Association between polymorphisms among Chinese patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Many potential causative factors are related to the initiation and progression of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). The matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (MMPs/TIMPs) system was found to play a significant role in the development of ONFH. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between polymorphisms of and ONFH in the Chinese population.

Application of high-field magnetic resonance imaging in Parkinson's disease.

The present study aimed to observe the structural changes of the extracorticospinal tract in Parkinson's disease (PD) using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) magnetic resonance (MR) scans. The association of DTI parameters and brain-iron accumulation with PD was examined and imaging signs useful in the diagnosis of PD were explored. The study included 30 patients with PD and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls who underwent routine MR, SWI and DTI scans.

Antidesmone, a unique tetrahydroquinoline alkaloid, prevents acute lung injury via regulating MAPK and NF-κB activities.

Acute lung injury, characterized by inflammation, is a main cause of respiratory failure that affects patients worldwide. Antidesmone is one compound mainly isolated from Ajugade cumbens Thunb (Labiatae), an herb agent of Labiatae family. In this research, we investigated the anti-inflammation effect of antidesmone in vitro and in vivo.

A novel method for evaluating brain function and microstructural changes in Parkinson's disease.

In this study, microstructural brain damage in Parkinson's disease patients was examined using diffusion tensor imaging and tract-based spatial statistics. The analyses revealed the presence of neuronal damage in the substantia nigra and putamen in the Parkinson's disease patients. Moreover, disease symptoms worsened with increasing damage to the substantia nigra, confirming that the substantia nigra and basal ganglia are the main structures affected in Parkinson's disease.

Methylation of the miR-126 gene associated with glioma progression.

Gliomas are the most common and the most malignant brain tumors, accouting for 45-55% of all intracranial tumors. The incidence of glioma worldwide is about 6-12 per 100,000. Recently, several studies showed that the activation of the oncogenes and the inactivation and/or loss of the tumor suppressor genes, especially for miRNA-21, let-7 and so on, are the most primary molecule event in gliomas.