It has been suggested that HCN1 is primarily expressed in hippocampus, however little is known about its effects on spatial learning and memory. In the present study, we investigated the effects of non-specific HCN1 blocker CsCl on spatial learning and memory by using Morris water maze and in situ hybridization in mice. The results showed CsCl 160 mg/kg ip for 4 days, and the mean escape latency was 34 s longer than that of normal control (P<0.01). In hippocampal tissues, staining for the HCN1 mRNA was stronger in the DG and CA1 region of the hippocampus (P <0.05, P<0.05, when CsCl-administration group was compared with normal group). Our results suggested that CsCl could significantly affect the spatial learning and memory in mice, and HCN channel is involved in the process of learning and memory.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of endoluminal grafting for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms in high-risk patients with serious co-morbidities.Methods Endoluminal stent grafting was performed in fifty-one patients(45 males and 6 females,with a mean age of 71.6±7.5 years)with abdominal aortic aneurysms.Of all the patients,21(37.7%)were high-risk surgical candidates because of associated co-morbidities.These patients were classified in grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ according to the criteria assigned by the"Society for Vascular Surgery"and"International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery".Based on the preoperative CT and DSA findings,the appropriate stent was selected for every patient.Post-operative clinical observation and CT scan were regularly carried out,the occurrence of complications and the morphological changes of the aneurysms were observed.The results were evaluated and analyzed.Results Primary technical success was achieved in all patients(100%).No death occurred during the procedure or in 30 days after the procedure.An average follow-up period of(29.1±20.5)months was made.Minor endoleak was noted on CT scans in 10 patients,and the endoleak disappeared in 5 patients during the follow-up period.One patient died from unknown cause.The total mortality rate was 2.0%(1/51).The major complications rate was 9.8%(5/51),including stent thrombosis(n=2),thrombosis at femoral artery(n=1),lymphatic fistula at femoral incision(n=1) and stent dislocation(n=1).Conclusion Endoluminal stent grafting is a safe and feasible technique for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms with excellent medium-term results.This technique is especially suitable for the patients with high surgical risk.

We are reporting in this article some analyzed data obtained from inspection and related information on current situations medical devices in use. Some ideas and suggestions are also proposed here on how to systematically and legally inspecting and monitoring medical devices in use.
Equipment Safety ; Materials Management, Hospital

Objective To assess the value of CT angiography (CTA) in diagnosis of re-entry tears in type B aortic dissection. Methods One hundred and ten patients with typical type B aortic dissection were enrolled. Data derived from the CTA scans of all the patients and DSA of 70 patients were reviewed. The number, location and size of the re-entry tears were calculated and analyzed. CTA findings were compared with DSA results by using Kappa statistics. Results The mean number of re-entry tears was 3.41±1.90, and 83.64% (92/110) patients had multiple tears. Re-entry tears occurred in the middle of the abdominal aorta were more common than that in the other palce of aorta. The large ones commonly located in the most remote position of dissection. The sensitivity and specificity of finding re-entry tears with CTA was 93.78% and 88.89% respectively, the Kappa value was 0.827 (P＜0.01). Conclusion The consistency between CTA and DSA was good. The re-entry tears in type B aortic dissection can be depicted clearly with CTA, and CTA can be used as the main method for further observation and follow-up of this disease.

Objective To study the effect of Du meridian electroacupuncture on growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) expression in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods The SCI models were established with MASCIS Impactor at T11 segment in Sprague-Dawley rats. They were equally divided into control group (group A, n=18) and Du meridian electroacupuncture group (group B, n=18). Group B received electroacupuncture once a day since 1 week after SCI. They were evaluated with the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score 1, 2, 4, 8 weeks after SCI. The mRNA and protein of GAP-43 was detected with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry 2, 4, 8 weeks after SCI. Results Compared with group A, the BBB score, the expression of GAP-43 mRNA and protein increased in group B after SCI (P<0.01). Conclusion Du meridian electroacupuncture can promote the expression of GAP-43 after spinal cord injury.

Objective To evaluate the role of multi-slice CT (MSCT) perfusion in early diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Methods Thirty-three subjects underwent CT perfusion of the liver. Among whom, 11 subjects were volunteers without hepatic disease and the other 22 subjects were pathologically confirmed with liver fibrosis who were further divided into slight (n= 10) and severe (n=12)liver fibrosis according to the lshak system. Parameters of CT perfusion were measured and compared among three groups. Results The mean hepatic arterial fraction in controls, light and severe fibrosis tended to increase with the severity of liver fibrosis[(18. 49 ± 9. 69) %, (19. 92 ± 6.01) % and (21.31±7.47)% ,respectively], and the mean mean transit time tended to decrease with the severity of liver fibrosis [(13.80 ± 2. 60) s, (12.35 ± 1.31) s and (12.19 ± 3.33) s, there was no significant difference in all parameters between any two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Quantitative measurement of hepatic blood supply can be obtained by CT perfusion. Some parameters will be helpful in staging fibrosis to a certain extent. But its clinical usefulness for the evaluation of the early diagnosis may not be affirmed yet.

It has been suggested that HCN1 is primarily expressed in hippocampus, however little is known about its effects on spatial learning and memory. In the present study, we investigated the effects of non-specific HCN1 blocker CsCl on spatial learning and memory by using Morris water maze and in situ hybridization in mice. The results showed CsCl 160 mg/kg ip for 4 days, and the mean escape latency was 34 s longer than that of normal control (P＜0.01). In hippocampal tissues, staining for the HCN1 mRNA was stronger in the DG and CA1 region of the hippocampus (P ＜0.05, P＜0.05, when CsCl-administration group was compared with normal group). Our results suggested that CsCl could significantly affect the spatial learning and memory in mice, and HCN channel is involved in the process of learning and memory.

OBJECTIVETo explore the anesthetic effects of repeated administration of propofol combined with vitamin C in mice.

METHODSForty mice were subjected to daily intraperitoneal injections of 80 mg/kg propofol (P80 group), 70 mg/kg propofol and 50 mg/kg vitamin C (P70+Vc50 group), 55 mg/kg propofol and 100 mg/kg vitamin C (P55+Vc100 group), or 50 mg/kg propofol and 200 mg/kg vitamin C (P50+Vc200 group) for 6 consecutive days, and the anesthesia induction time and anesthesia duration were recorded.

RESULTSCompared with the P80 group, the mice in P55 + Vc100 group and P50 + Vc200 group showed significantly shorter anesthesia duration on the first 3 days (P<0.05). In all the groups, anesthesia duration was significantly shortened in the following days compared with that on day 1 (P<0.01); anesthesia duration was shorter on day 3 than on day 2 in P50 + Vc200 group (P<0.01), and was shorter on days 4, 5, and 6 than on day 2 in all the groups (P<0.01). In all the groups, the rate of loss of righting reflex (LORR) decreased gradually with time in a similar pattern.

CONCLUSIONVitamin C can reduce the dose of propofol without obviously affecting the anesthetic effect to reduce the incidence of drug tolerance and potential dose-related side effects of propofol.

Anesthesia ; Anesthesia Recovery Period ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Tolerance ; Mice ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analysis the clinical data of facial nerve defects repair with greater auricular nerve graft. METHOD: The transmastoid approach was adopted to repair the facial nerve defects by means of nerve grafting. Preoperative and postoperative facial nerve functions were graded according to the House-Brackmann scale. RESULT: The patterns of temporal bone fracture in the 8 patients were longitudinal, most lesions occurred in the region of the second genu and its surrounding, preoperatively, all patients had Grade VI function. In 3 patients of facial nerve tumors, the tumors involved multiple nerve segments, and histologic results were all schwannomas, preoperatively, 1 case had Grade III function, 2 cases had Grade V function. In 2 patients of iatrogenic trauma of the facial nerve, the primary disease was chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma, the lesions were localized at the mastoid segment and the second genu respectively. In 1 patient of molten steel burn, the lesions was localized at the tympanic segment, preoperative facial nerve function was Grade VI. In addition to 3 cases lost to follow-up, the remaining patients, 4 recovered to a Grade III, 3 to a Grade VI, 2 to a Grade V and 2 remained at Grade VI. CONCLUSION In present study, the most common cause of facial nerve transection was temporal bone fracture. Facial nerve reconstruction by means of greater auricular nerve grafting was a practical and effective method, the best postoperative recovery of facial nerve function was Grade III.
Adult ; Cranial Nerves ; transplantation ; Ear ; innervation ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; surgery ; Facial Paralysis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastoid ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Regeneration ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporal Bone ; injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause great damage to the elderly patients and lead to high mortality. The clinical presentations and auxiliary examinations of the elderly patients with COVID-19 are atypical, due to the physiological ageing deterioration and basal pathological state. The treatment strategy for the elderly patients has its own characteristics and treatment protocol should be considered accordingly. To improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19 in the elderly, the Expert Committee of Geriatric Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, China Society of Geriatrics established the "Expert consensus for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 in the elderly" . We focused on the clinical characteristics and key points for better treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in the elderly. (1) For diagnosis, atypical clinical presentation of COVID-19 in the elderly should be emphasized, which may be complicated by underlying disease. (2) For treatment, strategy of multiple disciplinary team (mainly the respiratory and critical care medicine) should be adopted and multiple systemic functions should be considered. (3) For prevention, health care model about integrated management of acute and chronic diseases, in and out of hospital should be applied.