AIM:To study the effects of N-palmitoylethanolamide ( PEA) on the anxiety-and depression-like behaviors of the mouse model induced by restraint stress , and to explore the possible mechanism of anxiolytic and antide-pressant effects of PEA .METHODS:The mice were intragastrically treated with 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg of PEA for 21 con-secutive days once daily .Thirty min after intragastric administration , the mice ( except the normal control group ) were placed in the glass tube to accept 4-h chronic restraint stress for 21 d.After the last administration , the mice were submit-ted to the forced stress test and the open field test (OFT) to observe the effects of PEA on the depression-like behaviors. The cumulative immobility time was recorded during the 4-min interval in the forced swimming test ( FST) or during the 5-min interval in the tail suspension test (TST).The elevated plus maze (EPM) test was used to investigate the effect of PEA on the mouse anxiety-like behaviors , and the water maze method was used to investigate the learning and memory abi-lities, spatial orientation and cognitive function of mice .After the behavior tests , the serum was collected and the hippo-campus was removed . The serum contents of adrenocorticotropic hormone ( ACTH ) , cortisol ( CORT ) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the hippocampus were detected by ELISA .The changes of acetylcholinesterase ( AChE) ac-tivity in the hippocampal homogenate was measured by spectrophotometry .RESULTS:Compared with model group , in the FST or TST, the immobility time in the mice treated with PEA at 2.5~10 mg/kg and fluoxetine was significantly reduced . In the OFT, the total locomotion distance and total movement time were increased significantly in the mice , but only 10 mg/kg PEA and fluoxetine increased the numbers of rearing .In the EPM test , the percentage of the time spent in open arms, the entries into open arms and the total locomotion distance in 4 arms in the mice were significantly increased .In wa-ter maze test , PEA at 5 and 10 mg/kg and fluoxetine significantly shortened the latency to find the security zone in the mice, and PEA at 10 mg/kg and fluoxetine obviously shorten the swimming distance .Compared with model group , PEA at 10 mg/kg and fluoxetine reduced the mouse serum levels of ACTH and CORT , and the adrenal index , increased the 5-HT content and decreased the AChE activity in the hippocampus .CONCLUSION:PEA produces antagonistic effects on an-xiety-and depression-like behaviors in the mice induced by restraint stress .Its specific mechanism may be related to the re-gulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function by increasing the 5-HT level in hippocampus , thus participating in the regulation of central cholinergic system .

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow stem cells are defined by their multi-potential ability, and can be differentiated into intrinsic cells in the kidney.
OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of mobilizing autologous bone marrow stem cells by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor plus stem cellfactor on cellapoptosis and proliferation of rats with renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.
METHODS:Total y 160 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group, model group, cytokine treatment group, cytokine control group. Rat models of unilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion injury were established in the model and cytokine treatment groups. Rats in the cytokine treatment group and cytokine control group received subcutaneous injection of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (50μg/kg) and stem cellfactor (200μg/kg), once a day, for 5 continuous days. Rats in the model and control groups had no treatment. Apoptotic cells were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling method, and the expression of CD34-positive cells, Caspase-3, Bcl-2, proliferating cellnuclear antigen in the kidney were measured using immunohistochemistry staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The number of CD34-positive cells in renal tissue of the cytokine treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group and model group (P<0.05). The apoptotic index and expression of Capase-3 in the model group and cytokine treatment group were higher than those in the control group and cytokine control group (P<0.05). The apoptotic index and expression of Capase-3 in the cytokine treatment group were lower than that in the model group (P<0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 in the model group and cytokine treatment group was higher than that in the control group and cytokine control group (P<0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 in the cytokine treatment group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.05);however, as time went on, Bcl-2 expression was obviously decreased. Proliferating cellnuclear antigen expressed both in the model group and in the cytokine treatment group. Additional y, the proliferative index reached peak at 24 days in the model group, and then decreased gradual y;while in the cytokine treatment group, it reached the peak at 10 days, maintained a high level until the 17th day, and then decreased gradual y. Mobilization of autologous bone marrow stem cells by combination of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and stem cellfactor can increase proliferation and decrease apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and thus, promote the recovery from renal tubular injury.

Objective To evaluate the association between the left carotid arterial stiffness and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with lower extremity atherosclerosis (AS).Methods ①A total of 32 patients with AS and 34 control objects were enrolled.The carotid arterial stiffness parameters:compliance coefficient (CC),distensibility coefficient (DC),stiffness parameter (α,β),pulse wave velocity β (PWVβ) were measured by using quality arterial stiffness(QAS) technology.And the values were compared between the two groups.②The parameters of left ventricular (LV) structure and function:LV end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVSd),LV end-diastolic diameter (LVDd),LV end-diastolic wall thickness (PWd),LV ejection fraction (EF),systolic velocity (s'),early-diastolic velocity (e'),Tei index and E/e' ratio were measured by using two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler.These parameters were compared between the two groups.The association between the carotid arterial stiffness parameters and LV function parameters were analyzed by correlative analysis.Results ①Compared with the control group,the DC and CC were lower,and α,β,PWVβ,IMT were higer than the control group,with statistically significant differences(P ＜0.05).②The IVSd,Tei index and E/e'was significantly higher in the AS group than those in the control group.And the PWd,s',e' were lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in EF between the two groups (P ＞0.05).③The e' was correlated positively with DC and CC (r =0.39,0.36,P ＜0.01),and negatively with α,β,and PWVβ (r =-0.42,-0.42,-0.49,P ＜0.01).Tei index was correlated negatively with DC and CC (r =-0.50,-0.52,P ＜0.01),and positively with α,β,and PWVβ (r =0.58,0.58,0.62,P ＜0.01).The E/e' was correlated regatively with CC (r =-0.27,P ＜0.05),and positively with PWVβ (r =0.28,P ＜0.05).There were no significant correlation between s',EF and the stiffness parameters of carotid artery (P＞0.05).Conclusions In patients with AS,the left carotid artery stiffness increases and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function are impaired.The carotid artery stiffness and left ventricular diastolic function is correlated.Changes in carotid artery stiffness reflect the change in left ventricular diastolic function.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between left ventricular function and arterial stiffness of left femoral artery in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD).Methods Thirty-three patients with LEAD and 37 healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study.The intima-media thickness (IMT),diameter and parameters of arterial stiffness [dispensability coefficient (DC),compliance coefficient (CC),stiffness α,stiffness β,pulse wave velocity (PWVβ) ]were measured by ultrasonography with the technology of QIMT and QAS.The thickness of the interventricular septum (IVSd),end-diastolic left ventricular diameter (LVDd) and left ventricular mass (LVM),and parameters of the left ventriculsr function (EF,E/A,E'/A',E/E' and Tei index) were measured by echocardiography.These parameters were compared between two groups.Correlations between the parameters of the arterial stiffness and those of the cardiac function were evaluated by Pearson correlative analysis.Results ①The IVSd,LVM and E/E' ratio were significantly higher in LEAD group than those in control group ( P ＜0.05).There were no significant differences in EF,E/A,E'/A',and Tei index between two groups ( P ＞0.05).②The IMT,α,β,PWVβ of left femoral artery were significantly higher in LEAD group than those in control group,while DC and CC were significantly lower in LEAD group than those in control group ( P ＜0.05).③The E/E' ratio,one of the parameters representing the left ventricular diastolic function,was correlated negatively with CC and positively with α,β,and PWVβ ( P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01 ).The E'/A' ratio was correlated positively with DC and CC,and negatively with α,β,and PWVβ ( P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01 ).Both EF and Tei index were not significantly correlated with the above parameters of arterial stiffness ( P ＞0.05).Conclusions Patients with LEAD have thickened femoral IMT,higher arterial stiffness of left femoral artery,as well as impaired left ventricular function.There is a close correlation between the atherosclerosis of the femoral artery and the early left vcntricular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for rational use of oral drugs in pediatrics department.METHODS:The prescriptions of oral medication for 1 070 children with respiratory diseases selected from pediatrics outpatient department of our hospital during Jan.2015-Dec.2016 were analyzed retrospectively in terms of drug category,use frequency,the rationality of drug use and prescription standardization,etc.RESULTS:Among 1 070 children,0-1 and 2-5 years of age accounted for 26.45％ and 37.76％,taking up the highest proportion.Among main types of disease,mnsillitis and bronchitis accounted for 48.60％ and 15.42％,taking up the highest proportion.The frequencies of antibiotics,Chinese patent medicines (medicines for the treatment of cough and asthma) and adjuvant drugs were in high level,being 51.78％,27.85％,28.79％.Among antibiotics,the frequencies of penicillins+β-lactamase inhibitor and second-generation cephalosporins were in high level,being 43.74％,40.84％.The rate of rational drug use was 92.51％,and that of irrational drug use was 7.85％.Irrational drug use manifested as excessive number of drugs (2.34％),excessive large dose (2.06％),irrational dosage form (2.24％) and irrational antibiotics use (5.05％).The rate of standard prescription was 91.31％,and the rate of nonstandard prescription was 8.69％.Nomtandard prescription manifested as nonstandard prescription writing.CONCLUSIONS:In the statistical period,common oral drugs for the children with respiratory systemn disease in the pediatrics outpatient department of our hospital are antibiotics,Chinese patent medicines (medicines for the treatment of cough and asthma) and adjuvant drags.The rationality of drug use and prescription standardization are generally good;but there are still some irrationality in the number of drugs,dosage form,dose and the use of antibiotics;prescription writing problems still exist.

Objective To establish new classification criteria for early rheumatoid arthritis (E-RA) based on large samples of early inflammatory arthritis patients and to evaluate the value of this criteria in China.Methods Patients who had arthritic complaints with disease duration less than one year were enrolled.They were divided into RA group and non-RA group according to the clinical diagnosis by experienced rheumatologists.The clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed and those with high sensitivity or specificity were selected as the new classification criteria.Statistical analysis was carried out by using t test,x2 test and Logistic regression.Results ① A total of 803 patients with early inflammatory arthritis were included in this study.Five hundreds and fourteen patients were diagnosed as early RA and 251 were diagnosed as other rheumatic diseases,and the diagnosis of 38 patients remained unestablished by the end of follow-up.② New E-RA classification criteria were established based on the parameters with high sensitivity and/or specificity.The sensitivity of the new E-RA criteria was 84.4％,which was higher than 1987 ACR criteria (58.0％),while the corresponding specificities were similar,which were 87.4％ and 93.6％ respectively.③ Compared with the complex scoring system of 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria,the E-RA criteria was more simple and practical.The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of E-RA criteria were higher than those of 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria reported in the literatures.④ New classification criteria based on scoring system using Logistic regression analysis was established.The sensitivity of this criteria was 86.4％,which was higher than 1987 ACR criteria (58.0％).Conclusion The diagnostic value of the E-RA criteria developed in this study for early RA is better than 1987 ACR criteria,and is more simple than 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria.It may be used as a new classification criteria for early RA diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: Nephrotic syndrome is a common disease of the urinary system. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) and P-glycoprotein 170 (P-gp170) in adriamycin nephropathy rats and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: A total of 72 male Wistar rats were divided into a control group, a model group, an APS low-dose group, an APS high-dose group, an APS+micro RNA (miR)-16 antagomir group and an APS+miR-16 antagomir control group, with 12 rats in each group. Urine protein (UP) was detected by urine analyzer, and serum cholesterol (CHOL), albumin (ALB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (SCr) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer; serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels were detected by ELISA kit; the morphological changes of kidney tissues were observed by HE staining; the levels of miR-16 and MDR1 mRNA in kidney tissues were detected by real-time RT-PCR; the expression levels of NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, and P-gp170 protein in kidney tissues were detected by Western blotting; and dual luciferase was used to verify the relationship between miR-16 and NF-κB. RESULTS: The renal tissue structure of rats in the control group was normal without inflammatory cell infiltration. The renal glomeruli of rats in the model group were mildly congested, capillary stenosis or occlusion, and inflammatory cell infiltration was obvious. The rats in the low-dose and high-dose APS groups had no obvious glomerular congestion, the proliferation of mesangial cells was significantly reduced, and the inflammatory cells were reduced. Compared with the high-dose APS group and the APS+miR-16 antagomir control group, there were more severe renal tissue structure damages in the APS + miR-16 antagomir group. Compared with the control group, the levels of UP, CHOL, BUN, SCr, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDR1 mRNA, and the protein levels of p-NF-κB p65 and P-gp170 in the model group were significantly increased (all P<0.05); the levels of ALB and miR-16 were significantly decreased (both P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of UP, CHOL, BUN, SCr, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDR1 mRNA, and the protein levels of pNF-κB p65 and P-gp170 in the low-dose and high-dose APS groups were significant decreased (all P<0.05); and the levels of ALB and miR-16 were significantly increased (both P<0.05). Compared with APS+miR-16 antagomir control group, the UP, CHOL, BUN, SCr, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels, MDR1 mRNA, and the protein levels of p-NF-κB p65 and P-gp170 were significantly increased (all P<0.05). The levels of ALB and miR-16 were significantly decreased in the APS+miR-16 antagomir group compared with the APS+miR-16 antagomir control group (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS APS can regulate the miR-16/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby affecting the levels of MDR1 and P-gp170, and reducing the inflammation in the kidney tissues in the adriamycin nephropathy rats.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1/genetics* ; Animals ; Antagomirs ; Doxorubicin/toxicity* ; Genes, MDR ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Kidney Diseases/genetics* ; Male ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*