Functional connectivity alterations in the frontoparietal network and sensorimotor network are associated with behavioral heterogeneity in blepharospasm.

Objective: Primary blepharospasm (BSP) is a clinically heterogeneous disease that manifests not only as spasmodic closure of the eyelids but also sometimes with apraxia of eyelid opening (AEO). This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate differences in the neural mechanisms of isolated BSP and BSP-associated AEO subtypes, which may reveal the pathophysiology underlying different phenotypes.

Methods: A total of 29 patients manifested as isolated BSP, 17 patients manifested as BSP associated with AEO, and 28 healthy controls underwent resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Update on the clinical application of deep brain stimulation in sleep dysfunction of Parkinson's disease.

Sleep dysfunctions, including rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, sleep fragmentation, excessive daytime sleepiness and various other dysfunctions, can seriously affect quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Emerging evidence suggests that deep brain stimulation (DBS) exerts a substantial effect when used to treat sleep dysfunctions, which are common nonmotor symptoms experienced by patients with PD. However, far less is known about the specific mechanisms underlying the effects of DBS on sleep processes and the factors that potentially influence these effects.

[Prognostic Significance of Gene Rearrangement and Protein Expression in Prostate Cancer].

Objectives: To investigate gene rearrangement and protein expression of ETS related gene ( ) in prostate cancer of Chinese patients and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis.

Methods: This study collected 482 cases of prostatic adenocarcinomas diagnosed by prostate biopsy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2009 to 2014. Fluorescence hybridization (FISH) and immuno-histochemical staining (IHC) were performed to access the rearrangement and protein expression respectively.

Early application of citicoline in the treatment of acute stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

This study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early application of citicoline in the treatment of patients with acute stroke by meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials published until May 2015 were electronically searched in MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, WHO International Clinical Trial Registration Platform, Clinical Trial.gov, and China Biology Medicine disc.

Icariine stimulates proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts by increasing production of bone morphogenetic protein 2.

Background: Icariine is a flavonoid isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium pubescens and is the main active compound of it. Recently, Epimedium pubescens was found to have a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis. But the mechanism is unclear.

[Effects of Epimedium pubescens icariine on proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts].

Objective: To study the effects of epimedium pubescens icariine on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts.

Method: Human osteoblasts were obtained by inducting human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) directionally. MTT was used to observe the proliferation and activity of ALP was assayed to observe the differentiation of the third passage human osteoblasts cultured in vitro.

[Inducing human marrow mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts directionally and identification of their osteogenesis characteristics].

Objective: To study the method of inducing human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts directionally and to identify osteogenesis characteristics.

Methods: MSCs were isolated from adult marrow using density gradient separation method and were cultured in conditioned medium containing Dex 10(-8) mol/L, beta-GP 10 mmol/L, and AA 50 micrograms/ml. The MSCs attachment formed soon and passage 3 cells were chosen to check osteogenesis characteristics, including alkaline phosphatase assay with modified calcium-cobalt staining method, type I collagen assay with immunohistochemistry, osteopontin and osteonectin assay with in situ hybridization and calcium nodes assay with Von Kossa staining.

[Immortalization of human osteoblast by transferring hTERT gene].

Objective: To establish an immortalized osteoblast cell line used for basal and clinical research of orthopaedics.

Methods: Human marrow stromal cells (hMSCs) had been inducted into osteoblasts directionally, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) cDNA was transferred into the osteoblasts by retroviral vector pLPChTERT. The resultant stable clones reproduced successively and the expression of hTERT as well as the osteogenesis characteristics of different eras were identified.