Emotional and cognitive disorders (EACD),such as depression and anxiety,have become very common in today′s society,seriously affecting human lives and health. Neural plasticity can reflect the anti-stress ability of the nervous system to the internal and external stimulation,and is capable of dynamic changes in structure or function to adapt to environmental changes,as is often manifested in the process of compensation and repair of nerve injuries. EACD is often accompanied by macroscopic and cellular morphological changes in brain tissues and functions. Thus,studies on the mechanisms of neural plasticity will contribute to the treatment of EACD. In this paper ,the role of neural plasticity in the active components of Chinese herbal medicine(ACCHM) is reviewed. The effects of ACCHM on 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)system,and the antioxidant activities and neurotrophic effects of ACCHM are described. ACCHM can affect neural plasticity,playing a neuroprotective role by improving 5-HT levels,reducing oxidative stress in brain cells,and increasing the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). In summary,one ACCHM could affect neural plasticity through one or more mechanisms. There are interactions between different mechanisms of the same ACCHM. Different ACCHM can play a synergistic effect on the enhancement of neural plasticity because of their different mechanisms.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of twinkling artifact in urinary calcium stones.Methods Calcium oxalate monohydrate,hydroxyapatite and whitlockite stone phantoms were prepared and embedded in porcine kidneys for ultrasound scanning.The length and width of twinkling artifact were measured.The intensity of twinkling artifact and the contrast-to-noise ratio (C/N ratio) of acoustic shadowing were recorded and all the data was analyzed statistically.Results All the stone phantoms generated twinkling artifact and acoustic shadowing.The difference of the intensity,length and width of twinkling artifact and the C/N ratio of acoustic shadowing had statistically significant each composition (P ＜0.01).There was no overlap between 95％ confidence interval of the intensity of twinkling artifact for any two compositions,and any two compositions of stones could be differentiated by the intensity of twinkling artifact (P ＜0.05).The C/N ratio of acoustic shadowing of calcium oxalate monohydrate and whitlockite stone phantoms were higher than those of hydroxyapatite ones (P ＜0.05).The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve displayed that the cutoff value of 1 127 of the intensity of twinkling artifact could be used to diagnose hydroxyapatite stones.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV),negative predictive value (NPV) and area under the curve (AUC) were 74 ％,68 ％,69.8％,72.3％ and 0.743 respectively.Conclusions Twinkling artifact could be used to differentiate the calcium stones,which will be helpful for clinical treatment.

Objective To investigate and analyze the iodine nutritional status of school-age children six months after implementation of a new standard of iodized salts in northern area of Jiangsu Province,and to provide a basis for control of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods According to the water iodine content,northern area of Jiangsu Province was divided into low,moderate and high iodine areas (the water iodine contents were ＜ 10,l0-150 and ＞ 150 μg/L,respectively).Two towns were selected in each area; one elementary school was selected in each town; and 120 children aged 8-10 were selected in each school.The samples of urine,household salt,and water in each town were collected.Urinary iodine content was tested by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry;iodine content of household salt sample was determined by direct titration; iodine content of water sample was tested by cerium sulfate catalytic spectrophotometry.Results In low,moderate and high water iodine areas,240,242 and 242 urine samples of 8-10 years old children were tested; urinary iodine median was 135.49,183.62 and 448.99 μg/L,respectively,and the difference between groups was statistically significant (x2 =165.56,P ＜ 0.05).In low,moderate and high water iodine areas,100,131 and 117 household salt samples were tested,and the median of salt iodine was 21.88,22.01 and ＜ 5 mg/kg,respectively.Water samples collected in low,moderate and high iodine areas were 12,14 and 10 copies,respectively,and the median of water iodine was 8.89,38.52 and 189.25 μg/L,respectively,and the difference between groups was statistically significant (x2 =22.27,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The iodine nutritional condition of 8-10 years old children in low,moderate water iodine areas in northern area of Jiangsu Province is appropriate.The new standard is suitable for iodine nutritional needs in the area.The iodine nutritional condition in high water iodine area is excess,iodine intake should be reduced.

Objective:To investigate the change of expression of miR-7 in activated CD4+ T cells in vitro, and preliminary explore its possible significance. Methods: CD4+CD62L+T cells was purified from splenocytes of FVB mice by magnetic cell sorting system (MACS). After stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 antibody,the relative expression of miR-7 was examined by Real-time PCR, and the expression level of CD69 molecular was analyzed by FACS. Furthermore,the relative expression of miR-7 in CD4+T cells was detected at different time points during stimulation. With the treatment of ERK inhibitor PD98059,change of miR-7 expression was de-termined by Real-time PCR. Meanwhile, the proliferation of CD4+T cells was examined by CCK-8 assay and the expression level of CD69 and CD62L molecular were analyzed by FACS. Finally,the expression of cytokines IL-6,IL-10,and IFN-γ were determined by Real-time PCR. Results:Compared with control group,the relative expression of miR-7 was increased significantly after stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 antibody,as well as expression level of CD69 molecular was augmented(P<0. 05). In contrasted with 0 h and 24 h,the expression of miR-7 was significantly increased after 48 h and 72 h during stimulation(P<0. 05). Furthermore,the relative expression of miR-7 was significantly declined in CD4+T cells in ERK inhibitor PD98059 treatment group. Finally, the expression level of CD69 molecular,as well as cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ, were also decreased significantly ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion: The relative expression of miR-7 was significantly increased in activated CD4+T cells,closely related to ERK pathway,which provided an important foundation for successive research work on exploring the functional role of miR-7 in the CD4+T cells.

Objective To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of blood stream infection in patients of intensive care unit (ICU).Methods Clinical data of all patients with culture-positive sepsis were collected from all ICUs of Guangdong General Hospital from October 12th, 2012 to December 1st, 2014 for retrospective study.Physiological characteristics and laboratory data were compared between patients with blood culture-positive sepsis group and patients without sepsis of control group.Logistic regression analysis was made to identify the risk factors for blood stream infection.Patients with blood culture-positive sepsis group were further divided into survivor and non-survivor groups according to the clinical outcomes.Physiological and laboratory data were compared between two groups.Logistic regression analysis was also performed to identify the risk factors for mortality.Results There were 299 patients with positive blood culture sepsis admitted in the ICUs in two years.Of them, 250 patients infected with Gram positive cocci including staphylococcus haemolyticus, staphylococcus epidermidis, staphylococcus capitis and staphylococcus aureus accounting for the majority.There were 174 patients infected with Gram negative bacilli including acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniaesubsp.pneumoniae accounting for the majority.A univariate analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences in hypertension (P =0.001), diabetes (P =0.01), coronary heart diseases and heart failure (P =0.000), chronic renal insufficiency (P =0.000), prolonged mechanical ventilation (P =0.000), pre-admission intravenous administration of antibiotics (P =0.000), and hypoalbuminemia (P =0.008) between culture positive group and control group.A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that diabetes [OR =2.158, 95％ CI (1.230, 3.787), P =0.007], chronic renal insufficiency [OR =13.410, 95％ CI (1.715, 104.879), P =0.013], pre-admission intravenous administration of antibiotics [OR =8.375, 95％ CI (5.267, 13.317), P=0.000] were independent risk factors for bloodstream infections in ICU.In patients with positive blood culture, the non-survivor group had patients with higher advance of old age, higher rate of hypertension, coronary heart diseases or congestive heart failure, tumor and chronic renal insufficiency, prolonged mechanical ventilation and higher incidence of surgery and pre-admission intravenous administration of antibiotics compared with the survivor group.The advance of old age [OR =1.023, 95％ CI (1.008-1.037), P =0.002], prolonged mechanical ventilation [OR =1.055, 95％ CI (1.024, 1.088), P =0.000] and hypoalbuminemia [OR =0.933, 95％ CI (0.898, 0.971), P =0.001] were independently associated with mortality of bloodstream infection in ICU.Conclusions Diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency and pre-admission intravenous administration of antibiotics were associated with the development of blood stream infection in ICU.The advance of old age, prolonged mechanical ventilation and hypoalbuminemia were independent risk factors for mortality in patients with culture-positive sepsis in ICU.

Objective To quantitatively analyze the value of color Doppler twinkling artifact and CT in distinguishing urinary stone composition of uric acid from that of cystine,and to assess the ability of color Doppler twinkling artifact and CT to diagnose urinary stone composition of uric acid.Methods Artificial stones made of uric acid and cystihe were inserted in porcine kidneys respectively.Color Doppler ultrasound and CT scanning were performed in vitro and twinkling artifact videos were recorded.The CT attenuation value,the width and length of twinkling artifact (TAW,TAL) were measured.The color pixels representing twinkling artifact intensity (TAI) were calculated.The differences between artificial cystine and artificial uric acid stones in TAW,TAL,TAI and CT attenuation value were compared.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the ability of TAW,TAL,TAI and CT attenuation value to diagnose urinary stone composition of uric acid.Results The TAW [(4.16 ± 1.54)mm vs (4.97 ± 1.93)mm],TAL[(3.75 ± 1.05)mm vs (5.12 ± 2.51)mm] and TAI [(3 005.50 ± 812.33) vs (5 433.86±2 505.81)] of artificial cystine stones were less than those of artificial uric acid stones while the CT attenuation value of artificial cystine stones [(573.75 ± 110.10)HU vs (364.09 ± 67.28)HU] were greater (P ＜0.05).The ROC curve was displayed to diagnose urinary stone composition of uric acid,and the area under curve of CT attenuation value was bigger than that of TAI (0.936 vs 0.817,Z =2.308,P =0.021).Combination of color Doppler twinkling artifact and CT value would dramatically increase the diagnostic accuracy to 98％.Conclusions Both color Doppler ultrasound and CT were reliable examinations for distinguishing urinary stone composition of cystine from that of uric acid.Combination of color Doppler ultrasound and CT would be good references to diagnose urinary stone composition of uric acid.

Objective:To investigate the influence of miR-7 knock down on the development of CD 4+SP cells in the thymus in mice,and preliminary explore its possible mechanism.Methods:The changes of volume ,weight and total cell counts of thymus in miR-7 knock down (miR-7KD) mice were observed compared with Wild-type(WT)mice;the pathological changes of thymus were observed by HE staining.FACS analysis was performed on the proportion ,as well as the expression level of CD44 and CD62L,of thymus CD4+single positive (SP) cells.Meanwhile,the proliferation percentage of CD4+SP cells was measured by Ki-67 staining.The apoptosis percentage of CD4+SP cells was analyzed by FACS.The changes on the transduction of ERK 1/2 pathways were determined by Western blot.Results:Compared with WT mice ,the size,weight and total cell number of thymus were marked reduced in miR-7KD mice( P<0.05 );moreover ,pathological change also was presented.The proportion and total cell number of thymus CD 4+SP cells were marked decreased ( P<0.05 ).Furthermore ,the expression level of CD 44 and proliferation percentage ,as well as apoptosis percentage ,of CD4+SP cells were obviously increased (P<0.05),however,the expression level of CD62L of CD4+SP cells were decreased (P<0.05). Finally,the level of total ERK1/2 and phosphor-ERK1/2 was decreased obviously ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion: miR-7 knock down can affect the development of CD 4+SP cells in the thymus , which might be closely related to the cell activation state and altered the transduction of ERK1/2 pathways.

Objective To investigate microbial characteristics and predisposing factors in gram-negtive bacteria blood stream infection. Methods A descriptive retrospective study was conducted. Patients diagnosed as sepsis with blood culture of G- bacilli and without sepsis were enrolled. The patients were all admitted to ICUs of Guangdong General Hospital from October, 2012 to December, 2014. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse the predisposing factors for sepsis of G- bacilli. Results A total of 148 patients suffered from sepsis of G-bacilli including Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were enrolled. Single-factor analysis showed that patients with sepsis of G- bacilli infection had older ages, higher incidence of coronary heart diseases or congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases or chronic renal insufficiency, hypertension, also higher incidence of longer length of hospital stay before blood was drawn for culture, and higher incidence using of vasoactive agents and pre-admission intravenous antibiotics and lower plasma albumin level (P < 0.05). Conclusions Coronary heart disease or congestive heart failure, chronic renal insufficiency and pre-admission intravenous antibiotics were independent predisposing factors for sepsis of G-bacilli.

Objective:To detect the change of composition of immune cells in the spleen of miR-126 knockdown(miR-126KD) mice and preliminarily explore its significance .Methods: The expression level of miR-126 in spleens of miR-126KD mice was deter-mined by Realtime PCR.And the total number of splenocytes was calculated.The pathologic morphology change of the spleen was observed by HE staining.And the changes on proportion of DCs ,macrophages cells ,γδ T cells and NK T cells,CD3+T cells and its subgroup ,as well as CD19+B cells in spleens of miR-126KD mice were analyzed by Flow cytometry and calculated respectively.The level of phosphorylated AKt and NF-κB was analyzed by Western blot assay.Results:Compared with those of WT mice ,the expression level of miR-126 decreased obviously ( P<0.05 ) and the total number of cells increased obviously in spleen of miR-126 KD mice ( P<0.05).Moreover,the pathologic morphology of miR-126KD mice was significantly changed.The proportion and number of NK T cells in the inherent cells were significantly increased ( P<0.05 ) , but the proportion of Mφcells were significantly decreased ( P<0.05 ) . Meanwhile,the proportion and number of CD3+T cells and CD4+T cells in the adaptive immune cells were significantly increased (P<0.05),while the total number of CD19+B cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05).Last,the level of phosphorylation Akt and NF-κB increased obviously in spleen of miRNA-126 knockdown mice.Conclusion: Change obviously on the composition of immune cells subsets in the spleen of miRNA-126 knockdown mice ,which it may be related to the altered level of phosphorylated AKt and NF-κB and provides a preliminary experimental basis for the further exploring the roles of miR -126 in immune response.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation with acupuncture for moderate-to-severe perennial allergic rhinitis.MethodsA total of 50 patients were recruited into a sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation group and a routine acupuncture group according to order of presentation, with 25 in each group. The sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation group received sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation with filiform needle, 1-2 sessions/week for 4 weeks. The routine acupuncture group received traditional acupuncture, withyingxiang(LI 20),yintang(GV29),fengchi(GB20),fengfu(GB16),zusanli(ST36) as the maln points, andyingxiang(LI 20),yintang(GV29),fengchi(GB20),fengfu(GB16),zusanli(ST36) as the adjunct points, 1-2 points from both the maln and adjunct points in each session, 2 sessions/week for 4 weeks. The nasal symptom score (2004 version), the total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and the total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS) were used to evaluate symptom improvement. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnalre (RQLQ) was used to assess the patients’ quality of life. The time to symptom alleviation, duration of symptom alleviation in every session and the recurrence duration during 1 month after the treatment were compared between the two groups.Results After the treatment, the score of the nasal symptom score (99.74 ± 31.89vs.196.83 ± 31.22;t=-4.912,P=0.001), TNSS (33.63 ± 12.37vs.71.82 ± 19.21;t=-3.463,P=0.003), TNNSS (33.63 ± 12.37vs.71.82 ± 19.21,t=-3.463,P=0.003) in the sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation were significant lower than those in the routine acupuncture group. Compared with the routine acupuncture group, the time to symptom alleviation was significant shorter (13.85 ± 4.21 minvs.45.63 ± 7.87 min;t=-1.763,P=0.008), while the duration of symptom alleviation was significant longer (37.92 ± 9.94 hvs.3.35 ± 1.23 h;t=7.637,P<0.01) after each session in the sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation group. Four weeks after the treatment, RQLQ score in the sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation group was significant lower than that in the routine acupuncture group (8.48 ± 3.71vs.37.68 ± 12.46;F=-7.312,P<0.01). The recurrence duration during 1 month after the treatment in the sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation group was significant longer than that in the routine acupuncture group (4.12 ± 2.15 dvs.23.53 ± 4.63 d;t=-8.879,P=0.003).ConclusionSphenopalatine Ganglion stimulation is superior to routine acupuncture in treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe perennial allergic rhinitis.