BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) radiation can affect the learning and memory function of experimental rats and induce injury of hippocampal issues and change of ultrastructure of rats.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of EMP on injury of hippocampal neurons cultured in vitro and [Ca2+]i, and analyze deeply possible mechanism of cerebral injury induced by EMP.DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal experiment.SETTING: Department of Pathology, Chengde Medical College.MATERIALS: Several Wistar neonate rats, of either sex (half and half),were selected. Source of EMP radiation was high intensity EMP dummy source.METHODS: The experiment was performed from March to December 2004 at the Academy of Military Medical Science and Chengde Medical College, respectively. Several Wistar neonate rats were decapitated to take out the brains under narcotization. Hippocampal tissues were isolated. The cell suspension was adjusted to 5×108 L-1 for inoculation. Grouping: ①Cultured cells were assigned into control group and radiation group. Cells were collected immediately after radiation to perform observation of morphology and determination of free calcium ion concentration. ②Other cultured cells were divided into control group, 0-hour radiation group and 12-hour radiation group. Cell apoptosis rate and necrosis rate were determined. (Dosage of cultured cells: one culture flask of each group was checked in each item for 3 times). EMP radiation was in 6×104 V/m, with pulse rise time of 20 ns,pulse width of 30 μs, frequency of 2.5 pulses/min, totally for 2 minutes.EMP radiation was performed in primary cultured hippocampal neurons,and then morphological change of neurons was observed under inverted phase contrast microscope before and after radiation. Cell apoptosis and necrosis were measured with FACS method; Free [Ca2+]i concentration in neurons was measured with Fluo-3-AM fluorescent probe loading and laser confocal microscopy scanning.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological change of neuron, cell apoptosis rate and necrosis rate and free [Ca2+]i concentration.RESULTS: ①Immediately after EMP radiation, the onset of colliquation appeared in nerval cells gradually, and neurite was recovery and degeneration. ②Apoptosis rate after 12-hour EMP radiation recovered as compared with that at hour 0 after radiation, but significantly increased as compared with the control group [(59.27±1.27)%, (72.17±6.21)%, (17.45±5.63)%,P＜0.05]. ③Necrosis rate at hour 0 and hour 12 after radiation increased as compared with the control group, but there was no statistical significant difference [(13.71±2.31)%, ( 11.96±1.04)%, (8.45±0.67)% ,P ＞ 0.05].④[Ca2+]i fluorescence intensity at hour 0 after EMP radiation was higher obviously than that in the control group (107.34±26.14,54.93±16.08,P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: EMP induces morphological injury, necrosis and increase of apoptosis rate in hippocampal neurons, and Ca2+ fluorescence intensity increases markedly in neurons.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE) on advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE),NF-Κb and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the myoeardium of diabetic rats.MethodsTotal 30 streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:diabetic group (DM1,n-15) and GSPE (250 mg/ kg,i.g) treated diabetic group (DM2,n= 15).Another two control groups:normal rats(C1,n= 10)and normal rats treated with GSPE (250 mg/kg,i.g) (C2 group,n= 10) were also observed.After 24 weeks,blood was collected to measure fasting plasma glucose (FBG) and RAGE.The protein expression of NF-Κb was determined in myocardial tissue by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.The protein expressions of RAGE and CTGF were measured by Western blot.Results The levels of FBG and RAGE were significantly higher in diabetic rats than in control rats (P＜0.05).After GSPE treatment,RAGE level significantly reduced (P＜0.05),but FBG had no change in diabetic rats.The protein expressions of RAGE,NF-Κb and CTGF in the myocardial tissue of diabetic rats had marked increase compared with control rats (P＜ 0.05),however,their levels significantly reduced after GSPE treatment (P＜0.05).ConclusionsGSPE may protect diabetic rats against cardiomyopathy,possibly by decreasing the protein expressions of RAGE,NF-Κb and CTGF.

Aim To explore the effects of hydrocortisone on intracellular calcium in microglial cells.Methods The intracellular calcium was measured by instantaneous scanning with confocal laser microscope(CLM) in BV-2 cells, and fluo3-AM was used to dye the intracellular calcium.Results Both hydrocortisone and nicotine could obviously increase intracellular calcium in BV-2 cells(P<0.05).It was indicated by instantaneous scanning with CLM that hydrocortisone induced the rising of intracellular calcium immediately, and reached the peak about at the fifteenth second, and sustained for 10 seconds, then declined to baseline at 200th second.The effect of hydrocortisone on intracellular calcium exhibited a highly consistency with nicotine.Antagonist of glucocorticoid receptors RU486 could not abolish the rising of intracellular calcium induced by hydrocortisone(P>0.05);but the blocker of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR) methyllycaconitine could suppress the rising of intracellular calcium induced by hydrocortisone(P<0.05).Conclusion Hydrocortisone enhances intracellular calcium via α7nAChR in microglial cells, which not only demonstrates the non-genomic effect of glucocorticoid, but also suggests that glucocorticoid could serve as endogenous ligand of α7nAChR.

Objective: To learn the health literacy status, trend and associated factors of Ningbo residents from 2015 to 2019, so as to provide basis for developing health policies and interventions. Methods: The monitoring data of health literacy of Ningbo residents from 2015 to 2019 was collected. The health literacy level was calculated and standardized by the population data of the sixth national census of Ningbo in 2010; five-year absolute growth and growth rate were used to reflect the changing trend. Multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the influencing factors for the health literacy level. Results: The health literacy levels from 2015 to 2019 were 15.44%, 21.73%, 22.41%, 27.60% and 30.03%, with an annual increase trend ( P<0.05 ). The five-year absolute growth and growth rate were 14.59% and 94.49%. The Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the year ( OR=1.158, 95%CI: 1.132-1.184 ), age ( 25-<35岁 years, OR=1.235, 95%CI: 1.039-1.468; 35-<45岁 years, OR=1.416, 95%CI: 1.193-1.681; 45-<55岁 years, OR=1.221, 95%CI: 1.024-1.455 ) , education level ( primary school, OR=1.790, 95%CI: 1.461-2.195; junior high school, OR=2.574, 95%CI: 2.102-3.154; high school/vocational high school/technical secondary school, OR=4.863, 95%CI: 3.943-5.998; college or above, OR=8.829, 95%CI: 7.109-10.965 ) , urban areas ( OR=0.934, 95%CI: 0.874-0.998 ) and occupation ( farmers, OR=0.692, 95%CI: 0.608-0.787; workers, OR=0.746, 95%CI: 0.664-0.837; enterprise staff, OR=0.822, 95%CI: 0.745-0.906; others, OR=1.106, 95%CI: 1.009-1.211 ) were the influencing factors for health literacy level. Conclusion The health literacy level of Ningbo residents shows an upward trend from 2015 to 2019, which are associated with age, education level, area and occupation.

Bufalin is an active compound of the traditional Chinese medicine Chansu, which exhibits significant anti-tumor activities in many solid tumors and leukemia cell lines. Bufalin could introduce apoptosis, reverse drug-resistance, and prevent migration and invasion of tumor cells. This paper reviewed the latest research progress of the in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effect and mechanism of bufalin on a series of cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, leukemia, bladder cancer, and its formulation study is also summarized for the reference of its further study and application.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Bufanolides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology

Objective To study the characteristics and clinical significance of the coronary plaques in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods A total of 91 patients undergoing coronary artery angiography (CAG) were selected and divided into two groups according to with or without BPH,56 cases in BPH group,46 cases in control group.The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of 102 lesions area were analyzed by intravascular ultrosound (IVUS),including external elastic membrane-cross-sectional area (EEM-CSA),minimal lumen area (MLA),plaques area (PA),plaques burden (PB),reference external elastic membrane-cross-sectional area (REEM-CSA),reference minimal lumen area (RMAL),reference plaques area (RPA) and reference plaques burden (RPB).Results IVUS showed a higher rate of area stenosis than did the CAG [(58.2± 7.1)％ vs.(55.9 ± 5.2)％,P＜0.01].BPH group had more soft plaques,eccentric plaques,positive remodeling and less calcified than did the control group (P＜0.05).The MLA and RMAL of BPH group were smaller than those of control group:MAL [(5.61±0.96) mm2 vs.(6.06±0.75) mm2,P＜0.05],RMAL[(9.26±1.05) mm2 vs.(10.02±1.10) mm2,P＜0.05]； while the EEM-CSA,PA,PB,RPA,RPB were larger than those of control group:EEM-CSA[(14.51±1.10)mm2 vs.(13.37±1.02)mm2],PA[(8.90±1.24) mm2 vs.(7.31±1.04) mm2],PB[(61.26±6.53)％ vs.(54.53±5.69)％],RPA[(4.26±1.15) mm2 vs.(3.73±1.33) mm2],RPB [(31.30±8.37) ％ vs.(26.81±8.75) ％,P＜0.05].Conclusions IVUS has a higher value on evaluation of mild to moderate coronary artery stenosis.Evidence of myocardial ischemia in patients with BPH needs further excludeing coronary heart disease.

Objective To investigate the value of the intraoperative real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT 3D-TEE) in therapeutic application of surgery for the mitral valve prolapse.Methods Thirty-five patients underwent surgical treatment were diagnosed as mitral valve prolapse by 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE),with or without ruptured chordae tendineae.RT 3D-TEE was performed for assessing the segment of prolapse and its complications before cardiopulmonary bypass and after heart resuscitation respectively.The echocardiographic results were compared with the surgical findings.Results The accuracy of RT 3D-TEE to identify segments with prolapse was significantly higher than that of 2D-TTE (91.4％ vs 82.9％,P =0.003).RT 3D-TEE was more accurate than 2D-TTE for identifying ruptured chordae tendineae,vegetation and thrombus since higher sensitivity,specificity and Youden index.Among all 35 patients,valvuloplasty was performed in 28 cases,whereas,only 7 cases underwent replacement of prosthetic valves.Three patients were benefited by accurate evaluation of therapeutic effect using RT 3D-TEE in time.ConclusionsIntraoperative RT 3D-TEE can be used to provide “ surgical view”,acquired adequate valuable information of mitral valve,and more reliable functional and anatomical assessment of the mitral valve components and its geometry.Suitable surgical intervention can be designed for improving outcomes of patients.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance and cardiac function of fetuses with intracardiac hyperechogenic focus(ICEF) by fetal echocardiography. Methods Fetal echocardiograms were performed on 1291 fetuses for evaluation of fetal heart structures and rhythms. Echocardiographic characteristics of ICEF were investigated. Fetal systolic and diastolic functions of 399 fetuses with an isolated ICEF were compared with 128 normal fetuses using conventional two-dimensional, M-mode, pulsed Doppler echocardiography and myocardial Doppler tissue imaging(DTI). Results The prevalence of ICEF was 34. 7% (448/1291). Twenty-four(5.4%) cases were found with cardiovascular malformations. There was 1 (0.22%) case of ICEF fetus associated with chromosomal abnormality (trisomy 21 ). Comprehensive fetal echocardiographic data analysis showed no significant differences in heart dimensions, global cardiac functions,and myocardial performances in the two groups( P ＞0.05). Conclusions An isolated ICEF in the fetal heart is not associated with increased risk for chromosome abnormalities. Fetuses with ICEF do not indicate impaired left ventricular systolic or diastolic function, therefore having no hemodynamic significance.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor suberic bishydroxamate (SBHA) on human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines.

METHODSAML U937, KG-1 and Kasumi-1 cells were treated with SBHA. Cell growth was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry. Activation of Caspase pathway and expression of apoptosis regulator proteins were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSSBHA significantly induced growth arrest and apoptosis in U937, KG-1 and Kasumi-1 cells. Enhanced apoptosis was observed in SHBA group evidenced by strong activation of Caspase-9, Caspase-8 and Caspase-3. SHBA treatment resulted in down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression; down-regulated expression of antiapoptotic proteins survivin, XIAP and cIAP was also detected after SBHA treatment.

CONCLUSIONSBHA can effectively kill AML cells by inhibiting cell growth and inducing apoptosis, which is associated with the activation of Caspase pathway and regulation of apoptotic related proteins.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids ; pharmacology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology

Background The aspheric intraocular lenses(IOLs)can reduce ocular spherical aberration to some degree.However,the clinical effect depends more on the IOL proper alignment.It becomes more important to study the IOL position in eye,Objective This study was to analyze the position alteration of IOL after phacoemulsification combined with implantation of one-piece soft IOLs.Methods In this prospective control study,80 eyes of 40 patients with age-related cataract were enrolled.The phacoemulsification with IOL implantation was performed in all the eyes.Decentration and tilt of IOL in the nasal superior,superior temporal,inferior temporal and nasal inferior quadrants(the intersection point of the system optical axis and the IOL maximum cross plane were regarded as the ordinate origin)were measured by rotating Scheimpflug camera(Pentacam Oculus)in 3 months postoperatively under the mydriasis condition.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to this trial.Results In the right eye group,the IOL decentered toward temporal in 26 eyes(65％)and infratemporal in 16 eyes(40％).IOLs tilted temporally in the horizontal plane in 37 eyes(92.5％)and tilted inferiorly in the vertical plane in 34 eyes(85.0％).In the left eye group,IOLs decentered temporally 33 eyes(82.5％)and 20 IOLs (50％)infratemporally,IOLs tilted temporally in the horizontal plane in 37 eye(92.5％)and 36 IOLs(90％)tilted inferiorly in the vertical plane.There was no statistical difference for the intercomparsion of horizontal/vertical decentration in various quadrant in the right eye(F =0.221,0.792,P＞0.05).The obvious elevated horizontal decentration was found in the supertemporal and infratemporal quadrants compared with supernasal quadrant in the left eyes but there was no significant difference in the vertical decentration among 3 quadrants(F=0.576,P＞0.05).Decentrations were positively correlated with the tilt in both horizontal and vertical plane(right eye horizontal plane:r=0.374,P=0.002;right eye vertical plane:r=0.402,P=0.001 ;left eye horizontal plane:r=0.377,P=0.002；left eye vertical plane:r=0.347,P=0.002).Conclusions The one-piece soft IOLs(Adapt AO)decenter toward temporal mostly in 3 months after surgery,especially infratemporally in the eye.And the optical axis of the IOL tilt toward infratemperol mostly in both right and left eyes.The decentration and tilt are consisted in the corresponding direction between the right and left eyes.The position of the IOLs showed mirror symmetry between right and left eyes.The IOLs decentration show the positively correlation to tilt whatever in horizontal and vertical plane.