Disruption of Synaptic Transmission in the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis Reduces Seizure-Induced Death in DBA/1 Mice and Alters Brainstem E/I Balance.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of death in refractory epilepsy patients. Accumulating evidence from recent human studies and animal models suggests that seizure-related respiratory arrest may be important for initiating cardiorespiratory arrest and death. Prior evidence suggests that apnea onset can coincide with seizure spread to the amygdala and that stimulation of the amygdala can reliably induce apneas in epilepsy patients, potentially implicating amygdalar regions in seizure-related respiratory arrest and subsequent postictal hypoventilation and cardiorespiratory death.

Enhanced Synaptic Transmission in the Extended Amygdala and Altered Excitability in an Extended Amygdala to Brainstem Circuit in a Dravet Syndrome Mouse Model.

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with an increased incidence of sudden death. Evidence of interictal breathing deficits in DS suggests that alterations in subcortical projections to brainstem nuclei may exist, which might be driving comorbidities in DS. The aim of this study was to determine whether a subcortical structure, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) in the extended amygdala, is activated by seizures, exhibits changes in excitability, and expresses any alterations in neurons projecting to a brainstem nucleus associated with respiration, stress response, and homeostasis.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia in a Chinese family with a mutation of the CDAN1-gene.

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia I (CDA I) is a well-defined entity within the heterogeneous group of the CDAs. So far, most CDA cases were reported from Europe and Israel. A homozygous mutation of the CDAN1-gene was identified from a founder population observed in Bedouin tribes in Israel, and many different mutations in additional cases from Europe were reported.

[Distribution of micrometastatic nodules of low rectal cancer in mesorectum: a pathological study using whole-mount sections].

Objective: To investigate the regional spread of micrometastatic nodules in the mesorectum from low rectal cancer, and provide further pathological evidence to optimize radical resection procedure for rectal cancer.

Methods: A total of 62 patients with low rectal cancer underwent low anterior resection and total mesorectal excision (TME) was included in this study. Surgical specimens were sliced transversely and serial embedded blocks were made at 2.

[Autologous versus allogeneic stem cell transplantation in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Objective: To explore the efficacy of autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and investigate its relevant prognostic factors.

Methods: A total of 96 adult patients with ALL who had admitted to our hospital from November 1986 to June 2004 were followed up till February 28, 2005. They were divided into autologous stem cell transplantation (Auto-SCT) group (n = 56) and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) group (n = 40).

[Comparison of the effectiveness of chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as postremission treatment for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of chemotherapy (CT) and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as post-remission treatment for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (AL) patients.

Methods: Seventy-four ALL patients achieved first complete remission (CR(1)) with induction therapy, and then received early-stage sequential intensive consolidation chemotherapy. After that, 40 patients received chemotherapy (CT group) and 34 received ASCT (ASCT group) as post-remission treatment.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection and post-liver transplantation diabetes mellitus.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have a significantly increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to controls or HBV-infected patients. Moreover, the incidence rate of post-liver transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) also appears to be higher among patients with HCV infection. PTDM is often associated with direct viral infection, autoimmune disorders, and immunosuppressive regimen.

Characteristics and biodistribution of soybean sterylglucoside and polyethylene glycol-modified cationic liposomes and their complexes with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide.

A novel cationic liposome modified with soybean sterylglucoside (SG) and polyethylene glycol-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-DSPE) as a carrier of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) for hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy was constructed. Characteristics of the cationic liposomes modified with SG and PEG (SG/PEG-CL) and their complexes with 15-mer phosphorothioate ODN (SG/PEG-CL-ODN complex) were investigated by incorporation efficiency, morphology, electrophoresis, zeta potentials, and size analysis. Antisense activity of the liposomes and ODN complexes was determined as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in HepG2 2.

Hepatocytes targeting of cationic liposomes modified with soybean sterylglucoside and polyethylene glycol.

Aim: In this study, a hepatocyte-specific targeting technology was developed by modifying cationic liposomes with soybean sterylglucoside (SG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) (C/SG/PEG-liposomes).

Methods: The liposomal transfection efficiencies in HepG(2) 2.2.

[Effects of analogs of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide on acute pancreatitis in rats].

Objective: To examine the effects of analogs of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP)--PACAP6-27 (10, 100 microg/kg) and (4-Cl-D-Phe6, Leu17)VIP (10, 100 microg/kg) on the pancreata of normal rats and on the development of experimental acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were allocated into normal control groups, experimental acute pancreatitis groups and PACAP analog intervention groups. Acute pancreatitis was induced with s.

Differences in platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 expression between peripheral circulation and pancreatic microcirculation in cerulein-induced acute edematous pancreatitis.

Aim: To investigate the changes of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) expression on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in peripheral circulation and pancreatic microcirculation in cerulein-induced acute edematous pancreatitis (AEP).

Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 10) and AEP group (n = 40). A model of AEP was established by subcutaneous injection of cerulein 5.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating-peptide and its receptor antagonists in development of acute pancreatitis in rats.

Aim: Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating-peptide (PACAP) is a late member of the secretin/glucagon/vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) family of brain-gut peptides. It is unknown whether PACAP takes part in the development of acute pancreatitis and whether PACAP or its antagonists can be used to suppress the progression of acute pancreatitis. We investigated the actions of PACAP and its receptor antagonists in acute pancreatitis on rats.

[Biodistribution and hepatocytes targeting of cationic liposomes surface-modified with sterylglucoside and golyethylene glycol].

Aim: To investigate the biodistribution and the hepatocytes targeting of cationic liposome containing 3beta[N-( N',N'-dimethylaminoethane) carbamoyl] cholesterol (DC-Chol) and surface-modified liposomes with sterylglucoside (SG) and polyethylene glycol-distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-DSPE).

Methods: Cationic liposomes (CL) composed of DC-Chol and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), SG/PEG modified cationic liposome (SG/PEG-CL), both contained trace 3H-cholesterol (3H-Chol) as radiolabel, were prepared. The liposomes encapsulating 125I-labled antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (125I-asODN) (SG/PEG-CL-asODN) were also prepared.

[Comparison of autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for 140 patients with de novo acute leukemia in first complete remission].

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of patients with de novo acute leukemia (AL, no AML-M(3)) in CR(1) undergone autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) or HLA-identical sibling allogeneic HSCT (allo-HSCT).

Methods: Forty-six AL patients received allo-HSCT and 94 received auto-HSCT in CR(1). The conditioning regimens mainly consisted of TBICy, BuCy and MAC.

Role of COX-2 in microcirculatory disturbance in experimental pancreatitis.

Aim: To elucidate the role of COX-2 in the development of capillary leakage in rats with acute interstitial pancreatitis.

Methods: Rats with acute interstitial pancreatitis were induced by caerulein subcutaneous injection. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the gene expression of COX-2 in pancreatic tissues, spectrophotometry was used to assay the parameters of acute pancreatitis such as the serum amylase and plasma myeloperoxidase, and determination of capillary permeability in the pancreas by quantifying the permeability index (PI) assisted response of pancreatic microvascular via intravital fluorescence microscope video image analysis system.

[Second allogeneic transplant for leukemia relapsed after first allogeneic transplantation].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for treatment of leukemia relapsed after first allo-HSCT.

Methods: Nine patients with relapsed acute leukemia (5 AML, 4 ALL) and one with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who showed cytogenetic relapse after first allo-HSCT received second allo-HSCT. The median relapse time from the first allo-HSCT was 141 days.

Effect of inducible cyclooxygenase expression on local microvessel blood flow in acute interstitial pancreatitis.

Objective: To investigate the role of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) mRNA expression in local microvessels in rats with acute interstitial pancreatitis (AIP) induced by caerulein injection.

Methods: The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect COX-2 gene expression in pancreatic tissue. Parameters of acute pancreatitis, such as serum amylase (AMS) and plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, were assayed using spectrophotometry.

[Cationic lipid and polyethylene glycol enhance liposomes-mediated cell transfection and increase the fluidity of liposomes membranes].

Aim: To prepare fluorescein sodium (FS) cationic liposomes and investigate the influence of cationic lipid (DC-chol) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecule weight (MW) on cationic liposome incorporation efficiency, cellular delivery and fluidity of liposome membrane.

Methods: Using FS as a model material for encapsulation, the liposomes were prepared and separated (by sephadex G-50 1 cm x 20 cm column), and the liposome incorporation efficiencies was measured. The interaction between the FS and cationic liposomes was investigated by measuring the change of fluorescent spectrum.

[Studies on pulsatile release tablets of diltiazem hydrochloride in explosion way].

Aim: To investigate the preparation of pulsatile release tablets, the release of the drug in vitro and the pharmacokinetics in vivo.

Methods: Diltiazem hydrochloride (DIL) was used as model drug. The pulsatile release tablets were prepared by film-coated method using ethylcellulose and Eudragit L.