Immunohistochemical study of P75NGFR in Hirschsprung's disease.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to X Mu.
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This paper introduces a new method by taking full advantage of Internet and RAS technology, which can implement remote medical treatment perfectly. This method has been proved to be practical and will facilitate chinese hospital digital and information construction. The features and the advantages of of both technologies are introduced. Their designs & implement, and the prospect of this proposed method in china are discussed in details.
The domestic application of PACS will surely be developed in the future, but it will still take a few years. This paper proposes a tradeoff scheme: Attaching to digital imaging apparatus the PACS components, which mainly contain the Auto-archiving unit, the Communication unit supporting WAN as well as LAN and the Converting Interface unit to the hospital PACS. In this way, a single digital imaging apparatus can archive and transmit data independently, also can merge with the hospital PACS conveniently in the future. In this paper, both the design and the implement are discussed in detail.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a neurotrophic factor that influences the survival and function of several neuronal populations in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems. The actions of GDNF are mediated by a multicomponent receptor complex composed of the tyrosine kinase product of c-ret and the ligand-binding protein GDNF receptor alpha (GDNFR-alpha). In the present study, we used in situ hybridization to localize cells expressing the mRNA for these GDNF receptor subunits in rat CNS. As reported previously, GDNFR-alpha and c-ret mRNA are present in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area, regions containing GDNF-responsive dopamine neurons. However, both mRNA were found in motor neurons of spinal cord and brainstem nuclei that innervate skeletal muscle. These areas include alpha motor neurons in the ventral horn of spinal cord and neurons in hypoglossal, facial, trigeminal, and abducens nuclei. In areas rostral to the substantia nigra, c-ret mRNA is not detected, whereas GDNFR-alpha is found in numerous brain structures, including the hippocampus, cortex, medial geniculate, and the medial habenula, the latter area expressing the highest levels of GDNFR-alpha mRNA in brain. These results provide evidence that c-ret and GDNFR-alpha mRNA are expressed in neuronal populations involved in motor function and provides further support for GDNF as a target-derived neurotrophic for these motor neurons. The observation that GDNFR-alpha mRNA is localized in several brain structures that do not contain detectable levels of c-ret mRNA indicates that either GDNFR-alpha utilizes signal transduction molecules other than c-ret in these areas or that other GDNF-like ligands that utilize GDNFR-alpha as a receptor may be present.
Major stages of Dictyostelium development are regulated by secreted, extracellular cAMP through activation of a serpentine receptor family. During early development, oscillations of extracellular cAMP mobilize cells for aggregation; later, continuous exposure to higher extracellular cAMP concentrations downregulates early gene expression and promotes cytodifferentiation and cell-specific gene expression. The cAMP receptor 1 gene CAR1 has two promoters that are differentially responsive to these extracellular cAMP stimuli. The early CAR1 promoter is induced by nM pulses of cAMP, which in turn are generated by CAR1-dependent activation of adenylyl cyclase (AC). Higher, non-fluctuating concentrations of cAMP will adapt this AC stimulus-response, repress the activated early promoter and induce the dormant late promoter. We now identify a critical element of the pulse-induced CAR1 promoter and a nuclear factor with sequence-specific interaction. Mutation of four nucleotides within the element prevents both in vitro protein binding and in vivo expression of an otherwise fully active early CAR1 promoter and multimerization of the wild-type, but not mutant, sequence will confer cAMP regulation to a quiescent heterologous promoter. These cis and trans elements, thus, constitute a part of the molecular response to the cAMP transmembrane signal cascade that regulates early development of Dictyostelium.
This paper analysed and discussed the basic reliability of display and illumination system in which Chinese characters displayed on LCD were read and the colours were identified, and instruments in different visual views and the instruments of differential display models were read. The colour rendering of the light source was also evaluated. Basic reliability may be chosen as 0.9995.
Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity involving the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in neuronal dysfunction and cell loss following ischemic and traumatic injury to the central nervous system (CNS). ROS are formed in mitochondria when energy metabolism is compromised, and are inactivated by the ROS scavengers superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione (GSH). ROS can impair the function of several cellular components including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. In the present study, we measured indicators of mitochondrial metabolic activity, ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities in synaptosomes obtained from rat spinal cord at early times following traumatic injury. Mitochondrial metabolic activity was found to significantly decrease as early as 1 h following injury, and continued to be compromised over the remaining postinjury time points. ROS formation was found to be significantly increased at 4 and 24 h following injury, while lipid peroxidation levels were found to be significantly increased in the injured spinal cord at 1 and 24 h, but not 4 h following injury. SOD enzyme activity was unchanged at all postinjury time points, while catalase activity and GSH levels were significantly increased at 24 h following injury. These findings indicate that impaired mitochondrial function, ROS, and lipid peroxidation occur soon after traumatic spinal cord injury, while the compensatory activation of molecules important for neutralizing ROS occurs at later time points. Therapeutic strategies aimed at facilitating the actions of antioxidant enzymes or inhibiting ROS formation and lipid peroxidation in the CNS may prove beneficial in treating traumatic spinal cord injury, provided such treatments are initiated at early stages following injury.
In this study we report the localization and expression of FAC1 protein in developing, normal adult and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lumbar spinal cord. High levels of FAC1 protein were detected in cells throughout all areas (gray and white matter) of the developing lumbar spinal cord. FAC1 protein was localized predominately in nuclei and the cell body of motor neurons during early stages of spinal cord development. In contrast, low levels of FAC1 protein were observed in the adult lumbar spinal cord, localized only in the cell body of large alpha motor neurons found in lamina IX. Interestingly, FAC1 protein expression was elevated in surviving motor neurons of ALS spinal cord compared to the controls and was located both in the nucleus and throughout the cytoplasm of motor neurons. FAC1 protein was also observed in white matter cells and fibers in ALS spinal cord. In support of the immunocytochemical results, in situ hybridization studies demonstrated that FAC1 mRNA is also elevated in ALS spinal cord motor neurons. These data describe the developmental regulation of FAC1 protein in the spinal cord by immunocytochemical techniques and provide evidence that this protein is reexpressed in ALS motor neurons.
The cytoplasmic cytokines of purified blood T cells (CD4/CD8) in B-CLL patients (n = 5) and controls (n = 5) were evaluated by flow cytometry. The mean levels of cytoplasmic IL-4 were significantly elevated in resting and activated B-CLL CD8 cells compared to control CD8 cells. IL-4 cytoplasmic levels were comparable for resting B-CLL and control CD4 cells but greater for B-CLL activated CD4 cells. The mean fluorescence intensity of B-CLL CD8 cytoplasmic IL-4 was 4-5-fold greater, indicating higher IL-4 density per CLL CD8 than control CD8 cells. Both CLL CD4 and CD8 cells post-activation had higher levels of cells double positive for cytoplasmic IL-4 and interferon. These data indicate that freshly isolated CD8 and CD4 blood T cells from B-CLL patients have significantly elevated (above control) levels of commitment to expression of IL-4. Since IL-4 has an important modulatory impact on CLL and normal B cells, this observation has implications regarding the biology of B-CLL.
In order to correct craniofacial retrusion and malocculusion caused by Crouzon syndrome, we employed LeFort III advancement osteotomies in 21 cases in last 10 years. The differences between craniofacial appearances and cephalometric analyses pre- and postoperatively showed that good results were achieved in all cases. No severe complications in these series were found.
One of the primary neurodegenerative events occurring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the selective loss of spinal cord alpha motor neurons. To study the potential role of apoptosis in the degeneration of these motor neurons, in situ hybridization was used to measure the expression of two apoptotic cell death genes, bcl-2 and bax, in control and ALS lumbar spinal cord sections. The strongest hybridization signal for bcl-2 mRNA in neurological and nonneurological control spinal cords was found primarily in lamina IX alpha motor neurons, while a weaker hybridization signal was found in neurons of Clarke's nucleus and the proper sensory nucleus of the dorsal horn. Surviving lamina IX motor neurons in ALS spinal cord sections also expressed bcl-2 mRNA, but at levels that were significantly and selectively decreased (4.7-fold) compared with controls. bax mRNA hybridization signal was detected in several cells throughout the gray matter in control and ALS lumbar spinal cord, but was significantly and selectively increased (2.8-fold) in ALS motor neurons. Given the proposed interactive roles of these genes in apoptosis, the present findings favor a scenario in which this mode of cell death would contribute to spinal cord motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
Enteral glutamine feeding effect on renal glutamine utilization was assessed from the perspective of gamma glutamyltransferase activity-dependent cellular glutamate modulation of phosphate-dependent glutaminase. After 4d, rats fed an elemental diet supplemented with glutamine exhibited a 2 1 % higher kidney glutamate content and 27% reduction in ammonium excretion, both P < 0.05. Glutamine removal from plasma was depressed 62% in the glutamine-fed group (324 +/- 155 vs. 780 +/- 154 nmol x min(-1) x 100 g body weight (-1), P < 0.05) despite an elevated arterial plasma glutamine load delivered to the kidney. Administration of acivicin, 36 mg/kg body weight, to glutamine-fed rats inhibited gamma glutamyltransferase > 90% and decreased kidney glutamate content 42%. This reduction in kidney glutamate was associated with a 3.3-fold enhancement in both glutamine extraction (474 +/- 184 to 1548 +/- 255 nmol x min(-1) x 100 g body weight (-1)) and ammonium excretion (295 +/- 30 to 978 +/- 96 nmol x min(-1) x 100 g body weight(-1)), both P < 0.01. These findings are consistent with enteral glutamine regulation of renal glutamine utilization through an elevation of the cellular glutamate level.
The effect of glucocorticoid receptor on glutaminase gene expression and related glutamine metabolism was studied in proximal tubule-like LCC-PK1-F+ cells. These cells express functional glucocorticoid receptors as demonstrated by immunoreactivity with antiglucocorticoid receptor antibody, specific ligand binding, and a 14-fold increase in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene activity after exposure to dexamethasone (10(-6)M). Dexamethasone exposure for 18 h increased glutaminase mRNA and activity by 32 and 42%, respectively (both P< 0.05, paired t-test), associated with a small (9%) but significant increase in glutamine utilization (P<0.05). In an effort to elicit a greater response, endogenous glucocorticoid receptors were supplemented by transfecting cells with a plasmid, pMAMGR, expressing the rat glucocorticoid receptor gene. Transfected cells expressed a 39-fold increase in CAT activity with dexamethasone treatment, confirming a higher level of functional receptors, but glutaminase mRNA and activity were now decreased by 34 and 32%, respectively, associated with a 15% fall in glutamine utilization after 18-h exposure to dexamethasone. This biphasic response in glutaminase gene expression was mirrored by glucocorticoid receptor mRNA that increased 41% after dexamethasone in LLC-PK(1)-F+ cells, but decreased 63% after transfection (both P<0.05). These findings are consonant with glucocorticoid receptor gene modulation of glutaminase gene expression and glutamine utilization.
The role of extracellular glutamate formation as opposed to cellular glutamate removal in regulating monolayer glutamate content in response to metabolic acidosis was studied in LLC-PK1-F+ cells. Exposure to metabolic acidosis (14 mM bicarbonate; pH 7.1) for 18 h resulted in 24% fall in monolayer glutamate content. Of this, approximately one-half could be attributed to enhanced glutamate removal via glutamate dehydrogenase, consistent with a rise in ammonium production. The remainder appears due to reduced extracellular glutamate formation as a consequence of diminished gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-Gt) activity. Metabolic acidosis, but not respiratory acidosis, resulted in a 33% fall in gamma-Gt activity and a proportional fall in extracellular glutamate formation; glutamate transport into these cells was not rate limiting in acidosis. Overall glutamine utilization decreased 36%, reflecting the fall in gamma-Gt activity as well as a decrease in a pH-sensitive glutamine uptake, whereas glutamine transport coupled to the phosphate-dependent glutaminase flux increased. It is noteworthy that the increased ammonium produced in metabolic acidosis was preferentially secreted into the apical compartment; acid secretion, but not production, was similarly increased. Thus reduced cellular glutamate appears to coordinate activation of intracellular glutaminase to the apical membrane exchanger, consistent with the functioning kidney response to metabolic acidosis.
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Mandibular angle protrusion may cause excessive width of the mandible and a disproportion of the face. A new method was introduced to resect the protruding mandibular angle through a combined external and intraoral approach. Good results were received in 5 cases. This operation avoided external scar and the danger of damage to the marginal nerve.
The role of extracellular glutamate flux in regulating intracellular glutaminase activity was assessed in confluent monolayers of proximal tubule-like LLC-PK1-F+ cells grown on porous supports. Glutamate is a well-known inhibitor of phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG). We hypothesized that, by restricting the flux of glutamate from the extracellular media, cellular level would fall, effecting deinhibition of the cellular glutaminase activity. To test this, cellular glutamate uptake and extracellular production were inhibited for 18 h by the addition of D-aspartate (10 mM) or acivicin (0.7 mM) to both apical and basal media. Inhibiting glutamate flux depressed cellular glutamate content 43 and 41%, respectively. Intracellular relative glutaminase activity, monitored as the breakdown of 14C-radiolabeled glutamine to glutamate, measured over 60 s in the presence of D-aspartate or acivicin showed a 2- to 2.5-fold increase with the fall in cellular glutamate. Interestingly, enhanced glutamine uptake after PDG deinhibition was predominantly expressed on the basal surface. Indeed, measuring glutamine utilization after gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase inhibition over the entire 18-h time course revealed inhibition at the apical surface but relative enhancement of uptake at the basal surface. The increased intracellular glutaminase pathway was also reflected in increased alanine production measured over the 18-h time course, despite the reduction in overall glutamine utilization. These results point to a major role for extracellular glutamate fluxes in regulating cellular glutamine metabolism and suggest that the intracellular pathway may be suppressed under these conditions.
Craniosynostosis is the term that designates premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures that causes severe cranial deformities. The clinical features and the operative technique were introduced and the etiology and the key points for a successful operation were discussed in this paper.