Objective　To explore the significance of the dynamic changes of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the onset and development of acute panreatitis (AP). Methods　Pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-1ra in the plasma of 48 patients with AP and 20 healthy individuals were determined with ELISA. Results　The levels of all pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in plasma was significantly higher in AP patients than in control group (P<0.05) in early stage of the disease, and then all levels were decreased gradually, consistent with the alterations of clinical symptoms of the AP patients. Conclusion　The dynamic changes of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines might play important role in the onset and development of AP.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of ginkgolide B (BN52021) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) via detecting the antagonistic effect of BN52021 on platelet-activating factor (PAF). Methods One hundred and eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 60), SAP group (n = 60) and BN52021 group (n =60) according to the random number table. The 3 groups were divided into 6 subgroups at different time points after operation (1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h). The changes of serum amylase in each group were monitored. The expression of platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, and the pathological changes of pancreatic tissues were observed. All the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results Serum amylase level and pathological results showed that it was successful in preparing SAP model. The serum amylase levels at postoperative hour 3, 6 and 24 were (4185 ±148) U/L, (3785 ± 124) U/L and (1360 ± 161) U/L in BN52021 group, which were significantly lower than those in SAP group [(4799 ± 107) U/L, (4920 ± 140) U/L, (2283 ± 127) U/L)]. The pathological scores at postoperative hour 3, 6, 12 were 5.95±0. 19, 5.55±0.36, 6.72±0. 30 in BN52021 group, which were significantly lower than those in SAP group (8.85 ± 0.39, 9.15 ± 0.55, 10.10 ±0. 65). The mRNA and protein expression of PAFR were gradually increased at the early stage (0.49 ± 0.09-0.71 ± 0.14 vs 0. 43 ～ O. 06-1.69 ± 0.06), and reached peak at postoperative hour 3. The expression levels of PAFR mRNA and protein in BN52021 group and SAP group at postoperative hour 3 had statistical difference among the 3 groups (F = 4.58, 6.24, P < 0.05). Conclusions The expression of PAFR mRNA and protein in the pancreatic tissue of SAP rats is dynamically changing. PAFR plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of SAP. BN52021 can reduce the expression of serum amylase and improve the pancreatic pathological changes, but it has no effect on the expression of PAFR in pancreatic tissue.

Objective To explore a safe and efficient method for endotracheal intubation in mice.Methods 60 BALB/c mice were random divided into 2 groups, direct intubation under direct vision group, ( n = 30) and direct intubation under light by transillumination group ( n = 30).After successful tracheal intubation at the first judgment, mouse received a tracheal instillation of 3 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide.Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was then performed three times with 0.8 ml sterile saline.Exudate cells were centrifuged and stained with Wright's fluid.Whether the intubation indeed succeeded was judged by the amount of neutrophil infiltrated into the lungs.The mortality after intubation, the time consumed for each successful tracheal intubation and the times of attempting for intubation in two groups were assessed to approve the efficiency of two techniques.Results Eight vs.two mice died within 24 hours in two groups respectively.The time consumed for each successful tracheal intubation and success rate for the first time for two groups were (92.6 ±23.4)s vs (64.0±20.1)s and 53.3% vs 86.7% respectively, which the consumed time was significantly different, while the final success rate almost the same for the two groups.Conclusion Both direct intubation under direct vision and intubation under light by transillumination can successfully intubate the tube into the trachea.But direct intubation under direct vision by transillumination is more efficient and safe in endotracheal intubation in mice.

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of pregabalin and gabapentin in treatment of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.MethodsSixty patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain were allocated into pregabalin group(30 cases ) and gabapentin group (30 cases) for a 4-week period treatment by random digits table method.The efficacy was measured with visual analogue scale (VAS) score,while the side effects were evaluated.ResultsVAS score in both groups was significantly lower at the end of 1st,2nd or 4th week after treatment than that before treatment [pregabalin group:( 4.05 ±0.93),(2.73 ±0.72),(2.06 ±0.58) scores vs.(7.45 ±0.82) scores; gabapentin group:(5A2 ±0.88),(2.93 ± 0.80),(2.19 ± 0.64) scores vs.(7.68 ± 0.84) scores] (P ＜ 0.01 ).VAS score in pregabalin group was lower than that in gabapentin group at the end of 1st week significantly (P＜ 0.01 ).Not only there was no significant difference in VAS score at the end of 2nd or 4th week between two groups,but also in response rates at the end of 4th week (P ＞ 0.05 ).The rate of adverse reaction in pregabalin group was significantly lower than that in gabapentin group [16.67％ (5/30) vs.36.67％( 11/30)] ( P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionPregabalin is as effective as gabapentin in treatment of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain,but it has faster effect and less adverse events than gabapentin.

Objective To establish a spontaneous abortion rat model for a syndrome in traditional chinese medicine, kidney deficiency, and observe the changes of physiological indicators and related cytokine expression in the model. Methods 40 female and 20 male rats were used in this study. The female and male rats were mated (mating ratio 2:1). The day of vaginal smear with a large number of sperm was considered as the first day of pregnancy. The rats were randomly divided into control group and model group. The model group received 450 mg/kg hydroxyurea every day. Mifepristone was given on the eighth day in a dose of 3.75 mg/kg. The diet amount, the diameter index of kidney, ovary and embryos were analyzed. The mRNA expression of Th1/Th2 cytokine was detected by RT-PCR, and the expression of co-stimulating factors CD80, CD86, CD28, CTLA-4 were determined by flow cytometry.Results Comparing the model group with control group on the eighth day, there were significant differences between the model and control groups in quantity of food and water intake, and weight increase (P<0.05), and also in the embryonic diameter index, average of abortion rate, Th1/Th2 type cytokines, co-stimulating factor CD80, CD86, CD28, and CTLA-4 (P<0.05). Conclusion A rat model of spontaneous abortion due to kidney deficiency can be successfully established with hydroxyurea and mifepristone. The high expression of Th1 (TNF-α, IFN-γ) may cause abortion and be harmful to pregnancy. Th2 type (IL-4, IL-10) may facilitate pregnancy. The expression co-stimulating factor CD80, CD86, CD28, CTLA-4 may be relevant to the spontaneous abortion.

Objective To investigate the effects of cyclosporine on cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis of bladder cancer in rats induced with BBN.Methods Ten samples of SD rats bladder cancer induced with BBN and cyclosporine simultaneously and 10 samples of SD rats bladder cancer induced with BBN only as control were used to observe the effects of cyclosporine on cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis of bladder cancer in rats.Immunohistochemistry stain with PCNA, TUNEL and immunohistochemistry stain with CD31 were used to analyze cell proliferation,apoptosis and angiogenesis of bladder cancer in rats respectively. Results The differences of proliferation index (35.3±8.6)% and (28. 7±8.0)% respectively (P＜0.05), apoptotic index (2. 5±0.8)% and (4.3±1.3)% respectively (P＜0.05) and microvessel density 32.5±8.2 and 26.3±8.1 respectively (P＜0.05) between experimental group and control group were all significant.Conclusions Cyclosporine may stimulate the growth and development of bladder cancer through mechanisms of cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis.

Cognitive decline is a common complication after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but as such no pharmacological therapy has been shown to be efficacious in preventing the decline. However, gastrodin has been shown to have multi-pharmacological effects on neurological functions. We undertook this study to test the hypothesis that gastrodin would potentially prevent CPB-associated neurocognitive decline. We randomly assigned 200 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery to receive either gastrodin (40 mg/kg) or saline after the induction of anesthesia and subsequently evaluated cognitive function before surgery, at discharge, and at 3rd month after surgery by using a battery of five neurocognitive tests, or adverse effects of gastrodin postoperatively. Neurocognitive decline in postoperative function was defined as a drop of 1 SD or more in the scores on tests of any one of the four domains of cognitive function. Cognitive decline occurred in 9% of the patients in the gastrodin group in contrast to 42% in the control group (P<0.01) at discharge. Cognitive outcome could be determined at 3rd month in 87 patients in the gastrodin group and 89 in the control group. Cognitive decline was detected in 6% in the gastrodin group and 31% in the control group (P<0.01). The incidences of possible adverse effects were similar between two groups. These results indicate that gastrodin is an effective and a safe drug for the prevention of neurocognitive decline in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery with CPB.

Cognitive decline is a common complication after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB),but as such no pharmacological therapy has been shown to be efficacious in preventing the decline.However,gastrodin has been shown to have multi-pharmacological effects on neurological functions.We undertook this study to test the hypothesis that gastrodin would potentially prevent CPB-associated neurocognitive decline.We randomly assigned 200 patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery to receive either gastrodin (40 mg/kg) or saline after the induction of anesthesia and subsequently evaluated cognitive function before surgery,at discharge,and at 3rd month after surgery by using a battery of five neurocognitive tests,or adverse effects of gastrodin postoperatively.Neurocognitive decline in postoperative function was defined as a drop of 1 SD or more in the scores on tests of any one of the four domains of cognitive function.Cognitive decline occurred in 9％ of the patients in the gastrodin group in contrast to 42％ in the control group (P＜0.01) at discharge.Cognitive outcome could be determined at 3rd month in 87 patients in the gastrodin group and 89 in the control group.Cognitive decline was detected in 6％ in the gastrodin group and 31％ in the control group (P＜0.01).The incidences of possible adverse effects were similar between two groups.These results indicate that gastrodin is an effective and a safe drug for the prevention of neurocognitive decline in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement surgery with CPB.

A validated 5th and 95th percentile Chinese head model was used to investigate the influence of head dimensions on the biomechanical responses by comparing acceleration, intracranial pressure and shear stress of the heads with different dimensions under the same impact energy. Moreover, the reasonability of scaling method used in the research considering head dimensions was discussed by respectively scaling the small head to a big one and scaling the big head to a small one. It therefore more scientifically provides a newer and more scientific reference for the assessment of head injury.
Anthropometry ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Brain Injuries ; physiopathology ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; physiopathology ; Finite Element Analysis ; Head ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic

Objective To study the effect of lithium chloride on the gap junction in the myocardium under chronic hypoxia.Methods Twenty-five C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normoxia group,hypoxia group,normoxic control group,hypoxia + saline group and hypoxia + lithium chloride group.Hypoxia group was treated with 10％ oxygen concentration for 4 weeks.Hypoxia + saline group and hypoxia + lithium chloride group were intraperitoneal injection of saline and lithium chloride.Electrophysiology and cardiac catheterization were used to assess arrhythmias,heart rate and ejection fraction.The expression of Cx43,phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β(p-GSK-3β) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the normoxia group,the hypoxia group had a faster heart rate [(448 ± 18) bpm vs.(401 ± 13) bpm,P＜0.05),and the ejection fraction was decreased [(56±5)％ vs.73±4)％,P＜0.05],arrhythmia score increased [(3.4±0.5)％ vs.(0.6±0.5)％,P＜0.05],Cx43 expression was decreased.Compared to hypoxia + normal saline group,the heart rate decreased[(412±11)bpm vs.(454±18)bpm,P＜0.05],ejection fraction increased[(69±3)％ vs.(55±4)％,P＜0.05],the score of arrhythmia decreased [(1.8±0.4) ％ vs.(3.0±0.7)％,P＜0.05] in hypoxia + lithium chloride group,the expression of Cx43 and the rate of p-GSK-3β to GSK-3β were increased.Conclusion During the chronic hypoxia,lithium chloride can sustain the gap junction through inhibition of GSK-3β signaling way,which can also reduce the rate of arrhythmia.