OBJECTIVES: To establish an automation system for detection of alcohol content in blood. METHODS: The determination was performed by automated workstation of extraction-headspace gas chromatography （HS-GC）. The blood collection with negative pressure, sealing time of headspace bottle and sample needle were checked and optimized in the abstraction of automation system. The automatic sampling was compared with the manual sampling. RESULTS: The quantitative data obtained by the automated workstation of extraction-HS-GC for alcohol was stable. The relative differences of two parallel samples were less than 5%. The automated extraction was superior to the manual extraction. A good linear relationship was obtained at the alcohol concentration range of 0.1-3.0 mg/mL （r≥0.999） with good repeatability. CONCLUSIONS The method is simple and quick, with more standard experiment process and accurate experimental data. It eliminates the error from the experimenter and has good repeatability, which can be applied to the qualitative and quantitative detections of alcohol in blood.
Automation ; Chromatography, Gas/methods* ; Ethanol/blood* ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods*

Objective:To evaluate the effects of wearing N95 mask on the quality of chest compression and fatigue.Methods:A total of 80 participants from Zhongnan Hospital with basic life support (BLS) certification conferred by American Heart Association (AHA) within two years were enrolled. After reviewing the key points of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and grasping the operation on the manikin, they were randomized (random number) into two groups: wearing surgical masks (SM group, n=40) and wearing N95 masks (N95 group, n=40) during CPR. Each participant performed a 2-minute chest compression-only CPR on the manikin. Participants' height, body weight, Borg scores and physiological parameters before and after CPR were recorded. The quality of chest compression (including compression depth, compression rate, adequate depth proportions, adequate rate proportions, hand position and complete chest recoil) were recorded by Laerdal QCPR ? software. Student's t test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare the differences of chest compression quality indexes between the two groups. Results:Compared with the SM group, participants in the N95 group had significantly increased median of Borg scores after CPR (16 vs 14, P=0.027), and decreased quality of chest compression, including the decline in compression depth (mean 47 mm vs 52 mm, P=0.020), compression rate (107 times/min vs 118 times/min, P=0.004), complete chest recoil rate (89.8% vs 98.1%, P=0.046), adequate depth proportions (67.4% vs 89.6%, P<0.01) and adequate rate proportions (60.6% vs 74.8%, P<0.01). Conclusions:Wearing N95 masks during CPR decreases the quality of chest compression and aggravates rescuers’ fatigue. Therefore, it is necessary to exchange rescuers more frequently to ensure the quality of chest compression when wearing N95 masks.

Objective To explore the effect of community comprehensive rehabilitation on quality of life in patients with stroke sequelae under the family medical service mode. Methods From October, 2013 to October, 2014, 51 patients with stroke sequelae received compre-hensive rehabilitation intervention for three months, including rehabilitation training, rehabilitation guidance, health education and psycho-logical counseling. They were assessed with modified Barthel index (MBI), WHO-Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DASⅡ), Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), Brain Injury Community Rehabilitation Outcome Scales (BICRO-39), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) before and after intervention. Results The scores of physical functionning, role physical, general health, mental health, social functioning and the total score in SF-36 increased after intervention (t>2.072, P<0.05). The scores of so-cial contact, locomotivity, self handling transaction ability and the total score in BICRO-39 decreased after intervention (t>2.434, P<0.05), as well as the scores of getting along with people, housework and society and participation in WHO-DAS II (t>2.507, P<0.05). Conclusion In the community health service, comprehensive rehabilitation guided by multidisciplinary rehabilitation team can facilitate to improve the quality of life in patients with stroke sequela.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of curcumin on renal mitochondrial oxidative stress, nuclear factor-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NF-κB/NLRP3) inflammatory body signaling pathway and tissue cell injury in rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: A total of 24 specific pathogen free (SPF)-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, ARDS model group, and low-dose and high-dose curcumin groups, with 6 rats in each group. The ARDS rat model was reproduced by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 4 mg/kg via aerosol inhalation. The control group was given 2 mL/kg of normal saline. The low-dose and high-dose curcumin groups were administered 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg curcumin by gavage 24 hours after model reproduction, once a day. The control group and ARDS model group were given an equivalent amount of normal saline. After 7 days, blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava, and the levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The rats were sacrificed, and kidney tissues were collected. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by ELISA, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was detected using the xanthine oxidase method, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by colorimetric method. The protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), caspase-3, NF-κB p65, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were detected by Western blotting. The mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Renal cell apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The morphological changes in renal tubular epithelial cells and mitochondria were observed under a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the ARDS model group exhibited kidney oxidative stress and inflammatory response, significantly elevated serum levels of kidney injury biomarker NGAL, activated NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway, increased kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate, and renal tubular epithelial cell damage and mitochondrial integrity destruction under transmission electron microscopy, indicating successful induction of kidney injury. Following curcumin intervention, the injury to renal tubular epithelial cells and mitochondria in the rats was significantly mitigated, along with a noticeable reduction in oxidative stress, inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway, and a significant decrease in kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate, demonstrating a certain dose-dependency. Compared with the ARDS model group, the high-dose curcumin group exhibited significantly reduced serum NGAL levels and kidney tissue MDA and ROS levels [NGAL (μg/L): 13.8±1.7 vs. 29.6±2.7, MDA (nmol/g): 115±18 vs. 300±47, ROS (kU/L): 75±19 vs. 260±15, all P < 0.05], significantly down-regulated protein expressions of HIF-1α, caspase-3, NF-κB p65, and TLR4 in the kidney tissue [HIF-1α protein (HIF-1α/β-actin): 0.515±0.064 vs. 0.888±0.055, caspase-3 protein (caspase-3/β-actin): 0.549±0.105 vs. 0.958±0.054, NF-κB p65 protein (NF-κB p65/β-actin): 0.428±0.166 vs. 0.900±0.059, TLR4 protein (TLR4/β-actin): 0.683±0.048 vs. 1.093±0.097, all P < 0.05], and significantly down-regulated mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, and IL-1β [HIF-1α mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 2.90±0.39 vs. 9.49±1.87, NLRP3 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 2.07±0.21 vs. 6.13±1.32, IL-1β mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 1.43±0.24 vs. 3.95±0.51, all P < 0.05], and significantly decreased kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate [(4.36±0.92)% vs. (27.75±8.31)%, P < 0.05], and significantly increased SOD activity (kU/g: 648±34 vs. 430±47, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Curcumin can alleviate kidney injury in ARDS rats, and its mechanism may be related to the increasing in SOD activity, reduction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.
Male ; Rats ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NF-kappa B ; Actins ; Caspase 3 ; Curcumin ; Lipocalin-2 ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Inflammasomes ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Saline Solution ; Kidney ; Superoxide Dismutase

Objective To understand the potential risk of schistosomiasis transmission in Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing City, so as to provide the scientific evidence for consolidating schistosomiasis control achievements. Methods Fixed and mobile surveillance sites were set up in Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing City from 2013 to 2015. Oncomelania hupensis snails was surveyed historical snail habitats, current snail habitats, and suspected snail habitats. The schistosome infections were identified using serological and parasitological testing among local residents and mobile populations. In addition, the survival and reproduction of snails imported into Xiuzhou District was observed, and the schistosome infection in wild reservoir hosts was detected. Results A total of 540.14 hm² of settings were surveyed in Xiuzhou District, Jiaxing City from 2013 to 2015, and 1.65 hm² of snail habitats were identified. The snail habitats were mainly located in dry lands, and no infected snails or importation of snails were found. During the period from 2013 to 2015, a total of 7 668 local residents and mobile populations were examined in Xiuzhou District, and no new local infections were detected; however, three imported schistosomiasis cases were identified. Field simulation experiment showed that the imported snails laid eggs and reproduced in Xiuzhou District, and no schistosome infections were found in wild animals. Conclusion There are still residual Oncomelania snails and imported schistosomiasis patients in Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing City; therefore, the surveillance and management of local Oncomelania snails and imported schistosomiasis should be intensified to reduce the risk of schistosomiasis transmission.

The creative viewpoint of -, the master of Zhejiang school of Chinese medicine is introduced regarding the theories of acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoints. It is stated by master that the five-tissue needling methods are applicable not only for physical disorders, but also for disorders. Of these methods, the nearby bone needling method presents an instructive significance in treatment of pain disorder. The "reinforcing in the upper and reducing in the lower" needling method supplements the reinforcing and reducing theory of acupuncture. Master has put forward the theory of flexible selection of acupoint, the phenomenon of acupoint groups and the application of transverse acupoint composition, as well as the measures for intensifying needling induction, promoting regulation of acupuncture and improving clinical effect. Besides, the seven Chinese characters are used to summarize acupoint composition, meaning "main point, supplementary point, nearby point, corresponding point, back- point, front- point and extra point" separately. This creative viewpoint provides a clearer and more feasible mode in treatment with acupuncture-moxibustion and is instructive proactively in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the influence of acupuncture on learning and memorial function and the expression of BDNF in prefrontal cortex of rats with sleep deprivation (SD), for providing theoretical evidence for treating sleep deprivation with acupuncture.Method Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, and an acupuncture group, 20 rats in each group. SD models were established by the modified multiple platform methods; the acupuncture group was intervened by acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7); while the control group was left intact. Respectively after SD for 24 h and 72 h, the learning and memorial function was tested by using Morris water maze. Ten the rats were sacrificed to collect brain for detecting the expression of BDNF in prefrontal cortex via immunohistochemical method.Result The body weight, learning and memorial function, and the expression of BDNF in prefrontal cortex of the acupuncture group and model group were significantly different from those of the control group after SD for 24 h and 72 h (P<0.05). The learning and memorial function of the acupuncture group was significantly different from that of the model group after SD for 24 h and 72 h (P<0.05). The body weight and expression of BDNF in prefrontal cortex of the acupuncture group were significantly different from those of the model group after SD for 72 h (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can obviously improve the decline of the function of learning and memory of the SD rats, and also up-regulate the declined expression of BDNF in prefrontal cortex caused by SD.

The aim of this paper was to study the effect and mechanism of alcohol extract from Polygonum cuspidatum(PCE) on acute gouty arthritis in C57 BL/6 mice through NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis. The model mice which injected with ankle joint injection of sodium urate crystals(MSU) were orally administrated with three different concentration of PCE, with colchicine as positive control. HE staining was used for observing the morphological changes of synovial tissue; concentration of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α secreted by synovial tissue of the ankle joint were detected by ELISA; mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 in synovial tissue were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The results showed that the swelling degree of ankle joint in model mice were significantly elevated; expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased; mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 also significant increase, compared with normal control group. The swelling degree of ankle joint significantly relief; expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in joint synovium significantly decrease; mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 were significantly decrease in PCE treatment group compared with model group. Our research implied that alcohol extract from P. cuspidatum had positive effect on acute gouty arthritis in mice, and the regulation of NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis may be its mechanism.
Animals ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; Arthritis, Gouty ; drug therapy ; CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins ; metabolism ; Caspase 1 ; metabolism ; Fallopia japonica ; chemistry ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Uric Acid

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Shen-Y uan Y i-Qi Huo-Xue (SYYQHX) capsule com-bined with early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on near-term quality of life (QOL) in unstable angina (UA) patients. Seventy-eight patients diagnosed with UA were selected and randomly divided into the treatment group and control group, with 39 patients in each group. Early PCI was undergone after coronary angiography. Before PCI, the control group was given routine western medication. The treatment group was given routine western medication plus SYYQHX capsule, three pills once, three times daily. The treatment lasted for 30 days. The QOL scores were evalu-ated among patients from both groups before and after treatment in order to determine the efficacy on angina, electro-cardiogram (ECG) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) main symptom. The results showed that compared to pre-treatment, the scores of physical limitation (PL), angina stability (AS), angina frequency (AF), and treatment satisfac-tion ( TS ) were significantly increased after treatment ( P < 0 . 05 ) . Compared with the control group , after treat-ment with SYYQHX capsule, the AF, duration time and symptoms of palpitation, fatigue and shortness of breath were obviously improved (P< 0.05). The scores of AS, AF and TS in the treatment group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). It was concluded that SYYQHX capsule combined with early PCI can improve the near-term QOL and TCM main symptoms among UA patients.

Objective: To investigate whether tanshinone ⅡA can protect the apoptosis of mice cochlear pericytes induced by high glucose and its specific protective mechanism, so as to provide experimental evidence for the prevention and treatment of diabetic hearing loss. Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were used to prepare type 2 diabetes model, which were divided into normal (NG) group, diabetic (DM) group, diabetic+tanshinone ⅡA (HG+tanshinone ⅡA) group and tanshinone ⅡA group. Each group had 10 animals. Primary cochlear pericytes were divided into NG group, HG group (high glucose 35 mmol/L), HG+tanshinone ⅡA (1, 3, 5 μmol/L) group, HG+Tanshinone ⅡA+LY294002 (PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor) group, LY294002 group, tanshinone ⅡA group and DMSO group. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to measure hearing threshold. Evans blue was used to detect the permeability of blood labyrinth barrier in each group. TBA methods were used to detect oxidative stress levels in various organs of mice. Morphological changes of stria vascularis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE). Evans blue was used to detect the vascular labyrinth barrier permeability in cochlea. The expression of apoptosis protein in stria vascularis pericytes was observed by immunofluorescence. Pericytes apoptosis rate was observed by flow cytometry. DCFH-DA was combined with flow cytometry to detect intracellular ROS content, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptotic proteins (Cleaved-caspase3, Bax), anti-apoptotic proteins (BCL-2) and pathway proteins (PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, p-AKT). SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Independent sample t test was performed, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Animal experiments: Tanshinone ⅡA decreased the hearing threshold of DM group [(35.0±3.5) dB SPL vs. (55.3±8.1) dB SPL] (t=4.899, P<0.01), decreased the oxidative stress level in cochlea (t=4.384, P<0.05), improved the structure disorder, atrophy of cochlea vascular lines, vacuole increased phenomenon. Tanshinone ⅡA alleviated the increased permeability of the blood labyrinth barrier [Evans blue leakage (6.84±0.27) AU vs. (8.59±0.85) AU] in the cochlea of DM mice (t=2.770, P<0.05), reversed the apoptotic protein: Caspase3 (t=4.956, P<0.01) and Bax (t=4.388, P<0.05) in cochlear vascularis. Cell experiments: Tanshinone ⅡA decreased intracellular ROS content in a concentration-dependent way (t=3.569, P<0.05; t=4.772, P<0.01; t=7.494, P<0.01); Tanshinone ⅡA decreased apoptosis rate and apoptotic protein, and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein, p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT in concentration-dependent manner (all P values<0.05); LY294002 reversed the protective effect of tanshinone ⅡA on pericytes apoptosis (all P values<0.05). Conclusion: Tanshinone ⅡA can inhibit the apoptosis of cochlear pericytes induced by high glucose by reducing oxidative stress level and activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway under high glucose environment, thus playing a protective role in diabetic hearing loss.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Apoptosis ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Evans Blue ; Glucose ; Hearing Loss ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pericytes/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction