Quantitative diffusion tensor imaging for evaluation of motor function in patients with brain infarcts

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quantitative diffusion value in ipsilateral cerebral peduncle of patients with differing motor function abilities and analyse the thresholds discriminating the poor motor function disability.

METHOD

Twenty-nine patients who previously suffered stroke underwent diffusion tensor imaging examinations. Motor function was evaluated 8 months after the event. The ipsilateral apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of cerebral peduncle and ADC ratio and FA ratio of patients with different motor function scales were analysed.

RESULTS

The ipsilateral FA value and FA ratio were distinctly different in patients with different motor function scales, and significantly correlated with the motor function scales. There was no significant difference of ipsilateral ADC and ADC ratio, and neither had correlation with motor function scale. The patients with poor motor function scale could be discriminated by the cutoff value of ipsilateral FA of 0.453 and FA ratio of 0.623 with sensitivity of 90%, 75% and specificity of 88.9%, 88.9% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The ipsilateral FA value and FA ratio were feasible and better imaging indices in discriminating patients with poor motor function ability.

HLA-G*0105N and HLA-G 14 bp dimorphisms in exon 8 in four distinct populations in mainland China

In this study, we investigated human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G*0105N and the 14 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism in exon 8 of the HLA-G gene in 600 individuals from two southern Chinese Han populations (Hunan Han and Guangdong Han) and two northern Chinese populations (Inner Mongolia Han and Inner Mongolia Mongol), we also studied the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between HLA-G and HLA-A locus in these four populations. Our data showed that (1) the allele and haplotype frequencies of HLA-G and HLA-A loci did not differ significantly between the two southern Chinese Han populations, and showed remarkable homogeneity in the two northern Chinese populations; (2) HLA-G*0105N had significantly higher frequencies in the two northern Chinese populations with a frequency of 10.1% in the Inner Mongolia Han population, HLA-G 14 bp deletion/insertion frequency did not differ significantly between the southern and northern Chinese populations; (3) Ewens-Watterson homozygosity statistics at HLA-G*0105N, HLA-G 14 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism and HLA-A were consistent with neutral expectations for all populations; (4) HLA-G*0105N allele harbored the HLA-G 14 bp insertion in exon 8 and was linked to HLA-A*30, five HLA-G*0105N homozygotes were detected in the four populations; (5) haplotypes HLA-A*30-HLA-G*0105N and HLA-A*02-HLA-G 14 bp deletion were in significant LD across four populations, other LD patterns were more population-specific. Our data suggest that HLA-A*30-HLA-G*0105N-HLA-G 14 bp insertion is a conserved haplotype, the ethnic and/or geographic difference in HLA-G*0105N and HLA-G 14 bp distribution could largely be attributable to demographic factors other than selection. The LD patterns uncovered will facilitate the understanding of HLA-G role in associations previously described between HLA-A subregion and diseases.

Introduction of a rice blight resistance gene,Xa21, into five Chinese rice varieties through an Agrobacterium-mediated system

A cloned gene, Xa21 was transferred into five widely-used Chinese rice varieties through an Agrobacterium- mediated system, and over 110 independent transgenic lines were obtained. PCR and Southern analysis of transgenic plants revealed the integration of the whole Xa21 gene into the host genomes. The integrated Xa21 gene was stably inherited, and segregated in a 3: 1 ratio in the selfed T(1) generation when one copy of the gene was integrated in the transformants. Inoculation tests displayed that transgenic T(0) plants and Xa21 PCR-positive T(1) plants were highly resistant to bacterial blight disease. The selected Xa21 homozygous resistant transgenic lines with desirable qualities may be propagated as new varieties or utilized in hybrid rice breeding.

Coexistence of competing antiferromagnetic and superconducting phases in the underdoped Ba(Fe0.953Co0.047)2As2 compound using x-ray and neutron scattering techniques

Neutron and x-ray diffraction studies show that the simultaneous first-order transition to an orthorhombic and antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordered state in BaFe2As2 splits into two transitions with Co doping. For Ba(Fe0.953Co0.047)2As2, a tetragonal-orthorhombic transition occurs at TS=60 K, followed by a second-order transition to AFM order at TN=47 K. Superconductivity occurs in the orthorhombic state below TC=17 K and coexists with AFM. Below TC, the static Fe moment is reduced along with a redistribution of low energy magnetic excitations indicating competition between coexisting superconductivity and AFM order.

Preparation and characterization of rare earth modified nanocrystalline Al2O3/13 wt%TiO2 feedstock for plasma spraying

The preparation and characterization of RE modified nanocrystalline Al2O3/13 wt%TiO2 feedstock for plasma spraying are described in this paper. Taking individual nano particles as starting materials, by wet ball milling, spray drying, sintering and plasma treating, nanocrystalline plasma sprayable feedstock is prepared. The as-prepared feedstocks were analyzed by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM and HRTEM methods. As shown from analyses results, the reconstituted agglomerate feedstock possesses spherical geometry, proper particle size, homogeneous composition distribution and nano scaled grains. There are three dimensional net structures in the prepared feedstock, which could be retained in coatings if the feedstock does not melt or partially melts during the plasma spray process. The three dimensional net structures could play an important role in improving crack propagation resistance and wear resistance of coatings. The reconstitution process and characterization methods discussed in this paper can also be applied to prepare intraclass nanocrystalline feedstock such as ZrO2/Y2O3 and Cr2O3 et al.

Charge order in LuFe2O4: antiferroelectric ground state and coupling to magnetism

X-ray scattering by multiferroic LuFe2O4 is reported. Below 320 K, superstructure reflections indicate an incommensurate charge order with propagation close to (1/3 1/3 3/2). The corresponding charge configuration, also found by electronic structure calculations as most stable, contains polar Fe/O double layers with antiferroelectric stacking. Diffuse scattering at 360 K, with (1/3 1/3 0) propagation, indicates ferroelectric short-range correlations between neighboring double layers. The temperature dependence of the incommensuration indicates that charge order and magnetism are coupled.

Imaging findings of extraventricular neurocytoma: report of 3 cases and review of the literature

Extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN) is rare entity with similar biologic behavior and histopathologic characteristics to neurocytomas that occur in the lateral ventricles, according to the 2007 World Health Organization classification. We report the cases of 3 patients with extraventricular neurocytoma, which presented as large tumors in the left frontal and parietal lobes and in the sellar region. MR imaging showed cystic degeneration, calcification and/or hemorrhage, intense enhancement, and perilesional edema. EVN should be considered in the differential diagnosis for large, heterogeneous, enhancing brain tumors that occur in young people.

Three-dimensional magnetic correlations in multiferroic LuFe2O4

We present single crystal neutron diffraction measurements on multiferroic LuFe(2)O(4). Magnetic reflections are observed below transitions at 240 and 175 K indicating that the magnetic interactions in LuFe(2)O(4) are three-dimensional in character. The magnetic structure is refined as a ferrimagnetic spin configuration below the 240 K transition. Below 175 K a significant broadening of the magnetic peaks is observed along with the buildup of a diffuse component to the magnetic scattering.

Quantum spin correlations in an organometallic alternating-sign chain

High resolution neutron scattering is used to study excitations in the organometallic magnet (CH3)2NH2CuCl3 (DMACuCl3). Combined with bulk magnetization and susceptibility studies, the new results imply that DMACuCl3 is a realization of the S=1/2 alternating antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic (AFM-FM) chain. Coupled-cluster calculations indicate that the AFM and FM interactions have nearly the same strength, while analysis of scattering intensities shows evidence for interdimer spin correlations. Results are discussed in the context of recent ideas concerning quantum entanglement.

Changes of cytosol glucocorticoid receptor and renal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity after swimming training in rat

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine whether the down-regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) by physical changes in plasma glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) is accompanied by changes in the responsiveness of target cells to GCs in rats.

METHODS

Normal male Sprague-Dawley rats were left to swim for 60 min. At 15 min and at 3, 12, 24 h after swimming training, groups of rats were sacrificed.

RESULTS

The results show that exposure of rats to a 60-min swimming stress provokes corticosterone secretion, which results in a rapid depletion of GR from renal cytosol and the subsequent induction of the renal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. By employing RU38486 and Trilostane before swimming training, both the effects of GCs on regulating GR binding activity and related changes in GR binding capacity to Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity are also investigated. RU38486 was shown to reduce GR by about 80% and the inducing effort of GCs on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was prevented by pretreatment of RU38486 and Trilostane.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that physiological fluctuations in endogenous hormone secretion are sufficient to result not only in substantial cytosol GR down-regulation, but in a coordinate physiological response.