Regulation of Content of Malondialdehyde by Siqi Decoction via Increasing Activity of Superoxide Dismutase in Blood Serum of Rats with Myocardial Ischemia

Effect of Siqi decoction on myocardial ischemia is to prevent cardiac myocyte membrane from damage associated with oxygen free radicals related to NO. To research the regulatoin of the content of malondialdehyde by Siqi decoction, an index of lipid peroxidation, via increasing activity of superoxide dismutase in blood serum of rats with Myocardial Ischemia, the model of myocardium ischemia was made in Wistar rats with posterior pituitary injection through vein in tail. Siqi decoction, Diaoxinxuekang(DK) and...     

Raman and UV-Vis Spectroscopy Applied to the Analysis of Liver Tissues from Rats with Myocardial Ischemia Induced by Isoproterenol

The application of the laser Raman spectroscopic(LRS) technique for the analysis of liver tissues from rats with myocardial ischemia induced by isoproterenol(ISO) was described.Animal model of myocardial ischemia was established for rats induced by ISO.Rats were randomly divided into four groups as normal group and myocardial ischemia groups.We observed the successful myocardial ischemia model via serum enzymes levels and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining,and detected the liver tissue of the rats from normal g...     

Tissue similarity maps (TSMs): A new means of mapping vascular behavior and calculating relative blood volume in perfusion weighted imaging

This study introduces a new processing means that uses the original signal (rather than contrast agent concentration) from dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) to calculate a relative cerebral blood volume map and a tissue similarity map (TSM). Ten healthy volunteers and eight multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were studied using high resolution PWI. The TSM is found by choosing a reference region in one slice and comparing its signal in a mean squared error sense to the signal from every pixel in all images throughout the brain. The TSMs provide a means to determine which tissues have similar flow characteristics with high contrast and signal-to-noise ratios. The effective blood volume measured from this approach is nearly identical to that from conventional relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps but with better signal-to-noise. Of interest is the fact that choosing one MS lesion as the reference tissue appears to be enough to find nearly all lesions throughout the brain. That is, these lesions all behave the same from a vascular point of view. The TSM results are robust within and across slices properly nulling the same type of tissue throughout the brain for a given reference region. TSM derived rCBV agrees well with the conventional derived rCBV using contrast agent concentration. TSM may provide a new means to study similarities between blood flow patterns in tissue in the brain and in better diagnosing vascular differences between tissues and lesions.     

Evaluation of MRI issues for a new neurological implant,the Sensor Reservoir

Background and Purpose

A new neurological implant, the Sensor-Reservoir, was developed to provide a relative measurement of ICP, which permits a noninvasive technique to detect and localize occlusions in ventricular drainage systems and, thus, to identify mechanical damage to shunt valves. The “reservoir” of this device can be used to administer medication or a contrast agent, to extract cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), and with the possibility of directly measuring ICP. The Sensor-Reservoir was evaluated to identify possible MRI-related issues at 1.5-T/64-MHz and 3-T/128-MHz.

Materials and Methods

Standard testing techniques were utilized to evaluate magnetic field interactions (i.e., translational attraction and torque), MRI-related heating, and artifacts at 3-T for the Sensor-Reservoir. In addition, 12 samples of the Sensor-Reservoir underwent testing to determine if the function of these devices was affected by exposures to various MRI conditions at 1.5-T/64-MHz and 3-T/128-MHz.

Results

Magnetic field interactions for the Sensor-Reservoir were not substantial. The heating results indicated a highest temperature rise of 1.8 °C, which poses no patient risks. Artifacts were relatively small in relation to the size and shape of the Sensor-Reservoir, but may interfere diagnostically if the area of interest is near the device. All devices were unaffected by exposures to MRI conditions at 1.5-T/64-MHz and 3-T/128-MHz.

Conclusion

When specific guidelines are followed, the Sensor-Reservoir is “MR conditional” for patients undergoing MRI examinations at 3-T or less.     

首发脑梗死患者认知功能与1H- MRS的相关性研究

目的探讨首发脑梗死患者认知功能与左前额叶白质氢质子磁共振波谱（1H- MRS）、日常生活能力量表（ADL）的关系。方法对38例首发脑梗死患者在发病1周内、3个月末、6个月末检测左前额叶白质1H- MRS中的氮-乙酰门冬氨酸（NAA）、胆碱（Cho）、肌酐（Cr）,同时进行中文版蒙特利尔认知评估量表（MoCA）、ADL评分。按MoCA结果分为脑梗死后血管性认知功能损害（VCI）组、正常组、变化组,分析3组间各时间点1H- MRS（Cho、Cho/Cr、NAA、NAA/Cr）、ADL的差异。结果3个月末VCI组与变化组各1H- MRS差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）,VCI组与正常组各1H- MRS差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.01或0.05）;6个月末VCI组与正常组、变化组各1H- MRS差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.01或0.05）。1周内、3个月末VCI组与正常组的ADL评分差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.01或0.05）;3个月末VCI组与变化组的ADL评分差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;6个月末VCI组与变化组、正常组ADL评分差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.01）。结论首发脑梗死后VCI患者左前额叶白质1H- MRS出现变化,3个月末的1H- MRS对VCI的转变有预测价值。     

Detection of AMP‐activated protein kinase α1 by isoelectric focusing in sera of patients with metabolic diseases

The aim of this study is to determine by isoelectric focusing the level of AMPKα1, an energy sensor, in sera of patients who are in energy‐demanding situation. After Western blotting, detection was performed with specific antibodies against AMPKα and its phosphorylated form. To evaluate the effect of weight loss on AMPK, sera from 24 patients were collected before and after intragastric balloon insertion over a 16‐week follow‐up period. Compared to baseline, all patients showed postoperatively an increase of AMPK. Patients with ischemic heart, with inflammatory bowel disease, with chronic undernutrition or with hepatic diseases were examined. Compared to control subjects, the majority of them showed a significant increase of AMPK. These results suggest that serum AMPK may have a potential for diagnosis of several metabolic diseases. However, this has to be confirmed by further studies with additional biomarkers and with more specific techniques.     

大鼠急性缺血心肌31P磁共振波谱的基础研究

利用³¹P磁共振波谱（MRS）检测了急性缺血心肌组织提取物中高能磷酸化合物的变化. 方法：成年SD大鼠在心肌梗塞后0、5、 20、45 min后进行取材,梗塞区、边缘区及正常区的心肌组织经高氯酸萃取后进行高分辨MRS检测. 结果：梗塞区,缺血5 min PCr/Pi比值下降到对照组的12 ％;20 min ATP/Pi 比值下降至0.05,Pi/EPP比值上升至0.8;45 min 梗塞区PDE/ATP上升至1.93,与45 min心肌的不可逆损伤超微结构相吻合. 边缘区各代谢产物出现改变的程度要小于梗塞区,大于正常区. 正常区也有能量代谢的改变. 结论：心肌组织的³¹P MRS能够反映心肌缺血后心肌不同部位的动态能量代谢改变. PDE/ATP是判断心肌不可拟性损伤的可靠指标.     

驾驶员疲劳态下脑氧饱和度的近红外光谱法检测及其分析

应用近红外光谱法,研究分析汽车驾驶员疲劳态下的脑氧饱和度,探讨疲劳机理,为驾驶疲劳及时预警提供新的监测思路。参试人员20名,分为两组(各10名),一组为实验组,一组为对照组。实验组执行汽车模拟驾驶作业3 h,对照组坐姿下正常休息3 h。应用近红外光谱法监测试验人员作业前后脑氧饱和度。经方差分析发现,实验组人员模拟驾驶后脑氧饱和度(rSO₂)显著性下降(p<0.01),反应时间明显延长;对照组rSO₂水平下降不显著(p>0.05)。脑氧饱和度水平(rSO₂)与驾驶疲劳存在密切相关性。近红外光谱法监测脑氧具有连续、实时、无创的特点,受外界干扰小。近红外光谱法监测驾驶员脑氧信息是预测驾驶疲劳的一种可行的方法。     

Synthesis and crystal structures of a 3‐acetylated (20S,24S)‐ocotillol‐type saponin and its C‐24 epimer

In order to study the in vivo protective effect on myocardial ischemia, (20S ,24R )‐epoxydammarane‐12β,25‐diol, (V), and (20S ,24S )‐epoxydammarane‐12β,25‐diol, (VI), were synthesized through a novel synthetic route. Two key intermediates, namely (20S ,24R )‐3‐acetyl‐20,24‐epoxydammarane‐3β,12β,25‐triol, (III) [obtained as the hemihydrate, C₃₂H₅₄O₅·0.5H₂O, (IIIa ), and the ethanol hemisolvate, C₃₂H₅₄O₅·0.5C₂H₅OH, (IIIb ), with identical conformations but different crystal packings], and (20S ,24S )‐3‐acetyl‐20,24‐epoxydammarane‐3β,12β,25‐triol, C₃₂H₅₄O₅, (IV), were obtained during the synthesis. The structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS analyses, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Molecules of (IIIa ) are extended into a two‐dimensional network constructed with water molecules linked alternately through intermolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds, which are further stacked into a three‐dimensional network. Compound (IIIb ) contains two completely asymmetric molecules, which are linked in a disordered manner through intermolecular C—H…O hydrogen bonds. While the crystal stacks in compound (IV) are linked via weak C—H…O hydrogen bonds, the hydrogen‐bonded chains extend helically along the crystallographic b axis.     

Study of Neuroprotection by a Combination of the Biological Antioxidant (Eucalyptus Extract) and the Antihypertensive Drug Candesartan against Chronic Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Chronic cerebral ischemia with a notable long-term cessation of blood supply to the brain tissues leads to sensorimotor defects and short- and long-term memory problems. Neuroprotective agents are used in an attempt to save ischemic neurons from necrosis and apoptosis, such as the antioxidant agent Eucalyptus. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Candesartan is a drug that acts as an angiotensin II receptor 1 blocker. We established a rat model exhibiting sensorimotor and cognitive impairments due to chronic cerebral ischemia induced by the ligation of the right common carotid artery. Wistar male rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham group, Untreated Ligated group, Ischemic group treated with Eucalyptus (500 mg/kg), Ischemic group treated with Candesartan (0.5 mg/kg), and Ischemic group treated with a combination of Eucalyptus and Candesartan. To evaluate the sensorimotor disorders, we performed the beam balance test, the beam walking test, and the modified sticky test. Moreover, the object recognition test and the Morris water maze test were performed to assess the memory disorders of the rats. The infarct rat brain regions were subsequently stained using the triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining technique. The rats in the Sham group had normal sensorimotor and cognitive functions without the appearance of microscopic ischemic brain lesions. In parallel, the untreated Ischemic group showed severe impaired neurological functions with the presence of considerable brain infarctions. The treatment of the Ischemic group with a combination of both Eucalyptus and Candesartan was more efficient in improving the sensorimotor and cognitive deficits (p < 0.001) than the treatment with Eucalyptus or Candesartan alone (p < 0.05), by the comparison to the non-treated Ischemic group. Our study shows that the combination of Eucalyptus and Candesartan could decrease ischemic brain injury and improve neurological outcomes.