Objective To study the expression of aquaporins-4 (AQP4) in the brain tissue of rats with pancreatic encephalopathy (PE) induced by phospholipase A2 and to explore the role of aquaporins-4 in PE.Methods Twenty five healthy Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups:blank group ( n =5),PE group (n =10 ) and control group (n =10 ).The experimental model was established in rats by injecting phospholipase A2 into carotid artery (0.1 ml/100 g body weight).Same amount of normal saline was used in the control group and no treatment was used in the blank group.One day later,the rats were sacrificed,then the measurement of brain tissue wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio was performed,and brain tissue was routinely pathologically examined,immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed in each group to detect the expression of aquaporins-4.Results There was no obvious brain tissue pathological change in the control group and blank group.Neurons in the brain tissue of PE rats presented with significant edema and ballooning degeneration,infiltration of inflammatory cells,leukocyte aggregation around the microvessels.The water contents in the brain tissue in the blank group and control group,PE group were (61.44 ±0.36)％,(63.20±0.32)％ and (78.33 ±0.24)％,and it was significantly higher in PE group than that in the control and blank group (P＜0.05).The expressions of aquaporins-4 in the brain tissue were 0.41 ±0.27,0.49 ±0.13,0.98 ±0.21,respectively,and it was significantly increased in PE group than that in the control and blank group (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Aquaporins-4 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of pancreatic encephalopathy.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of interventional ventricular septal defect(VSD) occlusion using asymmetric occluders in patients whose VSD are adjacent to aortic valves.Methods One hundred and fifty-two patients from our hospital whose VSD were occluded with asymmetric occluders were examined by echocardiography.Dimensions,shapes and shunts of VSD,structures around defects were observed and aortic valve prolapse(AVP) degrees were accessed before the interventions.The patients were followed up periodically after the procedures.The longest follow-up was 6 years.Results Sizes of VSD measured from left ventricular side were larger than those measured from right ventricular side.Twenty-seven cases with VSD had mild AVP.Right sides of defects had adhesions with variable morphological patterns in 85% patients with perimembranous VSD.After occlusion,there were 7 cases showed residual shunt,2 cases with the third degree atrio-ventricular blockages,3 cases appeared aortic-valve regurgitations (AR) and 1 case with slightly increased AR.Conclusions Immediate and medium-term effects of interventional occlusion with asymmetric occluders were satisfactory in the patients with VSD and mild AVP whose aortic valve margin were insufficient to symmetric occluders.Surgical operation should be preferred to patients with VSD and moderate to severe AVP and to very young children.Pre-closure echocardiographic evaluation is critical to the success of interventional closure with asymmetric occluder and the long-term out coming.

Objective To investigate the effect of growth inhibition and apoptosis induction of sunitinib-liposome-loaded microbubbles on renal carcinoma cell strain.Methods GRC-1 cell strain was cultured in vitro,and was divided into 6 groups:blank control group,pure microbubbles group,pure lipsomes group,sunitinib group,sunitinib-liposome-loaded microbubbles without ultrasound treat group,sunitinib liposome-loaded microbubbles with ultrasound treat group.Growth inhibition in different groups was observed at different time with MTT assay,apoptosis induction with Sigma-FlTC technology and transmission electron microscope.Results The growth inhibition and apoptosis promotion of GRC-1 cell were significantly increased in sunitinib-liposome-loaded microbubbles with ultrasound treat group compared to the other groups.Conclusions Microbubble guided sunitinih delivery can increase the effect of the growth inhibition and apoptosis induction of GRC-1 cells,which may provide an more effective approach for cancer treatment.

Objective To evaluate the effect of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on cellular immune function in diabetic rats.Methods Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 3 months,weighing 240-280 g,were used in this study.Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal 1％ streptozotocin 60 mg/kg and confirmed by blood glucose ≥ 16.7 mmol/L 3 days later.Forty-eight rats with diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=24 each) using a random number table:diabetes mellitus group (group DM) and group SGB.Another 24 healthy rats,aged 3 months,were selected and served as control group (group C).At 1 week after successful establishment of the model,unilateral transection of cervical sympathetic trunk (TCST) was performed in group SGB,while the right cervical sympathetic trunk was only exposed in C and DM groups.Before TCST (T0) and on 1,3,7 days after TCST (T1-3),6 rats were randomly selected from each group,and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava for determination of the blood glucose,plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay),and levels of T lymphocyte subsets CD3+,CD4+ and CD8+ in whole blood (using FACSCalibur flow cytometer).C D4+/CD8+ratio was calculated.The rats were weighed before sacrifice,and the rats were sacrificed to obtain the thymus which was weighed.The thymus index (thymus weight/body weight) was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the blood glucose was significantly increased,and the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ in whole blood,CD4+/CD8+ ratio,and thymus index were significantly decreased at T0-3 (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in CD8+ levels in DM and SGB groups (P＞0.05),the plasma NE concentrations were significantly decreased at T1-3 in group SGB (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in plasma NE concentrations in group DM (P＞0.05).Compared with group DM,the blood glucose and plasma NE concentrations were significantly decreased,and the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ in whole blood,CD4+/CD8+ ratio,and thymus index were significantly increased at T1-3 (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in CD8+ levels in group SGB (P＞0.05).Conclusion SGB can improve the cellular immune function in diabetic rats.

Objective Learn about prevalence of depressive symptoms and to determine the relationship of depressive symptoms with social capital and social networks among migrant female adolescents.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 329 single females selected by convenience sampling who were aged from 16 to 28 years old,having worked for from one month to ten years.Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CES-D) was used to evaluate the status of depressive symptoms that were sentenced by total score ≥20.Self-compiled items were applied to assess social capital with six aspects involving organizational characteristics,exclusion,etc.and social networks included size and density with score ranging from 1 to 15 and from 0 to 1 respectively.Results The prevalence of depressive symptom was 52.9% in participants.Working in restaurants(OR=0.554),being younger(OR=0.506),high scores of solidarity,trust and cooperation of neighborhood(OR=0.964,0.758) were associated with low risk of depressive symptoms.Conclusions Female migrant adolescents from rural to urban should be paid more attention to in depression prevention.Improving solidarity,trust and cooperation in neighborhood in city could probably decrease risk of their depressive symptoms.

Objective To evaluate the effects of age factors on hypothermia-induced reduction of ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury in isolated rat hearts.Methods Pathogen-free healthy aged male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18-20 months,weighing 400-600 g,and young rats,aged 4-6 months,weighing 280-350 g,were used in the study.After the animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal chloral hydrate and heparinized,their hearts were excised and perfused with K-H solution in a Langendorff apparatus.Twenty-four isolated hearts of aged rats were assigned into 2 groups(n=12 each)using a random number table:I/R group(group AI/R)and hypothermia group(group AH).Twenty-four isolated hearts of young rats were assigned into 2 groups(n=12 each)using a random number table:I/R group(group YI/R)and hypothermia group(group YH).Perfusion was suspended for 30 min followed by 120 min reperfusion to establish the model of I/R.The temperature was maintained at 37 ℃ during the whole process in AI/R and YI/R groups.The hearts were perfused with 34 ℃ K-H solution until 120 min of reperfusion starting from onset of reperfusion in AH and YH groups.At 30 min of equilibration(T0)and 15,30,60 and 120 min of reperfusion(T1-4),heart rate(HR),left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP),the maximum rate of increase in left ventricular pressure(+dp/dtmax),and the minimum rate of increase in left ventricular pressure(+dp/dtmin)were recorded.Six hearts from each group were randomly selected at T4,and myocardial specimens were obtained for determination of ATP,superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels and myocardial infarct size(IS).Results Compared with group YI/R,HR was significantly decreased at T1-4,ATP and SOD levels were increased,and the MDA content and myocardial IS were decreased in group YH,and the HR,LVDP,+dp/dtmax and +dp/dtmin at T0 and ATP and SOD levels at T4 were significantly decreased,and the MDA content and myocardial IS were increased in group AI/R(P<0.05).Compared with group YH,HR,LVDP,+dp/dtmax and +dp/dtmin at T0 and ATP and SOD levels at T4 were significantly decreased,and the MDA content and myocardial IS were increased in group AH(P<0.05).Compared with group AH,the levels of ATP and SOD were significantly decreased,and the MDA content and myocardial IS were increased in group AI/R(P<0.05).Conclusion Age factors affect the efficacy of hypothermia in reducing I/R injury in isolated rat hearts,and hypothermia provides better cardioprotection for young rats than for aged rats.

OBJECTIVETo examine the renal function changes and mechanisms on rats with diabetes through a sleeve gastrectomy operation.

METHODSThirty-six rats were induced diabetes through injection of streptozotocin (STZ), and 30 of these diabetic rats that blood glucose levels at the midrange (blood sugar 17.88-23.65 mmol/L, mean: 20.32 mmol/L) were randomly assigned to the sleeve gastrectomy group, Sham-operation group and control group. The serum creatinine, lipid parameters were measured postoperatively. The 24 h urine volume obtained and urine albumin excretion rate (UAER) was calculated. Serum and urinary creatinine were examined and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was counted. Kidney sections were stained with periodic acid-Schiff, and then the index of mesangial expansion was determined. The expression of synaptopodin for podocytes was also performed through the immunohistochemical procedure. A one-way ANOVA and t-test were performed to evaluate differences between groups and each other.

RESULTSOnly one rat of SG group died after operation. The GFR ((8.44 ± 2.10) ml · g⁻¹ · d⁻¹), 24 h UAER ((36.04 ± 11.10) mg/d), plasma lipids level (total cholesterol (1.66 ± 0.23) mmol/L, triglycerides (1.25 ± 0.17) mmol/L), kidney weight ((1.61 ± 0.06) g), the index of mesangial expansion ((6.14 ± 1.50)%) and synaptopodin expression ((20.44 ± 2.99)%) were improved in the SG group compared with the sham-operation group ((15.05 ± 3.01) ml · g⁻¹ · d⁻¹, (57.01 ± 11.34) mg/d, (2.15 ± 0.29) mmol/L, (1.65 ± 0.23) mmol/L, (1.93 ± 0.07) g, (11.32 ± 2.09)%, (10.34 ± 1.43)%) and control group ((14.79 ± 2.38) ml · g⁻¹ · d⁻¹, (62.71 ± 16.46) mg/d, (2.23 ± 0.21) mmol/L, (1.59 ± 0.20) mmol/L, (1.91 ± 0.06) g, (10.82 ± 1.79)%, (11.13 ± 2.43)%) (t = 0.781-5.025, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe sleeve gastrectomy procedure can improve the renal function in a diabetes rat model may be through protecting the podocytes function and preventing the mesangial expansion of glomeruli.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Creatinine ; blood ; urine ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Gastrectomy ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Random Allocation ; Rats

Objective The aim of this study was to find out the carrying rate and the type of mutation of children deafness gene and discuss the significance of combined screening of deafness gene and hearing screening.Methods From October 2015 to December 2016,a total of 505 children from primary screening institutions were done with AABR hearing re-screening and deafness gene through blood filter paper by heel for gene sequencing at the hearing screening clinic of Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital.The 9 mutation sites of deafness genes included GJB2 (235delC,299delAT,176del16,35delG),GJB3 (538C＞T),SLC26A4 (IVS7-2A＞G,2168A＞G) and mitochondrial 12SrRNA (1555A＞G,1494C＞T).Results There were 69 children with deafness susceptibility genes in 505 cases and its overall carrying rate was 13.7％.There were 56 cases (81.16％)with GJB2 gene mutations,10 cases (14.49％) with SLC26A4 gene mutations,and 3 patients (4.35％) with mitochondrial 12SrRNA gene mutations.GJB3 gene mutations wer not detected.There were 376 who failed AABR rescreening out of 505.The total failure rate for AABR rescreening was 74.46％.Thirty-seven cases were examined with ABR out of 69 cases with deafness gene abnormal.32 cases (86.49％) had different degrees of hearing impairment.Conclusion GJB2 gene mutation was the highest carrying rate of deafness genes in this region,followed by SLC26A4 gene,less mitochondrial 12SrRNA gene mutations while GJB3 gene mutations was not detected.Hereditary deafness gene screening was a valid supplement for physical screening,the combination of both methods was helpful for early detection and intervention of deaf children.

OBJECTIVETo determine the function of twin-arginine translocation system (Tat) and gene cluster in Vibrio strains and to analyze the homology of tat gene cluster among different Vibrio spp. strains based on N16961 and tatABC mutant strains N169-dtat.

METHODSDifferent serotypes of biotype strains of Vibrio spp. were selected to detect the transcription of 4 genes of Tat transport system and upstream ubi aarF gene and downstream cyt551 gene by the total RNA reverse transcription and homologicity of the gene cluster by sequencing analysis.

RESULTSOur results showed that the 4 genes of tat cluster (tatA, tatB, tatC, and tatE) were intragenic and co-transcribed. We found that ubi aarF gene could be co-transcribed with tatA, tatB, but not with tatC. The electron transport chain and energy metabolism-related genes, cytochrome C551 peroxidase gene, and 4 genes located at upstream of tatABC operon were not transcribed with tatABC. Although the co-transcription between ubi aarF and tatAB was blocked in N169-dtat strain, they were still transcribed separately. Homologous analysis of genes of tat cluster in different types of Vibrio cholerae showed that tat gene cluster was a very conservative.

CONCLUSIONThe ubi and aarF gene might be co-transcribed with genes of tat cluster in Vibrio cholerae, which and the close relationship showed that they might play a key function in Vibrio cholerae.

Arginine ; Bacterial Proteins ; Cytochrome c Group ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; Vibrio cholerae

Objective The purpose is to sort out the key steps and core indicators of priority setting for health technology assessment,and provide references for the research of priority setting for health technology assessment in China.Methods To search information from the official website of the World Health Organization,the websites of international health technology assessment agencies/organizations,and CNKI,Wanfang,Pubmed,Embase and other databases related for the setting of health technology assessment priority topics,and the key steps and core indicators of the setting of priority topics were analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis.Results 21 priority setting schemes for health technology assessment were finally incorporated,and the key steps were extracted to set indicators for collecting evaluations.Ratings and rankings and review decisions.The core indicators are disease burden,economic impact and clinical/health impact.Conclusion The key steps and core indicators of international priority setting provide rich practical experience for China's health technology assessment priority setting,which should be actively used for reference to promote evidence-based and scientific decision-making of health technology assessment in China.