Background Previous study on critical period plasticity in local cortical circuits primarily was only to test the role of some proteins in visual cortex on visual development based on the existed neural signals expression system,but whole containing proteins analysis in cortical circuits is lack.To perform a whole containing proteins analysis has an important significance for critical period plasticity study.Objective This study was to investigate the influence of dark rearing on visual sense and proteomics in visual cortex for growing rat.Methods Two SD female rats were fed in two cages together with 12 newborn rats on the same day respectively,and half number of newborn rats were exchanged each other from first day after delivering and marked by eartipping.The newborn rats in a cage were bred in the dark environment for 40 days,and newborn rats in other cage were bred in the nature environment as controls.The blink response of rats to nearby object was examined and compared between the two groups of rats.Then three rats from two cages were sacrificed respectively and bilateral primary visual cortex tissue was isolated.Proteomics in rat primary visual cortex was detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry and the result was checked from database.Then the survival rats in the dark environment returned to the nature environment for 10 days,and the blink response of rats to nearby object were compared with that of agematched rats in the natural environment.The use and care of experimental rats followed the instruction of Ethic Committee of Nankai University.Results The blink response of rats was (0.33 ± 0.35) times in the dark environment for 40-day group,and that in the natural environment for 40-day group was (6.42±0.68) times,with a significant difference between them (t =24.38,P＜0.01).After returned to natural environment for 10 days,the blink response times of rats were less than those of the natural environment group ([5.00±1.22] times vs.[6.11±0.59]times),but this change was not statistically significant (t =2.09,P＞0.05).Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry assay revealed that 36 different proteins in visual cortex were found in the dark-feed rats compared with the natural environment rats,including 26 loss proteins and 10 extra proteins.Among the different proteins,Eps 15 homology domain-containing protein-3 (EHD3),tubulin alpha-1A chain and 2 ',3 '-cyclic-nucleotide 3 ' phosphordiesterase were the known proteins.Conclusions Dark rearing cause reversible visual loss in critical period plasticity newborn rat,and the change of proteomics in visual cortex is probably an affecting factor.

Objective To study the relationship of serum visfatin level and coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods Eighty eight hospitalized patients were enrolled into the study and divided into CHD group(n = 62) and non-CHD control group(n = 26) according to the angiography results; the CHD group was further divided into single-, double-, multi-vessel affected groups. The serum level of visfatin was measured by ELISA,the lesion severity of coronary arteries was assessed by Gensini coronary scoring system, and the correlation between serum visfatin level and coronary lesion severity was evaluated statistically. Results The level of serum visfatin was significantly higher in CHD group than the control group([ 10. 77 ± 2. 63 ] μg/L vs. [ 7. 13 ± 2. 06 ]μg/L,P ＜ 0. 05). The visfatin level increased along with the the number of stenosis vessels(P ＜ 0. 05). The sermn visfatin levels of no stenosis, single-, double-, multi-vessel groups were(7. 13 ± 2. 06) μg/L,(9. 30±2. 19) μg/L,(10. 81 ± 2. 12) μg/L,(12. 79 ± 2. 20) μg/L respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between coronary lesion severity score and serum visfatin level(r = 0. 483, P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusion The visfatin may be directly related to the initiation and development of coronary diseases. The higher level of serum visfatin was, the more severe coronary artery disease would be.

Objective To identify risk factors associated with the severity of acute kidney injury (AKI) in-duced by crush syndrome and whether the patient required hemodialysis (HD). Method A retrospective study was designed. Within 19 days after the Chinese Wenchuan earthquake (May 12, 2008), 63 victims (33 men, 30women) of 2139 cases were hospitalized at Mianyang Central Hospital (Siehuau, China) because of crush syn-drome caused by crush injuries. The patients with renal dysfimcfion before the earthquake were excluded. Totally 63 patients with AKI associated with crush syndrome were included in this study and were divided into two groups: group 1, 25 patients, requiring HD (when urine volume <250 mL/d;serum potassium> 6 mmol/L) ; and group 2, 38 patients, without HD. The following data were collected retrospectively for all patients: (1) epidemiological parameters: age, gender, race, time under the rubble, liquid treatmem before being rescued; (2) clinical param-eters: blood pressure, body area crushed, amputation, fasciotomy, blood transfusion, quantity of fluid infusion, urine output in the first 24 hours; (3) initial laboratory data: complete blood count, urine analysis, serum chem-istry, arterial blood gas analysis. Comparisons between the two groups were made using SPSS 10.0. The quantita-tive data and categorical data were analyzed using t tests and χ2 tests, respectively. P -values < 0.05 were consid-ered to indicate significant differences. The significant variables were entered into logistic regression models to de-termine the risk factors for the severity of AK1 in patients with crush syndrome and whether the patient required HD. Results Four significant risk factors with P -values < 0.05 were identified: fasciotomy, cystatin C (Cys C)level, myoglobin (MB) level and lactic acidosis. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 8.641 (3.027～76.479), 6.956 (3.027～76.479), 5.379 (3.027～76.479) and 4.833 (2.569～32.764), respectively. Conclusions In addition to urine output and potassium levels, we found that four risk factors, namely faseiotomy, Cys C and MB levels, and lactic acidosis, were significanfly associated with the severity of AKI and whether the patient required hemodialysis.

Objective To study the anatomic data of the first metatarsal dorsal artery and to provide anatomical basis for clinical tissue transplantation based on the first metatarsal dorsal artery.Methods The 16 adult cadaver specimens with 32 feet were dissected and meas-ured by vernier caliper.Then the anatomic data of the first metatarsal dorsal artery were analyzed.Results Through the examinations of 32 feet sample,the first metatarsal dorsal artery were classified into 5 types.Type Ⅰ:the first metatarsal dorsal artery runs at the surface of the first dorsal interosseous muscle (13 sides,40.6%).Type Ⅱ:the first metatarsal dorsal artery runs in the interior of the first dorsal interosse-ous muscle (11sides,34.4%).Type Ⅲ:the first metatarsal dorsal artery runs underneath the first dorsal interosseous muscle (6 sides, 18.8%).Type Ⅳ:the first metatarsal dorsal artery is slender (1 side,3.1%).TypeⅤ:the first metatarsal dorsal artery is absent (1 side, 3.1%).Distance relationship was measured between the first metatarsal bone and the first metatarsal dorsal artery:the vertical distance be-tween the origin of the posterior branch of the first metatarsal dorsal artery and base of the first metatarsal bone was (2.4 ±0.3)mm,the ver-tical distance between the origin of the posterior branch of the first metatarsal dorsal artery and head of the first metatarsal bone was (10.1 ±1.0)mm;the vertical distance between the origin of the anterior branch of the first metatarsal dorsal artery and the first metatarso-phalangeal joint was (7.6 ±2.7)mm.Conclusion The first metatarsal dorsal artery has clinical reference significance for the hands and feet’s trauma and skin flap transplantation such as thumb reconstruction.

Adult ; Benzene ; poisoning ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo establish a stable rat experimental model of concealed penis for studying the effect of buried penis on the structure and function of the corpus cavernosum.

METHODSNinety male SD rats, aged 2 weeks, were randomly divided into 3 groups (A, B and C) of equal number. Groups A and B underwent surgery with intra-purse suture of the penile root and folding suture of the prepuce, respectively, to bury the penis, while Group C were included as sham operation controls.

RESULTSIn Group A, death resulted in 4 cases from acute post-operative urine retention, failure in burying the penis occurred in 5 cases because of soft tissue ulceration around the urethral orifice and in another 3 due to loose concealment. In Group B, 1 died from deep anesthesia and 2 from acute post-operative urine retention. With the penile development and erection, 7 in Group A and 10 in Group B protruded the penis in different stages. In Group C, 1 died from deep anesthesia. The operations succeeded in all the other rats in Groups A and B, with the success rates of 36.7% and 56.7%, respectively. And the concealment could be relieved any time during the experiment.

CONCLUSIONThe experimental rat model of concealed penis can be successfully established by both intra-purse suture of the penile root and folding suture of the prepuce, which is stable and similar to the natural course of this disorder in human.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urogenital Abnormalities

Objective To study the clinical characteristics of autism in febrile seizures plus (FS+) and the relationship between autism and SCN1A mutation. Methods Clinical data of 103 patients with FS+ treated in epilepsy centre of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University were collected and analyzed. According to the international criteria, generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), partial seizures with febrile seizures plus (PEFS+), Dravet syndrome (DS) and autism were diagnosed. Genomic DNA was obtained from blood samples. SCN1A were PCR amplified and mutations were detected by DHPLC and sequencing. Result Mental retardation was found in 53.8%of patients with GEFS+, 69.2%of patients with PEFS+, and all patients with DS, respectively. One in GEFS+, one in PEFS+and nine in DS patients were accompanied with autism (P<0.01). Among FS+patients with autism, one SCN1A mutation was found in PEFS+patients, while six SCN1A mutations were found in DS patients. Conclusions Majority of GEFS+and PEFS+patients showed mental retardation, while all the DS patients were accompanied with retardation. The occurrence of autism with DS is higher than GEFS+and PEFS+. No definite relationship between autism and SCN1A mutation was indicated.

Clinical reports on cardiac syndrome X (CSX) have been increasing in recent years. In general, CSX does not increase the cardiovascular mortality, but it can affect the patient's quality of life (QOL) and increase the incidence rates of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Although a variety of drugs and therapies have been utilized in the clinical treatment, the management of CSX still represents a major challenge due to its unclear pathogenesis. It is necessary to explore more effective treatment programs. Many attempts have been made on trials of the Chinese medicine (CM) treatment for CSX and proved that CM has a certain advantage in efficacy to improve clinical symptoms and QOL. CM may provide a new approach for the effective treatment of CSX.
Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolic Syndrome ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo determine the susceptibilities of M. tuberculosis H37Ra and M. chelonei subsp. absecessus to several frequently-used disinfectants and to evaluate the practicability of surrogating M. tuberculosis by the latter.

METHODSA suspension quantitative bactericidal test was set up in accordance with Chinese Technique Standard for Disinfection to evaluate the susceptibility of each mycobacteria strain to each selected disinfectant. Killing log value was used as criterion in comparing the susceptibility to disinfectants between the two strains.

RESULTSM. chelonei subsp. abscessus was more resistant to chlorine disinfectant than M. tuberculosis while the two strains were similarly resistant to iodophor disinfectant, peracetic acid, alcohol and glutaraldehyde disinfectant.

CONCLUSIONM. chelonei subsp. abscessus has the potential to surrogate M. tuberculosis in evaluating mycobactericidal efficacies of disinfectants.

Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Bacteriological Techniques ; Chlorine Compounds ; pharmacology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Disinfectants ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Glutaral ; pharmacology ; Iodophors ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycobacterium Infections ; Mycobacterium chelonae ; drug effects ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; Peracetic Acid ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in the right para-tracheal triangle (RPT) of esophageal carcinoma patients and the technique of dissection.

METHODSOn the top of double mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenectomy, 333 esophageal carcinoma patients received RPT lymphadenectomy through the right pleural apical approach from 1990 to 2001.

RESULTSIn these 333 patients, the lymph node metastasis (LNM) rate in the RPT was 36.40%. A total of 457 nodes among 2 159 nodes removed gave a metastasis degree of 24.96%. The LNM rates in RPT for cervical, upper third, middle third, and lower third segments of esophagus were 66.67%, 45.45%, 34.19% and 15.79% (P < 0.05), while their respective metastasis degrees were 44.44%, 27.04%, 24.32% and 18.92% (P > 0.05). The frequency of positive nodes in the RPT for PTI, PT1, PT2, PT3 and PT4 was 0, 17.24%, 28.7%, 45.16% and 53.57%, while those of metastasis degree were 0, 8.77%, 17.62%, 33% and 41.17% (P < 0.01). The frequency of LNM in the RPT in papillary, erosive, patch-like and covert type of early tumor was 40%, 3.85%, 0 and 0 (P < 0.05), while those of the metastasis degree were 29.41%, 1.82%, 0 and 0 (P < 0.01). Higher rate of LNM in progressive stenotic esophageal carcinoma was observed compared with those of the other gross types (56.52%, P < 0.05), so was the degree (P < 0.01). The frequency of LNM in the RPT for mono-focal and multi-focal tumor was 34.98% and 70% without significant difference (P > 0.05), while the degree was 24.29% and 53.33% (P < 0.05). Postoperative complications were: leak (0.6%), and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (1.2%). No injury of vein or infra-clavicular artery, tracheal damage or mortality occurred.

CONCLUSION1. The lymph node metastasis from esophageal carcinoma has a tendency of wide spread and right para-tracheal triangle is an important region to be doomed. 2. With location, depth of tumor invasion and differentiation of tumor as major factors affecting LNM of esophageal carcinoma, dissection of this region should be paid more emphasis. 3. In early lesions, higher frequency of LNM in the RPT is found in papillary and erosive lesions than in the other macroscopic types. 4. Exposing the RPT, lymph node by dissection through a right pleural apical approach is very important and significant.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardia ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neoplasm Invasiveness