OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of baicalin, a flavonoid extracted from the radix of  Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, on the expression of nuclear factor (NF) κB/IκBα induced by hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) in astrocytes. METHODS: Astrocytes were cultured in vitro, and treated with various concentrations of baicalin or/and H 2O 2. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine the translocation of P65 from cytoplasm to nucleus; and Western Blot was used to determine the expression change of IκBα in astrocytes. RESULTS: In astrocytes, H 2O 2 could induce the translocation of P65, a subunit of NF κB, from cytoplasm to nucleus, and reduce the level of IκBα expression, while baicalin could inhibit this effect. CONCLUSIONS:Baicalin may decrease the degree of IκBα degradation and NF κB activation induced by H 2O 2 in astrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of brain damage induced by repeated febrile convulsions (FC) during early life in rats. METHODS: Sixty five 16 d rats were randomly divided into two groups: normal control group (n=15) and warm water treated group (n=50), and the latter was further divided into FC and non FC groups. The rat FC model was developed by warm water immersion (45℃). The memory capacity was tested by using a Morris water maze method. Neuronal changes were detected by thionine stain, TUNEL stain and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The searching plat form latency of rats with FC was significantly longer than that of the normal controls [( 8.33 ± 9.83 ) s vs ( 4.00 ± 2.96 ) s; P< 0.01 ]. The number of TUNEL positive neurons significantly increased in the FC group compared with that of the normal control and non FC groups [( 9.67 ± 5.52 ) vs ( 5.08 ± 4.12 ); ( 9.67 ± 5.52 ) vs ( 3.17 ± 3.35 ), both P< 0.05 ]. The mitochodrion changes, manifesting as swelling, ridge unclear or disappeared and vacuolar appearcance, were found electron microscopically, whereas no significant change was demonstrated by thionine stain. CONCLUSIONS:Repeated FC may induce brain damage in immature rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of dexamethasone (DXM) on the proliferation of rat glomerulus mesangial cells (GMCs). METHODS: The GMCs lines of the rat were cultured in virto. Both DXM and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS alone were added into the culture medium (DXM group or LPS group); in the others, neither DXM nor LPS was added and they were used as controls. The GMCs proliferative level was detected by the MTT method at 24 and 48 h of the experiment. RESULTS: The GMCs proliferative level in the DXM group of 4 000 ng/well at 48 h [( 0.251 ± 0.056 ) ng/L] was lower than that of the LPS group [( 0.787 ± 0.110 ) ng/L] and the controls [( 0.678 ± 0.101 ) ng/L](P< 0.05 ); and the GMCs proliferative inhibition reached a peak at 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: DXM may inhibit the proliferation of GMCs in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the iron histochemical expression in the brain of normal and hypoxic ischemic insulted neonatal rats. METHODS: The iron histochemical changes in the brain were observed under the light microscope at 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after the hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) model was established (HIE group, n=15). Brain sections were stained by the perl's method. Twelve normal age matched neonatal rats were used as the controls. RESULTS: In the controls, there were small patches of iron positive cells located mainly in the corpus callosum and cingulum, periventricular zone, internal capsule, and tip of the external capsule. Morphologically, iron positive cells resembled oligodendrocytes and microglia. There was no significant difference in the positive staining between the HIE group and controls at 12 h after HI. At 24 h after HI, the number of iron positive cells started to increase in the ipsilateral hemisphere in the HIE group. There was apparently positive staining of glia and paravascular positive staining foci. The positive staining further increased time dependently and peaked at 7 d after HI in the cortex, internal capsule and hippocapus. At 14 d after HI, the number of iron positive cells decreased yet did not return to normal. CONCLUSIONS: Brain iron histochemistry is upregulated after HI insult and it could be used to assess the degree of cerebral damage in the moderate or late stage.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution and significance of haplotypes of microsatellite DNA (D13S314, D13S301 and D13S316 ) closely related to ATP7B in normal population, Wilson disease (WD) patients and heterozygotes. METHODS: Using three well characterized short tandem repeat markers of fluorescence labelling (D13S301, D13S314 and D13S316), localization and sequence were studied with Genotype TM software in 71 WD patients and 123 WD parents. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of haplotypes of D13S314, D13S01 and D13S316, 19, 20 and 15 alleles were obtained in the 71 patients with WD, 123 carriers and 54 normal persons, respectively. The size of segments was 134 157 bp, 128 156 bp, and 136 154 bp, respectively. Heterozygosity was 0.79 , 0.82 and 0.23 , respectively. There was significant difference in the distribution of alleles of D13S314, D13S301 and D13S316 makers between the WD patients and normal persons (9 alleles were noted in D13S314 maker, 9 alleles in D13S301 maker and 4 alleles in D13S316 maker)(< 0.05 or 0.01 ). There were 81 haplotypes. Of them, 12 6 5, 15 10 5, 6 10 5 and 6 14 5, the commonest haplotypes, accounted for 5.2% , 4.5% , 4.5% and 3.7% respectively; 12 8 5, 12 9 5 and 6 16 5 separately accounted for 3.0% ; 13 10 8, 6 13 5, 6 14 13 and 6 9 5 separately accounted for 2.2% . CONCLUSIONS: The complexity of haplotypes may be related to the complexity of mutation spectrum of ATP7B. The haplotype analysis of D13S314 D13S301 D13S316 is very valuable in making a diagnosis of WD, especially in presymptomatic patients. It is also useful for prenatal diagnosis of WD.

OBJECTIVE:To study the clinico pathologic features of childhood spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and its significance. METHODS: The clinical and pathogic data of 42 patients with SMA Ⅰ Ⅲ were studied retrospectively. Routine histological and histochemical methods were used in muscular biopsy. RESULTS: The severity of the illness was positively related to the age of onset: the earlier the onset, the more serious the illness. There were different pathologic changes among the different types of SMA. SMA Ⅰ displayed large group round atrophic fibers and showed an incomplete type grouping; usually both type 1 and type 2 fibers were involved. The large group atrophic fibers were rarely found and the type grouping was obvious in SMA Ⅱ. The pathologic changes of SMA Ⅲ varied, and the type grouping was a major feature. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of SMA could be made by combining the clinical manifestation with electroencephalography and muscular biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biocompatibility of the home made atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder device. METHODS: ASD animal models with different size defects were established by the brockenborough needle followed by Rashkind balloon atrial septostomy. Occluder devices were implanted in six piglets (mean weight 7.5 kg ). Two pigs were sacrificed after 1 month, 3 months and 6 months of implantation respectively. Macroscopic and microscopic assessments were done on the explanted devices. RESULTS: Macroscopic examination showed no excrescence, thrombus formation, arm fractures and corrosion. The devices were mostly embedded in soft tissues three months after implantation and embedded completely by 6 months. Microscopic examination showed apparent inflammatory infiltration inside and around the devices; the devices were covered with collagen fibrin and diffuse endothelial cells 1 month after implantation. By 3 months after implantation, fibrosis was formed while the inflammatory reaction decreased gradually; myocardial cells ingrowed at the edge of the devices; endothelium like cells could be found on the surface of the devices. By 6 months after implantation, neovascularization and lymphatic vessel ingrowth were noted; the inflammatory reaction diminished with only a few chronic inflammatory cells; the devices were completely covered by endothelium and fibrous tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The home made ASD occluder device has a good biocompatibility.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of lipid trigone in children with a family history of coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: The concentrations of plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL C) and triglyceride (TG) were determined in 83 children with a family history of CHD and 83 normal controls. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the levels of TG and LDL C, and the ratio of LDL C/HDL C were higher [( 1.46 ± 0.63 ) mmol/L vs ( 0.84 ± 0.43 ) mmol/L; ( 2.09 ± 1.13 ) mmol/L vs ( 0.96 ± 0.87 ) mmol/L; ( 1.71 ± 1.29 ) vs ( 0.96 ± 0.68 )], and the HDL C level was lower [( 1.48 ± 0.48 ) mmol/L vs ( 1.72 ± 0.53 ) mmol/L]in children with a family history of CHD (all P< 0.01 ). There was no difference in blood lipid trigone between boys and girls with a family history of CHD. The levels of TG and LDL C [( 1.86 ± 0.63 ) and ( 3.12 ± 1.32 ) mmol/L], and the ratio of LDL C/HDL C ( 2.85 ± 1.21 ) were higher in children with a family history of premature CHD than those in children with a family history of non premature CHD [( 1.34 ± 0.58 ) mmol/L, ( 1.79 ± 0.87 ) mmol/L, ( 1.37±1.11 ),[JP] respectively]; and the HDL C level was lower ; and the HDL C level was lower [( 1.11 ± 0.26 ) mmol vs ( 1.59 ± 0.47 )](all P< 0.01 ). The incidence of abnormal lipid trigone in children with a family history of premature CHD or non premature CHD and the controls were 52.6% , 10.9% and 1.2% , respectively. A significant difference was noted among the three groups (P< 0.01 ). CONCLUSIONS: Lipids metabolism is abnormal in children with a family history of CHD; and more remarkable disorders may be found in those with a family history of premature CHD. In children with a family history of CHD, abnormal lipid metabolism is an obvious high risk index for developing CHD in later life.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of early intervention with naloxone, heparin and radix salviae miltrorrhizae (a Chinese patent medicine improving blood circulation) on brain damage in the newborn following severe perinatal asphyxia. METHODS: One hundred and eighty neonates with severe perinatal asphyxia were randomly assigned into four groups (45 cases each group): Group A received routine treatment (using cerebrolysin and citicoline); besides routine treatment, Group B, Group C and Group D were given naloxone, radix salviae miltrorrhizae and the combination of naloxone, heparin and radix salviae miltrorrhizae, respectively. The incidence of convulsion and the mortality were observed; the degree of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was evaluated; and the Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) was done in all groups. RESULTS: The incidence of convulsion and severe HIE was significantly lower ( 35.6% and 26.7% ) in Group D compared with that of Group A, B or C ( 66.7% , 44.4% , 53.3% ; 53.3% , 37.8% , 42.2% )(P< 0.05 ). The percentage of the cases whose NBNA marks were less than 35 at 7-8 d ( 25.6% ) and 12-14 d ( 14.0% ) after birth in Group D was much lower than that in Group A, B or C ( 74.3% , 50.0% , 47.5% ; 57.1% , 35.0% , 32.5% )(P< 0.05 ). The mortality of Group D was also lower. CONCLUSIONS: Besides routine treatment, combination of naloxone, heparin and radix salviae miltrorrhizae as early as possible after resuscitation can markedly reduce the degree of hypoxic ischemic brain damage.

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of pulmonary sufactant associated protein A1 (SP A1) in Methyltrophic Yeast, Pichia pastoris. METHODS: The cDNA encoding SP A1 derived from the healthy adult's lungs was cloned into the pPIC3.5K, an intracellular expression vector of Pichia pastoris, and then transformed into Pichia pastoris by electroporation. The PCR fast detection method and G418 resistance method were used to screen the positive transformants and the multiple copy transformants, respectively. SP A1 intracellular expression was induced by methanol. SDS PAGE and Westernblotting were applied to detect the characteristics of the product. RESULTS: SP A1 gene was highly expressed in Pichia pastoris. The molecular weight of the protein was 32 kD by SDS PAGE analysis. Anti SP A polyclonal antibodies could specifically recognize SP A1 protein. CONCLUSIONS:The human tissue specific SP A1 protein can be highly expressed in Methyltrophic Yeast, Pichia pastoris and the products can show antigenicity.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes and the role of platelet alpha granule membrane protein (GMP 140) and thrombomodulin (TM) in children with Henoch Schenlein purpura (HSP). METHODS: Plasma concentrations of GMP 140 and TM were assayed using ELISA in 30 children with HSP. The correlation between GMP 140 and TM was studied. Sixteen healthy children served as the controls. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of GMP-140 and TM increased in the acute phase compared with those in the controls [( 87.35 ± 21.74 ) μg/L vs ( 38.43 ± 19.16 ) μg/L;( 4.53 ± 1.33 ) μg/L vs ( 2.90 ± 0.19 ) μg/L] (both P< 0.01 ); and the plasma GMP 140 concentration returned to the normal level during in the remission phase. The plasma concentrations of GMP 140 and TM in children with HSP complicated by renal lesions were apparently higher than those without renal lesions [( 90.21 ± 22.03 ) μg/L vs ( 63.70 ± 17.44 ) μg/L, P< 0.01 ; ( 4.69 ± 0.22 ) μg/L vs ( 4.01 ± 0.37 ) μg/L, P< 0.05 ]. There was a positive correlation between GMP 140 and TM (r= 0.713 ,P< 0.01 ). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular endothelial damages and platelet activation may be the two important factors in the pathogenesis of HSP. Dynamic measurement of plasma concentrations of GMP 140 and TM is of great value in assessing progress and prognosis and determining proper treatment for HSP.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of astragalus on the proliferative ability of colony forming units granulocyte/monocyte (CFU GM) infected by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in vitro. METHODS: With the culture technique of CFU GM in vitro, the proliferation of CFU GM infected by HCMV was assayed in a group treated with astragalus and another one without astragalus. RESULTS: ①The numbers of CFU GM clusters and colonies in 2×10 5 cells in the astragalus treated group [( 333.33 ± 12.69 ) and ( 81.23 ± 4.93 ), respectively] were significantly greater than those in the un treated group [( 167.80 ± 16.63 ) and ( 53.70 ± 1.67 ), respectively](P< 0.01 ). ②The proportion of the production of big colonies in the astragalus treated group [( 9.5 ± 0.8 )%] was significantly higher than that in the un treated group [( 2.7 ± 1.0 )%] (P< 0.01 ). ③The peak time of big colonies appeared earlier, and the colony and big colony could last longer in the astagalus treated group compared with the un treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Astagalus may promote the proliferation of CFU GM infected by HCMV.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life of children with bronchial asthma. METHODS: Eighty three asthmatic children with an acute attack within one week were interviewed using the Pedictric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. The total average scores of related items were measured. Sixty five age matched children with respiratory infections served as the controls. RESULTS: The total average scores of every factor, including asthma symptoms, activity limitation, response to stimulus agents, psychologic status and attension to the self health, were higher in asthmatic children than those in the controls (P< 0.05 or 0.01 ). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of asthmatic children can be impaired by bronchial asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effects of microsurgery on medulloblastoma and the related points in children. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in 27 children with medulloblastoma confirmed pathologically. All the patients had transcerebellomedullary fissure and inferior vermis approach to the fourth ventricle. All the patients underwent craniotomy and the tumors were removed under the microscope. RESULTS:Tumors were totally resected in 22 cases ( 81.5% ) and subtotally removed in 5 cases ( 18.5% ) with microsurgical precedures. After the operation, neurological symptoms were improved in 26 patients and deteriorated in 1. No severe operative complications occurred and no patient died from operation. The cerebral aqueduct reopened in 26 cases, and Torkilsen's shunt was carried out at the same time in 1 case. The tumor was located in the cerebellar vermis in 6 cases, fourth cerebral ventricle in 9 cases, and cerebellar hemisphere in 1 case, and occurred in both the cerebellar vermis and fourth cerebral ventricle in 11 cases. The blood supply of tumors was provided by branches of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery in 19 cases. Complete follow up information was obtained in 25 patients for a period of 5 months to 3 years and 4 months. During the follow up, 25 patients received postoperative irradiation. Of them, 2 patients died of relapse or metastasis between 13 months and 3 years after the initial surgery, and the remainder recovered. CONCLUSIONS: A clear understanding of the microanatomy of the tumor and its adjacent tissue and structure is advantageous to the removal of tumor. Microsurgery is effective and safe for medulloblastoma excision. For total removal of the tumour, due care to safeguard the posterior inferior cerebellar artery and its branches, avoiding the bin stem and the base of the fourth ventricle injury, and relieveing obstruction of the mesencephalic aqueduct can decrease the incidence of relapse and metastasis and improve patients' survival period.

OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnosis and surgical treatment of congenital coronary artery fistula. METHODS: Twenty two children with this disorder confirmed by X ray, selective angiography and echocardiography, were treated surgically.RESULTS: The coincidence rate of diagnosis by selective angiography (n=19) and echocardiography (n=17) was 94.2% , while that by selective angiography and operation was 99.8% . The operation was successful in 21 patients, and only one died from the low cardiac output syndrome. Of the 21 cases, 19 kept cardiac functional class I during a 15 month to 23 year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: With technical skills and experience of echocardiography, diagnosis of congenital artery fistula is easy. Nevertheless definite diagnosis has to be confirmed by selective angiography or MRI. Surgical treatment is very effective and safe for those who have a definitive diagnosis. In the operation, one should ensure closure of the coronary artery fistula outlet to avoid residual shunting and ensure adequate blood supply to the distal coronary artery.