Increased expression of α-synuclein in aged human brain associated with neuromelanin accumulation.

Although the increased prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) with aging suggests that aging processes predispose dopamine neurons to degeneration, the mechanism involved remains unknown. Dopamine neurons contain significant amounts of neuromelanin, and the amount of neuromelanin increases with aging. In the present study, age-related changes in the number of nigral neurons expressing neuromelanin (NM), α-synuclein, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were stereologically analyzed in the postmortem brains of 28 healthy humans with an age range of 17-84 years.

[Ganoderma lucidum extract protects dopaminergic neurons through inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators by activated microglia].

Abundant evidence has suggested that neuroinflammation participates in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The emerging evidence has supported that microglia may play key roles in the progressive neurodegeneration in PD and might be a promising therapeutic target. Ganoderma lucidum (GL), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been shown potential neuroprotective effect in our clinical trials that lead us to speculate that it might possess potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties.

[Dual effects of different concentrations of alpha-synuclein on the neurotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine in SH-SY5Y cells].

α-synuclein (α-SN) has been postulated to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the physiological functions of α-SN and the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal loss remain unclear. Recent studies suggest that α-SN plays dual roles of neuroprotection and neurotoxicity depending on its concentration or level of expression.

Extensive nuclear localization of alpha-synuclein in normal rat brain neurons revealed by a novel monoclonal antibody.

Synuclein was initially named for its localization in both presynaptic nerve terminals and portions of nuclear envelope. However, subsequent studies only confirmed the presynaptic localization of this protein in the brain; its nuclear localization in the neurons remained elusive. Here, two new monoclonal antibodies against alpha-synuclein (alpha-SYN) were produced.

Promoter polymorphisms which modulate APP expression may increase susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.

Increasing evidence indicates that variants in promoter of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene could up-regulate the APP gene expression and aggravate the amyloid beta protein (A beta) accumulation, thus contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In Chinese Han populations we found three polymorphisms in APP promoter: -877T/C(rs466433), -955A/G(rs364048) and -9G/C. The -877T and -955A alleles were over-represented in 209 sporadic AD (SAD) patients when compared to those in 437 healthy individuals.

Chinese Presenilin-1 V97L mutation enhanced Abeta42 levels in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Presenilin-1 gene mutations have been proven to be associated with the majority of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). There have been, however, no systematic studies of Presenilin-1 gene mutation in FAD in China so far. We found a novel Val-->Leu missense mutation at codon 97 (Val97Leu) of the Presenilin-1 gene in a Chinese FAD pedigree.

Hypoxia and reoxygenation increased BACE1 mRNA and protein levels in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, usually involved in hypoxia and reoxygenation, have been reported to increase the risk of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). beta-site amyloid protein precursor (APP)-cleaving enzymes (BACE1) have been identified to participate in the secretion of beta-amyloid peptides (Abeta), and its expressive alteration would contribute to the AD neuropathology. We have investigated the effect of hypoxia (0% O(2), 24h) and reoxygenation (0h, 12h and 24h after 24h hypoxia) on BACE1 mRNA and protein levels in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase expression in alpha-synuclein-transfected dopaminergic neuronal cells.

Although the aberrant expression of alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) is toxic to dopaminergic neurons, little is known about the correlation between the abnormality of alpha-Syn and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of dopamine neurotransmitter. In this study, the MES23.5 rat dopaminergic cell line transfected with wild-type human alpha-Syn cDNA (h alpha-Syn) construct was used to investigate the association between alpha-Syn and TH.

[Evaluation of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in treatment for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) on oxygenation of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients, and to discuss the timing point for mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Twenty-five SARS patients with respiratory dysfunction treated with NIPPV were studied retrospectively in order to evaluate the influences within 24 hours after initiation of ventilatory support on their physiological indices and oxygenation. Patients with SARS were divided into two groups: survivor group (n=13) and non-survivor group (n=12).

[Study on intervention and comparison of rational use of antibiotics on perioperative period of clean incision and clean-defiled incision].

Objective: To explore a set of scientific evaluation and intervention methods on perioperatur period which fits for China's situation, and to promote the development of rational drug use.

Methods: Two would tertiary general hospitals were selected and separated in to intervention group and control group. Intervention was carried out and compared at the same period on inpatient surgical cases of thryroidectomy, mastectomy, cholescystectomy, and hysteromyomectomy plus appendix.