Objective To know the effect of low level exposure of toluene on conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats. Methods 60 SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, 10 in each. 4 groups were treated respectively with toluene by inspiration of 328.6, 1 026.8mg/m3, OB-impaired+toluene 328.6 mg/m3, OB-impaired+1 026.8 mg/m3 in a closed chambers for 4 weeks (5 days/week, 6 hours/day) and 2 groups were taken as the control, OB-impaired control, blank control. The addiction and the generating electricity of the OB were examined by CCP chamber and the system of PowerLab. Results Compared with the blank group, in the toluene 328.6 and 1 026.8 mg/m3 groups the time in the light chamber was longer (P

Objective To investigate the anti-chronic stress effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) transplantation in rats with spinal cord injury.Methods Forty-eight adult SD rats were divided into control group,model group and treatment group according to the random number table,with 16 rats each.In model and treatment groups,lower thoracic (T10) spinal cord injury were constructed using the modified Allen's method.In control group,only laminectomy was performed.After 7 days,100 μl Hank's buffer suspension containing 1.0 × 106 BMSCs was injected into the subarachnoid space of L4-5 intervertebral space of rats in control group and treatment group.While in model group,only the equal volume of Hank's buffer was used.Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale was performed to evaluate hindlimb motor function in rats.At postoperative 14 and 28 days,blood samples were collected to measure adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH),norepinephrine (NE),epinephrine (E) and corticosterone (CORT) using the ELISA method;brains were harvested for the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor proteins GluR1 and GluR2 immunohistochemical staining.Results After injury,BBB scores in model and treatment groups were similar,but both were lower than that in control group (P ＜ 0.05).After BMSCs transplantation,BBB score in treatment group [21 d:(9.85 ± 0.82)points and 28 d:(11.23 ±0.68)points] improved continuously compared to model group [21 d:(8.42 ± 0.39) points and 28 d:(8.84 ± 0.25) points],but all were lower than that in control group [(21.00 ±0.00)points,P ＜0.05].ACTH contents in model and treatment groups at 14d [(104.80±6.16) and (98.50 ± 4.07) pg/ml] and 28 d [(101.40±2.33) and (96.50± 2.28) pg/ml] were higher than those in control group [(90.40 ± 1 1.36) and (83.20 ± 5.22) pg/ml] (P ＜ 0.05).CORT contents in model and treatment groups [(44.40 ± 1.44) and (43.30 ± 1.17) ng/ml] was lower than that in control group [(48.20 ± 2.27) ng/ml] at 14 d,but were found to be elevated [(70.40 ± 1.90) and (61.40 ± 1.83) ng/ml] compared to control group [(46.40 ± 1.49) ng/ml] at 28 d (P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,the CORT content in treatment group was lower than that in model group (P ＜ 0.05).Changes in NE and E contents among the groups were similar with ACTH.Immunohistochemical staining suggested the amounts of GluR1 and GluR2 positive cells in treatment group lowered compared to control group (P ＜ 0.05),but increased in model group compared to control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion BMSCs transplantation can improve the hindlimb motor function,contribute to reducing the secretion of stress-related hormones ACTH,CORT,NE and E,and down-regulate the expression of AMPA receptor proteins GluR1 and GluR2 in rats with spinal cord injury,suggesting a potential role in antichronic stress.

Objective To explore the influence of percutaneous gastrostomy-jejunostomy ( PEG-J) on the nutritional status and prognosis of critically ill patients in ICU .Methods Totally 58 patients who received me-chanical ventilation in the ICU of Changshu No .1 People's Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 were di-vided into two groups according to random number table:treatment group ( n=28, enteral nutrition by establis-hing PEG-J tube in 120 hours after excluding contraindications );and control group ( n=30, nasogastric tube as the way of giving enteral nutrition and if delayed gastric emptying happened , nasogastric tube would be replaced by nasointestinal tube).The incidence of ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP) within 28 days, duration of ICU stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation were compared between these two groups .Results The inci-dence of 28-day VAP (7.14%vs.26.67%, P=0.049), duration of ICU stay [ (13.6 ±5.9) d vs.(16.8 ± 4.4) d, P=0.024], duration of mechanical ventilation [ (8.1 ±5.0) d vs.(10.7 ±4.5) d, P=0.041] were significantly lower or shorter in treatment group than in control group .Conclusions The use of PEG-J tube for enteral nutrition in critically ill patients is reliable and safe .It also helps to reduce VAP .

Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on the temperature over the body surface projection area of intestines in patients with functional constipation. Methods A total of 30 patients with functional constipation were randomly divided into a electro-acupuncture stimulation group and a false stimulation group, with 15 patients in each group. The patients in the electro-acupuncture stimulation recived electro-acupuncture at bilateral points of Tianshu, Fujie and upper Juxu for 8 weeks, a total of 28 times stimulation;the patients in the false stimulation group received false electro-acupuncture at fake bilateral points beside Tianshu, Fujie and upper Juxu for the same stimulation period. Medical infrared thermal imager was adopted to record the temperatures over the body surface projection area of ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and small intestine. Results The temperature over the body surface projection area of of the ascending colon(33.35±0.96 ℃ vs. 34.62±1.15 ℃;t=2.977, P=0.010), transverse colon(33.32±0.97 ℃ vs. 34.60±1.23 ℃; t=2.839, P=0.013), descending colon(33.36±0.98 ℃ vs. 34.64±1.18 ℃; t=2.892, P=0.012), the small intestine(33.31±0.97 ℃ vs. 34.57±1.22 ℃; t=2.763, P=0.015)showed significant lower than those before the stimulation in the electro-acupuncture stimulation group. The temperature over the body surface projection area of of the ascending colon(33.74±1.25 ℃ vs. 34.52±1.64 ℃; t=1.701, P=0.111) transverse colon (33.71±1.27℃vs. 34.47±1.65℃;t=1.643, P=0.123), descending colon(33.72±1.25 ℃vs. 34.52±1.66 ℃; t=1.710, P=0.109), the small intestine(33.70±1.28 ℃ vs. 34.51±1.65 ℃; t=1.744, P=0.103)showed no significant different than those before the stimulation in the false stimulation group. Conclusion Electro-acupuncture stimulation can decrease the temperature over the body surface projection area of the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and small intestine.

Objective To explore the application of steatosis liver donor (SLD) in piggyback liver transplantation (PBLT). Methods Sixty-four cases of SLD were subjected to PBLT and classified into light steatosis liver (S1,22 cases),moderate steatosis liver (S2,25 cases),and severe steatosis liver (S3,17 cases) groups.Eighty cases of non fatty liver selected randomly in the same period served as controls. The liver and renal function at the day of surgery,postoperative liver function recovery,complications one month after surgery,and the death of recipients were recorded.Results There was no significant difference in the liver and renal function between steatosis liver groups and control group at the day of surgery (P＞0.05). At 21st day after surgery,the liver function of 95％ recipients in control group returned to the normal level,and the liver function recovery rate in S1,S2 and S3 groups was 90.9％,80.0％,and 70.6％ respectively.Graft primary nonfunction occurred in 2 cases (11.8％) of S3 group. The incidence of complications such as bleeding,infection,hepatic artery thrombosis,ascites,sepsis in S1,S2 and S3 groups was higher than in control group (P＜0.05).One year after operation,there were two deaths in control group,one in S1 group,one in S2 group,and 5 in S3 group,respectively.Conclusion SLD can be used for transplantation,but for the transplantation with severe steatosis liver,it should be carried out carefully.

BACKGROUND: 5-azacytidine (5-Aza) has been frequently used to induce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)differentiation into cardiomyocyte.OBJECTIVE: To observe expression of cardiomyocyte-related receptors in cardiomyogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs.METHODS: BMSCs of passage three were assigned to four groups: group Ⅰ: L-DMEM solution alone was replaced; Ⅱ:L-DMEM solution was replaced after induction of 100 mg/L AST+5 μmol/L 5-Aza for 24 hours; group Ⅲ: L-DMEM solution wasreplaced after induction of 10 μmol/L 5-Aza for 24 hours; and group Ⅳ: L-DMEM solution was replaced after induction of 5 μmol/L5-Aza for 24 hours. Culture medium was replaced every 3 days in each group. Differentiated cells were identified after 30 days ofinduction.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Expression of cardiomyocyte specific proteins Nkx2.5, cTnT and Desmin was detected in groupsⅢ, Ⅳ and Ⅱ after induction compared with group Ⅰ , with significant differences (P < 0.01). The amount of cTnT and Desminexpression expression was significantly higher in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ compared with group Ⅳ (P < 0.01). The level of Nkx2.5expression was significantly higher in groups Ⅱ (P < 0.01) and Ⅲ (P < 0.05) compared with group Ⅳ. No Nkx2.5, cTnT andDesmin espression was detected in group Ⅰ. After induction for 2 weeks, cells with spontaneous contractility were observed ingroups Ⅱ and Ⅲ, indicating differentiation towards cardiomyocyte after induction. Results demonstrated that induction effectswere similar between 100 mg/L AST+5 μmol/L 5-Aza and 10 μmol/L 5-Aza. This may contribute to cytoprotective effects of AST,which can promote vascular endothelial cell proliferation, enhance celss tolerance to 5-Aza-induced cytotoxicity and upregulatecardiac-specific protein expression.

A high sensitive and rapid method was developed for the analysis of lappaconitine in mouse plasma using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Detection was performed by positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, monitoring the transitions m/z 585 --> m/z 535 and m/z 356 --> m/z 192, for the quantification of lappaconitine and tetrahydropalmatine (internal standard, IS), respectively. The method was linear over the concentration range of 3.0-2000.0 ng x mL(-1). The lower limit of quantification was 3.0 ng x mL(-1). Intra- and inter-run precisions (RSD) were both less than 9.9% and accuracy (RE) within +/- 4.8%. After single intravenous injections of lappaconitine hydrobromide at 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg x kg(-1), the elimination half-lives (t(1/2)) were 0.47, 0.48 and 0.49 h, and the areas under the curve (AUC(0-t)) were 55.5, 110.5 and 402.9 ng x h x mL(-1), separately. The pharmacokinetic profile of lappaconitine was linear at relatively lower dose levels (1.0-2.0 mg x kg(-1)). When the dose increased farther to 4.0 mg x kg(-1), the Vz and CL decreased, and the increase fold of the AUC was much larger than that of the dose.

Objective To evaluate the effect of curcumin on the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats with type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin 35 mg/kg,and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level ≥ 16.7 mmol/L in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Type 2 DNP was confirmed by the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdraw latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after streptozotocin administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value.The rats were then randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each):type 2 DNP group (group DNP); curcumin group (group Cur); solvent control group (group SC).In Cur and SC groups,curcumin 100 mg/kg and corn oil 4 ml/kg were injected intraperitonally,respectively,once a day for 14 consecutive days starting from day 14 after streptozotocin administration.Another 27 normal Sprague-Dawley male rats served as control group (group C) and were fed with normal forage.MWT and TWL were measured before type 2 DNP was induced,after type 2 DNP was induced,and at 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection(T1-5).The rats were sacrificed after MWT and TWL were measured at T3-5,and the lumbar segments of the spinal cord and DRG (L4-6) were removed for determination of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened,and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was up-regulated in DNP,Cur and SC groups.Compared with DNP group,MWT was significantly increased and TWL was prolonged,and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was down-regulated in Cur group,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in SC group.Conclusion The mechanism by which curcumin attenuates type 2 DNP may be related to up-regulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the spinal dorsal horns and DRG of rats.

Objective To screen genes differentially expressed between dermal papilla cells from occipital and vertex scalp of patients with androgenic alopecia (AGA) through a 3D culture system.Methods Dermal papilla cells isolated from the occipital scalp tissue of patients with AGA were cultured in a 2D system for several days.Then,the third-passage dermal papilla cells were subjected to a 3D culture with the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for 72 hours (experimental group).The dermal papilla cells isolated from the vertex scalp tissue of patients with AGA,which were cultured in a 3D system with dimethyl sulfoxide,but not DHT,served as the control group.Subsequently,total RNA was extracted from the cells and reversely transcribed into cDNA followed by labeling with Cy3 and hybridization to a NimbleGen microarray.Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis was carried out to screen differentially expressed genes between the experimental and control group.Real time PCR was conducted to validate the results of microarray analysis.Results As the genome-wide expression profile analysis showed,there were 622 genes differentially expressed between the experimental group and control group,of which,359 were up-regulated and 263 were down-regulated in the experimental group compared with the control group.The above results were corffirmed by real time PCR.GO analysis revealed that the up-regulated genes,such as the CHEK1 and Tobl genes,were mainly involved in the inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of cell apoptosis,while the down-regulated genes,such as the BAMBI,EFNA3,Dlx3 and UCGC genes,were associated with the acceleration of cell proliferation as well as the growth and development of epidermis.Pathway analysis showed that cell circle-controlling molecules were the most abundant molecules.Conclusions Numerous signalling molecules and pathways are involved in the development of AGA,which are mainly responsible for the modulation of cell circle,proliferation and apoptosis.

Aim To establish phlegm and blood stasis, qi-stag-nation and blood stasis, phlegm turbid+qi-stagnation and blood stasis model in rats and to study the characteristics of animal models with different blood stasis. Methods SD rats were ran-domly divided into normal group, high fat diet group, chronic unpredictable mild stress group ( CUMS ) and high fat diet +chronic unpredictable mild stress group. Different states of blood stasis rat models were established by corresponding factors for 6 weeks. Indexes of weight, open field behavior, serum lipids and corticosterone were monitored dynamically at the 2 nd, 4 th, 6 th weeks. At the end of the experiment(6th week), the heart func-tion was detected by small animal ultrasound and the left ventric-ular intubation. The blood rheology indexes were detected by the viscosity tester and red blood cell deformation/aggregation test instrument. Results Compared with the normal group, blood stasis could be induced by high fat diet and chronic unpredicta-ble mild stress, introducing the influence of different degree on animal behavior, blood lipids, heart function and blood viscosi-ty. When the two factors were superimposed, the changes of the indexes about blood stasis were the most significant. Perform-ance as: compared with normal control group, a significant re-duction was observed in body weight ( P < 0. 01 ); horizontal movement, vertical movement and movement time were reduced (P<0. 01 or P<0. 05) at the 2 nd week;at the 2 nd and 4 th week, serum corticosterone was increased ( P <0. 01 or P <0. 05) as well as TG at the 4 th and 6 th week (P<0. 01); at the 6 th week, velocity of blood was slowed down ( P<0. 01 );left ventricular anterior wall and posterior wall thickness at end-systolic was increased ( P<0. 01 or P<0. 05 ); left ventricular diastolic index was increased ( P<0. 01 ); the maximum rate of myocardial contraction was decreased ( P < 0. 05 ); the whole blood viscosity was increased ( P<0. 01 ) . Conclusions Blood stasis could be formed by high fat diet and chronic unpredictable mild stress, which has different characteristics. When the two factors are superimposed, the abnormal behavior, blood viscosi-ty, heart function, blood lipid and other indexes of the animal could obviously appear, which can provide the basis for the stud-y of blood stasis syndrome and related drugs.