Predictive value of inflammatory factors on the efficacy of adjuvant Dexamethasone in the treatment of refractory purulent meningitis among pediatric patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to figure out the predictive value of inflammatory factors on the efficacy of Dexamethasone adjuvant therapy for refractory purulent meningitis in children.

Methods: In, this study, a regression analysis method was employed to select a sample of 38 children with refractory purulent meningitis, 40 children with purulent meningitis, and 40 healthy children who visited to Ganzhou People's Hospital for physical These participants were then assigned to the Dexamethasone, standard care and the control groups. The inflammatory factors in the three groups were compared, and a multivariate Logisitic regression was analysis was conducted to examine the predictive indicators and efficacy of Dexamethasone treatment in children with refractory purulent meningitis.

The prevalence of agranulocytosis and related death in clozapine-treated patients: a comprehensive meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background: Clozapine treatment increases the risk of agranulocytosis, but findings on the epidemiology of agranulocytosis have been inconsistent. This meta-analysis examined the prevalence of agranulocytosis and related death in clozapine-treated patients.

Methods: A literature search in the international (PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE) and Chinese (WanFang, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Sinomed) databases was conducted.

The evaluation of coronary artery-to-pulmonary artery fistula in adulthood on 256-slice CT coronary angiography: Comparison with coronary catheter angiography and transthoracic echocardiography.

Objective: To review the imaging features of coronary artery-to-pulmonary artery fistula (CPAF) on CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and evaluate its diagnostic performance compared with coronary catheter angiography (CCA) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed with a diagnosis of CPAF from among 19855 consecutive CCTA performed with 256-slice MDCT scanner for suspected coronary artery disease. CT images were evaluated for - origin, number, size and course (tubular/worm-like dilation/significant aneurysm formation/wall attachment sign) of fistula vessels, drainage site, drainage site imaging features (pierced sign, isodensity sign, smoke sign, jet sign), and main pulmonary artery (MPA) enlargement.

Concurrent benzodiazepine use in older adults treated with antidepressants in Asia.

Unlabelled: ABSTRACTBackground:Little is known about the combined use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants in older psychiatric patients. This study examined the prescription pattern of concurrent benzodiazepines in older adults treated with antidepressants in Asia, and explored its demographic and clinical correlates.

Methods: The data of 955 older adults with any type of psychiatric disorders were extracted from the database of the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants (REAP-AD) project.

Decreased intracellular [Ca ] coincides with reduced expression of Dhprα1s, RyR1, and diaphragmatic dysfunction in a rat model of sepsis.

Introduction: Sepsis can cause decreased diaphragmatic contractility. Intracellular calcium as a second messenger is central to diaphragmatic contractility. However, changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca ]) and the distribution and co-localization of relevant calcium channels [dihydropyridine receptors, (DHPRα1s) and ryanodine receptors (RyR1)] remain unclear during sepsis.

In Vivo Targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Endogenous Neural Stem Cells in the Adult Rodent Brain.

Neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain have a significant level of neurogenesis plasticity. In vivo monitoring of adult endogenous NSCs would be of great benefit to the understanding of the neurogenesis plasticity under normal and pathological conditions. Here we show the feasibility of in vivo targeted MR imaging of endogenous NSCs in adult mouse brain by intraventricular delivery of monoclonal anti-CD15 antibody conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Alterations of CSF cystatin C levels and their correlations with CSF Αβ40 and Αβ42 levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease, dementia with lewy bodies and the atrophic form of general paresis.

Immunohistochemical studies have revealed that cystatin C (CysC) co-localizes with amyloid-β (Αβ) in amyloid-laden vascular walls and in the senile plaque cores of amyloid. In vitro and in vivo animal studies suggest that CysC protects against neurodegeneration by inhibition of cysteine proteases, inhibition of Αβ aggregation, induction of autophagy and induction of cell division. CysC levels may be altered and may have a potential link with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ levels in various types of dementia with characteristic amyloid deposits, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and the atrophic form of general paresis (AF-GP).

Peripheral nerve repair: monitoring by using gadofluorine M-enhanced MR imaging with chitosan nerve conduits with cultured mesenchymal stem cells in rat model of neurotmesis.

Purpose: To observe the longitudinal changes of nerve repair in rats after tissue-engineered construct implantation at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to determine whether the enhanced nerve regeneration with use of tissue-engineered constructs could be monitored with gadofluorine M-enhanced MR imaging or nerve T2 relaxation time measurement.

Materials And Methods: All experimental protocols were approved by the institutional Animal Use and Care Committee. Tissue-engineered constructs were prepared by seeding mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into chitosan nerve tubes.

In vivo MRI monitoring nerve regeneration of acute peripheral nerve traction injury following mesenchymal stem cell transplantation.

Objective: To assess the continuous process of nerve regeneration in acute peripheral nerve traction injury treated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation using MRI.

Materials And Methods: 1 week after acute nerve traction injury was established in the sciatic nerve of 48 New Zealand white rabbits, 5×10(5) MSCs and vehicle alone were grafted to the acutely distracted sciatic nerves each in 24 animals. Serial MRI and T1 and T2 measurements of the injured nerves were performed with a 1.

Transplanted neural stem cells promote nerve regeneration in acute peripheral nerve traction injury: assessment using MRI.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to monitor neural stem cells (NSCs) transplanted in acute peripheral nerve traction injury and to use MRI to assess the ability of NSCs to promote nerve regeneration.

Materials And Methods: After labeling with gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (gadopentetate dimeglumine) and fluorescent dye (PKH26), 5 × 10(5) NSCs were grafted to acutely distracted sciatic nerves in 21 New Zealand White rabbits. In addition, 5 × 10(5) unlabeled NSCs (n = 21) and vehicle alone (n = 21) subjects were injected as a control.

In vivo MR imaging tracking of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells in a rabbit model of acute peripheral nerve traction injury.

Purpose: To investigate in vivo MRI tracking mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in peripheral nerve injures using a clinically available paramagnetic contrast agent (Gd-DTPA) and commercially available rhodamine-incorporated transfection reagents (PEI-FluoR).

Materials And Methods: After bone marrow MSCs were labeled with Gd-DTPA and PEI-FluoR complex, the labeling efficacy and longevity of Gd-DTPA maintenance were measured and cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were assessed. Thirty-six rabbits with acute sciatic nerve traction injury randomly received 1 × 10(6) labeled (n = 12) or unlabeled MSCs (n = 12) or vehicle alone injection.

Intraspinal primitive neuroectodermal tumor: imaging findings in six cases.

Purpose: To retrospectively review CT and MRI findings in a series of six intraspinal primitive neuroectoderal tumors and to find out their radiological features.

Methods: CT and MRI of six patients with surgically and pathologically proved intraspinal primitive neuroectoderal tumor were retrospectively reviewed. The tumor location, morphological features, signal intensity, calcification, contrast enhancement characteristics, involvement of paraspinal soft tissues and adjacent bony structures were assessed.

MR neurography: T1 and T2 measurements in acute peripheral nerve traction injury in rabbits.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) signal abnormalities and the time course of T1 and T2 values in a rabbit model of acute nerve traction injury with histologic and functional recovery correlation.

Materials And Methods: All experimental protocols were approved by the institutional animal use and care committee. Acute traction injury was produced in the sciatic nerve of one hind limb in each of 28 rabbits.

Magnetic resonance imaging of mesenchymal stem cells labeled with dual (MR and fluorescence) agents in rat spinal cord injury.

Rationale And Objectives: In vivo tracking cells using gadolinium-based contrast agents have the important advantage of providing a positive contrast on T1-weighted images, which is less likely to be confused with artifacts because of postoperative local signal voids such as metal, hemorrhage, or air. The aim of this study is to paramagnetically and fluorescently label marrow with dual agents (gadolinium-diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid [Gd-DTPA] and PEI-FluoR) and track them after transplantation into spinal cord injury (SCI) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials And Methods: Marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with PEI-FluoR (rhodamine-conjugated PEI-FluoR) and Gd-DTPA complex for labeling.

Efficient in vitro labeling rabbit neural stem cell with paramagnetic Gd-DTPA and fluorescent substance.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to label rabbit neural stem cells (NSCs) by using standard contrast agents (Gd-DTPA) in combination with PKH26 and in vitro track them with MR imaging.

Materials And Methods: NSCs from prenatal brains of rabbits were cultured and propagated. Intracellular uptake of Gd-DTPA was achieved by using a non-liposomal lipid transfection reagent (Effectene) as the transfection agent.