Objective To investigate the effects of serum leptin and tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) on nutrition states in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods The serum leptin and TNF-? levels were examined. Body mass index (BMI) and percent age of normal body weight(NW%) were measured. The correlation between leptin and other parameters was analysed. Results Serum leptin and TNF-? levels in acute exacerbation of COPD were significantly higher than those in the stable patients with COPD and control (P

BACKGROUND: Pathological changes of form and structure are induced in some tissues during repairing albuginea penis trauma, while structure and component of collagen fiber will be correspondingly changed necessarily.OBJECTIVE: To find a convenient, shortcut, and sensitive method to observe the dynamic change of type and distribution of collagen fiber during albuginea penis healing. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A contrast study was performed at the Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, Guiyang Medical College between June 2005 and October 2007. MATERIALS: Fifteen male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. METHODS: All rabbits underwent an excision of albuginea sizing 5 mm×5 mm at dorsal penis to establish models of albuginea penis trauma, and then the excision was sutured in situ. Thereafter, albuginea penis was obtained from five rabbits once after 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The samples were treated with picric-sirius red staining and observed under polarizing microscope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dynamic changes of area of collagen fiber during albuginea penis healing.RESULTS: There were significant differences in content of the same collagen fiber at different time points (P<0.05). At 2 weeks post-trauma, both type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fibers were observed, and the ratio was equal, but the arrangement was confused and disorder. At 6 weeks post-trauma, red and yellow type Ⅰ collagen fiber was apparently increased, but type Ⅲ collagen fiber was decreased, and the arrangement was still disorder. At 12 weeks post-trauma, thick, bright red and yellow type Ⅰ collagen fiber was rapidly increased, but thin and green type Ⅲ collagen fiber was rapidly decreased.CONCLUSION: Picric-sirius red polarized light method can not only differentiate types of collagen fiber, but also clearly display the distribution, form and proportion of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fiber, characterizing by simple, convenient, specific, and highly sensitive.

BACKGROUND: It is indicated in the study of recent years that gingko biloba extract (EGB) is a kind of natural cleaner of free radical and it protects the body from the damage induced by free radical and improves cerebral circulatory disturbance and neuronal function. But the experimental or clinical study on the effects of EGB on high neural functional activity, like cognition, is relatively lagged.OBJECTIVE: To probe into the function of EGB on high functional activity in central neural system so as to provide the experimental evidence on clinical application of EGB in treatment of cognitive disturbance.DESIGN: Randomized controlled experiment was designed.SETTING: Department of Geriatrics of Psychiatric Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Department of Pathophysiology in Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Department of Neurology in Union Hospital affiliated to Jinan Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Basic Department of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in June 2002. Forty Wistar rats were employed and randomized into 5groups, named as normal control of aged rats (normal group), model group,EGB 75 mg/kg group, EGB 150 mg/kg group and EGB 500 mg/kg group, 8 rats in each one.METHODS: Scopolamine was used to induce disturbance of learning and memory in aged rats to simulate the model of senile dementia animals. In normal and model groups, physiological saline of same volume was used for gastric perfusion and in every EGB group, EGB of 75, 150 and 500 mg/kg was used for gastric perfusion successively, 50-400 g/time, continuously for 5 days. On the 6th day, water maze and evading-dark-room tests were performed. During the testing, the medical perfusion stopped. The assay methods of behavioral training of learning and memory, such as experiment with water maze and evading-dark-room test, and biochemical assay were used to observe the changes in learning and memory and in acetylcholine (Ach) and protein contents in cerebral hippocampus before and after medication.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Time required in maze test of rats in each group. ② Mistakes in maze test of rats in each group. ③ Time required and mistakes in evading-dark-room test of rats in each group. ④Contents of Ach and protein in cerebral hippocampus of rats in each group.RFSULTS: Except that 1 rat was died without definite reason in EGB 150 mg/kg group and 1 rat was escaped in either EGB 75 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg group during gastric perfusion, terminally, 37 rats entered result analysis.① The time required and mistakes in maze test in every EGB group were less remarkably than model group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). The time required and mistakes in maze test in model group were higher remarkably than normal group (P＜0.01). ② In learning of passive escaping in evading-darkroom test, the duration of learning for the rats in EGB 500, 150, 75 mg/kg groups was shorter remarkably than that in model group [(156.78±25.97),(172.66±13.56), (198.54±17.12), (208.34±28.56) s, P ＜ 0.05 or P＜0.01].The mistakes of electric shock in EGB 500, 150, 75 mg/kg groups were less remarkably than model group [(3.41±0.26), (6.97±0.35), (7.23±0.62),(8.38±0.92) times, P＜0.01]. The times of electric shock in EGB 500 mg/kg group was less significantly than 150 mg/kg group (P＜0.01) and that in 150 mg/kg was less remarkably than 75 mg/kg group (P＜0.05). ③ Hippocampal Ach content in modeled rats in EGB 500, 150, 75 mg/kg groups was higher than that in model group [(421.89±36.32), (387.45±32.76),(380.17±41.25), (365.28±11.42) μg/g, P＜0.05 or P＜0.01]. Hippocampal Ach content in 500 mg/kg group was higher significantly than 150 and 75 mg/kg groups (P＜0.01). In addition, compared with normal group,protein content in hippocampus in rats with disturbance of learning and memory induced by scopolamine in model group was reduced significantly [(41.75±3.82), (95.13±6.34) mg/kg, P ＜ 0.01]. After administrated with EGB,even though the protein content in hippocampus was increased in experimental rats after modeling, the difference was not significant (P＞0.05).CONCLUSION: EGB improves significantly learning and memory in experimental animal in dose-dependence and increases significantly Ach content in hippocampus.

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) can spontaneously differentiate into neurons and glial cells in the absence of mitogen fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) or epidermal growth factor (EGF) in medium and the spontaneous differentiation of NSCs is mediated partially by endogenous ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). This study examined the relationship of FGF-2 and CNTF in the spontaneous differentiation of adult hippocampal progenitor cells (AHPs). AHPs were cultured in the medium containing different concentration of FGF-2 (1-100 ng/mL). Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were applied to detect the expression of the astrocytic marker GFAP, the neuronal marker Tuj1, the oligodendrocytic marker CNPase and, Nestin, the marker of AHPs. The expression of endogenous CNTF in AHPs at early (passage 4) and late stage (passage 22) was also measured by Western blotting. The results showed that FGF-2 increased the expression of Nestin, dramatically inhibited the expression of GFAP and Tuj1 and slightly suppressed the expression of CNPase. FGF-2 down-regulated the expression of endogenous CNTF in AHPs at both early (passage 4) and late stage (passage 22). These results suggested that FGF-2 could inhibit the spontaneous differentiation of cultured AHPs by negatively regulating the expression of endogenous CNTF in AHPs.

Clinical practice is the critical stage of training medical students in basic clinical quality.For the current major issues,such as lack of clinical case resources,lack of teaching conditions,and less chances of practice for students,cases library combined with medical human patient simulator is used in extern's teaching.Through this teaching,the students can touch numerous and comprehensive clinical cases,grasp clinical techniques proficiently,predominate diagnosis and treatment of common diseases in Orthopaedics efficiently by using medical human patient simulator.The effect of clinical practice teaching is improved greatly.The practice of related teaching means and methods provides a new way for the reform of the practice teaching.

Objective To evaluate the medium and long term safety and efficacy of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) performed with conventional instruments in treating stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ pelvic organ prolapse (POP).Methods A prospective cohort analysis was conducted in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital,between May 2007 and June 2015,enrolling 55 women with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ POP who intended to receive SSLF.Primary end points were objective success rates using pelvic organ prolapse quantitation system (POP-Q) and subjective satisfaction rates with questionnaires after surgery according to vaginal examination and related questionnaires for all patients who received SSLF eventually.Exploratory outcomes included perioperative parameters and complications.Results Of these 55 POP patients enrolled,52 (95％,52/55) received SSLF using conventional surgical instruments,the other 3 cases converted to ischial spinous fascia fixation due to difficulty exposing.Medium blood loss during operation was 100 ml (20-300 ml) and operative time 60 minutes (20-165 minutes).Pelvic hematoma with diameters of 5 cm and 7 cm were observed in two patients,both recovered fully with conservative methods.All patients were able to micturate spontaneously after catheter withdrawal.One patient reported right thigh pain after operation which remained till 3-month follow-up and relieved after physiotherapy.The objective success rate was 100％ (52/52) at 3 months.With a medium follow-up time of 23.7 months,the objective success rate was 98％ (51/52),the recurrence rate was 2％ (1/52) and the satisfactory rate was 94％ (49/52).De novo urinary incontinence occurred in 6％ (3/52) of patients.Conclusion Most POP could be corrected with SSLF using conventional instruments which is a feasible,economic and effective procedure for Asian patients with medium compartment prolapse.

To explore the relationship between beta-amyloid (A beta) and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD), after injection of beta-amyloid into the rat brain, the apoptosis of nerve cells and acetylcholine (Ach) content in rat hippocampus were examined by employing TUNEL technique and base hydroxylamine colorimetry respectively. The influence of age and glucocorticoid on the neurotoxic effect of A beta was also analyzed. A beta peptide could strongly induce the apoptosis of neurons in hippocampus, cortex and striate body (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In addition, the senility and glucocorticoid pre-treatment could enhance the toxic effect of A beta (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). It is concluded that A beta may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease via its induction of apoptosis of neurons and by decreasing the content of the Ach.
Acetylcholine/metabolism ; Aging ; Alzheimer Disease/etiology ; Amyloid beta-Protein/*toxicity ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Dexamethasone/*pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Hippocampus/metabolism ; Hippocampus/*pathology ; Injections, Intraventricular ; Neurons/pathology ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUND: Nerve growth factor is secreted and synthetized by a variety of cells, such as inflammatory calls and repairing calls, its biological effects are diverse and closely related to the process of wound repair, but its mechanism is not yet clear.OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of nerve growth factor on the biological characteristics of scar fibroblasts.METHODS: Eight clinical surgical resection specimens, including 5 face and neck hyperplastic scar or keloid specimens, did not receive any treatment; three were prepuce specimens following circumcision (normal tissue). By use of tissue block method, the scar and normal skin fibroblasts were cultured, followed by digestion passage. The scar tissue and normal tissue flbroblasts at 3-6passages in the logarithmic phase were seeded in 96-well plate and divided into the experimental group (scar flbroblest group) and the control group (normal skin fibroblasts group), with two parallel holes in each group were added with 3,33, 0.33 mg/L nerve growth factor, 50 μL. Inverted microscope was used to observe fibroblast morphology. At 24, 48, 72 hours after culture, the absorbanca value was measured using MTT. Fibroblast DNA content and cell apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The fibroblasts were adherent cells, the scar and normal skin tissues were shown to cell free out of tissue block and gradual expansion at 4-6 days after incubation. Compared with normal skin fibroblasts, the pathological scar fibroblasts became larger, irregular shape and arrangement. MTT results showed that nerve growth factor could promote the normal and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts growth, which becomes more apparent. Flow cytometry results showed that by adding nerve growth factor, the percentage of scar fibroblasts at proliferating S-G_2-M phase was higher than that in the control;group; with a Iower level of apoptosis. It is indicated that nerve growth factor plays an obviously promoting role on normal and scar skin fibroblasts growth and proliferation, especially on the scar skin.

Objective To evaluate continuous improvement of portable domestic pelvic floor neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the pelvic floor function of patients with stress urinary incontinence after short-term pelvic floor electrophysiological treatment in hospital.Methods Totally 60 women with stress urinary incontinence were recruited for this randomized controlled trial.The control group including a total of 30 patients,only received 4 weeks pelvic floor electrophysiological treatment in the hospital.Family consolidation treatment group (experimental group) including 30 patients,after 4-week treatment in hospital,received 12-week of pelvic floor neuromnuscular electrical stimulation using portable electrical stimulator at home under the guidance of doctors.In post-treatment 6 months and 9 months,1-hour pad test was measured for urine leakage,pelvic floor electrical physiological parameters were assessed,and subjective improvement of symptoms of urinary incontinence were evaluated.All these data were analysed to compare the effect of the two groups.Results In 9 months after treatment,average change of urine leakage,the control group and experiment group were (75±24)％ versus (99±3)％,the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).In the experiment group,strength of type Ⅰ muscle (4.4±0.7),strength of type Ⅱ muscle (4.8±0.4) and pelvic floor dynamic pressure [(96± 12) cmH2O,1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa] were better than those of control group [3.2± 1.0,4.3 ± 0.9,(86 ± 10) cmH2O,respectively],the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01).Subjective outcome,the control group and experiment group were (6.5 ±2.9) versus (1.8 ± 1.7),subjective outcome between the two groups had significant difference (P＜0.01).Conclusion After short-term pelvic floor electrophysiological treatment in hospital,the portable domestic pelvic floor neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with stress urinary incontinence is helpful to continuous improvement of pelvic floor function.

Objective To investigate the distribution and sequence conservation of genes encoding the outer membrane lipoprotein D(LPD)of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae(NTHi)isolates and to ana-lyze the immunogenicity and the immunoprotective effects of the expressed recombinant LPD(rLPD). Meth-ods PCR analysis was used to detect the genes encoding LPD of NTHi isolates. The PCR products were se-quenced after T-A cloning. A prokaryotic expression system for genes encoding LPD was established to ex-press the rLPD. Ni-NTA affinity chromatography was used for purification. SDS-PAGE and Bio-Rad Gel Im-age Analyzer were used to detect the expression and the yield of rLPD. The antigenicity and immunoreactivity of rLPD were detected by ELISA and Western blot assay. The immunoprotective effects of rLPD against lethal dose of NTHi were evaluated in a mouse model. Results All of the tested NTHi isolates were positive for the genes encoding LPD. They shared 98. 0% -99. 4% homologies in nucleotide sequences and 98. 5% -100% homologies in amino acid sequences. The established prokaryotic expression system expressed rLPD with a high yield. High levels of antibody in rabbits were induced by the rLPD. The anti-NTHi antiserum samples from rabbits and children could recognize and react with the rLPD. The result of ELISA indicated that 93. 6%(58 / 62)and 53. 2%(32 / 62)of the serum samples from children with NTHi infection were positive for rLPD-IgM and rLPD-IgG,respectively. The rLPD at concentrations of 100 μg and 200 μg could respectively protect 60. 0% and 73. 3% of mice from lethal NTHi infection. Conclusion The genes enco-ding LPD were extensively distributed in NTHi isolates with high sequence conservation. The expressed rLPD could be used as a potential candidate antigen in the development of genetic engineering vaccine against NTHi infection considering its high immunogenicity and immunoprotective effects.