In hippocampus, numerous studies have shown that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are essential for the initiation of long-term potentiation (LTP), whereas the expression of LTP is primarily mediated by the phosphorylation of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors and the increased insertion of postsynaptic AMPA receptors. However, in recent years there is also evidence that NMDA receptor channels contribute to the expression of LTP under physiological conditions. It was examined whether NMDA receptor channels contributed to the expression of LTP of C-fiber evoked field potentials in rat spinal dorsal horn by intravenous or spinal application of NMDA receptor antagonists after the establishment of LTP. It was found that MK 801 (a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist) at dose of 0.1 mg/kg (iv) had no effect on the spinal LTP and at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg depressed the LTP significantly. However, the inhibitory effect of MK 801 at higher dose (1.0 mg/kg)was not different from that produced by the dose of 0.5 mg/kg. The similar inhibitory effect on spinal LTP was also observed, when MK 801 was applied locally at the recording segments of spinal cord. To confirm the above results, a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist AP V was tested. Spinal application of AP V at a concentration of 100 μmol/L produced a stronger depression than at 50 μmol/L. When the concentration of AP V increased to 200 μmol/L, no further depression was observed. These results indicate that NMDA receptor channels are involved in the expression of LTP of C-fiber evoked field potentials in the rat spinal dorsal horn.

Objective To assess patients' self-management behaviors and examine factors influencing self-management behaviors in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.Methods This research was conducted as a descriptive survey by 125 patients from a hemodialysis clinic in Tianjin.The data were collected with self-management behaviors questionnaire of hemodialysis patients and self-efficacy scale for managing chronic disease.Results Regression analysis revealed sex,educational level and selfefficacy were independent predictors for self-management behaviors.Conclusions Hemodialysis patients' self-management behaviors need to be improved in the future.Healthcare professionals should recognize the factors hindering self-management behaviors from the patients' perspective while assisting them with appropriate skills in making behaviors changes possible.

ObjectiveTo valuate the three-dimensional CT angiography(3DCTA) in diagnosing blood vessel diseases.MethodsCTA findings of 284 patients confirmed with blood vessel diseases were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into two groups:141 cases of head and neck and 143 cases of trunk and extremities.Scan was performed with the beam collimation of 0.625 ～ 3.0mm,increment of 0.3 ～ 1.4mm,pitch of 1.0 ～ 1.5,with the gross contrast medium of 1.5 ～ 2.0ml/kg.3D imaging methods included volume rendering(VR),multi-planar reformatting (MPR),curved planar reformatting(CPR),surface shade display(SSD),maximum intensity project(MIP) and virtual endoscopy(VE).The diagnostic results of CTA were compared with those of DSA and/or surgery.ResultsIn this study,3D images of vasculature met the diagnostic criterion.The diagnostic sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of CTA was 97.28％,82.35％ and 96.48％,respectively.The size of artery aneurysm shown with CTA and DSA had no significant difference( P ＞0.05 ),both smaller than that in surgery( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion3DCTA could be used in diagnosing the cardiovascular diseases and compensate the limitation of conventional CT.It had the characteristics of non-invasion,high accuracy and could partly substitute DSA.

Objective To evaluate the surgical approaches for gastric carcinoma accompanied by portal hypertension ( PHT).Methods The clinical data of 22 patients with PHT undergoing operation during 5 years were retrospectively analyzed.The liver function was Child's A in 12 cases, Child's B in 10 cases.Total gastrectomy + pericardial devascularization was performed in 11 cases, distal subtotal gastrectomy in 9 cases, distal subtotal gastrectomy + splenectomy in one, distal subtotal gastrectomy + pericardial devascularization in one.12 cases with Child's A underwent D2 lymph node (LN) dissection and 10 cases with Child's B were treated with D1 LN dissection.Liver biopsy was taken in all patients.Results Postoperative complications developed in 50% and mortality rate was 9%.The rate of liver function deterioration in patients of Child A ungergoing D2 lymph node dissection was 42% , and that of patients with Child B was 70%.The rate of postoperatiave complications in patients with Child A ungergoing D2 lymph node dissection was 25% , while that of patients with Child B was 80%.There was no significant difference in liver function deterioration rate between Child A and Child B (P ＞ 0.05) , but the rate of postoperative complications in Child A is much lower than those in Child B(P ＜ 0.05).The complication rate in patients receiving PHT targeting measures was 77% ,much higher than 11% in those without concurrent treatment of PHT ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Individualized surgical approache is crucial for treatment of gastric carcinoma accompanied by PHT.Surgical treatment should be on the basis of liver function and the severity of PHT.

Objective To investigate a new technique for small wound repairs on the faces.Methods 71 skin lesions of 42 patients were selected in the study and removed with ring-cutting drills.The new formed small wounds were treated with nature repair technique under the help of bFGF and hyaluronic acid (HA).The bFGF and HA were applied on the wounds 3 times a day until the wounds were healed completely.The early and long-term healing effects were estimated.Results The wounds were all cured with very small scars.The wounds were healed within 15 days for the size of 7 mm × 7 mmand25 days for the size of 15 mm × 15 mm.63 lesion spots from 35 patients were followed up 12 months later.Compared with original skin lesion,the small scar contracted about 50％in size with flat appearance and similar skin color.Conclusions The tissue regeneration and nature repair technique is an ideal surgical procedure for small wounds on the faces with good appearance in quality and aesthetics.

Objective To investigate the effects of pioglitazone on atrial ionic channel remodeling in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbit models.Methods A total of 32 rabbits were randomly (random number) divided into control (CN) group,diabetes mellitus (DM) group,diabetes mellitus + pioglitazone 4 mg/ (d · kg) (DPG) group and diabetes mellitus + double pioglitazone 8 mg/ (d · kg) (DPI) group.The diabetic state was examined by quantitative determination of blood glucose levels of ≥ 14 mmol/L.Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts were used to isolate single atrial myocyte,and whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record action potential duration (APD) and atrial ionic channel currents (ICa,L and INa).Variables with normal distribution were compared with One-way ANOVA and LSD-t test.Results Compared with controls,APD90 and APDS0 of left atrial myocytes were significantly prolonged in DM group (P ＜0.05 vs.CN),and there was no significant difference in APD90 frequency adaptation between them (P ＞0.05 vs.CN).The densities of INa were reduced and the densities of ICa,L were increased in DM group (P ＜ 0.01 vs.CN).The above variables were markedly attenuated in DPG and DPI group.Conclusions Pioglitazone may inhibits atrial ionic channel remodeling in diabetic rabbit models.

AIM: The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in th e induction and maintenance of spinal long-term potentiation (LTP) was evaluated . METHODS: The C-fiber evoked field potentials were recorded at t he superficial layers of spinal dorsal horn at the lumbar enlargement. RESULTS: (i) Chelerythrine (200 ?mol/L) or G 6983 (100 ? mol/L), a selective PKC inhibitor, completely blocked LTP induction. (ii) Chel eryt hrine or G 6983 reversed spinal LTP in a time-dependent manner. 15 min after L TP induction, chelerythrine (200 ?mol/L) and G 6983 (100 ?mol/L) depre ssed LTP to baseline in all tested rats. The same concentration of chelerythrine and G 6983, applied at 3 h after LTP induction, did not affect LTP. CONCLUSION: PKC in spinal dorsal horn may be crucial for the ind uction and the early-phase maintenance of LTP of C-fiber evoked field potentials .

Objective:To explore the effect of virtual reality (VR)-based baduanjin exercise on the cognition, physical functioning and life quality of elderly persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods:Fifty-seven mildly impaired elderly persons were randomly divided into an observation group ( n=29) and a control group ( n=28). Both groups were given routine care and health education in their nursing homes, while the observation group additionally performed 50 minutes of VR baduanjin exercise three times a week for 24 weeks. Both groups were assessed using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), the Rivermead behavioural memory test (second edition) (RBMT-Ⅱ), a digit-symbol substitution test (DSST) and the Trail Making Test (TMT). The short physical performance battery (SPPB) and Alzheimer′s disease quality of life (QOL-AD) instrument were also administered before and after the 24-week intervention. Results:After the intervention the average MoCA, RBMT-Ⅱ, DSST, TMT-A, SPPB and QOL-AD results of the observation group were all significantly better than before the intervention and better than the control group′s averages. The observation group also performed better on the 5 times sit-to-stand test, the tandem standing test and a walking speed test after the intervention.Conclusions:VR-based baduanjin practice can effectively improve the cognition and physical functioning of mildly impaired elderly persons, as well as improving their quality of life.

Objective To develop a technique of aesthetic repair procedures for the skin and soft tissue defect after injury.Methods Nineteen cases of patients with skin and soft tissue defects after injury were chosen in this study,in which there were 19 wounds involved.Thirty-seven expanders were inserted into the subcutaneous pockets beside the wounds in the right time and were inflated by a fast expansion model (one time every two days). After completion of inflation,the expanded skin flaps were made and transferred to repair the wounds.Results All the 37 expanders were inflated successfully in duration of 46-63 days.Five expansion areas presented complications that were correctly controlled.All of the wounds were covered and healed well after the expanded skin flap transplantation.Twelve patients were followed up for 6 months after operation.The long-term results showed that the color and texture of the flaps matched the recipient sites well without swelling.The aesthetic appearance of the repaired sites looked satisfactory.Conclusions The rapid tissue expansion is a better option for repairs of some skin and soft tissue defects after injury in certain areas.

AIM: The role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in the induction and maintenance of spinal long-term potentiation (LTP) was evaluated. METHODS: The C-fiber evoked field potentials were recorded at the superficial layers of spinal dorsal horn at the lumbar enlargement. RESULTS: (1) 8-Br-cAMP induced LTP of C-fiber evoked field potentials and 8-Br-cAMP-induced LTP occludes tetanus-induced LTP. (2) Rp-CPT-cAMPS, an inhibitor of PKA, blocked the induction of spinal LTP and reversed established LTP of C-fiber evoked field potentials in a time-dependent manner. (3) In the presence of anisomycin, a protein synthesis inhibitor, the potentiation induced by 8-Br-cAMP was completely blocked. (4) PD98059, a selective inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK),completely blocked the 8-Br-cAMP-induced LTP.CONCLUSION: Activation of PKA signal pathway in spinal dorsal horn may be crucial for the induction and the early-phase maintenance of LTP of C-fiber evoked field potentials.