skin is an abundant source of bioactive compounds and antioxidants, including polyphenolic flavonoids, which may contribute to the decrease in oxidative and carbonyl stress.

Effects of Aquaporin-4 on edema formation following intracerebral hemorrhage.

Objective: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) constitutes 10% to 15% of all strokes and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. To date, little is known about the role of AQP4 (Aquaporin-4), which is abundantly expressed in pericapillary astrocyte foot processes and in edema formation after intracerebral hemorrhage. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of AQP4 in edema formation after ICH by using AQP4(-/-) mice.

[A clinical observation of combined application of magnetic attachments and extracoronal attachments].

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of combined application of magnetic attachments and extracoronal attachments in prosthodontics.

Methods: Twenty-two cases of dentition defect with isolated residual root or residual crown were selected. All the cases accepted the restorative treatment combined magnetic attachments with extracoronal attachments.

The protein therapy of kallikrein in cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury.

Objective: Biomacromolecule like exogenous Kallikrein is difficult to pass through biomembrane and blood brain barrier. So, the use of exogenous Kallikrein for the therapy of nervous system diseases is restricted. We constructed the Protein Transduction Domain-Kallikrein (PTD-Kallikrein), checked its function of penetration and biotoxicity, and observed its influence on neurons and ischemic brain tissues.

Blockade of bradykinin B2 receptor more effectively reduces postischemic blood-brain barrier disruption and cytokines release than B1 receptor inhibition.

Blood-brain barrier disruption and brain edema are detrimental in ischemic stroke. The kallikrein-kinin system appears to play an important role in the regulation of vascular permeability and is invoked in edema formation. The effects of kinins are mediated by bradykinin receptors B1R and B2R.

Tissue kallikrein alleviates glutamate-induced neurotoxicity by activating ERK1.

Glutamate-induced neurotoxicity consequent to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl) propionic acid (AMPA) receptor activation underlies the pathogenesis of a wide range of central nervous system disorders, including brain ischemia. Prevention of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced neuronal injury has long been regarded as an effective therapeutic strategy for ischemia. Human tissue kallikrein (TK) gene transfer has been shown to protect neurons against cerebral I/R-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress, via activation of the brandykinin B2 receptor (B2R).

[Quantitative analysis of regional cerebral blood flow in elderly with white matter lesions].

Objective: To observe whether the severity of white matter lesions (WML) is related to ischemia in elderly.

Methods: WML were divided into 2 categories (centrum semiovale and periventricular regions) and four grades (grade 0, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3) according to the severity of WML showing on the FLAIR sequence of MRI using modified Fazekas scale. The values of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) within WML and other brain regions were measured using Xenon contrast CT.

Qingkailing injection attenuates apoptosis and neurologic deficits in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Aim Of The Study: Traditional Chinese herb Angong Niuhuang Pill (AGNHP) is a famous preparation for neurological diseases; Qingkailing injection (QKL), an extract of AGNHP has similar clinical applications. This investigation was designed to further elucidate the neuroprotective effect of QKL on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Materials And Methods: ICH was produced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by injection of collagenase IV.

Tissue kallikrein protects cortical neurons against in vitro ischemia-acidosis/reperfusion-induced injury through the ERK1/2 pathway.

Human tissue kallikrein (hTK) gene transfer has been shown to protect neurons against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and exogenous tissue kallikrein (TK) administration can enhance neurogenesis and angiogenesis following focal cortical infarction. Previous studies have reported that acidosis is a common feature of ischemia and plays a critical role in brain injury. However, little is known about the role of TK in ischemia-acidosis-induced injury, which is partially caused by the activation of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs).