Objective To investigate the effect of body weight on the induction of mild hypothermia in a rabbit model of asphyxia cardiac arrest. Methods Twenty-four rabbits were randomized into two groups: the ice bag group and the intravenous 4℃ saline group. Cardiac arrest was induced and after 3 minutes of cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was begun. Simultaneously, mild hypothermia was induced by putting an ice bag over the abdomen or infusion of 4℃ saline via an ear vein. A 2℃ decrease of rectal temperature was considered as the completion of hypothermia induction. Induction times were recorded, compared, and analyzed with respect to body weight. Results All rabbits had restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and ROSC lasted during the experiment. Induction time in the ice bag group was significantly shorter than that in the intravenous 4℃ saline group (22.8±4.7 min VS 42.5±4.0 min, P< 0.001). Induction time significantly correlated with body weight in the ice bag group (Pearson Correlation: r = 0.725, P = 0.029), but not in the intravenous 4℃ saline group (Pearson Correlation: P = 0.418). Conclusions In a rabbit model, induction of mild hypothermia with an ice bag is faster than with intravenous 4℃ saline; induction time positively correlates with body weight when an ice bag is used, but not when intravenous 4℃ saline used. The effect of body weight should be considered when choosing an appropriate method to achieve early induction of mild hypothermia.

The establishment of high specificity and sensitivity method of small molecule monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay has a great importance in the study of small molecule compounds in Chinese medicine, wherein synthesis of small molecule artificial antigen is a critical step in the preparation of small molecule antibodies. Oxidation method using sodium iodide was used to synthesize immunogenic antigen (FRn-BSA) and coating antigen (FRn-OVA) of forsythin. UV spectroscopy and thin layer chromatography showed that forsythin was successfully conjugated with BSA and OVA. After immuned FRn-BSA, the mice could specifically produce anti-forsythin antibodies with titer up to 1:8 000, and the linear range was from 1 mg x L(-1) to 100 mg x L(-1). In this paper, the artificial antigen of forsythin was successfully synthesized, which can be applied for preparation of monoclonal antibodies and establishment of appropriate immune method.
Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Antigens ; chemistry ; immunology ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; chemistry ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Furans ; chemistry ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

OBJECTIVETo analyze the therapeutic effect of human neural precursor cells transplantation in treatment of neonates with severe brain injury.

METHODThe transplantation was performed on 6 newborns, one of them was diagnosed as extremely severe carbon monoxide poisoning at 5(th) day after birth; one of them was diagnosed as severe hypoglycemia; the others had asphyxia at birth with Apgar scores from 1 to 3 and were diagnosed as severe neonatal asphyxia, severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy according to images, electroencephalogram, biochemical examination and clinical manifestation. With the approval of hospital ethics committee and informed consent of the family members, the newborns received human neural precursor cells transplantation at the 4(th) to 20(th) day after birth. With the agreement of a pregnant woman, forebrain cells were obtained from the forebrain of her 12-week old fetus after spontaneous abortion. The cells from the fetal brain were amplified into human neural precursor cells in vitro and were injected into the cerebral ventricle of the patients.

RESULTOn the 2(nd) day after transplantation, sucking and swallowing reflexes gradually appeared in all the patients, muscular tension was also improved, and convulsion stopped. NBNA scoring in 3 of the patients reached normal level on the 28(th) day after birth. The 6 patients were followed up for 12 months. Four patients were normal in psychomotor development and scores of each scale reached normal level. Two patients have cerebral palsy.

CONCLUSIONhNPCs transplantation is safe and effective in treatment of severe neonatal brain injury. More clinical trials and further observation are needed.

Brain Injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; surgery ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for diagnosis of freshwater drowning by amplifying gyrB and 16S rRNA genes of Aeromonas hydrophila using PCR coupled with capillary electrophoresis (CE).

METHODSDNA samples were extracted from human, 18 planktons (including Candida albicans, Aeromonas hydrophila, and 16 species of algae), and 30 cases of tissue samples (including the lung, liver, and kidney, all examined with microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy) from human cadavers, including 28 freshwater drowning victims and 2 with natural death. The DNA samples were amplified with the primer AH (for gyrB gene) and primer Ah (for 16S rRNA gene), and the products were analyzed with CE.

RESULTSPCR amplification followed by CE yielded negative results for DNA of human, Candida albicans and 16 species of algae, whereas a positive result was found for Aeromonas hydrophila DNA with PCR products of 195 bp (with primer AH) and 350 bp (with primer Ah). In the 28 drowning cases, the detection rates of Aeromonas hydrophila using primer AH were 96.4% in the lung tissue, 71.4% in the liver tissue, and 60.7% in the kidney, as compared with the rates of 75.0%, 42.9%, and 32.1% using primer Ah, respectively. The positive rates for Aeromonas hydrophila in the organs of the drowning victims were 82.1% and 53.6% with primer AH and primer Ah, respectively. The detection showed negative results in the 2 cases of natural deaths. The two primers produced significantly different detection rates of Aeromonas hydrophila (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPCR coupled with CE for detecting gyrB gene of Aeromonas hydrophila has a high sensitivity in assisting a diagnosis of freshwater drowning. Detection of both the gyrB gene and 16S rRNA gene of Aeromonas hydrophila can yield more convincing evidence of the diagnosis of freshwater drowning.

Objective To explore how to apply the teaching mode combined flipped class with PBL teaching method to improve college students' ability of English reading and writing and the effectiveness of classroom. Methods In the class of college English reading and writing, students at grade 2015 were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (43 students) was adopted the class teaching with " flipped class and PBL teaching method"and the control group (43 students) was adopted traditional class teaching mode taught by the same teacher. The teaching effects of two groups were studied in a comparative way. The students' final grade, related data in the learning process, students'view of the two teaching modes are studied by analysis of basic data and questionnaire. Results At the end of the semester, the results of the experimental group are better than those of the control group. In the survey of the two class teaching modes, the students in the experimental group spent more time in the learning process than that of the control group.Students think that the teaching mode combined flipped class and PBL teaching method not only improves their autonomic learning ability, classroom participation, the English reading and writing ability, but also helps them perform better in the average scores in the final exam compared to the traditional classroom. Students are more satisfied with the new classroom teaching mode than with traditional one. Conclusion The teaching mode combined flipped class with PBL teaching method can promote the students'autonomous learning, contribute to absorb and internalize knowledge, improve the students'learning interest and learning efficiency, and improve teachers teaching ability.

OBJECTIVESTo establish the testicular fibrosis model in rats.

METHODSWistar rats were divided into control group(n = 12) and model group(n = 40) randomly. Testicular fibrosis model was built with the classical method of establishing experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) combined with injecting Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) into left testis.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of EAO and the rate of testicular fibrosis were 100%, 11.1% and 100%, 81.5% at 80, 140 days after the first infection, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe model of rat testicular fibrosis was established successfully.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibrosis ; Male ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Orchitis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; pathology

Objective To explore the correlation between thyroid nodules and uric acid levels and to find their gender differences.Methods A total of 68 056 subjects in a regional medical physical examination center of Shanxi Province from January 2013 to June 2015 were enrolled in this study.All the participants′ general information and parameters were recorded.Thyroid nodules were detected by color Doppler ultrasonography.Results The total prevalence of thyroid nodule was 35.5%, 30.7% in males and 40.0% in females.The prevalence of single nodule was 50.1%, and multiple 49.9%.Compared with no nodule group, thyroid nodule group tended to be older, with higher BMI, and with a worse metabolic status(all P<0.01).The uric acid levels were lower[(352.37±78.14 vs 357.70±77.51) μmol/L, P<0.01] in thyroid nodule group in male and higher[(260.22±61.91 vs 253.91±59.18) μmol/L, P<0.01] in female.Conclusion Thyroid nodules may be associated with metabolism and inflammation.In males, hyperuricemia group had lower, while in females, hyperuricemia ones were with a higher prevalence of thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVETo assess the operation indications, preoperative evaluation, technique essentials and clinical prospect of endovascular stent-graft exclusion for aortic dissection.

METHODSFrom September 1998 to April 2003, endovascular stent-graft exclusion for aortic dissection (Stanford B) was preformed in 146 patients. CTA or MRA were used as preoperative evaluation methods. Graft was constructed from self-expanding Z-stents covered with a woven Dacron polyester fabric graft (Talent). The stent-grafts were inserted from the femoral or iliac artery to exclude the tear of dissection, and all operations were performed under DSA guidance.

RESULTSThe grafts were installed successfully in 145 patients. In 119 patients only proximal tears were excluded, and 26 patients who had both the proximal and distal tears were excluded. The mean follow-up period was 16 months (1 - 54 months). Six patients died within the perioperative period, 2 patients died during the follow-up, 2 patients had recurrence of aortic dissection (Stanford A) and cured by Bentall operation. The others were in good state. No accidents related to the dissection and operation occurred.

CONCLUSIONSEndovascular graft exclusion may be a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with thoracic aortic dissection. Endoleak may lead to aneurysmal expansion and rupture. Further follow-up is necessary to evaluate its long-term effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Angiography ; methods ; Aortic Aneurysm ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Preoperative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo clarify the outcome of surgical reconstruction for renal artery in Takayasu arteritis-induced renal artery stenosis (TARAS).

METHODSA retrospective chart review was conducted on 33 consecutive patients with TARAS, who underwent aortorenal bypass (ARB) with autologous saphenous vein graft. There were 9 male and 24 female patients, with a mean age of (25 ± 11) years. The effects on blood pressure and renal function were analyzed. Primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency rates were determined. The effects of various factors on primary patency rate were analyzed. All patients showed hypertension. The mean blood pressure was (175 ± 26)/(100 ± 19) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). The mean antihypertensive dosage was (2.1 ± 0.6) defined daily dose (DDD). Seventeen patients showed intractable hypertension. Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was (78 ± 5) ml/min. One patient was dialysis-dependent, and 3 patients were combined with congestive heart failure.

RESULTSARB was performed for the 39 renal arteries, including 27 unilateral and 6 bilateral bypasses. Postoperative morbidity was 15.2%. All patients survived. During follow-up of mean (56 ± 18) months, two graft occlusions and four graft restenoses occurred. All graft restenoses were eliminated successfully with percutaneous angioplasty, but one patient experienced restenosis again six months later. At 1, 3, and 5 years of follow-up, primary patency was 92%, 89%, and 79%, respectively, primary assisted patency was 95%, 95%, and 91%, respectively, and secondary patency was 95%, 95%, and 91%, respectively. ARB resulted in a decrease in mean blood pressure to 139/85 mmHg (one month post-ARB, P = 0.000) and 136/80 mmHg (last follow-up, P = 0.000), and a reduction in mean antihypertensive dosage to 1.4 DDD (one month post-ARB, P = 0.084) and 0.6 DDD (last follow-up, P = 0.000). Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate increased to 82 ml/min (P = 0.458) one month post-ARB, and 91 ml/min (P = 0.044) at last follow-up, respectively. The dialysis-dependent patient no longer required hemodialysis, and left ventricular dysfunction resolved in all of the three patients.

CONCLUSIONARB using the autologous saphenous vein graft is safe, effective and durable for treating TARAS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aorta ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery ; surgery ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; etiology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Saphenous Vein ; transplantation ; Takayasu Arteritis ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

To investigate the neuroprotective effects of sevoflurane preconditioning on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) injury and the role of mitochondrial KATP channels in rat, we established OGD injury model in rat hippocampal slices. The brain was rapidly removed, and the dissected hippocampus was sliced in cold artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) transversely to its longitudinal axis (400 mum thick) with a Rotorslicer DTY-7700. Slices were placed on a nylon mesh in a recording chamber at 34 degrees C and humidified gas mixture (95% O2/5% CO2) was applied to the chamber at a flow rate of 200 ml/min. After 2 h of incubation, slices were randomly exposed to 2%, 4%, 6% sevoflurane or 6% sevoflurane combined with mitochondrial K(ATP) channel blocker (5-hydroxydecanoic acid, 5-HD) under normal condition (95% O2/5% CO2) for 30 min. Fifteen minutes later, slices were exposed to 14-minute OGD followed by 1-hour reoxygenation, and the changes of orthodromic population spike (OPS) at the end of reoxygenation were measured. The changes of ultrastructure of CA1 area in the group of 14-minute OGD followed by 1-hour reoxygenation were detected with electron microscope. The results showed that sevoflurane preconditioning delayed the abolishing time of OPS (P<0.01) and significantly increased the recovery rate and the recovery amplitude of OPS compared with the OGD group. The recovery rate of OPS was 71.4% both in 4% and 6% sevoflurane preconditioning groups (P<0.05 vs OGD group), accordingly the recovery amplitude of OPS was (61.0 +/- 42.3)% and (78.7 +/- 21.1)% (P<0.01), respectively. The protective effect of 6% sevoflurane was blocked by 5-HD. Ultrastructural observation in the hippocampal CA1 region of the OGD group showed severe edema of the pyramidal cells, crimpled or ruptured nucleus membranes, aggregation of chromatin, and swelling of mitochondria, whereas these changes were less prominent in 4% and 6% sevoflurane groups. These results suggest that sevoflurane preconditioning is capable to protect neurons from OGD injury in vitro and that the protective effect is related to the activation of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels.
Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; physiopathology ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; physiology ; Female ; Glucose ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Methyl Ethers ; pharmacology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley