OBJECTIVETo study the effect of nano-SiO2 on spatial learning and memory.

METHODSTwenty-four male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (C group), low dose group (L group) and high dose group (H group). The rats were intragastrically administrated with nanometer particles at 25 and 100 mg/kg body weight every day for 4 weeks. After exposure, the ability of learning and memory of rats was tested by Morris water maze, and electrophysiological brain stereotactic method was used to test long-tear potentiation (LTP) in dentate gyrus (DG) of the rats.

RESULTSThe increase rate of body weight in H group was reduced significantly compared with C group ( P < 0.05). In the space exploration experiment of Morris water maze test, the escape latency of H group was longer than that of C group (P < 0.05). The rats of H group spent less time in finding the target quadrant (P < 0.05) . The rate of LP induction of H group was significantly lower than that of C group (P < 0.05). After high fre quency stimulation (HFS), The changes of amplitude of population spike (PS) of L group and H group were lower than those of C group significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONNano-SiO₂may result in impairment of spatial learning and memory ability by reducing the rate of LTP induction and the increase of PS in hippocampus.

Animals ; Dentate Gyrus ; drug effects ; Long-Term Potentiation ; drug effects ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Nanoparticles ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Silicon Dioxide ; adverse effects ; Spatial Learning ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo analyze the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of small hepatocellular carcinoma to improve the accuracy in the diagnosis.

METHODSThis retrospective analysis involved 41 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma cases confirmed by pathological examination of the biopsy samples or follow-up. These patients were assessed for CT and MRI findings including lesion size, density or signal intensity, enhancement patterns, and presence of tumor capsules.

RESULTSOn unenhanced CT images, small hepatocellular carcinomas were displayed mainly as low-density masses, and the majority of tumors presented with low signal intensity on T1-weighted unenhanced MR images with increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images in comparison with the surrounding liver parenchyma. Most of tumors showed intense enhancement during the arterial phase (CT in 15 cases and MRI in 13 cases), but some appeared isointense to the liver parenchyma (CT in 4 cases and MRI in 4 cases). In portal and delayed phases, the tumors typically had lower signal intensity than that of the surrounding liver tissues (CT in 25 cases and MRI in 12 cases) with enhancement of the tumor capsules (13 cases).

CONCLUSIONDynamic enhanced scanning can be more informative of the pathology and blood supply of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Early and late arterial phase imaging may help in detecting the small lesions and in making differential diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To evaluate the immunogenicity of inactivated SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), three groups of rabbits were immunized three times at 2-week intervals with inactivated vaccine + adjuvant, adjuvant,and normal saline respectively. Eight batchs of serum were sampled from the auricular vein at day 7 to day 51, and specific IgG antibody titers and neutralizing antibody titers were detected by indirect ELISA and micro-cytopathic effect neutralizing test. Antibody specificity was identified by proteinchip assay.Histopathological changes were detected by H&E staining. The results showed that, rabbits in the experimental group immunized with inactivated SARS-CoV all generated specific IgG antibodies with neutralizing activity, which suggested the inactivated SARS-CoV could preserve its antigenicity well and elicit an effective humoral immune responses. The peak titer value of specific IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody reached 1:40960 and 1:2560 respectively. In the experimental group, no obvious histopathological changes was detected in the H&E stained slides of heart, spleen, kidney and testis samples, but the livers had slight histopathological changes, and the lungs presented remarkable histopathological changes. These findings are of importance for SARS-CoV inactivated vaccine development.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible correlation between atherosclerosis and chronic periodontitis by establishing an animal model of chronic periodontitis and atherosclerosis in Wistar rat.

METHODSSixty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: A (control group), B (chronic periodontitis group), C (atherosclerosis group), D (chronic periodontitis accompany with atherosclerosis group). Every group was accepted the corresponding treatment. Animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks. The periodontal index, levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the concentration of TNF-alpha and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-3) were examined. The severity of chronic periodontitis and atherosclerosis was quantified by histopathology. The date were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThrough detection of periodontal tissue of experimental teeth, serum and histopathology, animal models were successful. Histopathologic observation revealed:obvious inflammation of periodontal tissue was observed in group B and D. Attachment loss level in group B [(137.86 +/- 28.39) microm] and D [(162.36 +/- 22.69) microm] was higher than that in group A [(4.26 +/- 1.07) microm] and C [(68.07 +/- 18.25) microm] (P < 0.05), and that in group C was higher than group A (P < 0.05). Atherosclerotic lesions of abdominal aorta were formed in group C and D. The level of TC, LDL in group C and D was higher than that in group A and B (P < 0.05), and that in group D was higher than group C (P < 0.05). Animals in group B and D showed higher level of TNF-alpha, MMP-3 in serum than that in group A and C (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between the level of MMP-3 and TC (P = 0.971) or LDL (P = 0.604).

CONCLUSIONSChronic periodontitis may be a risk factor and contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. MMP-3 may be an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis exclude TC and LDL.

Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aortic Diseases ; etiology ; pathology ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Chronic Periodontitis ; complications ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; blood ; Periodontal Index ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

AIMTo determine the age-adjusted prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in 3 big cities of China and to explore its potential sociodemographic, medical and lifestyle correlates.

METHODSA cross-sectional, population-based survey was conducted in three cities of China. Structured questionnaires were administered to 2 226 men, aged 20 - 86 years, by trained interviewers.

RESULTSThe age-adjusted prevalence of ED was 28.34 % (mild 15.99 %, moderate 7.14 %, severe 5.21 %). In the men above 40, the prevalence was 40.2 %. Age was positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Education was negatively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Spouse companionship, living condition were positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Histories of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Cigarette smoking was not correlated with ED (P>0.05), while the cigarette consumption and duration were positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Alcohol drinking is negatively correlated with ED (P<0.01). The duration of drinking was positively correlated with ED (P<0.01). Weekly alcohol consumption was not correlated with ED (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of ED increased with age. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperlipidemia were positively correlated with the increased prevalence. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, such as education, spouse companionship, living condition, cigarette and alcohol consumption or duration also have association with the prevalence of ED.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; complications ; epidemiology ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Education ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; epidemiology ; Life Style ; Male ; Marriage ; Middle Aged ; Population ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; physiopathology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To study the achievements and safety of Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) associated Portal Vein Chemo-therapy (PVC) per-drug delivery system (DDS) program in preventing the recurrence of hepatic cell cancer (HCC) and Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus (PVTT).Methods 97 cases with HCC and PVTT were treated from Januay 2009 to January 2011.Patients with tumor or tumor thrombus were resected on all the cases and randomly divided into 3 groups.TACE,PVC per-DDS TACE and PVC per-DDS were given to group A,group B,and group C,respectively.Patients in the 3 groups were followed and compared on the Disease Free Survivals (DFS) and the accumulative survival rates,at 6 months,1 year and 2 years after the operation.Results After the surgery was completed in June,the 1-year,2-year,3-year survival rates and cummulative survival rate in group C was higher than in group A or group.Significant differences did no appeare in June but did show in 1 year after the surgery (P＞0.05) as well as in both 2 and 3 years,after the surgery (P＜0.01).Conclusion Patients with HCC and PVTT,the TACE chemotherapy in association with PVC per-DDS could increase both the DFSs and accumulative survival rates,when compared to the either single TACE or PVC per-DDS,after the tumor or tumor thrombus were resected.

Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Catalase ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Humans ; Mutation ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of autologous semitendinosus tendon and allogenic tendon arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) combined with calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) in the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of 55 patients with chronic lateral ankle instability who underwent arthroscopic reconstruction of ATFL combined with CFL from January 2012 to June 2017. A total of 28 cases were treated with autologous semitendinosus tendon (autologous group), including 19 males and 9 females, with an average age of 28.5±8.03 years (range, 16-46 years). A total of 27 cases were treated with allogenic tendon (allogenic group), including 17 males and 10 females, with an average age of 27.48±7.89 years (range, 16-46 years). ATFL/CFL was reconstructed by the same method in both groups. The reconstruction methods were the same between the groups. The talus and calcaneus were fixed with absorbable compression nails. Results: The operation duration in the autologous group was 94.07±7.83 min, which was longer than that in the allogeneic group 63.56±7.96 min (t=14.51, P<0.001). Fever days 5.26±0.90 days in allogeneic group were longer than 2.46±0.74 days in autologous group (t=-12.55, P<0.001). Wound healing duration in allogeneic group was 13.44±3.33 days longer than that in autologous group 10.32±2.34 days (t=-4.01, P<0.001). In the autologous group, 28 cases were followed up for 34.54±16.04 months, and 27 cases in the allograft group were followed up for 42.74±17.79 months. The mean AOFAS score improved from 63.64±11.20 before operation to 90.21±4.48 after operation in the autologous group, and that improved from 63.93±10.59 before operation to 89.56±5.15 after operation in the allogeneic group with no significant difference between the two groups after operation (t=0.506, P=0.615). The mean VAS score decreased from 5.79±1.79 before operation to 1.54±1.35 after operation in the autologous group, and from 5.89±1.78 before operation to 2.04±1.32 after operation in the allogeneic group. There was no significant difference between the two groups after operation (t=-1.396, P=0.168). Tegner score increased from 4.07±1.39 to 6.43±1.14 in the autologous group and from 3.85±1.06 to 6.52±0.85 in the allogeneic group with no significant difference between the two groups after operation (t=-0.333, P=0.740). Stress radiographic showed that the talar tilt angle decreased from 15.60°±3.86° to 6.01°±2.64° in the autologous group, 16.99°±3.78° to 7.14°±3.34° in the allogeneic group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups after operation (t=-1.382, P=0.171). Anterior talar displacement reduced from 10.82±3.12 mm to 4.03±1.69 mm in the autologous group, from 10.10±2.02 mm to 4.17±1.52 mm in the allogeneic group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups after operation (t=-0.326, P=0.746). No donor tendon dysfunction was found in the autologous group. At the end of follow-up, there was no difference in ankle dorsiflexion, plantar flexion and hind foot mobility between autologous group and allogeneic group. Conclusion Arthroscopic autologous tendon and allogeneic tendon reconstruction of AFTL combined with CFL can obtain satisfactory short-term results. The autologous tendon group was superior to the allogeneic group in terms of fever, wound healing time. However, there was no significant difference in clinical effects between the two groups.

Objective To study the relationship between emotional,physical abuse and internet addiction disorder(IAD)among middle school students.in order to lay foundation for the development of prevention and control programs on IAD.Methods Students selected from 76 classes in Grade One and Grade Two,filled out the anonymous questionnaire,which including demographic characteristics of students,Young's Intemet Addiction Scale,Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales.etc.Non-conditional multivariate logistic regression model was employed to explore the relationship between child abuse and IAD.Independent variable was child abUSe while dependent variable was IAD.Covariant variables would include demographic characteristics,as sex,age,style of household,et al.Results Among 3798 students,the overail prevalence of emotional abuse was 81.1%.with 55.1% of them reported having experienced physical abuse.Among 3507 intemet users,5.2%was diagnosed as IAD.Results from the nonconditional multivariate Iogistic regression model showed that odds ratio of severe physical abuse and moderate physical abuse were 3.02(1.63-5.58)and 4.00(2.01-7.93).Conclusion Moderate physical abuse and severe physical abuse were possible risk factors of IAD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the -344T/C polymorphism of aldosterone synthase gene is associated with early renal damage in Han nationality with essential hypertension in Shandong province.

METHODSPlasma aldosterone concentration and urinary albumin excretion were measured with radioimmunoassays in 225 patients with essential hypertension, and hypertensives were classified as hypertension with normal albuminuria or hypertension with microalbuminuria according to urinary albumin excretion during 24 hours. -344T/C polymorphism of aldosterone synthase gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in controls and hypertensives.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in genotype distribution among groups of control, primary hypertension with normal albuminuria and hypertension with microalbuminuria. The C allele frequency in hypertension with microal buminuria group was significantly higher than that in control and hypertension with normal albuminuria group (P < 0.05). In hypertensive patients, plasma aldosterone concentration and urinary albumin excretion of TC+CC genotypes were significantly higher than that of TT genotype ( P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that -344T/C polymorphism of aldosterone synthase gene may be associated with early renal damage in Han nationality with essential hypertension, C allele may be a genetic factor susceptible to renal damage in hypertensives.

Adult ; Albumins ; metabolism ; Albuminuria ; blood ; genetics ; Aldosterone ; blood ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; complications ; Kidney Diseases ; complications ; ethnology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Radioimmunoassay