Objective To investigate the effects of Working Memory Training System on working memory impairment after brain injury. Methods From November, 2013 to March, 2015, 20 patients of brain injury with impairment of working memory were divided into training group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The training group was trained with the Working Memory Training System for four weeks, while the control group did not accept any cognitive rehabilitation. They were tested with digital forwards/backwards, space forwards/backwards, n-back test and Everyday Memory Questionnaire before and after training. Results All of the tests improved more in the training group than in the control group (Z>2.014, P<0.05), except that of digital forwards, as well as the score of Everyday Memory Questionnaire (Z=1.970, P=0.049). Conclusion Application of Working Memory Training System can improve the ability of memory in patients with brain injury, both the working memory and everyday memory.

This paper provides a brief overview of the current research activities which focused on the bio-application of gold magnetic nanocomposite particles. By combining the magnetic characteristics of the iron oxide core with the unique features of nano-gold particles such as targeting by surface modification and optical properties, such composite nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in cancer hyperthermia, CT and MRI imaging, bio-separation, bio sensors, gene diagnosis, drug targeting and many other biomedical fields.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; Gold ; chemistry ; Humans ; Magnetics ; Nanocomposites ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Neoplasms

Objective To assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Multidimensional fatigue symptom inventory-short form(MFSI-SF).Methods The reliability and validity of the Chinese version MFSI-SF were assessed in a sample of 203 cancer patients.Statistical software was used to perform the analysis.Results The results showed moderate correlation between items and the total scale,the content validity index was 0.82,and exploratory factor analysis indicated five dimensions of the scale,the cumulative variance contribution was 56.65％.Confirmatory factor analysis showed moderate model fitting:x2/df=l.73,GFI=0.83,AGFI=0.79,NNFI=0.94,RMSEA=0.06,criterion validity was 0.585,and the Cronbach α of the total scale was 0.896.Conclusions The results demonstrated good convergent validity,it is suitable to evaluate fatigue status in Chinese cancer patients.

Objective To observe the effect of exposure of emphysema with intermittent hypoxia on oxidative stress injury of myocardial cells in rats. Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four experimental groups(each n=15). The normal control group was bred normally. The emphysema group was exposed to cigarette smoke twice a day(once 30 minutes). The intermittent hypoxia(IH)group was exposed to intermittent hypoxia circumstance 8 hours/day,and the emphysema with IH group was exposed to cigarette smoke twice a day (once 30 minutes)and intermittent hypoxia circumstance 8 hours/day. Each group was exposed for 8 weeks. At the beginning of 9 weeks,the blood gas analysis was performed in 5 rats selected randomly from each group,and the rest rats were sacrificed and their hearts and lungs were taken. Under light microscope,the lung tissues stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE)were examined. The lung pathology and the results of blood gas analysis showed that the emphysema with IH rat model was established successfully. The levels of malonaldehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in rat myocardium were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and the subunit p22phox mRNA expressions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)-oxidase were detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results Compared with the normal group, the MDA levels and p22phox mRNA expressions were increased obviously in emphysema group, IH group and emphysema with IH group〔MDA(μmol/g):2.93±0.54, 3.58±0.63, 4.51±0.72 vs. 1.75±0.56, p22phox mRNA:0.043±0.004,0.067±0.015,0.123±0.016 vs. 0.018±0.002,all P<0.05〕,but the activities of SOD were decreased significantly(U/mg:36.07±4.79,33.51±7.12,24.29±5.36 vs. 46.08±5.12,all P<0.05). In emphysema with IH group,the increase of MDA levels and p22phox mRNA expressions and decrease of SOD levels were more remarkable compared with those in emphysema group and IH group(all P<0.05). The expression of p22phox mRNA was positively correlated with MDA level(r=0.734,P<0.001). Conclusion The myocardial tissue oxidative stress injury in rats induced by emphysema with intermittent hypoxia exposure is more serious than that induced by exposure of either emphysema or intermittent hypoxia alone,NADPH oxidase possibly being the important medium of myocardial cell response to oxidative stress.

Objective To investigate the effect of intermittent hypoxia (IH) with pulmonary emphysema on the ex-pression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),Bax and Bcl-2, and the mechanism underlying the role of HIF-1αin he-patocyte apoptosis thereof. Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, rats were treated normally;IH group, rats were treated by 30 s nitrogen and then 90 s air, and rats were treated by from 9:00-17:00 daily;pulmonary emphysema group, rats were treated by smudging for half an hour, twice a day (8:00 and 18:00);IH with pul-monary emphysema group, rats were treated by 30 s nitrogen and then 90 s air from 9:00-17:00 daily. After exposure four-teen weeks, rats were killed. qRT-PCR assay was conducted to detect the expression of HIF-1α mRNA, Bax mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA in live tissues. Results The expressions of HIF-1αmRNA, Bax mRNA and Bax/Bcl-2 were significantly higher in IH with pulmonary emphysema group than those in control group,IH group and pulmonary emphysema group (P<0.05). The expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA was significantly lower in IH with pulmonary emphysema group than that of con-trol group and pulmonary emphysema group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference compared with that of IH group (P >0.05). The levels of HIF-1αand Bax were positively correlated with the level of Bax/Bcl-2 (r=0.732 and 0.699),but the lev-els of HIF-1αand Bax were negatively correlated with the level of Bcl-2 (r=-0.705). Conclusion The expression levels of HIF-1αmRNA, Bax mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA were over-regulated in hepatocytes induced by intermittent hypoxia with pul-monary emphysema. The HIF-1αexpression was correlated with Bax and Bcl-2, suggesting that HIF-1αmay promote the hepatocyte apoptosis through transcriptional co-activators, Bax and Bcl-2.

Genechip was applied to explore gene expression profile of islets in rats at various stages of pregnancy. Compared with the normal control group, differential expressions of hundreds of genes were detected during pregnancy. Reg3α gene expression was markedly increased during pregnancy, which may be related to islet regeneration.

Objective: To observe whether an Xingnaojing 醒脑静 injection could improve the prognosis of patients, by increasing rifampicin penetration through the blood-brain barrier. Methods: Patients with severe tuberculous meningitis were enrolled in this study. The concentrations of Xingnaojing in cerebrospinal fluid and blood in patients treated with Xingnaojing and control were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The changes in cerebrospinal fluid and the improvement of clinical symptoms and signs, were evaluated two weeks after admission. The long-term prognosis of the patients in the two groups were evaluated by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results: The concentration of rifampicin in cerebrospinal fluid was significantly higher in the Xingnaojing group (1.77±0.17 μg/mL), than in the control group (1.27±0.16 μg/mL, p<0.05). The difference in concentration of rifampicin in the blood was not significant (P>0.05). The short-term effective rate of the Xingnaojing group was 92.5% (37/40), which was significantly higher than that of the control group (80%, 32/40, p<0.05). After 6 months, 75% (30/40) of the Xingnaojing group had good prognosis according to the GOS score, whereas that of the control group was 50% (20/40) showing significantly better long-term treatment effect of the Xingnaojing group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Xingnaojing injection improved rifampicin penetration into the central nervous system. The increase in rifampicin concentration in cerebrospinal fluid improved outcomes in patients with severe tuberculous meningitis.

Objective To detect serum biomarkers for pancreatic cancer associated diabetes and establish a model for diagnosis.Methods SELDI-TOF-MS was used to detect the differentially expressed serum proteins from 17 pancreatic cancer associated diabetes patients,17 new-onset type Ⅱ diabetes patients and 17 healthy controls,then a model of biomarkers was constructed and validated by Biomarker Patterns Software 5.0.Results Twelve discriminating m/z peaks were identified in the protein fingerprints in 10 pancreatic cancer associated diabetes patients,10 new-onset type Ⅱ diabetes patients and 10 healthy controls.Among them,the three biomarkers of mass/charge ratio 6116,6695 and 8936 were used to construct the model,which could diagnose 90％ pancreatic cancer associated diabetes form control groups.Blind test of other7 samples of three groups showed that 100％ pancreatic cancer associated diabetes,71％ new-onset diabetes and 86％ healthy controls were correctly classified.After searching protein database,there were metallothionein,pancreatic progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation factor-like protein,and fibroblastic growth factor 1,which were close to the weights of the above mentioned 3 differentially expressed proteins.Conclusions SELDI can identify 3 biomarkers for pancreatic cancer associated diabetes and a reliable model for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer associated diabetes is established.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of different doses of paricalcitol combined with cinacalcet in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).Methods:The clinical data of 90 patients with MHD combined with SHPT from December 2020 to December 2022 in Beijing Geriatric Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 30 patients were treated with cinacalcet (control group), 30 patients were treated with fixed dose paricalcitol combined with cinacalcet (experimental group A), and 30 patients were treated with adjusting dose of paricalcitol based on the level of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) combined with cinacalcet (experimental group B). All patients were continuously treated for 8 weeks. The blood calcium, blood phosphorus, iPTH, osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin, type Ⅰ collagen carboxy terminal peptide cross-linking (β-CTX), N-terminal medium molecule fragment of calcium (N-MID), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and Klotho protein before treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment were detected; coronary artery calcification (CAC) score and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) score were evaluated. The adverse reactions were recorded.Results:There were no statistical differences in the indexes before treatment among three groups ( P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in blood calcium and blood phosphorus after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment among three groups ( P>0.05). After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, the iPTH, β-CTX, osteoprotegerin, N-MID, osteocalcin and FGF-23 in experimental group A and experimental group B were significantly lower than those in control group, after 4 weeks of treatment: (936.99 ± 202.36) and (635.74 ± 135.44) ng/L vs. (1 028.56 ± 11.39) ng/L, (1.85 ± 0.32) and (1.50 ± 0.27) μg/L vs. (2.27 ± 0.69) μg/L, (71.18 ± 6.98) and (64.33 ± 7.87) ng/L vs. (80.15 ± 10.85) ng/L, (106.36 ± 14.42) and (92.64 ± 11.32) μg/L vs. (135.19 ± 15.18) μg/L, (66.17 ± 8.52) and (60.21 ± 7.85) μg/L vs. (73.15 ± 9.44) μg/L, (109.17 ± 11.24) and (98.50 ± 10.36) ng/L vs. (126.18 ± 15.64) ng/L; after 8 weeks of treatment: (632.17 ± 154.98) and (526.85 ± 98.45) ng/L vs. (819.85 ± 169.78) ng/L, (1.33 ± 0.15) and (1.15 ± 0.20) μg/L vs. (1.78 ± 0.27) μg/L, (65.78 ± 9.74) and (52.77 ± 7.18) ng/L vs. (74.26 ± 11.58) ng/L, (85.64 ± 11.62) and (70.25 ± 8.59) μg/L vs. (105.92 ± 19.17) μg/L, (48.17 ± 5.99) and (41.15 ± 6.44) μg/L vs. (59.24 ± 6.87) μg/L, (90.15 ± 11.25) and (82.58 ± 9.74) ng/L vs. (105.26 ± 14.35) ng/L, the indexes in experimental group B were significantly lower than those in experimental group A, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, the Klotho protein in experimental group A and experimental group B was significantly higher than that in control group, after 4 weeks of treatment: (124.25 ± 14.85) and (146.31 ± 16.85) U/L vs. (107.26 ± 11.36) U/L, after 8 weeks of treatment: (135.62 ± 16.87) and (150.24 ± 17.43) U/L vs. (115.56 ± 15.48) U/L, the Klotho protein in experimental group B was significantly higher than that in experimental group A, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, the CAC score and AAC score in experimental group A and experimental group B were significantly lower than those in control group, the indexes in experimental group B were significantly lower than those in experimental group A, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the fixed dose of paricalcitol combined with cinacalcet therapy, the adjusting the dosage of paricalcitol combined with cinacalcet therapy based on iPTH level has more definite therapeutic effects in patients with MHD combined with SHPT, which can improve bone metabolism and reduce vascular calcification.

Objective:To investigate the effect of roxadustat combined with levocarnitine in the treatment of renal anemia in hemodialysis patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and its effects on iron metabolism, microinflammation status and microvascular complications.Methods:The clinical data of 89 hemodialysis renal anemia patients with DKD from January 2020 to October 2021 in Beijing Geriatric Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 44 patients (control group)were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin and levocarnitine for renal anemia, and 45 patients (study group) were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin, levocarnitine and roxadustat for renal anemia. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The efficacy was compared between two groups. The laboratory indexes were measured before treatment and after 1, 3 months of treatment, including anemia related indexes such as hemoglobin, red blood cell count and mean corpuscular volume (MCV); iron metabolism indexes such as serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT); inflammatory indexes such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The adverse reactions were recorded. The patients were followed up for 1 year after treatment, the incidence of diabetic microvascular complications, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), was recorded.Results:The total effective rate in study group was significantly higher than that in control group: 93.33% (42/45) vs. 77.27% (34/44), and there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 4.60, P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in the laboratory indexes before treatment between two groups ( P<0.05); the hemoglobin, red blood cell count, MCV, serum iron, ferritin and TSAT after 1 and 3 months of treatment in study group were significantly higher than those in control group, the IL-8, CRP and TNF-α were significantly lower than those in control group, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups ( P>0.05). After 1 year follow-up, 2 cases were lost in study group and 3 cases in the control group. The incidence of DR and DPN in study group were significantly lower than those in control group: 0 vs. 14.63% (6/41) and 2.33% (1/43) vs. 19.51% (8/41), and there were statistical differences ( χ2 = 4.75 and 4.81, P<0.05). Conclusions:Roxadustat combined with levocarnitine in the treatment of renal anemia in hemodialysis patients with DKD is reliable and safe, and can effectively relieve anemia symptoms, improve iron metabolism, reduce inflammatory response, and reduce the risk of diabetic microvascular complications.