Objective:To observe the effects of Huatan Quyu Decoction on the protein expressions of β-catenin and GSK-3 β and the expression of anticardiolipin antibody and β-amyloid protein related to cognitive function in rats with vascular dementia based on Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.Methods:A total of 96 male SD rats were divided into blank group, model group, Donepezil hydrochloride group and Huatan Quyu Decoction low-, midium-, high-dosage group according to random number table method, with 16 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the rat model of vascular dementia was prepared by modified 2-VO method. Huatan Quyu Decoction low-, medium- and high-dosage groups were administrated with Huatan Quyu Decoction 6.1, 12.1 and 24.2 g/kg, respectively; the Western medicine group was administrated with Donepezil hydrochloride 0.5 mg/kg; the blank group and the model group were administrated with the same amount of normal saline for 28 consecutive days. On the 1st, 7th, 14th and 28th day after administration, the learning and memory ability of rats was evaluated by Morris water maze test, the levels of ACA and Aβ in serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expressions of β-catenin and GSK-3β proteins related to Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in hippocampus were measured by Western blot.Results:Compared with model group, the escape latency was shortened in the Huatan Quyu Decoction high-dosage group and Donepezil group on 7 and 14 days of administration ( P<0.05), and the times of crossing the platform increased in Huatan Quyu Decoction high-dosage group on 1 and 28 days of administration ( P<0.05). Compared with model group, the serum ACA level in Donepezil group, Huatan Quyu Decoction medium- and high-dosage groups decreased at day 1, 7, 14 and 28 after administration ( P<0.05). The serum Aβ level in Donepezil group, Huatan Quyu Decoction medium- and high-dosage groups decreased at 7, 14 and 28 days after administration ( P<0.05); On the 14th and 28th days after administration, the levels of ACA and Aβ in TCM low-dosage group decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with model group, the expression of β-catenin protein in hippocampus of Donepezil group and Huatan Quyu Decoction medium- and high-dosage groups increased ( P<0.05), while the expression of GSK-3β in hippocampus of Donepezil group and Huatan Quyu Decoction low-, medium- and high-dosage groups decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Huatan Quyu Decoction can activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, up-regulate the expression of β-catenin protein in hippocampal tissue of rats, inhibit the expression of GSK-3β, reduce the levels of ACA and Aβ in serum of rats, and improve the cognitive function of rats with vascular dementia.

Objective To observe the effects of Huatan Quyu Decoction on cognitive function and the expressions of GABA and VILIP-1 in brain tissue of rats with cerebral small vessel disease;To discuss its mechanism for treatment on cerebral small vessel disease.Methods Totally 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,a rat model of cerebral small vessel disease was prepared by in vitro injection of homologous microemboli.Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups were given Huatan Quyu Decoction 1.25 and 2.5 g/kg by gavage,the blank group and model group were gavage with equal amounts of distilled water for 28 consecutive days.Morris water maze experiment was conducted on day 1,7,14,and 28 after administration to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats,HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in hippocampal tissue,and immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of GABA and VILIP-1 proteins in brain tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in model group significantly prolonged(P<0.05),and the number of crossing platforms was significantly reduced(P<0.05);the arrangement of hippocampal tissue cells was disordered,gaps widen,and nuclei atrophy and necrosis,the GABA expression in brain tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the VILIP-1 expression significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in the Huatan Quyu Decoction low-and high-dosage groups significantly shortened(P<0.05)on day 7,14,and 28 of administration,and the number of crossing platforms significantly increased(P<0.05),GABA expression significantly increased(P<0.05),while VILIP-1 expression significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the Huatan Quyu Decoction low-dosage group,the escape latency of Morris water maze experiment in Huatan Quyu Decoction high-dosage group decreased at various time points,and the number of crossing platforms increase,the pathological damage of hippocampal tissue was reduced,the expression of GABA in brain tissue increased,and the expression of VILIP-1 decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Huatan Quyu Decoction can increase the expression of GABA in brain tissue and inhibit the expression of VILIP-1,thereby improve the cognitive function of rats with cerebrovascular disease.

Light adaptation enables the vertebrate visual system to operate over a wide range of ambient illumination. Regulation of phototransduction in photoreceptors is considered a major mechanism underlying light adaptation. However, various types of neurons and glial cells exist in the retina, and whether and how all retinal cells interact to adapt to light/dark conditions at the cellular and molecular levels requires systematic investigation. Therefore, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect retinal cell-type-specific transcriptomes during light/dark adaptation in mice. The results demonstrated that, in addition to photoreceptors, other retinal cell types also showed dynamic molecular changes and specifically enriched signaling pathways under light/dark adaptation. Importantly, Müller glial cells (MGs) were identified as hub cells for intercellular interactions, displaying complex cell‒cell communication with other retinal cells. Furthermore, light increased the transcription of the deiodinase Dio2 in MGs, which converted thyroxine (T4) to active triiodothyronine (T3). Subsequently, light increased T3 levels and regulated mitochondrial respiration in retinal cells in response to light conditions. As cones specifically express the thyroid hormone receptor Thrb, they responded to the increase in T3 by adjusting light responsiveness. Loss of the expression of Dio2 specifically in MGs decreased the light responsive ability of cones. These results suggest that retinal cells display global transcriptional changes under light/dark adaptation and that MGs coordinate intercellular communication during light/dark adaptation via thyroid hormone signaling.
Animals ; Mice ; Dark Adaptation ; Light ; Retina ; Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells/metabolism* ; Adaptation, Ocular ; Neuroglia/physiology* ; Cell Communication ; Thyroid Hormones

The number of investigator initiated research (IIR) is increasing. But the recognition and management of IIR in China is still in its infancy, and there is a lack of specific and operable guidance for the implementation process. Based on our practical experiences, previous literature reports, and current policy regulations, the authors took prospective IIR as an example to summarize the implementation process of IIR into 14 steps, which are as the following: study initiation, ethical review, study registration, study filing, case report form design, database establishment, standard operating procedure making, investigator training, informed consent, data collection, data entry, data verification, data locking and data archiving.

Nowadays, various countries have developed guidelines/consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of alopecia areata. Differences between these guidelines/consensus may reflect differences in backgrounds, research status, medical resources and clinical traditions among countries. This review compares Chinese and international guidelines/consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of alopecia areata in the past 3 years, and analyzes the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, severity assessment methods and treatment of alopecia areata, so as to provide a reference for standardized and individualized diagnosis and treatment of alopecia areata in China.

In recent years, the research on gold nanoparticles has made great progress. Gold nanoparticles with different morphologies have good application prospects in drug delivery and tumor treatment. Some gold nanoparticles have entered the stage of clinical trials. Gold nanorods have become important research objects due to their special optical properties and photothermal treatment potential. In this paper, the optical properties and main applications of gold nanorods were reviewed. Gold nanorods have good surface modifiable properties and can be modified through surface ligand exchange to improve their biocompatibility. The photothermal properties of gold nanorods can be improved by adjusting the aspect ratio to adjust the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak to achieve near-infrared light excitation. These characteristics make gold nanorods show good application prospects in the detection of biological macromolecules, real-time imaging in vivo, and early diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Using gold nanorods as a carrier and modified with different targeting molecules can improve the targeting of its drug delivery system and reduce damage to normal cells, so as to realize the combined application of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy, and finally achieve a better therapeutic effect. Combining gold nanorods with stem cells or certain specific biomolecules can form a hybrid gold nanorod system which provides new ideas for further improving the efficiency of tumor treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of interventions based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills on the preoperative anxiety in patients with gynecological malignancies. Methods A total of 64 patients with malignant tumor were divided into two groups by random digits table method with 32 cases each. The patients in the two groups received routine nursing. In addition, interventions based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills were provided in the intervention group. All patients were investigated by the following indexes such as the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), sleep quality scale, blood pressure and heart rate before and after the intervention. Results After the intervention, the SAS scores in the intervention group was (49.47 ± 3.81) points, sleep quality score was (3.66 ± 0.97) points, and systolic blood pressure and heart rate were (128.56±5.93) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), (75.09 ± 3.78) beats/min, which were lower than those in the control group (57.38 ± 3.75) points, (5.50 ± 1.50) points, (134.97 ± 7.19) mmHg, (81.34 ± 4.88) beats/min, the differences were statistically significant (t=-8.350--3.887, P<0.05). Conclusions The intervention focused on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills can help patients to relieve anxiety, reduce stress response, improve quality of sleep.

Objective To explore the relationship between social anxiety and acceptance of disability in breast cancer patients with mastectomy. Methods Totally 325 patients with breast cancer were investigated with general information questionnaire, Interaction Anxiety Scale and Acceptance of Disability Scale.Results The total score of Interaction Anxiety Scale was(40.01±9.38)points.The total score of Acceptance of Disability Scale was (78.02 ± 11.61) points. One-way ANOVA showed that age, education level, marital status, economic level, whether the spouse care about the appearance or not, therapy types affected social anxiety significantly(t/F=-4.696-35.694,all P<0.01).Significantly negative correlation was found between social anxiety and acceptance of disability (r =-0.469--0.371, P<0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that acceptance of disability,age,whether the spouse care about the appearance or not, therapy types were influencing factors of social anxiety. Conclusions Nurses and doctors should explore effective psychological intervention mode to rebuild the patient′s self-confidence and return to normal social interaction in order to improve the acceptance of disability.

Objective To evaluate the effect of written expression on perceived stress,anxiety and depression in patients with gynecologic malignant tumor during chemotherapy. Methods From June 2016 to December 2016,90 chemotherapy patients with gynecologic malignant tumor were extracted from North China University of Science and Technology and divided into intervention group and control group by random digits table method,45 cases in each group.The control group received routine psychological intervention and while the intervention group received written expression lasting for 4 weeks in addition. Before and after the intervention,all patients were measured using the Chinese Version Perceived Stress Scale(CPSS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS) and Self-Rating depression Scale(SDS). Results The intervention group showed a significant decrease in CPSS(32.12 ± 3.75) points, SAS(43.67 ± 5.23) points, SDS(46.18±4.37)points,compared with the control group(37.26±4.42),(50.88±3.15),(52.47±3.60)points, the difference was significant(t=-5.782,-7.667,-7.230,all P<0.05). Conclusions Written expression can effectively reduce perceived stress, anxiety and depression in patients with gynecologic malignant tumor undergoing chemotherapy.

Objective To explore the impact of self-care efficacy and psychological resilience on post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in breast cancer patients.Methods 303 patients with breast cancer were investigated with PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version(PCL-C),Chinese version of strategies used by people to promote health (C-SUPPH) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC).Results The total score of PCL-C was (38.02±8.35) and the incidence of PTSD in breast cancer inpatients was 20.13％ with 61 cases.Correlation analysis showed that PTSD was negatively correlated with the score of self-care efficacy (r=-0.387) and psychological resilience (r=-0.341) (P＜ 0.01,P＜ 0.05).Multiple regression analysis showed that self-care efficacy (β=-0.274),psychological resilience (β=-0.149) and neoplasm staging(β=0.136) were influencing factors of PTSD.Conclusion Intervention measures should be taken according to self-care efficacy and psychological resilience of breast cancer patients so as to reduce the PTST incidence and improve mental health of patients.