Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture on improvement of learning and memory ability and the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)mRNA and protein in hippocampus in diabetic rats with cognitive impairment.Methods The rat diabetes model was induced by injecting streptozotocin(20 g/L),and then the rats were randomly divided into three groups:electro-acupuncture group(EA),diabetes-mellitus-untreated group(DM)and control group(CN).After four weeks of electroacupuncture treatment,blood glucose level was determined and the effect of electroacupuncture on learning and memory was examined with the device of Morris water maze.RT-PCR was used to detect CTGF mRNA level,and immunohistochemistry was used to detect CTGF protein expression.Results Blood glucose level and the latency period in DM group were increased compared with those in EA and CN groups(P

BACKGROUND: Stem cells have multi-directional differentiation potential. Tissue engineering scaffolds can provide support for them. Neurotrophic factors can promote the differentiation of stem cells. The combination of the three therapies to promote the functional recovery of spinal cord injury is one of the current research hotspots. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of stem cells, tissue engineering scaffolds, neurotrophic factors and their combined transplantation in the treatment of spinal cord injury in recent years. METHODS: The authors searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medline, and CNKI for original articles from January 2000 to October 2019. The key words were “spinal cord injury, mesenchymal stem cells, issue engineering, neurotrophic factor” in English and Chinese, respectively. Totally 712 studies were retrieved. After strict screening, 79 studies that met the requirements were classified and reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Stem cell transplantation alone cannot reconstruct the complex structure and stability of the spinal cord. Biological materials or neurotrophic factors alone cannot replace the loss of neurons during spinal cord injury. Therefore, combined transplantation is the research direction of spinal cord injury treatment. However, due to the differences in the location of spinal cord injury, the tissue of injury and the nutritional requirements of its repair, the characteristics of various stem cells, tissue engineering scaffolds and neurotrophic factors are different. How to optimize the combination of the three is still a huge challenge.

Objective To evaluate the effects of isoflurane postconditioning on mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) in brain tissues of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.Methods One hundred and twenty 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 12-16 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),isoflurane group (group I),hypoxicischemic brain injury group (group HIBI),and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury + isoflurane postconditioning group (group HI).To establish hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model in the neonatal rats,the left common carotid artery ligation was carried out,and then the rats were exposed to 8％ O2 + 92％ N2 at 37 ℃ for 2 h in HIBI and HI groups.The rats inhaled 1.5 ％ isoflurane for 30 min after the model was established in group HI.The rats only inhaled 1.5％ isoflurane for 30 min in group I.At 24 h after the model was established,10 rats taken out randomly in each group were sacrificed and brains were removed to detect mPTP opening.At 7 days after the model was established,the survival rate was recorded in the rest rats.The rats were then sacrificed and brains were removed and the right and left cerebral hemispheres were weighed separately,and the ratio between left/right cerebral hemispheres was calculated.The density of normal neurons in ventral posterior inferior thalamic nucleus and hippocampal CA3 region in the left and right cerebral hemispheres were measured and the ratios of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere were calculated.Results There was no significant difference in the survival rate between the four groups (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group S,the ratios of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere,weight of left cerebral hemisphere,and ratio between left/right cerebral hemispheres were significantly decreased,and mPTP opening was increased in group HIBI (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in group I (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group HIBI,the ratios of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere,weight of left cerebral hemisphere,and ratio between left/right cerebral hemispheres were significantly increased,and mPTP opening was decreased in group HI (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which isoflurane postconditioning reduces hypoxic-ischemic brain injury may be related to inhibition of mPTP opening in brain tissues of neonatal rats.

Objective To evaluate the effects of isoflurane postconditioning on long-term cognitive function of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI).Methods Sixty 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 12-16 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =15 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group Ⅰ),isoflurane postconditioning group (group Ⅱ),cerebral hypoxia-ischemia group (group Ⅲ),and isoflurane postconditioning after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia group (group Ⅳ).Brain ischemia was induced by permanent ligation of the left common carotid artery followed by inhalation of 8 ％ O2-92 ％ N2 for 2 h at 37 ℃ in Ⅲ and Ⅳ groups.In Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups,the left common carotid artery was only isolated but not ligated.The rats inhaled 1.5％ isoflurane in 30％ O2-70％ N2 for 30 min starting from 2 h of hypoxia in Ⅱ and Ⅳ groups.The rats were exposed to 30％ O2-70％ N2 for 30 min in Ⅰ and Ⅲ groups.Morris water maze test was carried out at 30-35 days after HIBI.The escape latency,swimming speed,swimming distance,the number of times the animals crossing the platform quadrant,the percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant and the percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant were recorded.The animals were sacrificed after Morris water maze test.The density of normal neurons in ventral posterior inferior thalamic nucleus and hippocampal CA3 region in left and right cerebral hemisphere was measured and the ratio of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere was calculated.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,the escape latency was significantly prolonged at 30-34 days after HIBI in group Ⅲ and at 31 and 34 days after HIBI in Ⅳ group,the number of times the animals crossing the platform quadrant,percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant,percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant,and ratio of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere were decreased at day 35 after HIBI in group Ⅲ,no significant changes were found in the number of times the animals crossing the platform quadrant,percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant,and percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant,and the ratio of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere was decreased at day 35 after HIBI in group Ⅳ,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in group Ⅱ.Compared with group Ⅲ,the escape latency was significantly shortened at 31-34 days after HIBI,and the number of times the animals crossing the platform quadrant,percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant,percentage of swimming distance in the platform quadrant,and ratio of the density of normal neurons in the left to right cerebral hemisphere were increased at day 35 after HIBI in group Ⅳ.There was no significant difference in the swimming speed and swimming distance at day 35 after HIBI between groups.Conclusion Isoflurane postconditioning can improve long-term cognitive function of neonatal rats with HIBI.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the efficacy and safety of simultaneous bilateral endoscopic surgery (SBES) for bilateral upper urinary tract calculi, and to summarize the initial experience. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with bilateral upper urinary tract calculi who underwent SBES in the Department of Urology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. The demographic and clinical data of the patients were recorded, and the operation status, stone free rate (SFR) and peri-operative complications were analyzed. The primary end point was SFR, and second end point was peri-operative complications. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients underwent SBES, of which SBES was completed in 19 patients (12 males, and 7 females). The mean age was (41.3±12.0) years. Fourteen patients underwent modified supine position surgery and 4 patients in prone split-leg position. There was no statistical difference in the demographic and baseline clinical data of the patients in different positions. One patient underwent right percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and left endoscopic combined intra-renal surgery (ECIRS) in the prone split-leg position, while 18 patients received simul-taneous surgery with PCNL and contralateral retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS). The mean anesthesia and operation time was (128.7±26.5) min and (70.7±20.3) min, respectively, which was significantly longer in the patients with prone split-leg position than in the patients with modified supine position, anesthesia time in the patients with prone split-leg position and modified supine position: (148.4±20.4) min vs. (121.6±25.3) min, respectively, t=－2.121, P=0.049, while the operation time in the patients with prone split-leg position and modified supine position: (86.4±21.1) min vs. (65.1±17.4) min, respectively, t=－2.222, P=0.040. There was no significant difference between the two groups in indwelling of nephrostomy [prone split-leg position and modified supine position: (2.6±0.9) d vs. (2.1±1.0) d, respectively; t=－0.880, P=0.391] and the length of hospital stay [prone split-leg position and modified supine position: (6.0±2.7) d vs. (5.2±1.8) d, respectively; t=－0.731, P=0.475]. One month after the operation, the SFR was 78.9%, and 3 patients had minor peri-operative complications (Clavien-Dindo grades Ⅰ/Ⅱ) without any serious complications (Clavien-Dindo grades Ⅲ/Ⅳ/Ⅴ). CONCLUSION The simultaneous bilateral endoscopic surgery would decrease the operation time and anesthesia exposure under the premise of ensuring the SFR, which is helpful to reduce the risk of peri-operative complications, especially to the patients who can not tolerate the second-stage or long-time operation.
Adult ; Calcinosis/surgery* ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urologic Diseases/surgery*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of the cardiac hemodynamics after acute high altitude exposure in healthy young males and the relationship with acute mountain sickness(AMS).

METHODSLeft ventricular function and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) were measured in 218 healthy young males before and after high altitude exposure within 24 h respectively. According to the lake louise score criteria, the subjects were divided into two groups: acute mountain sickness group (AMS group) and non acute mountain sickness group (non-AMS group).

RESULTSHR, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), stroke volume (SV), stroke index (SI) cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI) were significantly increased upon acute high altitude exposure (P < 0.05). Whereas SaO2 and end-systolic volume (ESV) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and MAP in AMS group were significantly higher than those in non-AMS group (P < 0.05). But stroke index (SI) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) in AMS group were significantly lower than those in non-AMS group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCardiac function in healthy young males upon acute high altitude exposure was enhanced. EDV, HR and SI might become the indexes of predicting the acute mountain sickness in the future.

Objective To investigate MR imaging features of femoral marrow in treated ?-thalassemia major.Methods MR imaging of the proximal femoral marrow was performed in 35 cases of ?-thalassemia major and 45 age-and sex-matched normal children as control.Coronal images of femoral marrow with the techniques of spin echo and fast field echo(FFE)were obtained.On T_1-weighted imaging the red and yellow femoral marrow were judged and marrow distribution was classified into five groups.The hemosiderosis of marrow was judged on the basis of signal intensity of marrow on FFE imaging.The marrow distribution classification and the hemosiderosis on MR imaging were correlated with clinical features.Results On FFE,marrow hemosiderosis occurred in 15 patients with a marked hypo-intensity signal and was related to the age(P=0.032).On T_1-weighted imaging,the femoral marrow in 35 patients was classified as groupⅢand IV,while the marrow distribution was groupⅠorⅡin all normal children,there was statistically significant difference(P

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of endoscopic combined ultrasound-guided access (EUGA) with the conventional ultrasound-guided access (UGA) to achieve percutaneous renal access in endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS). METHODS: A retrospective review of 53 patients undergoing ECIRS to treat upper urinary tract calculi between January 2017 and October 2019 was con-ducted. All of the cases were of complex upper urinary tract stones larger than 2 cm in diameter. The com-plex stone situations, such as multiple renal calyces calculi or staghorn calculi necessitated ECIRS. Under general anesthesia, the patients were placed in the galdakao-modified supine valdivia (GMSV) position, thus allowing both antegrade and retrograde accesss. The patients were divided to UGA and EUGA groups according to the protocol of achieving percutaneous renal access. In 28 cases, endoscopic combined ultrasound-guided accesss were obtained. Puncture and dilation were performed under direct flexible ureteroscopic visualization, while percutaneous renal access of 25 cases were performed with the conventional technique employing ultrasound guidance. Demographic and perioperative information, such as stone burden, presence of hydronephrosis and number of calyces involved was compared. Primary outcomes included total operative time, renal access time, repeat puncture, hemoglobin level, perioperative complications, and stone-free rate. RESULTS: No major intra-operative complication was recorded in all the 53 ECRIS. No significant difference was observed between the groups in age and gender. There was no significant difference in body mass index[BMI (29.21±3.14) kg/m² vs.(28.53±2.56) kg/m²], stone burden (37.68±6.89) mm vs. (35.53±6.52) mm, number of calyces involved 2.72±0.68 vs. 2.86±0.71, presence of hydronephrosis (56.0% vs. 46.4%), total operative time (93.0±12.2) min vs. (96.8±14.2) min, hemoglobin level reduction (6.56±2.16) g/L vs. 97.54±2.64) g/L, stone-free rate (92.0% vs. 92.8%), hospital stay (5.52±0.59) d vs. (5.64±0.62) d, perioperative complication rate (8.0% vs. 7.2%). Two patients in EUGA group experienced perioperative complications (one urinary tract infection and one hematuria) while two patients in UGA group experienced perioperative urinary tract infection. None in both groups received blood transfusion. The patients undergoing EUGA had shorter renal access time [(4.0±0.7) min vs. (6.8±2.6) min, P < 0.01] and less repeat puncture (0 vs. 4 cases, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION EUGA is an optimal technique to establish percutaneous renal access in ECIRS, which minimizes access time and repeated procedures.
Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Ureteroscopy

Ecological stoichiometry is a study of the balance of biological system's energy and the balance of multiple chemical elements. It focuses on the relationship of the element ratio in ecological processes. In this paper, the concept and main theoretical basis of ecological stoichiometry were introduced, and the status of stoichiometry in medicinal plant resources was reviewed. According to the recent development of ecological stoichiometry, the future directions of ecological stoichiometry of medicinal plants could be the study of the relationship between stoichiometric characteristic and growth and secondary metabolism of medicinal plants, and the influence of biotic (or abiotic) factors on the stoichiometric characteristic of medicinal plants.
Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ecosystem ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

Detailed information on additional drug resistance patterns of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is essential to build an effective treatment regimen; however, such data are scarce in Korea. We retrospectively analyzed the results of phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) of culture confirmed-TB patients from January 2010 to December 2014 in 7 university hospitals in Korea. MDR-TB was identified among 6.8% (n = 378) of 5,599 isolates. A total of 57.1% (n = 216) of the MDR-TB patients had never been treated for TB. Strains from MDR-TB patients showed additional resistance to pyrazinamide (PZA) (35.7%), any second-line injectable drug (19.3%), and any fluoroquinolone (26.2%). Extensively drug resistant TB comprised 12.4% (n = 47) of the MDR-TB patients. Of 378 MDR-TB patients, 50.3% (n = 190) were eligible for the shorter MDR-TB regimen, and 50.0% (n = 189) were fully susceptible to the 5 drugs comprising the standard conventional regimen (PZA, kanamycin, ofloxoacin, prothionamide, and cycloserine). In conclusion, the proportion of new patients and the levels of additional drug resistance were high in MDR-TB patients. Considering the high levels of drug resistance, the shorter MDR-TB treatment regimen may not be feasible; instead, an individually tailored regimen based on the results of molecular and phenotypic DST may be more appropriate in MDR-TB patients in Korea.