Involvement of BDNF/TrkB and ERK/CREB axes in nitroglycerin-induced rat migraine and effects of estrogen on these signals in the migraine.

Migraine is a highly prevalent headache disorder, especially in women. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinases (TrkB), as well as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and its downstream target c-AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) are strongly associated with the transmission of nociceptive information. However, the involvement of these substances in migraine has rarely been examined.

The imaging features of neurologic complications of left atrial myxomas.

Background: Neurologic complications may be the first symptoms of atrial myxomas. Understanding the imaging features of neurologic complications of atrial myxomas can be helpful for the prompt diagnosis.

Objective: To identify neuroimaging features for patients with neurologic complications attributed to atrial myxoma.

[Expression of cation-chloride cotransporters KCC2 and NKCC1 in brainstem of para- chlorophenylalanine-induced acute insomnia rats].

Objective: To explore the possible roles of KCC2 and NKCC1 in the pathological mechanism of acute insomnia in rats.

Methods: A total of 18 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly selected into model, interference and normal control groups.The expressions of KCC2 and NKCC1 in brainstem were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot.

[Neuroprotective mechanism of hydrogen sulfide after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats].

Objective: To explore the neuroprotective mechanism of exogenous hydrogen sulfide after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.

Methods: A total of 240 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of sham-operation group (I), I/R model group (II), low-dose sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) group (III) and high-dose NaHS group (IV) (n = 60 each). Reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established by intraluminal suture.

[Clinical and imaging features of adult anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy after cardiopulmonary resuscitation].

Objective: To explore the clinical and imaging features of anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (AIE) patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Methods: A total of 28 qualified AIE patients during the last decade from Xiangya Hospital, Central South University were recruited and analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The symptoms of status epilepticus, acute posthypoxic myoclonus, Lance-Adams syndrome, subarachnoid hemorrhage and cognitive deficits were observed.

The burden of headache in China: validation of diagnostic questionnaire for a population-based survey.

The objective of this study was to test the validity, in the Chinese population, of the Lifting The Burden diagnostic questionnaire for the purpose of a population-based survey of the burden of headache in China. From all regions of China, a population-based sample of 417 respondents had completed the structured questionnaire in a door-to-door survey conducted by neurologists from local hospitals calling unannounced. They were contacted for re-interview by telephone by headache specialists who were unaware of the questionnaire diagnoses.

[Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathic pain and the correlation among them].

Objective: To investigate the change of serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines: macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) and their role in the pathogenesis of related diseases.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 28 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) without complications, and gender ratio- and age-matched 32 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), 28 patients with DPNP, and 28 normal controls. Dual-antibody ELISA was used to detect the serum MIF, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 levels.

[The clinical and genetic studies in a family of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and genetic diagnostic method of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

Methods: A systematic study on the clinical manifestations, neuroimaging characteristics, therapeutic measures and molecular genetics was performed. An investigation on the onset and hereditary pattern of the family was also done.

[Establishment of spinal muscular atrophy cell model by RNAi].

Objective: To establish spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) cell model by blocking the expression of SMN1 gene with shRNA.

Methods: The recombinant SMN1 shRNA expression vector was constructed. SMA cell model was established by human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs) that the vector was transfected into were differentiated to neuron like cells (NLCs).

[Relationship between P-type Na+ -K+ -Atpase and migraine: an experimental study with rats].

Objective: To investigate the role of P-type Na+ -K+ -ATPase in the mechanism of migraine.

Methods: nitroglycerin induced migraine Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats, 10 male and 10 female, were randomly divided into 2 groups: model group, undergoing subcutaneous injection of nitroglycerin 10 mg/kg once a week for 4 weeks so as to establish migraine model, and control group, undergoing subcutaneous injection of normal saline. Then the rats were killed with their trigeminal ganglia, trigeminocervical complex, and cortex of frontal lobe taken out.

[Clinical features and prognosis of cerebral venous thrombosis].

Objective: To explore the diagnosis,therapy and prognosis of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

Methods: Twenty-two CVT patients were reviewed. The onset age, clinical manifestations, imaging, treatment, and prognosis were analyzed.

Study of the relationship between gene polymorphisms of paraoxonase 2 and stroke in a Chinese population.

Background And Purpose: The paraoxonase (PON) gene family has been demonstrated to be capable of preventing lipid peroxidation and could consequently exert antiatherosclerotic effects. Alteration of enzyme activity due to polymorphisms in the PON genes may influence the development of atheroma and thus affect stroke risk. PON2, the second member of this family, has two polymorphisms, C311S and G148A.

[Effects of short hair RNA on the expression of SMN1 gene in human mesenchymal stem cells].

Objective: To construct a plasmid expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting SMN1 gene in mammalian cells and to investigate the effect of shRNA on the expression of SMN1 gene in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), thus providing experimental basis for the establishment of SMA cell model.

Methods: Five shRNAs targeting SMN1 gene was designed according to the SMN1 cDNA sequence provided by GenBank, and cloned to the downstream of U6.1 promoter in the pRNAT-U6.

[The clinical diagnosis and therapy of neurosyphilis].

Objective: To study the clinical features, neuroimages, laboratory findings, therapy and prognosis of neurosyphilis.

Methods: The clinical features, neuroimages, laboratory findings and therapy of 18 patients with neurosyphilis were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Interstitial neurosyphilis especially meningovascular syphilis was the most common type of which the clinical features varied widely.

[An experimental research on differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from children with spinal muscular atrophy into neuron-like cells].

Objective: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease. It is characterized by selective loss of spinal cord motor neurons leading to muscle atrophy and is the result of mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron (SMN) gene. Currently, there are no effective therapies for this disease.

[Lymphoplasmapheresis for Guillain-Barre syndrome].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect and security of lymphoplasmapheresis (LPE) for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).

Methods: Sixty-six GBS patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: the therapy group (33 patients) were treated with LPE in addition to the medical treatment; the control group (33 patients) only accepted the medical treatment. The therapeutic effect was evaluated with the initial recovery time of myodynamia and the myodynamia score difference, and the side effect of the therapy group was observed.

[Relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms of paraoxonase 2 and stroke].

Objective: To study the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms of paraoxonase 2 (PON2) and stroke.

Methods: Objects examined comprised of three groups: 120 healthy people, 150 patients with cerebral hemorrhage, 180 patients with cerebral infarction. The PON2 genotypes were determined with PCR and digested by specific restriction enzymes.

[The expression of SMN2 gene mRNA in neuron-like cells derived from patients with spinal muscular atrophy].

Objective: To detect the difference of SMN2 mRNA expression between the neuron-like cells (NLCs) derived from patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to diagnose the patients with SMA and the controls. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were induced into neuron-like cells which become the models of neurons.

[Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase gene 608C/T polymorphism associated with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction].

Objective: To explore the distribution of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase gene (LCAT) 608C/T polymorphism in Chinese Han population and the relationship of the polymorphism association with the occurrence of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.

Methods: The lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase gene 608C/T polymorphism is identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 150 patients with ACI and 122 healthy controls matching age and sex.

Results: The distribution of LCAT 608C/T gene polymorphism was in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

[Human mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into neuron-like cells and show SMN protein expression].

Objectives: To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of SMN gene in neuron-like cells by inducing MSC to differentiate into neuron-like cells.

Methods: Human MSC (hMSC) were isolated and purified. Human MSC were treated with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) before inducing hMSC to differentiate into neuron-like cells with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA).

[The gene expression patterns of genetic P77PMC epilepsy-prone rats' hippocampus].

Objective: To find out the differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus of the rats with genetic epilepsy so as to lay a foundation for exploring the pathogenesis of epilepsy by means of cDNA array technology.

Methods: Gene expression patterns in the hippocampus of the genetic epilepsy-prone P77PMC rats and normal Wistar rats were established using the alpha-32P-labeled cDNA probes hybridized with the Atlas Rat cDNA Expression Array, and then were analyzed by an image analysis instrument to get the differentially expressed genes.

Results: Fifteen genes were found having differential expression patterns in hippocampus between the P77PMC rats and the Wistar rats, while there may be many other differentially expressed genes left undiscovered due to having no appropriate image analysis software.

[Preliminary linkage analysis of a Chinese family with benign familial infantile convulsion].

Objective: Benign familial infantile convulsions (BFIC) is a recently recognized autosomal dominant inherited disorder. This epileptic syndrome typically begins between 3 and 12 months of age with clusters of partial seizures in most cases and carries a good prognosis. So far, three loci have been linked to chromosome 19q12.