Objective To study the effects of short-term and long-term exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field(ELFEMF)on Morris learning and memory among rats. Methods Both younger(2-3 months old)and adult(18 months old)male SD rats were exposed to 50 Hz uniform ELFEMF with continuously adjusted intensities(0.1,1.2,1.6 mT) developed by Helmholtz coil pair for 10 days to 8 months. The levels of escape latency and the crossing annulus coefficients reflecting the behavioral changes in place navigation ability and spatial probe ability were examined by Morris water maze after exposure to ELFEMF among rats. Results The escape latency was shortened and the crossing annulus coefficients were increased compared with those of control group when the younger rats were exposed to 0.1,1.2 and 1.6 mT ELFEMF for 10 days respectively,and only revealed significant differences in 1.2 and 1.6 mT ELFEMF exposure groups compared with those of control group. In the younger rats of 1.6 mT ELFEMF exposure group with 10-day exposure ,their escape latencies were prolonged and the crossing annulus coefficients were decreased gradually and showed no significant differences compared with those of control group after the 30-day blank exposure period without ELFEMF.The younger rats of 1.2 mT ELFEMF exposure group showed significantly longer escape latency and lower crossing annulus coefficient compared those of control group after continuous 90-day exposure to 1.2 mT ELFEMF. The escape latency of adult rats in 0.1 mT ELFEMF exposure group showed no significant difference after 10-day exposure,was prolonged after 4-month exposure,and was significantly prolonged further more after 8-month exposure. Conclusion The learning and memory ability could be promoted by short-term ELFEMF exposure and impaired by long-term ELFEMF exposure for the young rats,and could be obviously inhibited by long-term ELFEMF exposure for the adult rats.

Objective To study the impact and mechanism of continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) in different uhrafihration rates on plasma cytokines in porcine endotoxemic shock. Methods Eighteen anesthetized mechanically ventilated pigs weighing 21-34 kg were randomly divided into three groups. In control group (n=6), the pigs received a 15.7 μg/kg endotoxin (E.coli 0111:84) infusion. In CVVH group (n=6) and high volume hemofihration (HVHF) group (n=6), the pigs received CVVH after the endotoxin infusion for 24 hours with an was taken before endotoxin infusion and at 0, 1, 6, 12, 24 h during CVVH. The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-18 were tested by ELISA. Results The survival time in control group was (15.4±5.2) h,CVVH group was (21.4±7.1) h,HVHF group was (22.4±6.7) h. The survival time in CVVH and HVHF group was significantly longer than that of control group (P< 0.05 ). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP) and cardiac output (CO) showed no significant differences among three groups. Plasma BUN and Ser increased gradually after the establishment of porcine endotoxemic shock model. BUN and Scr of CVVH and HVHF group were lower compared to control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between CVVH and HVHF group (P>0.05). Plasma TNF-α and IL-6 peaked at T1, IL-10 peaked at TO, then they declined gradually. While IL-18 increased at TO and did not change after TO. A significant decrease of plasma IL-10 level was observed at T6, T12 and T24 in CVVH group compared with control group (P<0.05). HVHF group accomplished a greater decrease in plasma TNF-α (T6) and IL-10 (T6, T12, T24) levels compared with control group and CVVH group (P< 0.05). The levels of IL-6 and IL-18 showed no significant differences among three groups. There was a negative correlation between IL-6 and survival time (P<0.05). Conclusions HVHF and CVVH can prolong the survival time of porcine endotoxemic shock. IL-10 can be removed effectively with CVVH and HVHF. HVHF can also remove TNF-α effectively. CVVH and HVHF treatment can both remove BUN and Scr effectively. IL-6 is a powerful independent predictive factor for survival time of porcine endotoxemic shock.

Objective To investigate the safety,efficacy of CO2 insufflations during ERCP.Methods One hundred and forty eligible patients who underwent ERCP in Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command from January to December 2012 were randomized according to random digits in a double blind manner to receive either CO2 insufflations or air insufflations (65 vs 75).The patient's experience of abdominal pain and distension at 1 h,2 h,6 h and 24 h post-ERCP were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS).The heart rates,blood pressure,SpO2,PaCO2 were recorded before,during,after ERCP,and 24 h after the examination.Plain abdominal radiographic images were collected to show abdominal distention before and after ERCP,waist circumference,operative time,recovery time,intraoperative and post-ERCP complications were also determined.Results Post-ERCP the VAS of abdominal pain at 3 h was (4.08 ± 1.36) in CO2 group,which was significantly lower than that in air group [(4.59 ± 1.66),P ＜ 0.01].The VAS of abdominal distension at 1 h,3 h,6 h after ERCP were(1.78 ± 1.90),(0.72 ± 1.15),(0.12 ±0.45),which were significantly lower than those in air group [(3.53 ± 2.71),(2.51 ± 2.04),(0.84 ± 1.24),P ＜ 0.05] ; the intraoperative SpO2 was (93.29 ± 1.40)％,which was significantly lower than that in air group [(93.52 ± 1.06) ％,P ＜ 0.01].The waist circumference at 1 h after ERCP increased by (2.48 ± 1.33)cm,which was significantly lower than that in air group [(3.56 ± 2.13) cm,P =0.00).Recovery time was (11.2 ± 2.5) rain in CO2 group,which was significantly longer than that in air group [(9.7 ± 1.7) min,P =0.00].And the difference between the two groups was statistically significant.The plain abdominal radiographic images showed the degree of bowel distension was severer in air group than that in CO2 group (P =0.04).Conclusions CO2 insufflations are safe and efficacy during ERCP.CO2 can better alleviate abdominal pain and distension than air.

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of somatostatin and nitroglycerin on post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and hyperamylasemia.Methods A total of 184 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograph (ERCP) were enrolled,and randomly divided into three groups to receive somatostatin or nitroglycerin or normal saline according to random number table.Incidence of PEP and hyperamylasemia were observed and compared among the three groups.Results Nine patients stopped the medication and dropped out of the study after occurence of adverse reactions from receiving nitroglycerin injections.The incidence rates of hyperamylasemia were 38.7％ (24/62),51.8％ (28/54) and 37.3％ (22/59) in somatostatin,nitroglycerin and control group respectively,with no significant differences among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).The incidence rates of PEP were 6.4％ (4/62),9.3 ％ (5/54) and 23.7％ (14/59) in somatostatin,nitroglycerin and control group,respectively.The incidence rates of PEP in somatostatin and nitroglycerin group were both significantly lower than that in control group (somatostatin group vs control group:x2 =7.13,P =0.01 ; nitroglycerin group vs control group:x2 =4.22,P =0.03).There was no significant difference between somatostatin group and nitroglycerin group (x2 =0.32,P =0.41).Conclusion Somatostatin and nitroglycerin injections after ERCP show similar efficacy on preventing PEP,but the former is safer.Both have little effects on the prophylaxis of hyperamylaemia.

Objective To analyze proliferation and differentiation of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)- and nestin-positive (GFAP+/nestin+) cells isolated from the subventricular zone following fluid percussion brain injury to determine whether GFAP+/nestin+ cells exhibit characteristics of neural stem cells. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 12 weeks and weighing 200-250 g, were randomly and evenly assigned to normal control group and model group. In the model group, a rat model of fluid percussion brain injury was established. Five days later, subventricular zone tissue was resected from each group and made into single cell suspension. After serum-free neural stem cell medium culture and subsequent serum-induced differentiation, cell type, proliferation and differentiation capacities were determined by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Results At 3-7 days after fluid percussion brain injury, nestin+/GFAP+ cells in the single cell suspension from the model group significantly outnumbered those from the normal control group (P<0.01). In the model group, an increased number of small neurospheres with smooth cell edge and bulged center formed after primary culture, and were clearly visible with the increase of culture time and medium replacement. After several passages, many clonal spheres were obtained, suggesting strong self-proliferatiing capacity. Neurospheres from the model group differentiated into astrocytes, neurons and oligodendrocytes. Conclusion GFAP+/nestin+ cells isolated from the adult rat subventricular zone after fluid percussion brain injury are thought to be neural stem cells because of their self-renewal and multi-differentiation capacities.

In the present study, packaging system composed of pAAV-CMV-GFP, pAAV-RC and pHelper were transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293 cells) mediated by polyethyleneimine (PEI) to explore an optimal transfection condition. Different total plasmid DNA dosages (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 μg) and different PEI/Plasmid ratios (1:1, 3:1, 5:1, 7:1) were tested with detection of green fluorescence protein (GFP) with ImagePro Plus6. 0 Software. Then transfection efficiency of the optimized transfection system was further observed for different time periods(12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 h). The results showed that total plasmid dosage of 4 μg/well with PEI/plasmid ratio of 3 : 1-5 : 1 was an efficient transfection condition. Transfection efficiency-time curve was an S-shaped curve. Transfection efficiency reached a plateau at 60 h after transfection. The optimized conditions for PEI-mediated transfection at the optimal time result in enhanced transfection efficiency of triple plasmid into HEK293 cells.
Green Fluorescent Proteins ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Polyethyleneimine ; Transfection ; methods

Objective To investigate the effects of repeated low dose intravenous infusion of low molecular weight iron dextran and iron sucrose on oxidative stress in chronic renal failure (CRF) rats. Methods CRF model was established by 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy (5/6 Nx). Four weeks after removing the right kidney, successful rats were randomly divided into low molecular weight iron dextran group, sucrose iron group and CRF control group. The sham group was established simultaneously. The dose of iron administrated in each rat was similar in iron dextran group and sucrose iron group. There were 6 rats in each group. Animals were observed for 6weeks, then the blood, urine and renal tissue samples were collected, and indexes of renal function,anemia, iron status and oxidative stress were investigated. Results The hemoglobulin (Hb) level in iron groups was significantly higher as compared to control group (P＜0.05) but was not significantly different between two iron groups. The levels of serum iron, ferritin and saturation rate of transferring (TS) were obviously lower in control group as compared to sham group (P＜0.05).Levels of above 3 indexes were significantly higher in two iron groups as compared to control group (P＜0.05), but were not significantly different between two iron groups. Concentration of plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) was obviously higher in two iron groups than that in control group [(127.84±21.19) μmol/L, (134.21±29.38) μmol/L vs (81.83±19.93) μmol/L, P＜0.05]. Plasma malonaldehyde (MDA) was significantly higher in iron sucrose group than that in iron dextran group [(6.06±0.73) nmol/L vs (4.99i0.80) nmol/L, P＜0.05]. Serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total anti-oxidant capacity (TAOC) had no significant differences among three CRF groups. Concentration of plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was significantly decreased in three CRF groups as compared to sham group (P＜0.05), while plasma GSH-Px was significantly lower in sucrose iron group than that in iron dextran group and control group [(2123.11±74.78)nmol ·ml-1 ·min-1 vs (2352.84±163.90) nmol· ml-1 ·min-1, (2310.23±125.99) nmol ·ml-1 ·min-1, P＜0.05]. Conclusions Injection of intravenous iron can partially improve the anemia and the iron status indexes in 5/6 Nx CRF rats. Repeated low dose intravenous infusion of iron dextran and iron sucrose can aggravate the oxidative stress state in CRF rats, and the iron sucrose is worst.

Thirty seven patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) were divided into cilazapril group (n=19) and general treatment group (n=18). Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) ,interleukin-8 (IL-8) , interleukin-10(IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) , left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), cardiac output (CO) and fractional shortening (FS) were measured before and after treatment. Serum levels of cytokines were also measured in 40 healthy individuals (control group). Results: The serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α in CHF patients were significantly higher than those in the control group ( all P<0.01 ) ; After treatment, the serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly decreased (P<0.01 ,P<0.05 ) in the cilazapril group. The LVEF, FS, CO were significantly increased in the Cilazapril group ( P<0.01 ) ; And the serum levels of IL-6 were significantly decreased in the cilazapril group as compared with the general treatment group ( P<0.05 ), however, after treatment, the EF, LVEF, FS and CO had no statistical differences in the cilazapril group as compared with the general treatment group. In the control group only LVEF and FS improved(P<0.01) ; Cytokine levels showed no changes. It suggests that cilazapril can reduce the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine, protect and improved cardiac function in the patients with congestive heart failure.

ObjectiveTo observe in vivo segmental lumbar motion in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) during functional weight-bearing activities.MethodsFifteen patients with LDH at L4-5 were studied as experimental group.Ten healthy volunteers were recruited as control group.Three-dimension(3D) lumbar spine models of L3,L4 and L5 were reconstructed from thin section CT scans.Spine motions were then reproduced by matching lumbar spine models and images got from dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS)under different motion state (standing,flexion-extension,left-right twisting and left-right bending).From local coordinate systems at the end plates,the motion of the cephalad vertebrae relative to the caudal vertebrae was calculated for vertebrae levels:L4-5 and L3-4.ResultsThe motion pattern at L4-5 was found to be altered.During flexion-extension,the migrations of the affected segments along the frontal axis,sagittal axis,vertical axis were similar with that of the control group,but the rotation angle along the frontal axis was significantly larger than that of the control group (P＜0.05).During left-right bending and left-right twisting,the migration and rotation angle along the frontal axis were significantly larger than those of control group.During flexionextension,the migrations of the neighboring segments (L3-4) along the three axes were larger than those of the control group,but there were no statistical significances.During left-right bending and left-right twisting,the migrations of the neighboring segments (L3-4) along the vertical axis were significantly larger than those of the control group (P＜0.05).ConclusionThe 3D lumbar motion pattern in LDH patient is different with that of normal people.For the affected segment,compared with the normal people,the range of flexion-extension motion and the translocation in left-right direction were significantly larger,but the rotation range along the vertical axis was smaller.

Objective To investigate the immunoregulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the peripheral T-lymphocytes of lupus nephritis in vitro. Methods MSCs were isolated and expanded from human bone marrow cells. The purity of MSCs was identified by flow cytometry (FCM). The MSCs (4×104, 1×104, 2×103) were added into wells containing peripheral blood lymphocytes (2×105) from lupus nephritis in the presence of phytohemagglutinin [PHA). Samples were divided into the following groups: group A:T-lymphocytes alone; group B: MSCsl with T-lymphocytes(MSCsl:T=1:5); group C: MSCs2 with T-lymphocytes (MSCs2:T=1:20); group D: MSCs3 with T-lymphocytes (MSCs3:T=1:100). The proliferation of T-lymphocytes was assessed by MTT. FCM was used to analyze the apoptosis of T-lymphocytes and surface markers of CD28 and CD152. The gene expression of interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were detected by real-time RT-PCR. Results In vitro, with the presence of MSCs, peripheral blood T-lymphocytes from lupus nephritis were statistically significantly decr-eased in their proliferative activities , apoptosis and CD28 expression in a dose-dependent manner. No inhibitory effects on CD152 expression of T-lymphocytes had been observed . MSCs promoted the gene expression of TGF-β1 and inhibited the gene expression of IL-10, IFN-γ. Conclusion MSCs can inhibit the proliferative activities, apoptosis and CD28 expression of peripheral blood T-lymphocytes of lupus nephritis, increase gene expression of TGF-β1 and lower the gene expression of IL-10, IFN-γ, which may play an important role in it's immunosuppressive effects on lupus nephritis.