Objective To observe the effect of hyperglycemia on intracranial pressure (ICP) and neurological outcome following severe brain injury. Methods A retrospective review was done on 79 cases with severe traumatic brain injury (with no history of diabetes or important extracranial complications) who underwent craniotomy for evacuation of intracranial hematoma and were divided into two groups based on Glasgow outcome scales (GOS) score, ie, favorable group with GOS of 5 or 4 and unfavorable group with GOS less than 3. Statistical analysis of data was accomplished by using SPSS 11.5 software. The outcome was assessed at the 6th month after injury. Results A significant correlation was found between ICP levels and admission or postoperative glucose values. The unfavorable group had significantly higher glucose levels both on admission and after operation compared with the favorable group, with statistical difference (P

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of aminoguanidine on expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in neurons in the small intestinal nerve plexus of starved rats.MethodsNinety male SD rats weighing 230-270 g were randomly divided into 3 groups:group normal control (group C,n =10) ; group starvation (group S,n=40) and group starvation + aminoguanidine (group A,n =40).The animals were allowed free access to water but no food during starvation in S and A groups.In group A the animals were given aminoguanidine 150 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 intraperitoneally during starvation.Ten animals were sacrificed at 3,5,7 and 9 d of starvation respectively and intestine specimens were taken for determination of ratio of intestinal transit using dextran blue-2000 as indicator.Then the specimens of intestinal myenteric nerve plexus of ileum were collected and stained by histochemistry with nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate-d for determination of iNOS expression.ResultsStarvation significantly reduced the small intestinal transit and increased iNOS expression in neurons in the myenteric nerve plexus of small intestine in proportion to days of starvation in group S compared with group C.Intraperitoneal aminoguanidine significantly attenuated the starvation-induced changes in intestinal transit and iNOS expression.ConclusionAminoguanidine can attenuate the up-regulation of the expression of iNOS in neurons in the myenteric nerve plexus of small intestine induced by starvation and is helpful in promoting the intestinal transit in starved rats.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between the endolymphatic hydrops in vestibule and symp‐toms ,audiovestibular functions in patients with Meniere's disease .Methods Twenty -four hours after bilateral intra-tympanic 8 times diluted gadolinium administration , three - dimensional fluid - attenuated inversion recovery MRI ,using a three-Tesla unit ,was performed in 34 patients .The extent of endolymphatic hydrops in the MRI images was assessed and compared the hydrops with age ,duration ,stage of the disease ,frequency of attacks ,pure tone audiometry ,caloric test ,electrocochleography and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials .Results Thirty -four patients showed different levels of enhancement of perilymth in the inner ears .In these patients ,obvious signs of endolymphatic hydrops were visualized ,including 8 slight hydrops ,11 mild hydrops and 15 significant hydrops . In all 34 patients ,the results of PTA were 9 dB HL to 90 dB HL ,with average of 43 .56 dB HL and there were 21 abnormal and 13 normal patients in caloric test with a diagnostic rate 61 .76% ;17 normal ,7 abnormal and 10 not elicited patients in VEMP with a diagnostic rate 50% ;22 abnormal and 12 normal patients in electrocochleography with a diagnostic rate 64 .71% .There were almost no complications in all 34 patients after bilateral intra-tympanic injec‐tion except short vertigo among 5 of them .A statistically significant correlation was found between degrees of en‐dolymphatic hydrops in vestibule and age ,stage of the disease and VEMP (P<0 .05) ,whereas no significant corre‐lation was found between the extent of endolymphatic hydrops and duration ,frequency of attacks ,pure tone audi‐ometry ,caloric test ,electrocochleography(P> 0 .05) and the correlation coefficient were 0 .494 ,0 .568 ,0 .590 , 0 .495 ,respectively .Conclusion The degree of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease has significant correlation with age ,VEMP ,stage of the disease and pure tone audiometry .No significant correlation was found between hy‐drops and duration ,frequency of attacks ,functional level scale ,caloric test and electrocochleography .

Objective To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on Src-suppressed C Kinase Substrate(SSeCKS) in cultured astrocytes. Methods Purified astrocytes were randomly divided into three groups:control group,singly stressed and multiple stressed groups.The expression of SSeCKS was detected by Real time RT-PCR and Western blotting,while immunocytochemistry was used to investigate the subcellular localization of it. Results Real time RT-PCR indicated that,after 12 hours incubation,both 100 ?g/L and 1mg/L LPS were able to elevate the levels of SSeCKS mRNA compared with control group,while 1mg/L LPS did not have a stronger effect than 100 ?g/L.Western blotting analysis showed 100 ?g/L LPS significantly increased the expression of SSeCKS.In time response experiments,the levels of SSeCKS expression enhanced three hours after the stimulation,peaked at the sixth hour,coincident with its rapid phosphorylation,and remained high until the 24th hour.Immunocytochemistry suggested a perinuclear translocation of SSeCKS,while the PKC inhibitor RO-31-8220 blocked it.Conclusion In cultured astrocytes,LPS can enhance the expression of SSeCKS,increase its phosphorylation level and change its subcellular localization.These effects are correlated with the PKC pathway,which indicates SSeCKS might participate in the signal transduction of inflammation in cultured astrocytes.

Objective To investigate the effect of liver depression (Liver Qi Stagnation) on Th17,Treg,IL-17,IL-10 and airway inflammation in asthmatic rats,and to clarify the immune mechanism of asthma with liver depression.Methods Established the combined with disease and syndrome model of asthma with liver depression.Collected the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) to count the total and differential cell.Lung tissue was observed in microscope; the proportion of Th17 cells and Treg cells of CD4 +T cells in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry; the levels of IL-17 and IL-10 were determined by ELISA.Results The total number of inflammatory cells[(96.86±4.43)× 107/L,(88.22±3.22)× 107/L],the proportion of eosinophils [(27.58 ±4.65) ％,(22.67±2.43) ％],Th17 cells[(6.86±0.98) ％,(6.01 ±0.77) ％] and IL-17 level [(48.88± 8.06)pg/ml,(43.24± 6.32) pg/ml] of asthma in liver depression group and asthma group were significantly higher than the control group [(30.58 ± 2.49) × 107/L,(0.78 ± 0.12) ％,(2.80± 0.82) ％,(24.11 ±3.40)pg/ml]; Treg cells [(3.09±0.55) ％,(3.96±0.66) ％] and IL-10 level [(19.79±2.80) pg/ml,(20.29±3.12) pg/ml] were significantly lower than the control group [(8.02± 1.26) ％,(30.79 ± 4.01) pg/ml].The total number of inflammatory cells (96.86 ±4.43) × 107/L,the proportion of eosinophils (27.58±4.65) ％ and Th17 cells(6.86±0.98) ％ and IL-17 level (48.88±8.06)pg/mL of asthma in liver depression group were significantly higher than the asthma group (88.22 ± 3.22) × 107/L,(22.67 ± 2.43) ％,(6.01 ± 0.77) ％,(43.24 ± 6.32) pg/ml;the proportion of Treg cells (3.09 ±0.55)％ was significantly lower than the asthma group (3.96± 0.66)％; and the lung histopathology symptoms was more severe than asthma group.Conclusion Liver Qi Stagnation can promote the inflammation of asthma,the imbalance of Th17/Treg and IL-17 level to aggravate the asthma.Liver depression is one of the major internal factors in recurrent episodes of asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent of endolymphatic hydrops as shown by three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D FLAIR MRI) performed 24 hours after bilateral intratympanic gadolinium administration and discuss the positive rate of endolymphatic hydrops in vestibule and cochlea. METHOD: Twenty-four hours after bilateral intra-tympanic 8 times diluted gadolinium administration, three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI, using a three-Tesla unit, was performed in 48 patients, and then assessed the extent of endolymphatic hydrops in the MRI images. RESULT: Forty-eight patients showed different levels of enhancement of perilymth in the inner ear. In these patients, obvious signs of endolymphatic hydrops were visualized in vestibule,including 8 slight hydrops, 17 mild hydrops and 23 severe hydrops with a diagnostic rate of 83.3%. There were almost no complications in all 48 patients after bilateral intra-tympanic injection except short vertigo in some of them. CONCLUSION 3D FLAIR MRI resonance imaging has a high positive diagnostic rate in assessing endolymphatic hydrops of Ménière's disease and provides direct imaging evidence for diagnosing Ménière's disease.
Cochlea ; Contrast Media ; Ear, Inner ; Ear, Middle ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Injections ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meniere Disease ; diagnosis ; Vestibule, Labyrinth

Objective To investigate the possible protective effect of neurotropin on the corresponding spinal cord motoneuron after sciatic nerve injury early in rats.Methods 108 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into Groups A,B and C with 36 animals in each group,and all animals were cut both side of sciatic nerve,instantly make the operation of end-to-end anastomose of epineurium for abscised sciatic nerve.Group A was control group.Group B was treated with neurotropin and Group C was treated with normal saline after operation.The rats were sacrificed on 1st d,4th d,9th d,14th d,21st d and 28th d after operation.The corresponding spinal cord segments(L4～L6)were gotten to make Bcl-2 and Bax immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL staining.Results The values of Bcl-2/Bax on 9th d,14th d and 21st d after operation of Group B were different from that of Group A and Group C.The number of positive cells stained by TUNEL staining on 9th d was significantly different among Group A,Group B and Group C(v<0.05).The expression of positive TUNEL staining cells reached a peak on 14th d after operation,the number of Group B was less than that of Group A and Group C.Conclusion After instantly make the operation of end-to-end anastomose of epineurium for abscised sciatic nerve,neurotropin can protect the spinal cord motoneurons to avoid apoptosis excessively in some extent.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the survival of a random pattern skin flap.

METHODSCaudal based random skin flaps (9 cm x 3 cm) were raised on the back of Wistar rats. Six methods were used in the experiment to observe the effect of NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME and NO synthase substrate L-arginine on flaps: image analysis technology; light and electron microscopic studies; enzyme histochemistry of NOS in flaps; concentration of NO2-/NO3- in plasma and wet/dry ratio of the flap tissue.

RESULTSSurvival area of flap in the L-arginine-treated group significantly increased (67.06 +/- 5.65)% (p < 0.01) whereas the area in the L-NAME-treated group significantly decreased (35.17 +/- 1.87)% (p < 0.01) compared with the control group (53.25 +/- 3.24)% at seven days after the operation. General and microscopic observations showed that pathological changes in the L-arginine-treated group were fewer. Abundant capillaries and fewer inflammatory cells were noticed in the L-arginine-treated group. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies find endothelial swelling, thrombosis-formation and endothelial loss of contact with the basement membrane in the L-NAME treated group. Before operation, the serum NO concentrations were not significantly different in three groups (p > 0.05). After operation, NO concentration of the control group began to increase and reached to the top at the third day. L-Arg kept serum NO concentration in a higher level than the control. Enzyme histochemistry of NOS in flaps: microvessel intima in dermis, hair follicles, sweat glands and inflammatory cells showed oxford blue, more positive in flaps of the L-Arg treated group than the control group at the third day after operation. The flaps of L-NAME-treated group demonstrated negative or weak positive. Wet/dry ratio: twenty-four hours after flap elevation wet/dry weight ratios increased significantly in all regions of the flap of the L-arginine-treated rats compared with saline-treated rats. The ratios of the flaps of L-NAME-treated rats were reduced compared with saline-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONNO could improve microcirculation of the flap and increase its survival rates. The mechanism might be that NO could accelerate flap vascularization and protect flaps from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Graft Survival ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitrates ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Nitrites ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; enzymology ; ultrastructure ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; physiology

ObjectiveTo explore the childhood trauma experience and its relation to the eye emotion recognition ability in patients with schizophrenia.MethodsSeventy-one schizophrenic patients and fifty-two healthy subjects were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Eye Basic Emotion Discrimination Task (EBEDT).ResultsThe CTQ total score in the patients group was significantly higher than those in the control group (47.86 ± 13.26 vs 34.27 ± 7.27,P ＜ 0.01 ).The subscores in emotional abuse,physical abuse,sexual abuse,emotional neglect and physical neglect of CTQ in the patients group were also significantly higher than those in the control group.(all P＜ 0.01 ).Compared with controls,the patients had significantly lower total accuracy( (86.74 ± 6.16vs73.42 ± 11.86) ％,P ＜ 0.01 ) and longer total reaction time ( (2776.75 ± 703.42 vs 4321.40 ± 1956.83 )ms,P ＜ 0.01 )of EBEDT.The significant difference were also found on the accuracy and reaction time of the EBEDT six basic emotion between the two groups ( all P ＜ 0.01 ).Correlation analysis indicated that CTQ total score were negatively correlated with the EBEDT total accuracy ( r=-0.390,P＜0.01 ),and its sub-accuracy of happiness,surprise,sadness,and anger ( respectively r =- 0.419,r =- 0.451,r =- 0.391,r =- 0.344,P ＜ 0.01 ) in the patients group.The correlation between CTQ total score and EBEDT total accuracy was also found in the control group.ConclusionChildhood trauma is related to eye basic emotion recognition in schizophrenia patients,suggesting that the trauma during childhood can affect the social recognition ability.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of using modified antegrade digital artery island flap for the treatment of the severely flexion contracture of the burned finger.Methods Between August,2013 to August,2015,21 patients (21 fingers) with severely flexion contracture of the burned finger were hospitalized for treatment.According to the Stren classification standard for the interphalangeal joint flexion contracture,all the patients were rated as type Ⅲ.The volar soft-tissue defect with exposed tendons,nerves,vessels or bone ranged from 1.0 cm × 2.0 cm to 2.5 cm × 4.0 cm after scar relaxation.The artery and the nerve defect were 1.5 to 4.5 cm and 2.0 to 4.2 cm,respectively.The wound were reconstructed with the modified antegrade digital artery island flap.The dorsal branches of the proper digital nerve of the flap were anastomosised with the proper digital nerve of the wound.The flap donor site was resurfaced with full-thickness skin grafting from inner aspect of the forearm.All the cases were called back for postoperative follow-up.Results All the reconstructed fingers and flaps survived completely without vascular problems.The donor skin graft survived and wound healed by first intention.All the patients were followed up with 11.5 months (range,6-22 months).The finger appearance was satisfactory.The texture and color of flaps in all cases were good.There was no pigmentation and contraction relapse.The contracted fingers received no cold intolerance.At the final examination,the average values of static 2-point discrimination were 5.2 mm (range,4.3-6.5 mm) of the flap.In the series,based on the Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire,18 patients were strongly satisfied with the injured finger appearance and 3 patients satisfied with the appearance.Conclusion The modified antegrade digital artery island flap,which is easy to raise with large flap size and can result with the good finger appearance and function,is an ideal technique for reconstruction of the severe flexion contracture of the burned finger.