A Randomized Trial of Chinese Diaoshi Jifa on Treatment of Dizziness in Meniere's Disease.

Background. Meniere's disease is characterized by refractory dizziness and hearing disturbance. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerance of Diaoshi Jifa, a Chinese hand skill for treating dizziness in Meniere's disease.

Acute pancreatitis affects the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters in rats.

Abnormalities of mental status represent a severe complication and an important cause of death in acute pancreatitis (AP), which is characterized by a pattern of neurological signs and symptoms. As some of the symptoms of AP are also affected by catecholamine neurotransmitters, they cannot be ruled out of the pathophysiology of AP; however, little research has been performed exploring this hypothesis. Our study aimed to elucidate whether AP affects the metabolism of catecholamine neurotransmitters in rats.

Autophagy-related gene16L2, a potential serum biomarker of multiple sclerosis evaluated by bead-based proteomic technology.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by neuroinflammation and demyelination that are mediated by T cells. The prolonged survival of autoreactive T cells acts as a primary event to trigger an inflammatory cascade that mediates myelin loss and clinical relapse in MS. Recently, T cell survival has been shown to be modulated by the autophagy-related gene (Atg).

Cerebral vasculopathy in a Chinese family with neurofibromatosis type I mutation.

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is a hereditary, autosomal dominant, neurocutaneous syndrome that is attributed to NF1 gene mutation. NF1 has been associated with scoliosis, macrocephaly, pseudoarthrosis, short stature, mental retardation, and malignancies. NF1-associated vasculopathy is an uncommon and easily-overlooked presentation.

Differential activation of mTOR complex 1 signaling in human brain with mild to severe Alzheimer's disease.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling has been suggested to be effective in modifying cognitive status in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but little is known about its role in AD patients. We hereby tested whether mTOR signaling was activated and whether activated mTOR signaling was related to the degree of cognitive deficits in patients with AD. Autopsy brain hippocampal tissues were obtained from controls and patients with AD and Western blots were performed using antibodies against mTOR signaling molecules and RagC, an upstream component of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling.

Decreased serum levels of the angiogenic factors VEGF and TGF-β1 in Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Growing evidence suggests that angiogenesis might represent a new pathogenic mechanism involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) are two cytokines having a pivotal role in angiogenesis. In the present study, serum VEGF and TGF-β1 levels were measured with ELISA in 31 AD patients, 28 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients and 29 controls.

Decreased serum levels of nucleolin protein fragment, as analyzed by bead-based proteomic technology, in multiple sclerosis patients compared to controls.

In order to investigate the biomarkers associated with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), we analyzed 72 patients with RRMS and 65 healthy controls using proteome technology. Peptides in sera were purified using magnetic beads, and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and ClinProTool software. Thirteen peptides were significantly different between patients with RRMS and healthy controls.

[A cohort study on mortality and risk of death among population diagnosis as dementia, at base-line survey, in Beijing].

Objective: To study the mortality and risk of death on dementia among ageing population.

Methods: A random sample including 2788 elderly residents was studied. Dementia was diagnosed under the two-phase procedure in 1997.

ERK pathway activation is required for amyloid-β(1-40)(-)induced neurotoxicity of THP-1 human monocytes towards SK-N-SH neuroblastoma.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β peptide deposition, increased activated microglia, and progressive loss of neurons in the brain. Although Aβ₁₋₄₀ can elicit inflammation in microglia, the intracellular signaling events mediating these effects are poorly defined. Here we show that cell-free supernatant from Aβ₁₋₄₀-treated THP-1 monocytes induced cytotoxicity towards neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells.

[Study on the incidence and risk factors of dementia in elderly residents from communities in Beijing].

Objective: To study the incidence of dementia and its risk factors among the elderly living in the community of Beijing.

Methods: A sample of 2788 elderly residents from Beijing were investigated regarding the incidence of dementia which was diagnosed using two-stage method in 1997. In the first stage, questionnaire was filled, including MMSE checked up.

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on intestinal mucosal permeability in early phase of severe acute pancreatitis.

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine has been used widely for many years in China to treat acute pancreatitis. We have investigated the effects of Dachengqi decoction on intestinal mucosal permeability and outcome in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: Forty patients with sustained SAP that required admission to the surgical intensive care unit were enrolled prospectively in the study.

Promoter polymorphisms which regulate ADAM9 transcription are protective against sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the formation of amyloid beta-peptides (Aβ peptides) and their deposition in the brain. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) 9 can cleave the amyloid precursor protein (APP) within the Aβ domain and preclude generation of Aβ peptides. We systematically screened ADAM9 gene promoter region and found four polymorphisms: -542C/T (rs10105311), -600A/C (rs7840270), -963A/G (rs6991968) and -1314T/C (rs7006414).

[Morroniside inhibits H2O2-induced apoptosis in cultured nerve cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of morroniside on H2O2-induced apoptosis in nerve cells.

Method: Human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y cells were pre-incubaed with morroniside (1, 10, and 100 micromol x L(-1)) for 24 h prior to exposure to H2O2 (500 micromol x L(-1)) for 18 h. The activity of reactive SOD was measured by a biochemical assay.

Abdominal compartment syndrome in patients with severe acute pancreatitis in early stage.

Aim: To study retrospectively the influence of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with early acute pancreatitis (AP) (during the first week after admission) on physiological functions, and the association of the presence of IAH/ACS and outcome.

Methods: Patients (n = 74) with AP recruited in this study were divided into two groups according to intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) determined by indirect measurement using the transvesical route via Foley bladder catheter during the first week after admission. Patients (n = 44) with IAP >or= 12 mmHg were assigned in IAH group, and the remaining patients (n = 30) with IAP < 12 mmHg in normal IAP group.

Population pharmacokinetics of valproate in Chinese children with epilepsy.

Aim: The aim of the present study is to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model of valproate (VPA) in Chinese epileptic children to promote the reasonable use of anti-epileptic drugs.

Methods: Sparse data of VPA serum concentrations from 417 epileptic children were collected. These patients were divided into 2 groups: the PPK model group (n=317) and the PPK valid group (n=100).

Temporal gene expression profile in hippocampus of mice treated with D-galactose.

(1) Rodent chronically treated with D-galactose (D-gal) is increasingly used in pharmacological studies on aging; however, its mechanism remains unclear. The present study investigated the alterations of gene expression in the hippocampus of D-gal-treated mice. (2) C57 mice were subcutaneously injected with D-gal for 2, 4, and 8 weeks or vehicle, and then were subjected to behavioral tests.

Morroniside prevents peroxide-induced apoptosis by induction of endogenous glutathione in human neuroblastoma cells.

(1) Morroniside belongs to an extensive group of natural iridorid glycosides. In the present study, using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, we have investigated the protective effects of this compound on modifications in endogenous reduced glutathione (GSH), intracellular oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic death on H(2)O(2)-mediated cytoxicity. (2) Incubation of cells with morroniside led to a significant dose-dependent elevation of cellular GSH accompanied by a marked protection against H(2)O(2)-mediated toxicity.