Aim To investigate the effect of preventive administration of icariin on learning and memory abili-ties and brain mitochondrial oxidative stress in senes-cence-accelerated mouse prone8 ( SAMP8 ) . Methods
The 6-month-old SAMP8 mice were randomly divid-ed into the SAMP8 model group, ICA groups (75, 150 mg · kg-1 ) , the positive Diethylstilbestrol ( DES ) group and estrogen receptor inhibitor ICI182780 com-bined with ICA (150 mg·kg-1 ) group, with 8 mice in each group. 8 same month old SAMR1 mice were selected as the normal control group. After oral admin-istration for 8 weeks, Morris water maze test and step-down passive test were used to investigate the effects of preventive administration of ICA on learning and mem-ory abilities in SAMP8 mice. Cerebral cortex mitochon-dria were isolated to determine the effect of preventive administration of ICA on the oxidative stress by detec-ting reactive oxygen species ( ROS) level, lipid perox-ides ( MDA ) content, glutathione GSH content and catalase ( CAT ) activity. Results Preventive treat-ment of ICA could significantly improve the abilities of place navigation and space exploration of SAMP8 mice, enhance their reflex ability in step-down passive test. ICA could also reduce the level of ROS and MDA content, increase GSH content in brain mitochondria of SAMP8 mice. CAT activity was not obviously changed. Compared with ICA high dose group, the learning and memory abilities of mice in ICA and estrogen receptor inhibitor ICI182780 co-administrated group were signif-icantly decreased. However,brain mitochondria oxida-tive stress was not changed obviously. Conclusion Preventive administration of icariin can significantly improve learning and memory abilities and brain mito-chondrial oxidative stress in SAMP8 mice. The mecha-nism of ICA improving learning and memory abilities may be related to its estrogen-like effect;while the ac-tion on brain mitochondrial oxidative stress may be in-dependent of estrogen receptor.

Objective To study the correlation between isokinetic parameters and modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in ankle spasticity as-sessment. Methods 18 stroke patients (spasticity group) and 16 healthy subjects (control group) in our hospitals from August 2014 to March 2015 were included. MAS was used to assess the ankle muscular tension. The ankle passive movement of both groups was measured with BIODEX isokinetic motor assessment system under 10 °/s, 60 °/s, 120 °/s, 180 °/s, 240 °/s. The peak torque (PT), peak torque/body weight (PT/BW), average torque (AT), and slopes of the linear regression curve of torque-velocity (SLOPE) were recorded. The correlation of the isokinetic paramenters and the MAS were tested with Spearman correlation analysis. Results The PT, PT/BW and AT were higher in the spasticity group than in the control group (P<0.05). And they increased as the angular velocity increased, and slowed after 120 °/s. The corre-lation coefficient of MAS and PT, PT/BW, AT, SLOPE were from 0.3043 to 0.7632 (P<0.01). Conclusion The isokinetic parameters were speed-dependent and closely related to MAS. 120 °/s was of the highest sensitivity, and the SLOPE under this anglular velocity was highly correlated with MAS.

Background and purpose:Metabolism change is one of the main characteristics of the tumor de-velopment. Many studies have conifrmed that cytosolic acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) plays a critical role in hydro-carbon metabolism of cancer cells. This study aimed to explore the effect of ACSS2 on cellular proliferation, apoptosis and migration of A549 cells by RNA interference.Methods:The ACSS2 interference fragment ACSS2-siRNA and neg-ative control were designed and synthesized for RNA interference followed by the transient transfection in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line A549. Real-time lfuorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR) was used to detect ACSS2 mRNA expression. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), lfow cytometry and wound healing assay were used to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis rate and migration.Results:The expression of ACSS2 mRNA was signiifcantly decreased after transfection with the interference fragment ACSS2-siRNA in NSCLC cell line A549. The proliferation and migration activity of ACSS2-siRNA treated cells were decreased significantly compared with the control group. The apoptosis rate, especially the early apoptosis, was increased..Conclusion:Knockdown of the ACSS2 expression in NSCLC cell line A549 can signiifcantly inhibit the cell proliferation, migration ability and pro-mote the apoptosis rate, especially early apoptosis. This study indicates that ACSS2 may contribute to the progression of human lung adenocarcinoma and may have the potential to serve as a novel therapeutic target.

Objective To find the plantar pressure readings which best indicate foot inversion during the stance phase of walking among hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods Twenty-two hemiplegic stroke survivors who were able to walk without extra aid were recruited as the experimental group, while 17 healthy elderly men of similar age and body weight were selected as the control group.Those in both groups were asked to walk at their preferred speed over a Footscan device which measured medio-lateral pressure ratios, maximum plantar pressures and the contact areas of both feet.The Clinical Spasticity Index (CSI) was used to evaluate the affected feet.Results The average medial forefoot pressure of the affected side in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group, but their average mesopodium and heel pressure was significantly higher.The average pressure applied by the great toe on the uninjured side in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that of the control group, but the average mesopodium and heel pressure of both feet among the hemiplegics were significantly higher than those of the control group.Among the experimental group, the average medial forefoot pressure of the affected foot was significantly greater than that of the healthy foot.The average contact area of the great toe on the affected side was significantly bigger than was observed in the control group.That of the medial forefoot was, however, significantly smaller than in the control group.There was no significant difference in the contact area between the healthy and affected feet in the experimental group, though the maxmium medio-lateral pressure ratios of their full feet and forefeet on the affected side were significantly lower than those in the healthy group.No significant differences in the maxmium medio-lateral pressure ratios of the heel were observed between the two groups, nor of the full feet, forefeet and heels of the affected and unaffected sides in the experimental group.The patients demonstrated consistently reduced joint mobility on both sides during the stance phase, coinciding with increased inversion.A significant negative correlation was found between the maxmium medio-lateral pressure ratios of the full foot and the maximum pressure of the lateral part of forefoot in the experimental group, but there was no significant correlation with contact area or CSI.Conclusions Plantar pressure data can be used to describe the amount of foot inversion in the stance phase of walking with hemiplegic patients after stroke.The maxmium medio-lateral pressure ratios can effectively reflect their foot inversion.

Objective To explore the oral care effects of tooth-brushing with 0.05% iodophor and oral cotton scrubbing with 0.05% iodophor for the patients with orotracheal intubation. Methods 86 patients with orotracheal intubation were randomly divided into cotton scrubbing group(control group,42 cases)and toothbrushing group(experimental group,44 cases). Oral PH values,the incidence of fetor otis and stomatitis 10min and 4 hours after care were compared. Results In the control group,oral PH value of 66.6% patients maintained 6.6 ～7.1 10min after care and the proportion was 40. 4% after 4 hours; the incidence of fetor oris and stomatitis were 42.8% and 38.0% respectively. In the experimental group,oral PH value of 86.3% patients maintained 6.6 ～ 7.1 10min after care and 77.2% after 4 hours; the incidence of fetor oris and stomatitis were 22.7% and 13.6% respectively. The differences of all the four indicators between the two groups has reached statistical significance(P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusions The oral care effects of tooth-brushing with 0.05% iodophor were much better than oral cotton scrubbing with 0.05% iodophor for the patients with orotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of dissected lymph node number on the prognosis of patients with advanced cancer of cardia and stomach fundus.

METHODSClinical data of 236 patients with advanced cancer of cardia and stomach fundus undergone D(2) radical resection were reviewed retrospectively. Five-year survival rate and post-operative complication rate were followed up and their relationships with dissected lymph node number were analyzed respectively.

RESULTSThe 5-year survival rate of the entire cohort was 37.5%. Among those patients with the same stage, the more lymph nodes (LNs) resected, the better survival outcomes achieved(Log-rank trend test P=0.0013). A cut point analysis yielded the ability to detect the significant survival differences. The best long-term survival outcomes were observed with LN counts of more than 20 for stage II(P=0.0136), more than 25 for stage III(P<0.0001), more than 30 for stage IV(P=0.0002) or more than 15 for the entire cohort (P=0.0024), with greatest comparative discrepancies. The post-operative complication rate was 15.7% and was not significantly correlated with dissected lymph node number(P=0.101).

CONCLUSIONSThe prognosis of patients with advanced cancer of cardia and stomach fundus is associated with the number of resected LNs when D(2) lymphadenectomy is carried out. Suitable increment of dissected lymph node number would not increase the post-operative complication rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardia ; pathology ; Female ; Gastric Fundus ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment at Baihui (GV20) on the concentration of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and adenosine, and to evaluate its effects on the neurologic function score and the infarction volume after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), thus exploring its mechanisms for relieving the ischemia/reperfusion injury.

METHODSTotally 54 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the sham-EA group, the EA group, and the control group, 18 in each group. Rats in the control group were not intervened after anesthesia. Rats in the EA group were needled at Baihui (GV20) for 30 min. Rats in the sham-EA group received the same procedure as those performed in the EA group without electricity connected. The changes of adenosine and ADA contents were detected at 30, 60, and 120 min after EA respectively. The I/R model was established. Totally 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the model group (Group A), the EA group (Group B), the EA +8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) group (Group C), the EA + DMSO group (Group D), the Deoxycoformycin (Deo) group (Group E), and the normal saline group (Group F). Rats in Group B, C, and D received EA for 30 min before modeling. Rats in Group C and D were peritoneally injected with DPCPX (1 mg/kg) and DMSO (1 mL/kg) at 30 min before EA. The neurologic function score was evaluated and the infarct volumes were detected after 24-h reperfusion.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-EA group, there was no statistical difference in the contents of the adenosine or ADA in the control group at each time point (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group at the same time point, the content of ADA significantly decreased at 60 min in the EA group [(315.0 +/- 22.9 U/L), P < 0.05], and restored to the normal level at 120 min after EA. The content of adenosine increased in the EA group at 120 min [(20.4 +/- 2.2) ng/microL, P < 0.05]. Compared with the model group, the neurologic function score decreased (P < 0.05) and the infarct volumes were obviously reduced (P < 0.01) in Group B, D and E. There was no statistical difference in the neurologic function score or the infarct volumes in other groups, when compared with the model group (P > 0.05)

CONCLUSIONEA at Baihui (GV20) showed protective effects on the cerebral I/R rats, which might be achieved through lowering the ADA concentration and elevating the adenosine content, and further activating adenosine A1 receptor.

Adenosine Deaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic D2 radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODSThe clinical data of 529 patients with gastric cancer underwent D2 radical resection from January 2007 to March 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Among the patients, 218 cases underwent laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy (LAG group) and 311 cases received open gastrectomy (OG group). The patients' operation, number of retrieved lymph nodes, recovery, postoperative morbidity and mortality were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe operative time in LAG group was (237 +/- 42) min, and was significantly longer than that in OG group [(229 +/- 42) min, P < 0.05]. However, the mean blood loss [(81 +/- 100) ml vs. (171 +/- 211) ml], number of patients needed blood transfusion (7 vs. 44 cases), first flatus time [(4.1 +/- 2.3) d vs. (5.0 +/- 1.4) d], time to resume soft diet [(4.5 +/- 2.2) d vs. (5.5 +/- 1.4) d] and postoperative hospital stay [(12 +/- 4) d vs. (14 +/- 4) d] in the two groups were all different statistically (P < 0.05), and all were better in LAG group. In LAG group, the operative time of patients with total gastrectomy was (250 +/- 46) min, and was significantly longer than that with distal gastrectomy (228 +/- 37) min (P < 0.05), but there was no significant differences in other aspects of patients' recovery between the two operation types. The postoperative morbidity of LAG group and OG group were 11.9% and 19.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). For all patients, the mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was (29 +/- 10) and the median number was 28. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was not significantly different between the two groups [(28 +/- 10) in LAG group vs. (29 +/- 9) in OG group, P > 0.05]. Thirteen patients (6.0%) converted to open surgery in LAG group.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic D2 radical gastrectomy is a safe and feasible procedure with quick recovery, and it is comparable with open gastrectomy in lymph node dissection.

Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term correlation between the number of resected lymph nodes (LNs) and the prognosis of patients with node-negative gastric cancer.

METHODSFrom January 1995 to December 2004, 221 patients with gastric cancer underwent D2 radical resection and were proved with no nodal involvement. The clinical records of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. The relationships of the dissected LNs number to 5-year survival rate and post-operative complication rate were analyzed respectively.

RESULTSThe overall 5-year survival rate of this group was 83.5%. The total number of dissected LNs was one independent prognostic factors in this group. Among patients with the same depth of tumor invasion, the more the number of dissected LNs, the better the survival would be (P < 0.05). The patients had better long-term survival outcomes with dissected LNs counts of more than 15 for cases with pT1-2 tumor, and more than 20 for cases with pT3 tumor. The post-operative complication rate was 10.8% and it was not significantly correlated with the number of dissected lymph nodes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe number of dissected LNs is an independent prognostic predicting factor for lymph node-negative gastric cancer. Sufficient dissection of LNs is recommended to improve the patients' long-term survival. Suitable increment of dissected LNs count would not increase the post-operative complication rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic factors of surgical treatment for the cancer of stomach fundus and cardia with invasion to body and tail of the pancreas.

METHODSA total of 135 patients with cancer of stomach fundus and cardia invading body and tail of the pancreas undergone surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. Twenty of them underwent laparotomy, while 115 underwent gastrectomy with pancreaticosplenectomy, even combined with the resection of other organs for macroscopic invasion to adjacent organs during surgery. The 3-,5-year survival rates, morbidity of postoperative complications and mortality were followed up. The prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTSThe median survival time of the patients undergone laparotomy was 4.7 months, of patients treated by gastrectomy combined with pancreaticosplenectomy was 30.5 months,and the difference was significant (chi(2)=403.8, P<0.01). The cumulative 3- and 5-year survival rates of the patients treated by gastrectomy combined with pancreaticosplenectomy were 48.3% and 26.6% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that significant differences in prognosis of 115 patients undergone combined resection were demonstrated for the following factors: maximal dimension of tumor, macroscopic type, extent of lymph node metastasis according to the Japanese classification, No.10 or No.11 lymph node metastasis,curability and number of invaded organs.And histological depth of invasion, extent of lymph node metastasis according to the Japanese classification, number of invaded organs and curability were significant prognostic factors, examined as variables by multivariate analysis (Cox's proportional hazard model, forward stepwise selection LR method). The postoperative complication rate and mortality of 135 patients were 20.0% and 3.5% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSFor cancer located in stomach fundus and cardia with limited invasion to distal pancreas, gastrectomy combined with pancreaticosplenectomy should be performed to improve long-term outcomes. Best long-term survival outcomes would be attained if there are no lymph node metastases, or no incurable factors, or no other organ invasions.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardia ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Fundus ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreas ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome