Diabetes could damage the peripheral and central nervous system,and was the risk factor of cognitive impairment in the elderly.The pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction caused by diabetes was complex.At present,hyperinsulinemia and/or insulin deficiency,glycemic control,glycation end-products,inflammatorv mediators,hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction,blood-brain barrier dysfunction and other factors were considered to be the major causes of cognitive impairment in elderly patients with diabetes.Good metabolic control may help prevent its occurrence and/or progression.

Objective To introduce a method and the clinical effects of treating the blocks of nasal-lachrymal ducts by the memory alloy stands without TV monitoring.Methods 15 blocks of nasal-lachrymal ducts of 12 cases were taken radiography of nasal-lachrymal ducts;to fix the position,to put into the conducting threads from the tear spots and introduce the dilators inversely along the threads.And then China-made titanium-nickel memory alloy stands were planted into the nasallachrymal ducts.Results To visit the patients for 1 to 12 months after operation,the radiography showed that the nasal-lachrymal ducts were clear.The symptoms of overflowing tears and pus disappear completely,11 blocks of 9 cases fully recovered,4 blocks of 3 cases were on the mend.Conclusion Interventional treatment of blocks of nasal-lachrymal ducts is easy,safe and effective.

At present, there are many methods for genotype of hepatitis C virus , but not a gold standard. In order to establish the rationale for genotypic determination of optimal region sequence, fifteen complete genome sequences of hepatitis C which had been given the annotation about every region and derived from different country were downloaded from GenBank. Phylogenetic trees on 5' UTR, core, E1, E2 and NS5B region were established. The results demonstrated that genotyping group was not all correct on 5' UTR region while genotyping groups were wholly correct on core, E1, E2 and NS5B region. Comparing phylogenetic distances on core, E1, E2 and NS5B region with that on complete genome sequence demonstrated that the NS5B area was the best genotyping region instead of the complete genome sequence. In addition, analysis of the molecular evolution on each core region could supply some clues for creating novel genotyping method based on PCR-RFLP.

Objective To discuss hemorheologic changes and hepatic function in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)and its correlation with HBV genotype.Methods Relative index of hemorheologic changes,ALT,HBV-DNA and HBV genotype were examined in 96 CHB patients and 24 healthy control people.The results underwent correlation analysis.Results Low-shear blood viscosity and RBC aggregation index were significantly higher in CHB patients than those in the healthy control people(P＜0.05).Low-shear blood viscosity and RBC aggregation index were significantly higher in CHB patients with abnormal ALT than those CHB patients with normal ALT and the healthy control people(P＜0.05).No statistical difference was seen when CHB patients with normal ALT were compared with the healthy control people and patients with positive HBV-DNA were compared with patients with nesative HBV-DNA(P＞0.05).No statistical difference was seen in hemorheologic changes in CHB patients with different genotype(P＞0.05).Conclusions Microcirculation disorder of CHB patients is correlated with damage degree of hepatic function.Hemorheologic changes are not correlated with HBV-DNA and HBV genotype,so it can be a relatively independent index for clinical evaluation of disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the preventive effects of rosiglitazone on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats and to explore the potential mechanisms in modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ),nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB),and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression.Methods Thirty male SD rats were assigned into the normal group ( n =10),the model group ( n =10),rosiglitazone prevention group [ n =10,simultaneously 4mg/( kg · d) gavage daily at beginning].Liver appearance,liver index,and histological changes were assessed.Serum tumor necrosis factor-o (TNF-c) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expressions of PPARγ,NF-κB,and COX-2 in liver were determined using immunohistochemical methods.The mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were disclosed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis.ResultsCompared with the normal group,the liver index significantly increased in model group (3.92 ±0.72 vs.5.71 ± 1.05,P =0.004).HE and Masson staining showed significantly increased steatosis,inflammation,and fibrosis.The serum levels of TNF-α,PGE2 in high-fat-diet-fed rats were significantly increased ( 11.72 ± 2.47 vs.29.39 ± 5.32,P =0.002 ; 236.60 ± 24.90vs.288.24 ± 17.17,P =0.004).Immunohistochemistry showed NF-κB and COX-2 in livers were significantly elevated,but PPARγ wasdecreased in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis rats.Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot found mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were increased in the model group (0.57 ± 0.08 vs.2.83 ± 0.24,P =0.0007 ; 0.38 ± 0.03 vs.1.00 ± 0.03,P =0.004).Compared with the model group,the expressions of PPARγsignificantly increased and the expressions of NF-κB and COX-2 significantly decreased ( mRNA:2.83 ± 0.24 vs.0.46 ± 0.11,P =0.002 ; protein: 1.00 ± 0.03 vs.0.62 ± 0.02,P =0.006 ) in the rosiglitazone prevention group.ConclusionBy inhibiting NF-κB and COX-2 expressions,rosiglitazone can reduce insulin resistance and then prevent the occurrence and deve lopment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Objective: To evaluate the post-operative mortality of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 255 patients with new onset of STEMI who received primary PCI in our hospital and all patients received LVEDP measurement before coronary artery opening. According to LVEDP value, the patients were divided into 2 groups: LVEDP≤14 mmHg group,n=155 and LVEDP>14 mmHg group,n=100. The post-operative mortality up to 6 months was observed, and the effect of LVEDP on death rate was studied by Cox regression analysis. Results: Compared with LVEDP≤14 mmHg group, the patients in LVEDP>14 mmHg group had the 6 months mortality at HR=4.26, 95% CI (1.13-16.08),P=0.03. Relevant study presented that LVEDP was slightly related to LVEF (r=-0.267, P=0.001) and BNP (r=-0.154,P=0.041). Multi-regression analysis indicated that with adjusted LVEF and BNP, LVEDP was the independent predictor for post-operative mortality up to 6 months in acute STEMI patients after PCI. Conclusion: The LVEDP value measured during PCI procedure is the independent predictor for mortality after PCI in patients with new onset of STEMI.

Objective To explore the mechanism underlying the rapid shortening of outflow tract and the formation of the right ventricle of the embryonic mouse heart .Methods Serial sections of embryonic mouse hearts from embryonic day 9 (E9) to E12(3 to 5 embryos for each stage)were stained with antibodies against α-sarcomeric actin (SCA), α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), GATA-4, myosin heavy chain (MHC), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or active caspase-3 (CAS-3).Results At E11, the aortic sac and the distal border of cardiac outflow tract had regressed towards the ventricle into the pericardial cavity , while GATA-4、SCA and SMA staining showed that precursors from the second heart field were differentiating into cardiomyocytes adding to the arterial pole of the heart to lengthen the outflow tract .The length of outflow tract rapidly shortened at E12.Before and during its shortening , no CAS-3 positive cell was detected in the entire outflow tract.During E10-12, the cardiomyocytes in the right ventricle and proximal outflow tract wall proliferated inward to form trabeculae, with some trabeculae extending into the ridges .Proximal extremities of the outflow tract ridges were gradually myocardialized remodeling into the trabeullar right ventricle wall .At E12, scattered SCA and SMA staining cells and SCA and SMA weak positive mesenchymal cell clusters , which were continuous with the outflow tract myocardium were detected in the mesenchymal proximal outflow tract ridges .These results suggested that the proximal outflow tract was remodeled into the right ventricle by trabecularization , during which mesenchymal ridges were trabecularlly myocardialized . Conclusion Ventricularization of the proximal outflow tract contributes to the trabecular right ventricle and resultes in the vapid shortening of outflow tract in the mouse embryonic heart .Cardiomyocyte appoptosis and transdifferentiation are found to play a more limited contribution during this process .

Objective To evaluate the impact of rosiglitazone (Ros) on liver expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ),nuclear factor (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) rats.Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group,model group and Ros treated group with 10 each.Except the normal group,the other two groups were given high fat diet for 12 weeks for NASH model.The rats in Ros treated group were gavaged 4 mg/kg of Ros daily at the 12th week for 8 weeks.All rats were sacrificed at the 20th week for blood sample and liver tissue.Biochemical parameters of liver function,lipid metabolism,glycometabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured.The histological change of the liver were assessed with HE and Masson staining.The level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was measured using ELISA.The expression of PPARγ,NF-κB and COX-2 was detected with immunohistochemistry.The mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were tested by real-time PCR and Western blotting,respectively.Results In comparison with model group,Ros treated group showed significant improvement in hepatic steatosis,inflammation and fibrosis(all P value<0.05).In model group,the serum levels of fasting blood glucose,insulin and HOMA-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IRI),total cholesterol (TC),total triglyeride (TG),lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and free fatty acids were increased,but HDL-C level was decreased.All above parameters markedly improved after Ros treatment.The levels of ALT and AST,total anti-oxidation competence,superoxide dismutase,catalase,glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde in Ros treated group were significantly ameliorated when compared with those in model group.Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of NF-κB and COX-2 was significantly elevated,but PPARγ was decreased in model group.Real-time PCR and Western blot revealed that the mRNA and protein expressions of COX-2 were higher in the model group than those in normal group (0.57±0.08 vs 0.38±0.03;2.83±0.24 vs 1.00±0.03,P=0.000 and P=0.004,respectively),but significantly lower in Ros treated group (0.55±0.06 and 1.84±0.13,P<0.01).Conclusions Ros can reduce oxidative stress and insulin resistance in NASH rats by activing PPARγ expression and inhibiting expression of NF-κB and cyclooxygenases.

Objective To explore the relationship between body composition and β-cell function in obese females with normal glucose metabolism. Methods Seventy-five obese women with normal blood glucose and without family history of diabetes were investigated. They were assigned to 4 groups based on body mass index (BMI). Body fat content was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed. The acute insulin response (AIR), the area under the curve (AUC) of insulin (AUCins) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) for β-cell function (HOMA2-% B) were calculated. Insulin resistance index(HOMA2-IR) and the ratio of AUCins to AUC of glucose (AUCins/AUCglu) were calculated to assess insulin resistance. Results Women with higher BMI appeared to have more total body fat content and trunk fat content. The similar distribution was also found in other parameters, including the plasma glucose levels at 0 and 10 min, AUCins, AIR, AUCins/AUCglu and the difference of insulin level between 0 and 10 min [INS (10-0)] during IVGTF. AUCins, AIR, AUCins/AUCglu and [INS (10-0)] were positively correlated with the age, BMI,total body fat content and trunk fat content. After adjustment of age, the trunk fat content was independently associated with the AIR in a good linear manner. Conclusion The obese females show change in body composition with more trunk fat content. They show significant insulin resistance with compensated elevation of insulin secretion. Body composition assessment is a valid and more accurate method than BMI and waist circumference in predicting early damaged β-cell function in obese patients.

Objective To measure the total β radioactive background level in the urine of normal adults,and to establish the method which can be universally used and satisfy the needs of rapid screening of samples in large batch.Methods A total of 83 urine samples from healthy adults were prepared by evaporation.And the gross β activity in urine was detected by using low background measuring instrument.Results The optimal experimental conditions were in place.The sampled volume was 200 ml,and the samples were turned to nitric acid salinization,ashed at 300℃ for 2 h,and the measured time was 1000 min.To get a more stable result,the urine residues were put aside for 24 h before measurement.The radioactivity in urine of healthy adults was between 9.40-55.92 Bq/L,and showed no correlation with age and sex.Conclusions When the radioactivity in urine is detected under the conditions mentioned above,the sample preparation process is simple and quickly,which can satisfy the needs of large batch sample screening.