A Prospective Multicenter Study of the Chinese Scoring System for Hepatitis B Liver Failure.

To evaluate the clinical utility of a Chinese scoring system for hepatitis B liver failure in a prospective and multicenter study. Clinical data for 1,143 patients with hepatitis B liver failure who had been followed up for a minimum of 6 months were collected from seven liver disease centers across China. The disease severity and prognosis for the patients were predicted using the Chinese scoring system and compared to those predicted with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, MELD-Na score, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score.

Ceftriaxone Relieves Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain Through Suppression of Spatiotemporal Synaptic Plasticity Restoration of Glutamate Transporter 1 in the Medullary Dorsal Horn.

Using a rat model of trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) produced by chronic compression of the infraorbital nerve (CCI-ION), we investigated the analgesic effect and the underlying mechanisms of ceftriaxone (Cef), a β-lactam antibiotic, that is thought to be a potent stimulator of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1). First, repeated intraperitoneal (i.p.

Complete structure and variation of the chloroplast genome of Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertner, a perennial grass in the tribe Triticeae (Poaceae), is a wild relative of cereal crops that is suitable for genetic improvement. In this study, we first sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of Ag.

Correlations between plasma endothelin-1 levels and breakthrough pain in patients with cancer.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) may be involved in driving pain in patients with advanced cancer. However, a few studies focus on the role of ET-1 in breakthrough pain (BP). The aim of this pivotal study was to explore the correlation between the plasma (ET-1) level and BP intensity.

Gene silencing of NR2B-containing NMDA receptor by intrathecal injection of short hairpin RNA reduces formalin-induced nociception in C57BL/6 mouse.

Spinal NR2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NR2B) play a critical role in the formation of central sensitization and persistent pain. Previous studies show that gene silencing of the spinal NR2B subunit by small interfering RNA (siRNA) could alleviate nociception in animals. The siRNA is a 19- to 23-nt RNA duplex, which can be synthesized in vitro or derived from short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs).

Surgery upregulates high mobility group box-1 and disrupts the blood-brain barrier causing cognitive dysfunction in aged rats.

Aim: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a growing and largely underestimated problem without defined etiology. Herein, we sought to determine the relationship between cognitive decline, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and inflammation, namely high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), after surgery in aged rats.

Methods: Aged rats were randomly assigned as surgery group (n = 45, splenectomy under general anesthesia), anesthesia (n = 45, 2% isoflurane for 2 h), and naïve control (n = 15).

[Changes of prostaglandin D2,carboxypeptidase A3 and platelet activating factor in guinea pig in anaphylactic shock].

Objective: To detect the changes of leukotriene E4(LTE4), prostaglandin D2(PGD2), carboxypeptidase A3(CPA3) and platelet activating factor (PAF) in guinea pigs died from anaphylactic shock.

Methods: Guinea pigs were used for establishing anaphylactic shock models. The levels of LTE4, PGD2 and CPA3, and PAF were detected in urine, plasma, and brain tissues with ELISA kit, respectively.

Effects of linear-polarized near-infrared light irradiation on chronic pain.

In order to study the efficacy of linear-polarized near-infrared light irradiation (LPNIR) on relieving chronic pain in conjunction with nerve block (NB) or local block (LB), a 3-week prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted to evaluate the pre- and post-therapy pain intensity. Visual analogue scales (VASs) were measured in all patients before and 6 months after therapy visiting the pain clinic during the period of August 2007 to January 2008. A total of 52 patients with either shoulder periarthritis or myofascial pain syndrome or lateral epicondylitis were randomly assigned into two groups by drawing lots.

Involvement of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in cognitive impairment in isoflurane-treated rats.

The underlying causes of post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients remain to be elucidated. In order to explore possible contributory mechanisms, we tested the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on (i) expression of hippocampal neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and (ii) the relationship of changes in nNOS expression to cognitive dysfunction in isoflurane-treated aged rats. Our results indicate that isoflurane treatment leads to significant changes in correct reactions (F=28.

[Establishment and evaluation of a bone cancer pain model].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of a bone cancer pain model by injecting the Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur bone marrow cavity of C57BL/6 mice.

Methods: Sixty clear grade male C57BL/6 mice (body weight 18 approximately 20 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups(15 in each group). Cancer cell inoculated group: 2*10(6) Lewis lung carcinoma cells in 10 microL PBS were injected into the left femur bone marrow cavity, and the other 3 control groups were injected the heat inactivated Lewis cells, PBS, or a false operation respectively.

Down-regulation of beta1-adrenoceptors gene expression by short interfering RNA impairs the memory retrieval in the basolateral amygdala of rats.

The influence of basolateral amygdala (BLA) on memory is known to depend critically on adrenergic neurotransmission. However, the roles of noradrenergic receptors on memory retrieval have been elusive and controversial. Here, we investigated the effect of beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)-AR) on auditory fear memory in the rat BLA.

[Correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and expression of microvascular density in the glioma].

Objective: To explore the correlation between microvascular density (MVD) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in the glioma.

Methods: We examined 35 patients with histologically verified glioma. Gadolinium-enhanced dynamic TurboFLASH imaging was performed preoperatively in all patients followed by conventional MRI.

Syntheses of acetylated steroid glycosides and selective cleavage of O-acetyl groups in sugar moiety.

Acetylated 3beta-O-beta-glycosyl steroid derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of a new polyhydroxysteroid 3beta,5alpha,6beta-trihydroxypregn-16-en-20-one (2) with the peracetylated 1-bromo derivatives of d-glucose and d-galactose, respectively. Subsequent protection by excess acetic anhydride in pyridine selectively gave the 6beta-O-acetylated steroid glycosides. Deprotection of the acetylated steroid glycosides separately with moderate catalysis dibutyltin oxide in methanol selectively removed all acetyl groups of sugar moiety, whereas the acetyl group of the steroid part was retained.