Prepulse inhibition ( PPI) is the suppression of the startle reflex when the startling stim-ulus is preceded by a non-startling stimulus ( the prepulse) . It is an operational measurement of sensorimotor gating mechanism to help the brain adapt to the complex environment,which could be top-down modulated by attention and other higher cognitive processes. Deficits of PPI and the top-down modulation of PPI are closely related to psychiatric diseases. Research papers published from January 2001 to October 2016 related to PPI in psychiatric disorders were searched in the Chinese and English databases. Results showed that schizo-phrenic patients and their relatives showed deficits in baseline PPI as well as the attentional modulation of PPI,and more importantly,the attentional modulation of PPI rather than the baseline PPI was more related to the symptom severity. Patients with Tourette'' s syndrome showed PPI impairment,while patients with obsess-ive compulsive disorder had lower levels of PPI. PPI deficits in bipolar disorder patients were gender-depend-ent. Studying PPI and the top-down modulation of PPI could provide a basis to study the interaction of senso-ry processing and attention,and facilitate the researches of neural mechanism underlying the deficits of senso-ry gating. To establish advanced paradigms of PPI,new cognitive components could be introduced,such as at-tention,emotion,motor control,compulsivity and so on,thus improving the specificity of PPI test and promo-ting the PPI test as new biomarker and endophenotype in various psychiatric disorders.

Objective To investigate the regional cerebral stimulation after central analgesics nasal spray and its mechanism with pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging (phfMRI). Methods Eighteen healthy right-handed volunteers participated. Butorphanol tartrate nasal spray was used as the experiment agent. Ethological experiment was carried out to record the participants' subjective feeling and the onset time of the analgesics, followed by the functional MRI (fMRI) scan two weeks later. Block design was adopted. Two phases of fMRI scan were performed at 7 min and 25 min after the nasal spray, respectively. Participants were also given pain stimulation in the dorsum of hand during the fMRI scanning. The data were post-processed with Matlab 6.5 and SPM 2. Results ①Onset time of butorphanol tartrate was 15-35 min after nasal spray administration, which was consistent with its concentration-time curve. ②After nasal spray, activations were observed in the cerebral cortex, including frontal lobe (orbitofrontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus), temporal lobe (insula, middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus), parietal lobe (precuneal gyrus), limbic system (anterior cingulate gyrus, middle cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus);subcortical region (globus pallidus) and cerebellum (6-9 of cerebellar cortex, cerebellar peduncle, vermis). ③The number and activation intensity of the second phase were more obvious than those of the first phase (P<0.01). Conclusion The feasibility of phfMRI study on cerebral stimulation and the mechanism of nasal spray is demonstrated. The study of butorphanol tartrate further validates the main distribution of opioid receptors in the central nervous system and the possible mechanism of central analgesia.

OBJECTIVETo study the change in expressions of nerve growth related protein (GAP-43) and neurofilament (NF) after experimental injury of spinal cord, and the regulatory effect of Chinese medicine Suifukang (SFK) on them.

METHODSForty-eight from the 54 selected adult SD rats were established into spinal cord injury model by making hemitransection at the T12 level, and randomly divided into two groups, the SFK group feed with SKF contained liquor and the model group feeding with equal volume of saline. The another 6 rats were untreated and taken as the normal group. All rats were sacrificed in batches at different time points of day 3, 7, 15 and 30 after modeling. The spinal cord was obtained for determining the optic density (OD) of positive expression of GAP-43 and NF with immunohistochemical stain by microscopic and semi-quantitative image analysis.

RESULTS(1) OD of NF in the model group was obviously decreased on day 7, showing significant difference to that in the normal group and that in the SFK group (P < 0.05), and it maintained at low level after then, while the OD of NF in the SFK group was obviously higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05), it arrived the peak on day 15 and then dropped near the level in the normal group on day 30; (2) OD and of GAP-43 in the model group obviously decreased on day 3 (P < 0.05), showing significant difference to that in the normal group (P < 0.05), then it returned to approach to the level in the normal group on day 7. It was higher in the SFK group than in the model group on day 3, and maintained the high level to day 7, at that time, it was still higher than that in the model group and also higher than that in the normal group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFK can promote the repair and regeneration of injured nerve fibers in spinal cord by up-regulating the expression of GAP-43 and NF.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; GAP-43 Protein ; biosynthesis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Neurofilament Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Up till 2000 when Edmonton group introduced islet transplant procedure in conjunction with a novel glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen rendering 100% (n=7) of patients with type 1 diabetes insulin-independent for at least 1 year, islet transplant was taken into the clinic. Although significant progress in clinical islet transplant has occurred during recent years, challenges remain, including shortage of available donor organs, technical aspects of islet preparation and transplantation, immunological rejection post-transplant, unclear long-term outcomes of islet transplantation. Special attention is given to current limitation in islet transplantation together with new possible strategies that raise expectations for the widespread use of islet transplantation in the future.
Diabetes Mellitus ; surgery ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation ; immunology ; methods ; trends

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of anesthesia with etomidate administered by TCI in combination with continuous iv remifentanil infusion titrated to maintain BIS values at 40-60 for non-cardiac surgery in a prospective randomized single-blinded multicenter controlled clinical study.Methods Two hundred and forty-four ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes aged 20-60 yr undergoing non-cardiac surgery lasting less than 3 h were randomly allocated into 2 groups:etomidate group (group E,n =123) and propofol group (group P,n =121 ).The patients were unpremedicated.A bolus of midazolam 0.03 mg/kg was injected iv immediately before induction of anesthesia.Anesthesia was induced with sufentanil 0.3-0.4 μg/kg and TCI of etomidate (effect-site concentration (Ce) =0.5-1.0 μg/ml) or propofol (Ce =3-4 μg/ml).Tracheal intubation was facilitated with rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg.The patients were mechanically ventilated (VT 8-10 ml/kg,RR 10-12 bpm,FiO2 =1 ).PETCO2 was maintained at 35-40 mm Hg.Anesthesia was maintained with TCI of etomidate ( Ce =0.3-0.8 μg/ml ) or propofol ( Ce =3-4 μg/ml) in combination with continuous iv infusion of remifentanil at 0.1-1.0 μg· kg-1 ·min-1 and intermittent iv boluses of rocuronium.BIS values were maintained at 40-60 during operation.Sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg was administered iv before skin closure.Ce at loss of consciousness,during maintenance of anesthesia and at emergence,the consumption of remifentanil and vasoactive agents,the emergence time and extubation time were recorded.The incidences of injecton pain,post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and emergence agitation were measured.Results Ce of etomidate at loss of consciousness,at emergence and during maintenance of anesthesia was (0.50 ± 0.22),(0.16 ± 0.09) and 0.22-0.39 μg/ml respectively.The incidence of injection pain and the consumption of vasoactive agents were significantly lower but more remifentanil was needed in group E than in group P (P ＜0.05 or 0.01).There was no significant difference in emergence time and extubation time between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The incidence of PONV and emergence agitation were significantly higher during recovery in group E than in group P ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion The hemodynamics is stabler during operation,but the incidence of PONV and emergence agitation are significantly higher during recovery in group E than in group P.Etomidate induces little injection pain.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the meridian three-combined therapy for treatment of ordinary psoriasis.

METHODSA multi-central, randomized and positive drug controlled trial was adopted, and 233 cases were divided into an observation group of 116 cases and a control group of 117 cases. The observation group was treated with thread embedding at points, blood-letting puncture on the back of ear and auricular point pressing (i.e. meridian three-combined therapy). For thread embedding, 3-4 local points such ear points as Fei (CO14), Gan (CO12), Pizhixia (AT4), Shenmen (TF4) , cephalic and symmetric points of severe parts of the limb skin were selected according to the skin lesion position, and the treatment was given once each two weeks. For ear point tapping and pressing, 3-5 points were selected in each session. And the control group was treated with oral administration of Di yin Tablets, 5 tablets each time, twice each day. After treatment of 6 weeks, the clinical therapeutic effects, the score of skin lesion area, the scores for skin lesion severity and safety were compared in the two groups.

RESULTSThe markedly effective rate was 57.8 % in the observation group and 51.3% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05); after treatment the scores for both the skin lesion area and the skin lesion severity were significantly decreased in the two groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), and with a significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). And the incidence rate of the adverse reaction in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe meridian three-combined therapy is effective and safe for treatment of ordinary psoriasis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bloodletting ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo probe rational indices suitable for ecological surveillance on breeding ground for Oncomelania hupensis snails in areas prevalent with islet-type schisitosomiasis using remote sensing technology.

METHODSThree adjacent islets, prevalent with islet-type schistosomiasis, along the Yangtze River within the boundaries of Dongzhi County, Anhui Province were selected as study field for remote sensing analysis. Multi-spectral data were composed and non-supervisedly classified in computer with Idisi software for remote sensing analysis. Values of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), green vegetation index (GVI), bright index (BI), which reflect the greenness and brightness of landscape, were also calculated. Finally, all the results were comprehensively analyzed, combined with data from the field investigation.

RESULTSNDVI, GVI and BI could depict characteristics of the landscape quantitatively. Values of NDVI, BI and GVI were varied in different types of landscapes, and 95% confidence interval of these values suitable for breeding of snails was 0.0522 approximately 0.3566, 2.4162 approximately 28.2672 and 29.3404 approximately 40.3135, respectively. Classification of NDVI showed that type 5 anf type 6 were main breeding ground for snails, and type 4 with values of NDVI from 0 to 0.1 was potential areas for snail propagation. Classification of GVI showed that types 5, 6 and 7 were main breeding ground for snails, and also type 4 with values of GVI from 2 to 10 was potential areas for snail propagation. Both NDVI and GVI showed type 2 and type 3 were temporarily not suitable for snail breeding.

CONCLUSIONIndex figures of NDVI and GVI re-formed by reasonable classification could reflect not only breeding ground for snails and range of the areas for snail propagation in islets, but also their evolving rules, i.e., status of new marshland formation and vegetation growth.

Animals ; Breeding ; Ecology ; Satellite Communications ; Schistosomiasis ; transmission ; Snails ; parasitology ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Excoecaria agallocha L.

METHODThe constituents were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis.

RESULTSix triterpenoids including taraxerone (1), beta-amyrin acetate (2), 3beta-[(2E,4E)-6-oxo-decadienoyloxy]-olean-12-ene (3), taraxerol (4), acetylaleuritolic acid (5), and cycloart-22-ene-3beta, 25-diol (6), and three steroids including beta-sitostenone (7), (24R)-24-ethylcholesta-4,22-dien-3-one (8), and beta-sitosterol (9) were isolated and identified from the stems and twigs of the mangrove plant E. agallocha.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 5-8 were isolated from E. agallocha for the first time.

Euphorbiaceae ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Steroids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Achondroplasia ; genetics ; Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Genes, Dominant ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the impacts of kidney transplantation on erectile function and analyse its contributing factors.

METHODSIn order to evaluate the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED), a total of 250 married male kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with functioning graft were assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Data of clinical characteristics, medical and sexual history and laboratory examination were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine which have independent impacts on erectile function.

RESULTSThe investigation was accomplished in 84.8% of the KTRs. There was no significant difference in ED incidence before and after renal transplantation (53.8% vs. 44.3%, P > 0.05). According to the IIEF score, erectile function improved in 43.9% of the KTRs, remained unchanged in 42.9%, and deteriorated in 13.2%, as compared with pre-transplantation. Logistic regression analysis showed that significant and independent influencing factors in erectile function were age, hemoglobin level, presence of DM and/or peripheral neuropathy and iterative transplantations, and their relative risks were 3.01, 2.01, 3.15, 3.89 and 2.67, respectively.

CONCLUSIONED is highly prevalent among KTRs and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. Age, presence of DM and/or peripheral neuropathy, hemoglobin level and iterative transplantations were chief contributing factors in erectile function.

Adult ; Diabetes Complications ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires