Objective To observe any influence of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on the formation of glial scars,and to explore how HBO suppresses the inflammatory reaction to injury.Methods A total of 96 healthy,adult,male,Sprague-Dawley rats were used to model cerebral puncture injury.They were then randomized into a control group and a treatment group,with 48 rats in each group.The treatment group received HBO treatment,while the control group received no special treatment.At 1,3,7,14 and 28 days after the puncture injury,the rats' right brain tissues were harvested and immunohistochemical staining was employed to compare the changes in number of astrocytes and microglial cells around the injury in the two groups.The level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 β (IL-1β) in the cerebral tissue was examined using ELISA.Results Among the control group the average wound areas after 7,14 and 28 days were (2.73 ± 0.05)μm2,(3.42 ± 0.18)μm2 and (2.41 ± 0.09) μm2,a significant reduction after 28 days compared with 7 and 14 days.The corresponding average wound areas of rats in the treatment group were (2.78±0.12)μm2,(2.59 ±0.08)μm2 and (1.20 ±0.06)μm2.There the average wound area had decreased significantly after 14 days,and the further reduction after 28 days was also significant.The numbers of GFAP-positive astrocytes at 14 and 28 days had increased significantly compared with after 7 days in both the control group and the treatment group.The average number of GFAP-positive astrocytes in the control group at 28 days had decreased significantly compared with after 14 days.Compared with the control group at the same time points,the number of GFAP-positivc astrocytes in the treatment group was significantly less.After modeling,the number of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule Ⅰ (Ibal)-positive microglial cells increased significantly,but there was a significant decrease in both the control and treatment groups by 7 days.The average number of Ibal-positive microglial cells in the treatment group was significantly less than in the control group at all of the time points.Compared with the first day after modeling,the TNF-α concentration of the controls at 3 and 7 days was significantly higher,but by the 7th day it was significantly lower than it had been after 3 days.The average IL-1β concentration in the control group and TNF-α concentration in the treatment group had increased by day 3,but then decreased by day 7.The IL-1β concentration of the treatment group declined gradually.The average TNF-α and IL-1 β concentrations of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group at all of the time points.Conclusion HBO treatment has a relatively good curative effect on cerebral puncture injury.It can accelerate wound healing and reduce the formation of glial scars.Its mechanism could be related to the deactivation of astrocytes and microglia cells and reducing the levels of cell factors that promote inflammation.

Objective To study the relationship between the health?related quality of life and Graves′ophthalmopathy quality of life(GO?QOL)in Graves′ophthalmopathy(GO)patients. Methods A total of 44 GO patients were recruited for the study and investigated with SF?36 and GO?QOL questionnaires. In addition,the thyroid function and related antibodies were also detected. Results The scores of SF?36 and GO?QOL were higher in the patients over 45 years than those under 45 years(P<0.05). GO?QOL score was lower in the patients with thyroid stimulating hormone recep?tor antibody higher than 10 IU/mL(P<0.05). The scores of SF?36 and GO?QOL were obviously higher in the patients who had a clinical activity score above 3(P<0.01). Conclusion GO?QOL is a better and more specific questionnaire for GO patients.

Intrathecal (I. T.)administration of K opioid dynorphin A (1-17) is used as a model of neurological dysfunction which lnvolved in spinal cord injury and secondary affection according to several previous reports. 5-amlno-2-phosphoveroleric acid (APV ), an NMDA receptor antagonist, can significantlly prevent the hindlimb paralysis in rats produced by I. T. dynorPhin A (1-17). To further investigate the mechanisms, we establis11 a nlodel of [3H]L,-Glu release in rats spinal slices influenced by dynorphin A (dynA ) (1-17). [3H]L-Glu release evoked by high [K+] (5Ommol/L,)is a Ca2+-dependent process. DynA (1-17) slgnificantly inhibited [3H]L,-Glu release at 1O-8mol/L,, but very significantly enhanced [3H]L-Glu release at 10-6 mol /L. The synthetic k agonist U50, 488H, which has no neurotoxic effect, inhibited [3H]L-Glu release at both high and low concentrations and did not have any enhancing effect. The results suggest that the analgesic effect of dynA (1-17) at physiological dosage may be rnediated by presynaptic K opioid receptor through the inhibition of Ca2+ influx and L-Glu release;but dynA (1-l7)enhanced L-Glu release through a non-opioid pathway and induced hindlimb paralysis at high neurotoxic dosage.

Objective To provide reliable indicators for effective prevention and control of COVID-19, we examined the biochemical indicators as well as anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients. Methods A total of 56 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases quarantined during January-March, 2020 in Gansu Provincial People′s Hospital and People′s Hospital of Xigu District, Gansu Province were included.Based on the results of nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding, they were divided into three groups: positive in both nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding; positive in nucleic acid testing but negative in CT scan finding; negative in both nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding.COVID-19 viral nucleic acid was detected and chest CT scan was performed.The following biochemical indicators were examined: total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase.SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used to analyze the differences in the biochemical indicators among these three groups, as well as the temporal trend of IgM and IgG antibodies at different points of time. Results There were significant differences in the mean values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase between these three groups (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference in the mean value of total protein and albumin (P>0.05).ROC curve indicated that aspartate aminotransferase had the largest maximum area under the curve (AUC, 0.834), whereas alanine aminotransferase had the highest sensitivity (1.0) and total bilirubin had the highest specificity (0.927).Thus, aspartate transaminase provided the best prediction for the diagnosis of COVID-19, with sensitivity of 0.786, specificity of 0.854, and the maximum AUC of 0.834.In 12 of 16 confirmed COVID-19 patients tested IgG positive after 10 days of diagnosis, and 10 of 10 confirmed COVID-19 patients tested IgG positive after 14 days of diagnosis. Conclusion Aspartate aminotransferase may be the most useful indicator in the diagnosis of COVID-19.

ay be useful for preventing or treating early inflammation in the arteria of diabetic rats.

Objective To determine the serum concentration of MCP-1 and the expression of MCP-1 protein in the pancreas in the piglet with chronic obstructive pancreatitis and to explore the role of MCP-1 protein in pancreatic fibrosisits.Methods The piglet model of chronic obstructive pancreatitis was established by incomplete ligation of the pancreatic duct.The piglets were sacrificed at 4, 6, 8 weeks after induction.Pathological changes of pancreas were examined.Pancreatic fibrosis was assessed by VG staining.Serum MCP-1 concentrations were detected by ELISA method.MCP-1 and α-SMA, PDGF, TGF-β1 and NF-κB protein expression were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The induction was successful in 14 piglets ( 58.3% ).Mild atrophic changes, interstitial fibrosis, chronic inflammatory cell infiltration could be observed in the body and tail of pancreas from the 4th week in the experimental group.The most obvious changes occurred in the 8th week.Stage Ⅰ pancreatic fibrosis occurred in 5 piglets (35.7%), stage Ⅱ in 4 piglets (28.6%), stage Ⅲ in 5 rats ( 35.7% ).Seurm MCP-1 at 4, 6, 8 weeks was ( 102.44 ± 36.25 ) pg/ml,(97.84 ± 28.67) pg/ml, ( 94.32 ± 28.42 ) pg/ml, respectively, and was significantly higher than that in control group [ ( 10.42 ±5.86) pg/ml, (8.58 ±4.86) pg/ml, (8.22 ±4.58) pg/ml, P ＜0.01 ].There was no MCP-1 protein expression in the control group;MCP-1 protein was detected in the successful induction group, and MCP-1 expression was positively correlated with expressions of the PDGF, TGF-β1, α-SMA and NF-κB.Conclusions MCP-1 may play an important role in the course of pancreatic fibrosis in chronic obstructive pancreatitis.

Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI).Methods 27 chronic heart failure patients who underwent CRT were enrolled.All following indices were measured respectively:the left ventricular systolic function indices in the 16 segments of 3D-STI including the mean area peak strain,the mean longitudinal peak strain,the mean circumferential peak strain,and the mean radial peak strain(MAS,MLS,MCS,MRS) ; the strain-derived dyssynchrony indices in the 16 segments of 3D-STI including the standard deviation for time to peak area strain,the standard deviation for time to peak longitudinal strain,the standard deviation for time to peak circumferential strain,and the standard deviation for time to peak radial strain (TAS-SD,TCS-SD,TLS-SD,TRS-SD) ;the standard deviation for time to peak area strain,the standard deviation for time to peak circumferential strain,the standard deviation for time to peak longitudinal strain,and the standard deviation for time to peak radial strain(TAS-dif,TCS-dif,TLS-dif,TRS-dif) ;the rotation and twist index of 3D-STI including peak rotation on apical plane,peak rotation on basal plane,peak twist angle(RotA,RotB,Twist),time to peak of the rotation on apical,time to peak of the rotation on bastal,time to peak of the twist (PTRotA,PTRotB,PTtw).The differences of all the indices between before CRT and 3 months after CRT were calculated and the correlation between the changes of all those indices and the changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (△LVEF) were analyzed.Results MAS,MLS,MCS,MRS,RotA and Twist were increased 3 months after CRT (P ＜0.01,P ＜0.05,P ＜0.01,P ＜0.01,P＜ 0.01,P ＜0.01);TRS-SD and PTtw was decreased 3 months after CRT (P ＜0.01,P ＜0.05) ; |△MAS|,| △MLS|,△TRSSD,△RotA and △Twist were correlated with △LVEF 3 months after CRT (r =0.521,P =0.005; r =0.389,P =0.045; r =-0.560,P =0.002; r =0.513,P =0.006; r =0.610,P =0.001).Conclusions The myocardial systolic strain function,dyssynchrony and twist function of left ventricle were improved significantly 3 months after CRT.3D-STI offered a new way for the evaluation of short-term efficacy of CRT.

Objective To study any protection against hippocampal neuron damage induced by epilepsy (SE) provided by transcutaneous stimulation (TNS) of the trigeminal nerve and to document any effect of such stimulation on the expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65/67.Methods Pilocarpine injection was used to induce epilepsy in healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats which were then randomly divided into a treatment group and a model group.Rats which had not received the pilocarpine injection served as normal controls.In the treatment group the rats were given electrostimulation for one month after the first spontaneous seizure following the injection of pilocarpine.In the model group they were given sham TNS for one month.After the month of stimula-tion,immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of GAD65/67 in the hippocampus.Terminal deoxy-nucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays and Nissl staining were applied to deter-mine apoptosis and neuron loss in the hippocampus.Results Significantly less apoptosis was observed in the treatment group than in model group at 24 h,48 h and 72 h post-injection.Compared to the model group,average GAD65/67 expression had increased significantly in the treatment group at 24 h,72 h,1 week,2 weeks and 4 weeks post-stimulation.GAD65 expression reached its peak from 72 h to 1 week post-stimulation,then decreased to the level of the control group by 4 weeks post-stimulation.The expression of GAD67 remained elevated at all the time points employed.Conclusions TNS can significantly protect hippocampal neurons from damage in epilepsy,at least in rats.The underlying anti-epileptic and neuroprotective mechanisms may involve increased inhibitory transmission induced by the stimulation.

AIM:To study the effects and mechanisms of ethanol on chloride channels in poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells.METHODS:The effect of ethanol on the cell growth was analyzed by MTT as-say.The technique of whole-cell patch-clamp was used to detect the chloride current .The characteristics of the chloride current were analyzed by using the chloride channel blockers .The siRNA technique was used to analyze the molecular basis of the ethanol-sensitive chloride channels .RESULTS: Under isotonic conditions , the background current was weak and stable.Ethanol at concentrations of 0.17~170 mmol/L activated a chloride current in a concentration-dependent manner (an inverted U-shape), with a maximum effect at the concentration of 17 mmol/L.The currents showed obviously outward rectification and were susceptible to extracellular hypertonicity and the chloride channel blocker , 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropyl-amino) benzoic acid ( NPPB) .ClC-3 siRNA obviously decreased the currents activated by ethanol .CONCLUSION:Ex-tracellular ethanol induces chloride currents through activating the ClC-3 chloride channels .

Objective To evaluate effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in ultraviolet B (UVB)-radiated HaCaT cells.Methods Conventionally cultured HaCaT cells were divided into control group and LBP groups,which were firstly treated with DMEM,12.5,25.0,50.0 and 100 μg/ml LBP solution respectively for 4 hours,and then were irradiated by UVB at different intensity of 0,20,40,60 mJ/cm2 separately.After 24-hour continuing culture,CCK-8 assay was performed to determine the cell survival rate,and an enzymatic-biochemical method to estimate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD).RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGF respectively.Results Compared with the control group at the same UVB radiation dose,the 12.5-,25.0-and 100.0-μ,g/ml LBP groups showed different extents of increase in survival rates of UVB-radiated cells (P ＜ 0.05),and the 50.0-μg/ml LBP group showed the highest cell survival rate (P ＜ 0.01).Among all the LBP groups,SOD activity was highest in the 50.0-μg/ml LBP group (P ＜ 0.01).Along with the increase of UVB radiation dose,the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGF all gradually increased.Compared with the control group,the 50.0-μg/ml LBP group could effectively reduce the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in HaCaT cells (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion LBP may play a role in protecting cells from UVB radiation-mediated damage,likely by influencing the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in HaCaT cells.