Objective To explore the effects of oxidative stress and pulmonary vascular permeability on lung injury in rats treated with sodium cyanide(NaCN) and /or hypobaric hypoxia.Methods A total of 72 male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the NaCN intoxicated group in 308m altitude and the hypobaric hypoxia combined NaCN intoxicated group in 4 000m high altitude.The animals for the experiment of hypoxia were processed in an artificial hypobaric chamber to simulate the designated high altitude hypoxia(4 000m,61kPa).NaCN was injected subcutaneously to the rats in the both groups at the dosage of 3.6mg/kg.Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and lung tissues were prepared at the time points of 0,0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0 and 6.0h.The activity of SOD,GSH-PX,ACE,LDH,AKP and the content of MDA,GSH,Evan's blue(EB) were detected by spectrophotometric method.Results Combined acute hypobaric hypoxia and NaCN intoxication produced a significant increasing effect on EB content in the rats.The activity of ACE,LDH and AKP in BALF,and the contents of MDA in BALF and lung tissue reached the highest value at 0.5h preparation at the combined hypobaric hypoxia and NaCN intoxicated group,but they were still higher than that of control group(NaCN intoxicated only);correspondingly the activity of SOD,GSH-PX,content of GSH in lung tissue and BALF reached the lowest value at 0.5h preparation at the combined hypobaric hypoxia and NaCN intoxicated group,but they were still lower than that of control NaCN intoxicated group.Conclusion The results suggest that under the condition of hypoxia,NaCN intoxication may produce severe harmful effects on the lungs,increase the pulmonary vascular permeability,and cause severe interference on to the oxidative stress level.

Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of atorvastatin on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in SD rats and study their possible mechanism.Methods 30 male SD mice under SPF condition with average body weight of 250g were randomly allocated to three groups (n =10,each) of saline control group (control group),bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis group (pulmonary fibrosis group) and atorvastatin treatment group (treatment group).Bleomycin (5mg/kg) (versus 0.2 ml saline in control group) were endotracheally instilled in pulmonary fibrosis group and the treatment group in order to establish the model of pulmonary fibrosis.Subsequently,the rats in the treatment group received daily atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) orally.5 rats in each group were sacrificed on 7th and 28th day after intratracheal instillation.Their lung tissues were taken and tested.The histological changes in the lungs were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin and masson stain.The tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) level and hydroxyproline content in lung tissues were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The expressions of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) protein and mRNA in lung tissues were measured by Western blotting and Real-Time PCR.Results The lung tissue in model group had significant bleeding and oozing inflammatory response on the 7th day and pulmonary fibrosis on the 28th day.Bleeding and oozing inflammatory response and pulmonary fibrosis were subdued in treatment group on the same days as compared to the model group.Hydroxyproline and TNF-α contents in lung tissue were significantly higher in model group than in control group (both P＜0.05).KLF2 protein and KLF2-mRNA expressions in lung tissues were significantly lower in model group than in control group (both P＜0.05).The above changes were partially reversed in treatment group.Compared to model group,treatment group showed that hydroxyproline and TNF-α contents in lung tissues were significantly reduced (both P＜0.05) and KLF2 protein and KLF2 mRNA expressions in lung tissues were significantly increased (both P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Atorvastatin can reduce the secretion of TNF-α and alleviate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.The mechanism inhibiting fibrosis might be associated with up-regulation of KLF2-mRNA expression.

Objective To explore the value of superior vena cava (SVC) Doppler spectrum in evaluation of the therapeutic effects of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (HBHO)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rats and establish a new method for assessing pulmonary hypertension.Methods Fifty male SD rats were included.Forty of them were developed HBHO-PH and randomly divided into four groups with different manipulations:beraprost treatment group,sildenafil treatment group,placebo group and model group,with 10 rats in each group.The rest of 10 rats served as controls.Cardiac structure,pulmonary peak velocity (PAVmax),tricuspid peak velocity (TVEmax) and SVC Doppler ultrasound were performed in all rats before and after treatment for 2 weeks.Pulmonary arterial pressure was determined by the right heart catheterization.The relationship of the parameters with the pulmonary arterial pressure was analyzed.HE staining was done in lung tissues.Results Right heart catheterization showed that pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) of the treatment groups were lower than that of the model group,the difference was significant(P ＜0.01).Pulmonary artery pressure decreased in varying degrees both after placed in a normal environment and after 2 weeks of treatment.PASP of the beraprost treatment group and the sildenafil treatment group decreased significantly and showed no statistical significant difference with the control group.In contrast,PASP of the placebo group was significant higher than that of control group(P ＜ 0.05).No statistically significant difference was found between the non-placebo treatment groups in PASP.Compared with the control group,the right ventricle/body weight ratio of the model group was statistically significant increased in all other groups(P ＜0.01).Right SVC AR/S ratio was well correlated with PASP (r =0.603,P =0.001).Right SVC AR/S ratio was statistically significant lower in treatment groups compared with the model group (P ＜0.01).All groups except the control group demonstrated various degrees of pulmonary arterial wall thickening.Conclusions The right SVC spectrum of AR/S correlates well with PASP and can be used to evaluate the pharmacological therapeutic effect of rats with HBHO-PH,in particular with moderate to severe PH.

In this study, chemiluminescence technique was employed to compare the effect of tonifilyneedling and ginger-seperated moxibustion on Zusanli in regulating the phagocytosis of the neutrophil in the aged rats. As a result, both methods were proved to be able to elevate the phagocytosis and anti-bacteria effect of the neutrophil, and the later method was found more remarkable. So it concluded that acupuncture and moxibustion are both the effective ways in anti-aging and health-protection.

Adolescent ; Appendicitis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Ultrasonography

AIM:To observe the effects and mechanisms of hydroxyethylstarch (HES) 130/0.4 on no-reflow phenomenon after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in rats.METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham operation group , ischemia-reperfusion ( IR, treated with normal saline ) group, normal saline ischemia-reperfusion (NS-IR, treated with NS) group and HES ischemia-reperfusion (HES-IR, treated with HES) group.Myocardial infarct size and no-reflow range were determined by staining methods , and the activities of myocardial enzymes ( CK-MB, cTnI and MPO) were measured .Meanwhile , cardiac microvascular endothelial cells of the rat were cultured and divided into 4 groups:control group, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) group, NS-H/R group and HES-H/R group.Acute ischemia reper-fusion models were simulated , and the concentration of calcium ions was measured .The relative cell activity was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, and the apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry .RESULTS:In HES-IR group, the myocardial in-farct size, the no-reflow zone, CK-MB, cTnI and MPO activity were all significantly lower than those in IR group ( P<0.05).In microvascular endothelial cells , the concentration of calcium ions and the apoptotic rate in HES-H/R group were significantly decreased, while the relative cell activity increased compared with H/R group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:HES reduces no-reflow in acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion .The mechanism may be involved in the inhibition of both the infiltration of neutrophils and the calcium overload of endothelial cells .

Background The condition of the sclera is associated with many ocular diseases.The measurement of human scleral thickness in vivo is helpful for us to understand the features of the sclera and related diseases.Objective The present study was to measure the anterior sclera thickness(AST) in patients with senile cataract and to analyze the relationship among AST and other associated ocular parameters.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to examination.One hundred and five senile cataract patients were recruited in this study.Central corneal thickness (CCT),corneal curvature (CCV) and axial length were measured using ultrasonic pachymeter,keratometer,and A-scan unit,respectively.The AST was measured at 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur in the temporal meridian using ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM).The differences of CCT,CCV,ocular axial length and AST between bilateral eyes and the different sexes were compared by the Paired test and independent sample t test.The correlations among various parameters were assessed by the Pearson linear correlation analysis.The differences of CCT and AST among different axial length groups were evaluated by one-way ANOVA.Results No significant differences were found in the CCT,CCV,axial length and AST between bilateral eyes (t =0.584,P =0.561 ; t =1.161,P =0.248 ; t =0.140,P =0.889 ; t =0.342,P =0.773).Temporal AST at 2 mm posterior to the sclera spur was (0.589 ±0.051)mm in the right eyes.An insignificant decline in CCT was found in the male group compared with the female group (right eyes:t =0.469,P =0.641 ; left eyes:t =0.465,P =0.643).However,compared with the female group,the increase of axial length,reduction of the mean CCV value and enhancement of the mean AST were observed(right eyes:all P＜0.01 ;left eyes:all P＜0.01).CCV showed a negative correlation with ocular axial length (r =-0.50,P＜0.01),but no significant correlation was found among age,CCT,ocular axial length and AST(P＞0.05).No remarkable differences were found in CCT and AST among the various axial length groups (CCT:F =0.998,P=0.372;AST:F=1.919,P=0.383).Conclusions In senile cataract patients,correlation is not found between AST and CCT;the increase of axial length is not associated with the thinning of the eyeball wall to a certain extent.Differences exist in some ocular parameters between different sexes.

Background A close relation between sclera thickness and glaucoma has been determined.Clinical features vary in different types of glaucoma patients,which hints that the scleral thickness might be distinct among these patients.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of central corneal thickness(CCT),anterior scleral thickness(AST) and axial length in glaucomatous patients.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to the examination.A retrospective descriptive study was designed.One hundred and sixty consecutive patients were recruited from March,2009 to November,2010 in First Hospital of Peking University,including 35 eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma(PACG) (35 cases),34 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma POAG) (34 cases),37 eyes with normal tension glaucoma(NTG) (37 cases)and 17 eyes of ocular hypertension OHT) (17 cases).Thirty-seven eyes of 37 subjects with incipient cataract served as the control group.CCT and ocular axial length were measured with ultrasonic pachymeter and A-scan unit,respectively,and AST at the temporal quadrant 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur was measured by ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM).The measuring parameters among different groups were compared by analysis of covariance,and the correlations of AST,CCT with ocular axial length were analyzed using Pearson linear correlation and linear regression.The differences and correlation of CCT,AST and AL among five groups were analyzed.Results The CCT values in PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were (535.54 ± 5.20),(550.47 ± 5.28),(521.61 ± 5.07),(575.75 ± 7.76) and (535.06± 5.06) μm,respectively,showing a significant difference among them (F =9.560,P =0.000),and the CCT value of OHT group was increased in comparison with POAG group,PACG group,NTG group and control group(all P =0.000).The CCT of the POAG group was thicker than that in the PACG group,NTG group and control group(P=0.046,0.000,0.040).No significant difference was found in CCT among NTG group,PACG group and control group(P=0.950,0.060).The AST values of PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were(0.593±0.050),(0.600±0.050),(0.592-±0.060),(0.610-±0.060) and(0.604±0.060) mm,respectively,showing a insignificant difference among them (F =0.700,P =0.590).The axial length in the patients with PACG was shorter than that of the POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group (all P =0.000).The Pearson correlation analysis showed significantly positive correlation between CCT and AST in POAG group and NTG group(r=0.445,P=0.008;r=0.400,P=0.014).Conclusions This study confirms that there is dissimilarity in CCT but not in AST among different types of glaucomatous patients.The changes of CCT and AST are consistent in POAG and NTG patients.

Objective To identify the genotypes of ESBLs-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from the First Affiliated Hospital,Shantou University Medical College.Methods The MICs of 10 antibiotics were determined by agar-dilution against the clinical isolates of ESBLs-producing K.pneumoniae.PCR were performed with specific primers for blaTEM,blaSHV, blaCTX-M and blaOXA respectively.PCR products were cloned and sequenced.Results The results of PCR showed that a- mong the 83 strains of ESBLs-producing K.pneumoniae,75 were positive for blaTEM,41 positive for blaSHV,25 poitive for blaCTX-M,9 positive for hlaOXA.Three genotypes were found in 13 strains(15.7%),2 genotypes in 59 strains (71.1%) and single genotype in only 11 strains(13.2%).The genes of CTX-M-3,TEM-1 and SHV were found co-existent in 9 strains. The strains carrying 2 or 3 ESBL genes were more resistant to antibiotics than those carrying only 1 ESBL gene.Conclusions The genotypes of ESBLs-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in this hospital are blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCTX-M and blaOXA. Most strains carry 2 or 3 ESBL genes.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of sarcopenia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:Totally 441 non-hospitalized MHD patients in stable condition were selected,by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to test appendicular skeletal muscle mass(ASM), by testing grip strength of MHD patients, to assess Muscle strength, by gait speed test to measure the 4-m usual walking speed, to assess physical performance of MHD patients.Risk factors of sarcopenia were identified by Logistic regression analysis.Results:The total incidence of sarcopenia in 441 MHD patients was 16.55% (73/441) and the incidence of sarcopenia in patients over 60 years old was 28.91% (61/211).The results showed older age ( OR=0.213, 95% CI 0.099-0.458, P<0.01), Karnofsky ( OR=9.661, 95% CI 3.850-24.244, P<0.01), subjective global assessment ( OR=0.491, 95% CI 0.250-0.965, P=0.039), serum phosphorus ( OR=0.422, 95% CI 0.204-0.875, P=0.020) and body mass index ( OR=0.754, 95% CI 0.609-0.935, P=0.010) were risk factors of sacopenia. Conclusions:The incidence of sarcopenia in elder, performed less physical activity, malnutrition predisposed MHD patients was high, so to those patients we should be paid more attention and gave active interventions to reduce sarcopenia.