Objective To study of relationship between elderly people's alexithymia and mind-reading. Methods There were 108 old people over 70 years old, tested by mind-reading,cognitive ability and twenty-item Toronto alexithymia scale. Results There were significant difference in mind-reading(16.00±4.84, 19.36±2.91,t =3.38,P ＜0.01), memory span(5.80±1.42,7.18±1.13,t =4.28,P ＜0.01), working memory( t =4.05,P ＜0.01),processing speed( t =-4.80,P ＜0.01) between high and low alexithymia groups.Alexithymia scores were negatively related to the scores of mind-reading, memory span,working memory,processing speed,correlation coefficient was 0.227( P <0.05),-0.377( P <0.01),-0.334( P <0.01),-0.470( P <0.01),respectively. With mind-reading,cognitive processing and educational level as independent variables,with total scores, F1, F2, and F3 of TAS as dependent variable,respectively,the regression equation of total scores was significant( F =8.594,P ＜0.01), and the one of F1 was significant( F =8.796,P ＜0.01),but the one of F2( F =1.735,P ＞0.05) and F3( F =1.181,P ＞0.05) was not significant. Conclusion Elderly people's alexithymia is negatively related to mind-reading and several cognitive abilities. Mind-reading could affect emotional recognition, but not affect emotional description and export-oriented thinking.

To research the expressions of IL-5,granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF) in the asthmatic guinea pig pulmonary tissue and influence of triptolide on the expression,30 guinea pigs were divided at random into three groups:the asthma group(n=10),treated group(n=10) and control group(n=10).The expression levels of the IL-5,GM-CSF mRNA were detected by using in situ hybridization method.The results showed that the expressive intensities of IL-5,GM-CSF mRNA in asthma group were 36 38?7 65 and 32 78?9 43 respectively;the treated group were 17 46?7 32 and 18 92?6 38 respectively;control group were 13 82?5 43 and 18 27?7 45 respectively.The expressive intensities of IL-5,GM-CFS mRNA in asthmatic group were obviously higther than those of both treated and control groups,there was significantly difference between two groups(P

Objective To observe the effect of ghrelin on the expression of procollagen type Ⅰ and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) synthesis in vitro cultured human hepatic stellate cell (HSC-LX2) stimulated by Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB).Besides,the effect of PI3K-AKT pathway was studied.Methods Cultured LX2 were intervented and jointing intervented according to the different ghrelin concentration by ghrelin and PDGF:control group,0.1 μmol/L Ghrelin group,10 μg/L PDGF group,0.05 μmol/L Ghrelin +10 μg/L PDGF group,0.1 μmol/L Ghrelin + 10 μg/L PDGF group,0.15 μmol/L Ghrelin + 10 μg/L PDGF group.Culture HSC-LX2 in vitro,joint intervention cells with different concentrations.Procollagen Ⅰ mRNA expression were detected by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR),besides,α-SMA and AKT expression were detected by Western blot in each groups.After treatment by PI3K specific inhibitor LY294002 in LX2,three groups were divided into PDGF,Ghrelin + PDGF and LY294002 + Ghrelin +PDGF.Procollagen Ⅰ mRNA expression were detected by PCR,and α-SMA was detected by Western blot.Results PCR results showed that procollagen Ⅰ expression in PDGF treated group was significantly higher than the control group ((6.91 ± 0.46) vs.(1.00 ± 0.08),P ＜ 0.05),so PDGF can promote the expression of procollagen type Ⅰ.Procollagen Ⅰ mRNA expression between ghrelin group(0.60±0.13) and blank control group had no significant change(P＞0.05).Procollagen Ⅰ mRNA expression between different concentrations of Ghrelin and PDGF (3.11 ± 0.28,2.03 ±0.23,0.70 ± 0.06) was significantly reduced than PDGF group.The difference was statistically significant (P ＜0.05),and with the increase of the ghrelin concentration of the inhibition,the effect was more obvious in a concentration dependent manner.Western blot showed that α-SMA expression was lower in Ghrelin +PDGF group than PDGF group.AKT expression was higher in Ghrelin +PDGF group than PDGF group,indicating that PI3K-AKT may participate in the anti-fibrosis effect of ghrelin in LX2.After treatment of PI3K specific inhibitor,procollagen Ⅰ expression in LY294002+Ghrelin +PDGF group was significantly higher than Ghrelin +PDGF group((4.13±0.21) vs.(2.34±0.25),P＜0.05).Western blot also showed that α-SMA expression was higher in LY294002 + Ghrelin + PDGF group than Ghrelin + PDGF group.It was suggested that after inhibitation of PI3K,the anti-fibrosis effect of ghrelin in LX2 was attenuated.Conclusion After stimulated by PDGF in hepatic stellate cell,ghrelin can inhibit procollagen type Ⅰ and alpha-SMA synthesis in the process of hepatic fibrosis via PI3K-AKT pathway,thus,ghrelin may become one of the new ways of prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Amnesic shellfish poisoning(ASP) is caused by consumption of seafood contaminated by marine neurotoxins, mainly domoic acid (DA).OBJECTIVE: To ensure the safety of shellfish consumption by determining DA in shellfish by means of liquid chromatography(LC) combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(Q-TOF MS).DESIGN: A self-controlled prospective study SETTING: The experiment was carried out in the Center for Animal, Plant and Food Inspection and Quarantine, Shanghai Exit-Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau.MATERIALS: MUS-1B, a nominal sample of homogenized mussel tissue (containing 36 ± 1μg DA per gram, Batch No. MUS-1B 0159) and the standard DA solution (100 mg/L, Batch No. DACS-1C 352) were purchased from National Research Council of Canada (Halifax, Canada). Positive musscl samples were collected from the waters during the occurrence of red tide in China East Sea, and blank mussel samples were obtained from local seafood market. LC system (Waters 2695) combined with Q-TOF MS (Qultima, Micromass) and ultravilet (UV) detection (Waters 2487 ) was employed for analysis of ASP toxins.METHODS: The shellfish tissue samples were extracted with methanol-water (1: 1, V/V) and cleansed with a SAX solid-phase extraction cartridge. Separation was carried out on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB-18 column (250×2.1 mm, 3.5μm) with gradient elution of CAN-H20 containing 0.05% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.20 mL per minute. In a positive electrospray ionization DA was ionized effectively, and collision-induced dissociation(CID) produced predominant characteristic ions[M + H] +allowing sensitive TOF MS detection.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Limit of quantification(LOQ); ②Accuracy and precision of LC/Q-TOF MS method.RESULTS: The average recoveries of DA spiked to tissue homogenates through the complete cleanse procedure ranged from 87.8% to 94.6%, and the relative standard deviations(RSD) ranged from 8.4% to 11.9%. TheLOQ in the shellfish tissue was 0.1 μg/g.CONCLUSION: LC/Q-TOF MS suits well the purpose of detecting and identifying ASP toxins in shellfish with high sensitivity and specificity, and may provide reference values for monitoring the safety of consumption of shellfish.

BACKGROUND: Recently,the technique of isolation procedure of viable islets cell from large animals has been mature and used in clinical islet cell transplantation. Some study results indicate that low yields of pig islet cell isolations is probably not due to the presence of higher or more aggressive enzyme activities during the porcine isolation procedure. Therefore, the causative factors resulting in the inconsistent results should be sought for the intrinsic properties of the pancreatic islet and pancreas. The purpose of the study is to get more pancreatic islet cells for diabetic patients.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of single enzymatic solution (SES)and multi-enzymatic solution(MES) on adult porcine pancreatic islet cell isolation,and to provide the theory base for diabetic patients rehabilitation.DESIGN: A completely randomized and controlled experiment based on animals.SETTING: General surgery and gerontology department in a university hospital.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from June 2003 to May 2004. Twenty consecutive random-bred adult pigs, 12 - 24 months old, weighing average 100 kg,were selected for experiment from Hada Slaughterhouse of Harbin.INTERVENTIONS: After slaughtering,the spleentic lobe of the pancreas was excised using sterile surgical gloves and surgical instruments. Each was immediately transported in 500 mL of sterile RPMI1640 solution at 4 ℃ to the laboratory for processing. After removal of fat peritoneum and superficial blood vessel,each pancreas was first immersed in 1:5 000 Liquor chlorhexidine for 3 minutes,then washed three times with cold RPMI1640, next mechanically minced into 1 mm×1 mm×1 mm fragments,weighed,and equally divided into two groups. Adult porcine islets were isolated with two different collagenase solutions(SES and MES).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Islet count was performed with DTZ-staining. The viability was assessed by trypan-blue staining. Porcine islet insulin-secretory function was assessed by insulin content of cultured porcine islets and by insulin release. Islet morphological integrity was finally established by electron microscope examination.RESULTS: Overall islet cell content were statistically different between the two methods[(1 782 ±427) IE/g vs (1 293 ±451) IE/g,P<0.05]. No significant difference was found in viability,function or morphology of islet between MES and SES(P>0. 05).CONCLUSION: An average of isletisolated with MES method represents a uniquely massive yield in comparison with that by SES method. A good viability was also confirmed by static incubation and culture. The transplantation of those pancreatic islet cells can help to control the syndromes of diabetes.

Objective To study the effects of Jia Wei Bu Yang Huan Wu decoction on learning and memory abilities, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in mice exposed to 16 Hz,130 dB infrasound. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were divided into a control group (group C), an infrasound-control group (IC group), an infrasound and drug-treated group (ID group). Learning and memory abilities,SOD and GSH-PX activities and MDA contents were measured 14 d after corresponding treatment. Results Compared with those in group C, learning and memory abilities was significantly decreased(P0.05)in IC group. Compared with those in IC group, learning and memory abilities was increased(P

BACKGROUND:Most foreign and domestic studies on the effect of androgen receptor(AR) on cardiovascular system are limited to myocardium.However,cardiac nervous system plays an important role in the cardiac functional regulation.OBJECFIVE:To observe the AR protein and mRNA expressions in intracardiac ganglia of male orchidectomized rats,to investigate whether androgen affects the expressions,and to make a comparison with normal rats and testosterone-substituted rats after orchiectomy.DESIGN:A randomized controlled experiment.SETTING:Department of Anatomy,Medical College,Wuhan University of Science and Technology;Department of Anatomy,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS:This study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy,Medical College,Wuhan University of Science and Technology between January and May 2003.Sixty healthy adult male Wistar rats,with body mass of 150 to 250g,were provided by the Animal Experimental Center,Tongji Medical College,Huazhong University of Science and Technology.METHODS:Sixty rats were randomized into 3 groups:①Control group,in which,testicles of rats were untouched.②Orchiectomy group,in which,bilateral testicles of rats were dissected.③Testosterone group,in which,the orchidectomized rats were injected with testosterone,0.2 mg once,once every 3 days,3 weeks totally.AR protein and its mRNA expressions in intracardiac ganglia of male orchidectomized rats were detected by immunohistochemical method and in situ hybridization method.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:The positive rate of AR-positive cells in intracardiac ganglia (the number of positive cells/the number of total cells×100%)and its mean absorbance.RESULTS:All the 60 rats were involved in the final analysis.AR-positive nerve cells were found in all the intracardiac ganglia of atrial posterior wall in the 3 groups;The positive rate of AR protein and mRNA positive nerve cells in intracardiac ganglia and its mean absorbance were significantly lower in the orchiectomy group than in the control group and in the testosterone group (P＜0.05).But no obvious differences in the positive rate and mean absorbance existed between testosterone group and control group(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:AR exists in the intracardiac ganglia of atrial posterior wall,and it is regulated by androgen.

Objective:To explore the mechanism for the immune cross-reaction between crabs and shrimps.Methods:The cross-reactivity between shrimps and crabs was observed by inhibition of ELISA and Western blot.Results:The protein constituents were similar where their genus relationship was closer in shrimps and crabs.There were the same bands at 20,36,38,44,68,75,and 85 kD of molecule weight.The protein at 36 kD was the main allergen for shrimps and the proteins at 36,66 and 85 kD were the main allergens for crabs.S.serrata and M.nipponense could inhibit the allergic response of various kinds of shrimp and crab in a concentration-dependent pattern.Conclusion:There is a strong immune cross-reaction between different species of shrimp and crab in 36 000.

Objective To investigate the utility of serum prostate specific antigen(PSA) density (PSAD),prostate antigen transition zone density(PSAT) and the ratio of free/total PSA with PSAD [(F/T)/PSAD] in the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma (PCa) by three-dimensional ultrasonography.Methods Seventy-eight patients (serum prostate-specific antigen between 4-20 μg/L ) were involved.The prostatic volume and its transition zone volume were measured by three-dimensional ultrasonography.Then the relative parameters of PSA [PSAD,PSAT and (F/T)/PSAD] were calculated.Pathologic types were determined by using needle biopsy of prostate.Results Among them,27 patients were suffering from PCa,while the other 51 benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH).The difference of PSAD,PSAT and (F/T)/PSAD between PCa and BPH had arrived statistical significance (P<0.05).Proportions under the PCa curves were 0.736,0.760,0.800 respectively.Considering both sensitivity and specificity,a cutoff was recommanded:PSAD>0.20,PSAT>0.33,(F/T)/PSAD<0.8.Conclusions When the serum PSA level is between 4 μg/L and 20 μg/L,PSAD,PSAT and (F/T)/PSAD are of significant value to differentiate PCa from benign prostatic hyperplasia patients.The data are more reliable if prostatic volume are calculated by three-dimensional transrectal ultrasonography.

Objective To assess the relationships among the autologous serum-induced skin wheal-andflare reaction,ex vivo serum-induced basophil histamine release, and serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).Methods Sixty patients with CIU collected from the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were recruited for this study.Sera were obtained from the subjects,and ASST was performed in all of the subjects.The results of ASST were determined according to a recommended criterion described by Sabroe et al,and the positive results were further subclassified into wheal plus flare (W+F) pattern and wheal-only (W) pattern,negative results into flare-only (F) pattern and no response pattern.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify the content of histamine released by autologous serum-induced basophils and serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies.Results Of the 60 patients,19 (31.7％)were positive for ASST,including 16 (84.2％) presenting W+F pattern and 3 presenting W pattern; 41 were negative for ASST,including 3 (7.3％) giving F pattern and 38 giving no response pattern.The histamine release rate was significantly higher in ASST-positive patients than in ASST-negative patients (33.38％ ± 9.83％ vs.4.06％ ±1.44％,t =5.13,P＜ 0.01),and was nearly twice as high as that in basophils induced by 10 μmol/L formylmethionyleucylphenylalanine (Fmlp).The serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies were high in only patients giving (W+F) pattern (757.64 ± 168.99 ng/L),but low in the normal human controls (43.25 ± 16.63 ng/L).Conclusions The positive ASST result of wheal plus flare pattern is associated with high serum levels of IgG anti-FcεRI autoantibodies,and is suggestive of a clinical diagnosis of autoimmune chronic urticaria (ACU).