BACKGROUNDThe effect of chronic stress on cognitive functions has been one of the hot topics in neuroscience. But there has been much controversy over its mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic multiple stress on spatial learning and memory as well as the expression of Fyn, BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus of rats.

METHODSAdult rats were randomly divided into control and chronic multiple stressed groups. Rats in the multiple stressed group were irregularly and alternatively exposed to situations of vertical revolution, sleep expropriation and restraint lasting for 6 weeks, 6 hours per day with night illumination for 6 weeks. Before and after the period of chronic multiple stresses, the performance of spatial learning and memory of all rats was measured using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). The expression of Fyn, BDNF and TrkB proteins in the hippocampus was assayed by Western blotting and immunohistochemical methods. The levels of Fyn and TrkB mRNAs in the hippocampus of rats were detected by RT-PCR technique.

RESULTSThe escape latency in the control group and the stressed group were 15.63 and 8.27 seconds respectively. The performance of spatial learning and memory of rats was increased in chronic multiple stressed group (P < 0.05). The levels of Fyn, BDNF and TrkB proteins in the stressed group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The results of immunoreactivity showed that Fyn was present in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and BDNF positive particles were distributed in the nuclei of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells as well as DG granular cells. Quantitative analysis indicated that level of Fyn mRNA was also upregulated in the hippocampus of the stressed group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChronic multiple stress can enhance spatial learning and memory function of rats. The expression of Fyn, BDNF and TrkB proteins and the level of Fyn mRNA are increased in the stessed rat hippocampus. These suggest that Fyn and BDNF/TrkB signal transduction pathways may participate in the process of the enhanced learning and memory during chronic multiple stress.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Learning ; physiology ; Male ; Memory ; physiology ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, trkB ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stress, Physiological ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of three dimensional visualization and virtual surgery system in living related donor liver transplantation surgery.

METHODSTwo patients suffered biliary calculi were scanned by 64 slice helical computer tomography (CT) on livers and the data were imported into medical image proceeding system (MIPS) for sequence. Man-made segmentation and true-up on the image from the data were carried out. Three dimensional (3D) models of the liver and the intrahepatic vessels were reconstructed by VTK software respectively. The models were exported with format STL from it and then were imported into the FreeForm Modeling System for smoothing and modifying. At last, living related donor liver transplantation were simulated with the force-feedback equipment (PHANToM).

RESULTSIt had great verisimilar image for the reconstructed 3D liver models with artery, hepatic vein, portal vein and bile duct. By seeing through liver, it had high fidelity and strong 3D effect for the intrahepatic artery, hepatic vein, portal vein and bile duct, and their spatial disposition and course and co-relationship were shown clearly. In the virtual surgery system, the virtual scalpel could be manipulated on 3D liver model with PHANToM. The simulating effect was the same as the clinic operation for living related donor liver transplantation.

CONCLUSIONSThe visualized liver model reconstructed is 3D and verisimilar, and it is helpful to design reasonable scheme for liver transplantation. It can improve the surgical effect, decrease the surgical risk, reduce the complication, enhance the communication between doctor and patient through designing surgical plan and demonstrating visualized operation before surgery.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Models, Anatomic ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; User-Computer Interface

OBJECTIVETo understand the related knowledge, discrimination attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among medical college students, and to provide scientific evidence for further HIV/AIDS anti-discrimination intervention.

METHODSBy means of stratified cluster sampling to classes, 2844 undergraduate students were randomly selected from medical colleges. A self-designed and self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted, and SPSS 13.0 software was used for data analysis.

RESULTS2501 valid questionnaires had been collected. The overall HIV/AIDS knowledge coverage rate of the respondents was 73.1% (1828/2501); The HIV/AIDS discrimination rates in different questions were varying, the discrimination rate of infected with AIDS by bad sex and sharing needles was 83.1% (2078/2501) and 77.7% (1943/2501) respectively, the discrimination rates in term of contacting with HIV patients and their daily necessities, sharing desks, personal social were all exceeding 40%.

CONCLUSIONThe medical students held serious discrimination attitudes to HIV infected persons and patients; it is necessary to strengthen anti-discrimination education about HIV/AIDS among medical students.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Prejudice ; Students, Medical ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of nuciferine on alleviating obesity based on modulating gut microbiota, ameliorating chronic inflammation, and improving gut permeability. In this study, the obese model mice were induced by high-fat diet and then randomly divided into model group, and nuciferine group; some other mice of the same week age were fed with normal diet as normal group. In the modeling process, the mice were administered intragastrically(ig) for 12 weeks. In the course of both modeling and treatment, the body weight and food intake of mice in each group were measured weekly. After modeling and treatment, the Lee's index, weight percentage of inguinal subcutaneous fat, and the level of blood lipid in each group were measured. The pathological changes of adipocytes were observed by HE staining to evaluate the efficacy of nuciferine treatment in obese model mice. 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis was conducted to study the changes in diversity and abundance of gut microbiota after nuciferine treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) were used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and the expression of related genes in adipose tissue of mice in each group, so as to evaluate the effect of nuciferine on chronic inflammation of mice in obese model group. qPCR was used to detect the expression of occludin and tight junction protein 1(ZO-1)gene in colon tissure, so as to evaluate the effect of nuciferine on intestinal permeability of mice in obese group. Nuciferine decreased the body weight of obese mice, Lee's index, weight percentage of inguinal subcutaneous fat(P<0.05), and reduced the volume of adipocytes, decreased the level of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)(P<0.05) in serum, improved dysbacteriosis, increased the relative abundance of Alloprevotella, Turicibacter, and Lactobacillus, lowered the relative abundance of Helicobac-ter, decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α genes in adipose tissue(P<0.01), decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in serum(P<0.05), and increased the expression of occludin and ZO-1 genes related to tight junction in colon tissue(P<0.01). Nuciferine could treat obesity through modulating gut microbiota, decreasing gut permeability and ameliorating inflammation.
Animals ; Aporphines ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Obese ; Obesity/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features and outcome of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in southwest Hubei, China. METHODS: According to the Montreux definition of neonatal ARDS, a retrospective clinical epidemiological investigation was performed on the medical data of neonates with ARDS who were admitted to Department of Neonatology/Pediatrics in 17 level 2 or level 3 hospitals in southwest Hubei from January to December, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 7 150 neonates were admitted to the 17 hospitals in southwest Hubei during 2017 and 66 (0.92%) were diagnosed with ARDS. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 23 (35%) had mild ARDS, 28 (42%) had moderate ARDS, and 15 (23%) had severe ARDS. The main primary diseases for neonatal ARDS were perinatal asphyxia in 23 neonates (35%), pneumonia in 18 neonates (27%), sepsis in 12 neonates (18%), and meconium aspiration syndrome in 10 neonates (15%). Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 neonates (15%) were born to the mothers with an age of ≥35 years, 30 neonates (45%) suffered from intrauterine distress, 32 neonates (49%) had a 1-minute Apgar score of 0 to 7 points, 24 neonates (36%) had abnormal fetal heart monitoring results, and 21 neonates (32%) experienced meconium staining of amniotic fluid. Intraventricular hemorrhage was the most common comorbidity (12 neonates), followed by neonatal shock (9 neonates) and patent ductus arteriosus (8 neonates). All 66 neonates with ARDS were treated with mechanical ventilation in addition to the treatment for primary diseases. Among the 66 neonates with ARDS, 10 died, with a mortality rate of 15% (10/66), and 56 neonates were improved or cured, with a survival rate of 85% (56/66). CONCLUSIONS Neonatal ARDS in southwest Hubei is mostly mild or moderate. Perinatal asphyxia and infection may be the main causes of neonatal ARDS in this area. Intraventricular hemorrhage is the most common comorbidity. Neonates with ARDS tend to have a high survival rate after multimodality treatment.
China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formula granules are highly praised for the advanced, convenient, and modern use of Chinese medicinal materials. The safety of TCM formula granules has long been a concern of regulatory authorities and the medical industry. A multi-center, prospective, open, non-interventional, and centralized monitoring was carried out for the patients treated with TCM formula granules in 252 medical institutions from February 5, 2020 to April 19, 2022. All the case data and the incidence of adverse drug reactions/events were recorded. This study evaluated the safety of TCM formula granules, aiming to provide a reference for the clinically use. A total of 20 547 patients were included in this study. Four adverse events were recorded, including 3 adverse drug reactions with an adverse drug reaction rate of 0.015%, all of which occurred in the digestive system. There was no serious adverse event, and no factors related to adverse drug reactions/events were identified. The incidence of adverse drug reactions/events associated with China Resources Sanjiu Medical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. TCM formula granules was rare, which proved their safety in clinical use. A comprehensive data mining and objective analysis was carried out for the medicines with high frequency in TCM formula granules, the commonly used medicine pairs and combinations, and departmental medication. The drug use characteristics, prescription rules, and departmental use of TCM formula granules were summarized, which can shed light on the prescription compatibility and clinical application.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Prospective Studies ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/epidemiology* ; China

The powder modification technology was used to improve the powder properties and microstructure of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder, thereby solving the problem of poor solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules. The influence of modifier dosage and grinding time on the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder was investigated with the solubility as the evaluation index, and the optimal modification process was selected. The particle size, fluidity, specific surface area, and other powder properties of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder before and after modification were compared. At the same time, the changes in the microstructure before and after modification was observed by scanning electron microscope, and the modification principle was explored by combining with multi-light scatterer. The results showed that after adding lactose for powder modification, the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder was significantly improved. The volume of insoluble substance in the liquid of modified Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder obtained by the optimal modification process was reduced from 3.8 mL to 0 mL, and the particles obtained by dry granulation of the modified powder could be completely dissolved within 2 min after being exposed to water, without affecting the content of its indicator components adenosine and allantoin. After modification, the particle size of Dioscoreae Rhizoma extract powder decreased significantly, d_(0.9) decreased from(77.55±4.57) μm to(37.91±0.42) μm, the specific surface area and porosity increased, and the hydrophilicity improved. The main mechanism of improving the solubility of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules was the destruction of the "coating membrane" structure on the surface of starch granules and the dispersion of water-soluble excipients. This study introduced powder modification technology to solve the solubility problem of Dioscoreae Rhizoma formula granules, which provided data support for the improvement of product quality and technical references for the improvement of solubility of other similar varieties.
Powders ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Technology ; Plant Extracts ; Particle Size

BackgroundThe pathogenesis of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the changes and significance of sulfur dioxide (SO) in patients with POTS.

MethodsThe study included 31 children with POTS and 27 healthy children from Peking University First Hospital between December 2013 and October 2015. A detailed medical history, physical examination results, and demographic characteristics were collected. Hemodynamics was recorded and the plasma SOwas determined.

ResultsThe plasma SOwas significantly higher in POTS children compared to healthy children (64.0 ± 20.8 μmol/L vs. 27.2 ± 9.6 μmol/L, respectively, P < 0.05). The symptom scores in POTS were positively correlated with plasma SOlevels (r = 0.398, P < 0.05). In all the study participants, the maximum heart rate (HR) was positively correlated with plasma levels of SO(r = 0.679, P < 0.01). The change in systolic blood pressure from the supine to upright (ΔSBP) in POTS group was smaller than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The ΔSBP was negatively correlated with baseline plasma SOlevels in all participants (r = -0.28, P < 0.05). In the control group, ΔSBP was positively correlated with the plasma levels of SO(r = 0.487, P < 0.01). The change in HR from the supine to upright in POTS was obvious compared to that of the control group. The area under curve was 0.967 (95% confidence interval: 0.928-1.000), and the cutoff value of plasma SOlevel >38.17 μmol/L yielded a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 92.6% for predicting the diagnosis of POTS.

ConclusionsIncreased endogenous SOlevels might be involved in the pathogenesis of POTS.

Essential oils from Chinese medicine are popular in the fields such as medicine, food, and cosmetics because of their unique biological characteristics. However, since essential oils are lipophilic compounds with high volatility, poor stability, and strong irritation, various preparation technologies need to be employed to improve stability, reduce irritation, and increase bioavailability. At present, a variety of preparation technologies have been applied to the encapsulation of essential oils. Various encapsulation strategies are formed because of different delivery systems featured with multiple principles and characteristics and are widely used to improve the stability of essential oils. Essential oils of Chinese medicine are widely used in the medical field, and they are under continuous innovation and development in clinical research, the pharmaceutical industry, medical products, etc. The present study summarized various delivery systems that could improve the stability of essential oils and reviewed the applications of essential oils encapsulated in the delivery systems in the medical field to provide re-ferences for the improvement of stability of essential oils and their safety, efficiency, and wide use in the medical field.
China ; Oils, Volatile

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) is a rare and fatal malignant eye tumor. In this study, we deciphered a novel anti-CM mechanism of a natural tetracyclic compound named as cucurbitacin B (CuB). We found that CuB remarkably inhibited the proliferation of CM cells including CM-AS16, CRMM1, CRMM2 and CM2005.1, without toxicity to normal cells. CuB can also induce CM cells G2/M cell cycle arrest. RNA-seq screening identified KIF20A, a key downstream effector of FOXM1 pathway, was abolished by CuB treatment. Further target identification by activity-based protein profiling chemoproteomic approach revealed that GRP78 is a potential target of CuB. Several lines of evidence demonstrated that CuB interacted with GRP78 and bound with a K _d value of 0.11 μmol/L. Furthermore, ATPase activity evaluation showed that CuB suppressed GRP78 both in human recombinant GRP78 protein and cellular lysates. Knockdown of the GRP78 gene significantly induced the downregulation of FOXM1 and related pathway proteins including KIF20A, underlying an interesting therapeutic perspective. Finally, CuB significantly inhibited tumor progression in NCG mice without causing obvious side effects in vivo. Taken together, our current work proved that GRP78-FOXM1-KIF20A as a promising pathway for CM therapy, and the traditional medicine CuB as a candidate drug to hinder this pathway.