Quantitative assessment of acute kidney injury by noninvasive arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI:a pilot study

The kidneys are essential for maintaining homeostasis,are responsible for the reabsorption of water,glucose and amino acids,and filter the blood by removing waste.Acute kidney injury(AKI) is a syndrome characterized by the rapid loss of renal excretory function and the accumulation of end metabolic products of urea and creatinine.AKI is associated with the later development of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease,and may eventually be fatal.Early diagnosis of AKI and assessments of the effects of treatment,however,are challenging.The pathophysiological mechanism of AKI is thought to be the imbalance between oxygen supply and demand in the kidneys.We have assessed the ability of arterial spin labeling(ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),without the administration of contrast media,to quantify renal blood flow(RBF) non-invasively.We found that RBF was significantly lower in AKI patients than in healthy volunteers.These results suggest that ASL perfusion MRI,a noninvasive measurement of RBF,may be useful in the early diagnosis of AKI.     

中国粉蛉属四种雌虫的分类学研究(脉翅目:粉蛉科)

对粉蛉科雌虫的分类研究方法进行了初步摸索,并对阿氏粉蛉Coniopteryx(Coniopteryx)aspoecki Kis,1967、圣洁粉蛉Coniopteryx(Coniopteryx)pygmaea Enderlein,1906、斜突粉蛉 Coniopteryx(Coniopteryx)plagiotropa Liu et Yang, 1997、周氏粉蛉Coniopteryx (Coniopteryx) choui Liu et Yang,1998的雌虫内生殖器结构特征进行了描述和绘图。     

Transgenic mice overexpressingγ-aminobutyric acid transporter subtypeⅠ develop obesity

INTRODUCTION7-aminobutyricacid(GABA)isthemajorinhibitoryneurotransmitterinthevertebratecelltralnervoussystemwhereitactingesavaxietyofGABAreceptortypes.TheneurotransmissionofGABAisthoughttobeterllilnatedbyit'srapidre-uptakeviaGABAtransportersintopresynapticneuronsandsurroundingglialcellsll,2].BesidesfUnctioningintheterminationofsynaptictransmission,GABAtransportersplayacriticalroleintheregUlationofthemagnitudeanddurationofGABA'sactionandmayajsomediatethereleaseofGABAintotheedrac…     

Melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cell loss and behavioral analysis in the Thy1-CFP-DBA/2J mouse model of glaucoma

In this study,the role of melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells(mRGCs) in the glaucoma-induced depressive behavioral response pattern was investigated.The CFP-D2 transgenic glaucoma animal model from five age groups was used in this study.Immunohistochemical labeling,quantitative analysis of mRGC morphology,open field test(OFT),and statistical analysis were used.In comparison with C57 BL/6 mice,the age-matched CFP-D2 mice had significantly elevated intraocular pressure(IOP).We observed parallel morphological changes in the retina,including a reduction in the density of cyan fluorescent protein(CFP) expressing cells(cells mm 2 at 2 months of age,1309±26;14 months,878±30,P<0.001),mRGCs(2 months,48±3;14 months,19±4,P<0.001),Brn3b-expressing RGCs(2 months,1283±80;14 months,950±31,P<0.001),Brn-3b expressing mRGCs(5 months,50.17%±5.5%;14 months,12.61%±3.8%,P<0.001),and reduction in the dendritic field size of mRGCs(mm2 at 2 months,0.077±0.015;14 months,0.065±0.015,P<0.05).CFP-D2 mice had hyperactive locomotor activity patterns based on OFT findings of the total distance traveled,number of entries into the center,and time spent in the center of the testing apparatus.The glaucoma induced hyperactive response pattern could be associated with dysfunctional mRGCs,most likely Brn-3b-positive mRGCs in CFP-D2 mice.     

Pathogenesis and Associated Diseases of Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus(KSHV)is the primary etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma,primary effusion lymphoma and muticentric Castleman's disease.In common with the other herpesviruses,KSHV exhibits both latent and lytic life cycles,both of which are characterized by distinct gene expression profiles and programs.KSHV encodes proteins which play essential roles in the inhibition of host adaptive and innate immunity,the inhibition of apoptosis,and the regulation of the cell cycle.KSHV also encodes several proteins which have transforming and intrcellular signalling activity.     

Effect of captopril or verapamil on intracellular sodium in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

INTR0DUCTIONVascularsmoothmusclecellsp0ssessanumber0fNa transportsystems,namelyNa channels,Na -Ca' ,Na -H exchange,andNa -K -2Cl-c0-transp0rt[1].Hypothesizedr0lesf0rthesesystemsincluderegulati0n0fvasculart0ne,cellvolumeandcellproliferation.Inb0thexperimentalandhumanhypertensi0naberrationsinsm00thmusclecell,univalenti0ntransportsystemplayanimp0rtantroleinthepathogenesisandmaintenanceofhypertensi0n[2].Angiotensinc0nvertingenzyme(ACE)inhibitorsandCa2 antagonistsarewidelyusedforthetreatm…