Aim To explore the test-retest reliability of elevated zero maze (EZM), as an animal model of state anxiety in Kun-ming mice. Methods The behavior of adult, male and female, Kunming mice in EZM was recorded twice, for five minutes, with a one-week inter-trial interval. The following parameters were evaluated: percentage of time on EZM open arms (Otime% ), time on EZM open arms ( Otime), time on EZM closed arms (Ctime), percentage of entries into EZM open arms (Oentries% ), entries into EZM open arms (Oentries), entries into EZM closed arms (Centries), total entries into EZM open and closed arms (Entries). Subsequently, the intraclass corre-lation coefficient ( ICC) and the kappa agreement index ( κ) were calculated for these parameters. Results ICC for Otime%(♂ ICC = 0. 753,P < 0. 01;♂ + ♀ ICC = 0. 535,P < 0. 05), Otime (♂ ICC = 0. 753, P < 0. 01; ♂ + ♀ ICC = 0. 535, P <0. 05), Ctime ( ♂ ICC = 0. 753, P < 0. 01; ♂ + ♀ ICC =0. 535, P < 0. 05), and Oentries (♂ ICC = 0. 719, P < 0. 01;♀ ICC = 0. 494, P < 0. 05; ♂ + ♀ ICC = 0. 583, P < 0. 01), Centries (♀ ICC = 0. 658, P < 0. 01; ♀ ICC = 0. 508, P <0. 05; ♂ + ♀ ICC = 0. 562, P < 0. 01), Entries ( ♂ ICC =0. 691, P < 0. 01; ♀ ICC = 0. 502, P < 0. 05; ♂ + ♀ ICC =0. 574, P < 0. 05) showed a good and fair test-retest reliability, respectively. Only κ for Otime% (♂ κ = 0. 393, P < 0. 05), Ctime (♂ κ = 0. 393, P < 0. 05), Oentries (♂ κ = 0. 308, P< 0. 05; ♂ + ♀ κ = 0. 256, P < 0. 05), Centries ( ♂ κ =0. 427, P < 0. 01; ♂ + ♀ κ = 0. 238, P < 0. 05), Entries (♂κ = 0. 469, P < 0. 01) displayed a significant but poor reliability between the test-retest trials. Conclusions The parameters Otime% and Entries for Kunming mice in EZM are stable over time, and indicate an acceptable reliability with a one-week in-ter-trial interval. Meanwhile, more attention should be paid not to repeated measure effect, but to the sex effect (Male animals recommended to EZM, especially).

Objective To explore the test-retest reliability of elevated plus maze (EPM) which is taken as an animal model of state anxiety in Kunming mice.Methods The behavior of adult,male and female,Kunming mice in EPM was recorded twice with one-week inter-trial interval for lasting five minutes.The following parameters were evaluated:percentage of time on EPM open arms (Otime％),percentage of time on EPM closed arms (Ctime％),time on EPM open arms (Otime),time on EPM closed arms (Ctime),percentage of entries into EPM open arms (Oentries％),entries into EPM open arms (Oentries),entries into EPM closed arms (Centries),total entries into EPM open and closed arms (Entries).Subsequently,the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the kappa agreement index (κ) were calculated for these parameters.Results ICC for Otime％ (♂ ICC=0.506,P＜0.05;♀ ICC=0.456,P＜0.05;♂ + ♀ ICC=0.492,P ＜0.01),Oentries (♂ ICC=0.673,P＜0.01;♀ ICC=0.648,P＜0.01;♂ + ♀ ICC=0.665,P＜0.01),Centries (♂ ICC=0.704,P＜0.01;♀ ICC=0.661,P＜0.01;♂ + ♀ ICC=0.686,P＜0.01),Entries (5 ICC=0.701,P＜0.01;♀ ICC=0.661,P＜0.01;5 + ♀ ICC=0.685,P＜0.01) showed a fair test-retest reliability,respectively.Only κ for Entries (♂ κ=0.253,P＜0.05;♀ κ=0.339,P＜0.05;♂ + ♀ κ=0.298,P＜0.01)displayed a significant but poor reliability between the test-retest trials.Conclusion The Otime％ Entries parameters as an acceptable index for Kunming mice in EPM can be used for exploratory and locomotion activity.Sex and repeated measurement have different effects on the Otime％ and Entries parameters,especially the more on the former.Therefore,Otime％ and Entries can be considered when EPM as an animal model of state anxiety in Kunming mice;meanwhile,more attention should be paid to both the sex (male animals recommended to EPM,especially) and repeated measurement effects.

Objective To explore the test-retest reliability and correlations of the light-dark box (LDB).MethodsThe behavior of mice in LDB was recorded twice, for five minutes,with a one-week inter-trial interval.Following parameters were evaluated:latency time for the first entry into the dark area (Latence); percentage of time exploring in the light area ( Ltime％ ); percentage of squares crossing in the light area ( Lcross％ ); total number of squares crossing ( Cross ); percentage of rears in the light area ( Lrear％ ); total number of rears (Rear); total score (Total); transitions between two areas (Transition); and number of fecal boli (Fbi). Subsequently,the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the Kappa agreement coefficient (Kappa) and the Pearson correlation coefficient (Pearson) were calculated for these parameters. Results ①ICC for Lrear％ ( ICC =0.5207, P＜0.01 ) showed a fair reliability. ②Kappa for all parameters indicated a poor reliability. ③Pearson displayed weak negative correlations between Transition and Ltime％ ( Pearson = - 0.4030, P ＜ 0.05; Pearson =- 0. 1490, P＞ 0. 05 ), Lcross％ ( Pearson = - 0. 4331, P ＞ 0. 05; Pearson = - 0.1893, P ＞ 0.05 ), Lrear％ ( Pearson = - 0. 4485, P ＜ 0. 05; Pearson = 0. 02845, P ＞ 0. 05 ), however, fair positive correlations between Transition and Cross (Pearson =0. 8603, P＜0.01; Pearson =0.6341, P＜0. 01 ) ,Rear(Pearson =0.4271, P＞0. 05;Pearson = 0. 7245, P ＜ 0. 001 ). Conclusion Rear is found to be stable over time, and indicated a fair reliability.There is a weak negative correlation between Transition and Ltime％, Lcross％, Lrear％, but fair positive correlations between Transition and Cross, Rear.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of total glucosides of peony (TGP) as adjuvant therapy for prevention of cardiac allograft rejection in rats. METHODS: Rats with cardiac allograft were randomly divided into control group, tacrolimus-treated group, TGP-treated group and tacrolimus plus TGP-treated group. Graft survival time was observed. Allografts in some cases were examined by histological study seven days after transplantation. At the same time, the levels of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell subsets in peripheral blood were examined by using flow cytometry; the hepatic function and renal function of recipients were also tested. RESULTS: The graft survival time of the tacrolimus-treated group and tacrolimus plus TGP-treated group was (11.14+/-1.57) d and (13.57+/-1.99) d, respectively. The graft survival time of the tacrolimus plus TGP-treated group was longer than that of the tacrolimus-treated group (P<0.05). The histological study showed that the rejection of the tacrolimus plus TGP-treated group was slighter than that of the tacrolimus-treated group. The levels of CD4(+) T cell subset in the peripheral blood of the tacrolimus-treated and tacrolimus plus TGP-treated groups were (38.71+/-5.15)% and (32.43+/-4.39)% respectively 7 days after transplantation. The level of CD4(+) T cell subset in the tacrolimus plus TGP-treated group was lower than that in the tacrolimus-treated group (P<0.05). The level of CD8(+) T cell subset and the hepatic and renal function had no significant differences between the tacrolimus-treated group and the tacrolimus plus TGP-treated group. CONCLUSION: Effects of tacrolimus plus TGP in prevention of rejection are better than tacrolimus monotherapy in rats with cardiac allograft and without increasing side effects.

OBJECTIVE:To work out the optimal inventory levels in zero inventory management mode through model predic-tion and control strategy,by using the inventory upper & lower limits settings generally available in the information management system of health care institutions. METHODS:Multi-varieties joint ordering modelwas constructed by referring to operations management,time series analysis and quantitative approach to decision-making,that is,to make a prediction of upper&lower lim-its on medicine inventory based on historical data and applicable mathematical models(fixed order interval model and re-order mod-el,i.e. FOI and ROP),and compared with real results;based on above,specific medicine procurement and inventory control strat-egies would be developed and an evaluation of the application effects would be made. RESULTS:The error test and reproducibility test exhibited that the out-of-stock ratio remained under 3.36%,of which 71.24% could be effectively alarmed;under computer simulation and practical operation,the instant replenishment rate reduced by 9.33% and 13.03%,OOS ratio down by 11.11% and 27.45%,and average daily inventory turnover rate up by 30.19% and 15.85% respectively,all showing remarkable improvements compared to before the implementation of the mode. CONCLUSIONS:This model is of favorable accuracy and operability,there-fore it can lay foundation for rational and well-founded decisions in medicine procurement and inventory control in zero inventory management mode.

ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between open field test(OFT) and light-dark box (LDB),as two animal models of state anxiety in Kunming mice.MethodsThe behavior of adult,male,Kunming mice in OFT and LDB was recorded by sequence,for five minutes,with a one-week inter-trial interval.The following parameters were evaluated:percentage of time exploring in the OFT central area( OFT-Ctime％ ) ; percentage of squares crossing in the OFT central area( OFT-Ccross％ ) ; total number of squares crossing in OFT(OFT-Cross) ;total number of rears in the OFT(OFT-Rear) ; number of fecal boli in OFT(OFT-FB) ; percentage of time exploring in the LDB light area( LDB-Ltime％ ) ; percentage of squares crossing in the LDB light area( LDB-Lcross％ ) ;and percentage of rears in the LDB light area( LDB-Lrear％ ) ; transitions between two areas in LDB( LDB-Transition) ; total number of squares crossing in LDB(LDB-Croas) ; total number of rears in LDB(LDB-Rear) ; number of fecal boli in LDB (LDB-FB).Subsequently,factor analysis,cluster analysis and correlation analysis were calculated for these parameters.ResultsFactor analysis and cluster analysis of variances from either OFT or LDB revealed a three behavioral dimensions:anxiety factor ( loaded by OFT-Ctime％,OFT-Ccross％ or LDB-Ltime％,LDB-Lcross％,LDB-Lrear％ ),activity factor ( loaded by OFT-Cross,OFT-Rear or LDB-Transition,LDB-Cross,LDB-Rear) and emotionality factor(loaded by OFT-FB or LDB-FB).While all the variances from both OFT and LDB in combination were analyzed,it could be seen as five components:' LDB-anxiety factor ( loaded by LDBLtime％,LDB-Lcross％ and LDB-Lrear％ ),' OFT-anxiety factor ( loaded by OFT-Ctime％ and OFT-Ccross％ ),'LDB-activity factor (loaded by LDB-Transition,LDB-Cross and LDB-Rear),'OFT-LDB-emotionality factor( loaded by OFT-FB and LDB-FB) and 'OFT-activity factor (loaded by OFT-Cross and OFT-Rear).Good correlation were found between OFT/LDB factors alone and in combination,such as OFT-emotionality factor and LDB-emotionality factor(Pearson =0.383,P＜0.05),LDB-anxiety factor and 'LDB-anxiety factor( Pearson =0.989,P＜0.01 ),OFT-anxiety factor and 'OFT-anxiety factor( Pearson =0.934,P ＜ 0.01 ),LDB-activity factor and 'LDB-activity factor ( Pearson =0.956,P ＜ 0.01 ),OFT/LDB-emotionality factor and ' OFT-LDB-emotionality factor ( Pearson =0.835,P＜0.01 ;Pearson =0.696,P＜0.01 ),OFT-activity factor and 'OFF-activity factor( Pearson =0.926,P＜0.01 ).ConclusionEither OFT or LDB comprised three behavioral dimensions:anxiety factor,activity factor and emotionality factor; however,it was difficult to establish face validity as a point-to-point concordance between OFT and LDB.Attention should be paid to heterogeneity of animal models when OFT and LDB were in combination as a behavionomics to evaluate anxiolytics in Kunming mice.

Objective To investigate influence of preservation of remnant ligament on vascularization of grafts in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods Seventy-eight New Zealand rabbits were involved and both knees of the rabbits received one-stage ACL reconstruction simultaneously.One knee was reconstructed with preservation of residual fibers (remnant preservation group),and the contralateral one was treated with conventional debridement of residual fibers (remnant removal group).Blood flow of grafts was evaluated in vivo by laser doppler flow meter,expression of CD34 in vessels of grafts was measured by immunofluorescence method,growth of vessels surrounding grafts was observed with ink perfusion under stereomicroscope at 6,12,18,and 24 weeks after reconstruction.Results Laser doppler flow meter showed blood flow of grafts was significantly larger in remnant preservation group than in remnant removal group (P ＜ 0.01).Immunofluorescence testing revealed positive expression of CD34 of grafts was notably higher in remnant preservation group than in remnant removal group (P ＜ 0.05).Ink perfusion showed that the number of vessels surrounding grafts was much more in remnant preservation group than that in remnant removal group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Remnant preservation benefits the vascularization of grafts in early stage after ACL reconstruction.

Objective To explore the behavioral dimensions of the open field test ( OFF),as a method for ethology in Kunming mice.Methods The behavior of adult,male,Kunming mice in OFF was recorded twice,for five minutes,with a one-week inter-trial interval.The following parameters were evaluated by factor analysis:percentage of time exploring in the central area (Ctime％); percentage of squares crossing in the central area (Ccross％) ; total number of squares crossing in the whole apparatus(Cross) ; total number of rears in the whole apparatus(Rear) ; and number of fecal boli(FB).Results There were good intercorrelation and intracorrelation between test and retest for Ctime％,Ccross％,Cross and Rear.Ctime％ and Ccross％ had significant loadings on “Anxiety” factor ( Loading％:43.34％,48.56％ ) ; Cross and Rear loaded on “locomotor-Exploration” factor ( Loading％:27.94％,29.30％ ) ; and FB loaded on “Emotionality” factor ( Loading％:21.95％,15.93％ ).A good correlation was found between test and retest for anxiety factor and locomtor-exploration factor.Conclusion Open field test,as a method for ethology in Kunming mice,comprise three behavioral dimensions:anxiety factor,OFF-activity factor(locomotor-exploration) and emotionality factor.

Objective To explore the behavioral dimensions and validity of the light-dark box(LDB),as an model of state anxiety in Kunming mice.Methods The behavior of adult,male,Kunming mice in LDB was recorded twice,for five minutes,with a one-week inter-trial interval.The following parameters were evaluated by factor analysis:latence for the first entry into the dark area(Latence);percentage of time exploring in the light area (Ltime%);percentage of squares crossing in the light area(Lcross%);percentage of rears in the light area (Lrear%);transitions between two areas(Transition);total number of squares crossing in the whole apparatus (Cross);total number of rears in the whole apparatus(Rear);and number of fecal boli(FB).Results There was a good intercorrelation both among Ltime%,Lcross%,Lrear%,and among Transition,Cross,Rear.A good correlation also was found between test and retest for Transition,Rear and FB.Ltime%,Lcress%and Lrear%had significant loadings on Anxiety factor(Loading%:39.54%,35.40%);Transition loaded on Locomotor factor(Loading%:23.78%,19.66%),combined with Cross;Rear loaded on Exploration factor(Loading%:13.75%,22.60%);and FB loaded on Emotionality factor(Loading%:14.42%,13.02%);Latence was not stable.Conclusion Light-dark box,as an animal model of state anxiety in Kunming mice,comprised three behavioral dimensions:anxiety factor,LDB-activity factor(locomotor factor and exploration factor)and emotionality factor.

Objective To explore the test-retest reliability of the open field test,as a method for ethology in Kunming mice. Methods The behavior of adult male Kunming mice in the open field test was recorded twice,once for five minutes, with a one-week inter-trial interval. The following parameters were evaluated:number of central squares; number of peripheral squares; percent of central squares; number of horizontal squares; number of rearings; total score; and number of fecal boli. Subsequently,the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the agreement index (Kappa) were calculated for each of these parameters. Results Both ICC and Kappa for total score( ICC =0.902, P＜0.01; Kappa =0.680, P＜0.01; r=0.815, P＜0.01 ) showed a good reliability and correlation between the test trials. Only ICC for number of central squares ( ICC = 0. 578, P ＜ 0.01 ), number of peripheral squares( ICC =0.615, P＜0.01 ) ,percent of central squares(ICC=0.523, P＜0.01) ,number of horizontal squares( ICC = 0. 607, P ＜ 0.01 ) and number of rearings ( ICC = 0. 606, P ＜ 0.01 ) indicated a fair reliability between the test trials. Neither ICC nor Kappa for number of fecal boli displayed a significant reliability between the test trials. The difference of these parameters between test and retest, such as number of peripheral squares( t =3.01, P＜0.01 ),number of horizontal squares( t = 3.34, P ＜ 0.01 ) and total score( t = 7.86, P ＜ 0.01 ) were significant. Conclusion The parameter,total score for Kunming mice in the open field test,is found to be stable over time, and indicates a good reliability with a one-week inter-trial interval.