Objective To explore the electrophysiological properties and the disparity of visual cortical neurons in developing rats. Methods Whole cell patch clamp recording and intracellular labeling of brain slices were performed on rats at postnatal 14 and 28 days. The electrophysiological data were analyzed according to the cellular input resistance and resting membrane potential. Results When the input impedance of visual cortical neurons(IR) was lower, increased peak value of postsynaptic currents(PSCs), prolonged rise and decay time were found. At postnatal 14th day(before eyes opened), the intermediate cells and mature cells were 59.2% and 14.9% respectively, but at postnatal 28th day(14 days after eyes opened), the mature cells and immature cells were 62.5% and 12.5% respectively. Conclusion During the period of postnatal development, the visual cortical neurons become mature gradually, but maturation is not completely correlated with age.

Objective To investigate the effect of diuretics combined with the new class volume-removing drugs nesiritide and tolvaptan on refractory heart failure (RHF).Methods We collected 78 patients with RHF from cardiovascular ICU in our hos-pital,and patients were divided into combined volume-removing drugs treatment group (CVR group)and traditional diuretics com-bined with inotropic treatment group (control group).We observed the differences in the heart failure symptoms control rate and the average hospitalization days between the two groups.The difference in average urine volume and weight loss during hospitaliza-tion was observed.Results The heart failure symptoms were controlled and successful discharge in 89.7% of patients in CVR group,which was better than that in control group(71.8%).The corresponding rates of death or abandonment was decreased sig-nificantly in CVR group,and the average number of hospitalization days in CVR group was significantly shorter than that in control group(P <0.05).Meanwhile,the average daily urine volume and the weight loss decreased significantly in CVR group than those in control group(P <0.05).Conclusion The therapy strategy of combined volume-removing drugs can significantly improve the vol-ume removing and control rate of heart failure symptoms.

Objective To investigate the prevalence, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and the influence on procreation of uterine malformation. Methods Totally 225 women with uterine malformation referred to our hospital from Mar 1990 to Jan 2005 were involved in this retrospective analysis.The constituent ratio, clinical feature, diagnosis, treatment and the influence on procreation were analyzed.Results (1) Among 225 cases of uterine malformation, 125 cases (55.6%) were septate uterus; 122(97.6%, 122/125 ) of these patients became pregnant, but always associated with a high risk of reproductive failure and obstetrical complications, such as abortion, abnormal fetal presentation, premature rupture of membrane. (2) Among 51 cases (22. 2%, 51/225 ) of didelphia, 50 cases (98%, 50/51 )became pregnant without any influence from this malformation. Five cases were combined with urinary system complication. (3) Among 26 cases (9.7%, 26/225 ) of rudimentary horn of uterus, 4 cases (15%, 4/26)became pregnant, and 1 case (4%, 1/26) presented with ipsilateral oviduct ectopic pregnancy; 2 cases (8%, 2/26) were combined with urinary deformities. (4) In 14 cases (6. 2%, 14/225) of bicornuate uterus, 1 case (7%, 1/14) presented with urinary tract abnormalities; gestations were more common, but due to the uterine structural abnormality, recurrent miscarriage and premature delivery were unavoidable.(5) Others: none came up with sterility in 4 cases (1. 8%, 4/225) of saddle shaped uterus. All the three cases ( 1.3% , 3/225) of ametria were with the chief complaint of primary amenorrhea. Two cases of unicornis uterus (0.9%, 2/225) were both complicated with sterility, while neither with urinary system deformities. Conclusions Among uterine malformations, septate uterine is the most common type. Septate uterus, didelphic uterus, bicornuate and rudimentary horn of uterus do not affect pregnancy, but can cause different complications. Unicornis uterus always causes sterility. Uterus malformations often come up with urinary system deformities.

Objective To investigate the factors that induce constipation in bedridden patients undergoing replantation of severed finger and find countermeasures. Methods A retrospective investigation was carried out in 92 patients undergoing replantation of severed finger, their constipation and factors influencing constipation were recorded. Results 61 patients suffered from constipation in total 92 cases,the rate being 66.30%. 76 patients reduced food intake, and 59 cases presented constipation (the rate being 77.63%). Factors influencing constipation included being unaccustomed to defecate in bed (the rate that present with constipation being 87.09%),reluctant to trouble others(75.47%), side effects of drugs(55.56%) and lack of dietary knowledge (71.87%), decreasing food intake was closely bound up with constipation. Conclusions Proper psychological counseling, strengthening of health propaganda, comfortable facility for defecation, improved family support and oral food intake can significantly reduce the proportion of constipation and increase comfort degree of patients.

AIM To investigate the effects of Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets (Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Angelicae sinensis Radix and Scutellariae Radix) on the learning and memory function in SAMP8 mice,and improvements in cognitive function.METHODS Morris water maze was used to evaluate the change of cognitive function in SAMP8 mice after they were treated with Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets for 60 d,and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD),the concentration of protein carbonyls (PC),the ratio of NAD +/NADH in brain tissue were detected by ELISA,the expression of Nampt,SIRT1 and FOXO3 in hippocampus were measured with immunohistochemical methods.RESULTS Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets shortened escape latency and obviously increased percentage of time in target quadrant in hidden platform test and increased the times entering the target quadrant in spatial probe test in SAMP8 mice.It evidently enhanced the activity of SOD,the ratio of NAD +/NADH and distinctly decreased the protein carbonyls level.Moreover,Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets could markedly up-regulate the expression of Nampt and SIRT1,but evidently down-regulate FOXO3 protein expression.CONCLUSION The experimental data show that Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets can enhance the cognitive function of SAMP8 through regulating Nampt/SIRT1/FOXO3 signal pathway.

BACKGROUND:Studies have confirmed that the surface treatment methods such as silane coupling agent and sand blasting could improve bonding strength of zirconia ceramics and resin binder. In addition, the increase of micro cracks on the surface of zirconia ceramics can also improve the bonding strength of zirconia ceramics and resin binder. But there is a lack of related studies addressing whether repeatedly sintering would have an impact on shear bond strength of zirconia ceramics.
OBJECTIVE:To determine the effect of decorative porcelain temperature firing on the shear bond strength between dental zirconia ceramics and resin binder.
METHODS:Twenty pieces of zirconia ceramics specimens were selected from 40 tablets, and then randomly divided into five groups according to the number of sintered times:control group (without sintering), sintering groups for 2, 4, 6, 8 times. Heat starting temperature was 500 ℃, and final temperature was 1 000 ℃ with a heating rate of 55 ℃/min. The vacuum time was 7 minutes. During the sintering, the final temperature was constant. Unsintered ceramic pieces were bonded using resin binder. Universal testing machine was used to test the shear strength of the interface between the two pieces of zirconia ceramics. The interface after shearing was characterized by scanning electron microscope.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The shear strength of sintering groups for 4, 6, 8 times was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Shear strength of specimens sintered twice was slightly higher than that of specimens without sintering, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Shear strength of specimens sintered 8 times was slightly higher than that sintered 4 and 6 times (P<0.05). Under the scanning electron microscope, there was no crack on the surface of non-sintered zirconia ceramics. After 2 times sintering, the surface appeared to have fine cracks. After sintering 4 times, visible cracks were increased. After six rounds of sintering, the surface began to have significant changes;cracks rose along with slight gaps and a smal amount of adhesive residues were found. After sintering for 8 times, cracks and voids were obviously increased on the sintered surface and adhesive residues were found. It indicated that after sintering for 4, 6 and 8 times, zirconia ceramics could have a good shear strength binding to resin adhesives;with the increasing of sintering times, the shear bond strength could be increased.

9α-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione (9-OH-AD) is an important intermediate in the steroidal drugs production. 3-ketosteroid-9α-hydroxylase (KSH), a two protein system of KshA and KshB, is a key-enzyme in the microbial steroid ring B-opening pathway. KSH catalyzes the transformation of 4-androstene-3,17-dione (AD) into 9-OH-AD specifically. In the present study, the putative KshA and KshB genes were cloned from Mycobacterium smegmatis mc(2)155 and Gordonia neofelifaecis NRRL B-59395 respectively, and were inserted into the expression vector pNIT, the co-expression plasmids of kshA-kshB were obtained and electroporated into Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805 cells. The recombinants were used to transform steroids, the main product was characterized as 9α-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione (9-OH-AD), showing that kshA and kshB were expressed successfully. Different from the original strain Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805 that accumulates 4-androstene-3,17-dione, the recombinants accumulates 9α-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione as the main product. This results indicates that the putative genes kshA, kshB encode active KshA and KshB, respectively. The process of biotransformation was investigated and the results show that phytosterol is the most suitable substrate for biotransformation, kshA and kshB from M. smegmatis mc(2)155 seemed to exhibit high activity, because the resultant recombinant of them catalyzed the biotransformation of phytosterol to 9-OH-AD in a percent conversion of 90%, which was much higher than that of G. neofelifaecis NRRL B-59395. This study on the manipulation of the ksh genes in Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805 provides a new pathway for producing steroid medicines.
Androstenedione ; analogs & derivatives ; biosynthesis ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biotransformation ; Ketosteroids ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mycobacterium ; metabolism ; Mycobacterium smegmatis ; enzymology ; Plasmids

Objective To investigate the chemokine 12 (CXCL12) and chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) expressions in hypopharyngeal carcinoma and its place in the disease development,invasion and metastasis of significance.Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in 35 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer tissues and in 28 cases of tumor-adjacent non-tumor tissues.Results The expressions of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the hypopharynx carcinomas were significantly higher (P ＜ 0.05).Both expressed in hypopharyngeal carcinomas was significantly positively correlated (P ＜ 0.01).Both hypopharynx cancer in lymph node metastasis group were significantly higher than the expression of cervical lymph node metastasis group,the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions CXCL12 and CXCR4 are involved in hypopharynx cancer development,invasion and metastasis,and there is a positive feedback regulation mechanism between two factors.Moreover,CXCL12 and CXCR4 have synergistic effect in development,invasion and metastasis of hypopharynx cancers.

Eight patients with suspected cases of C .jejuni were etiologically diagnosed and analyzed in this study to pro-vide scientific basis for the confirmation of the cases of human campylobacteriosis in Guizhou Province ,China .Blood or feces of 8 suspected patients were employed to isolate bacteria strains .Conventional and multi-PCR techniques were applied to identify suspicious bacteria strains .The C .jejuni strains were analyzed by using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) .Suspicious strains of C .jejuni were isolated from all the 8 suspected patients of campylobacteriosis and anticipated genes fragment were detected with multi-PCR .With the digestion of restriction enzyme SmaI ,the 8 C .jejuni strains were divided into 7 PFGE pat-terns with 7-10 DNA bands .Cluster analysis showed that the gross similarity of 8 strains of C . jejuni was more than 50% . The similarity of PFGE patterns between strain GZ201004 and GZ201005 from diarrhea patients was as high as 100% ,while the similarity of strain GZ201201 and GZ201007 was 66 .7% .Moreover ,C . jejuni were detected from all the suspected pa-tients of campylobacteriosis .PFGE results indicated that strains GZ201004 and GZ201005 were from the same source ,while all the 8 isolates showed PFGE polymorphism .

Objective To assess the variations in different thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) detection kits for evaluating thyroid function during pregnancy and to establish the corresponding normal reference ranges.Methods This study was based at the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.A total of 200 pregnant women who visited the hospital between June,2011 and September,2012 were recruited in this study according to the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) criteria.Blood samples were sequentially collected from the women at the first (T1,9-12 weeks),second (T2,16-24 weeks) and third (T3,32-36 weeks) trimesters to determine the serum TSH and FT4 levels using four different detection kits (Siemens-C,Siemens-Ⅰ,Abott and Roche).A linear trend test was used to analyze serum TSH and FT4 levels with four different kits.A percentile range of P2.5 to P97.5 was used to establish the normal trimester-dependent reference ranges of TSH and FT4 levels for different detection kits.The Bootstrap method was used to compare the differences in the four reference ranges.Results Similar dynamic changes in TSH and FT4 levels during pregnancy were detected among the different kits (F=0.950,P=0.595; F=11.640,P=0.081,respectively).Among the four reference ranges of TSH,the Roche kit showed the most remarkable fluctuation during pregnancy,while Roche kit in the first trimester and Siemens C kit in the second and third trimesters showed larger fluctuations in reference ranges of FT4.More importantly,the reference ranges of TSH and FT4 showed significant variations among the four different kits in each trimester (TSH:T1:F=2 945.390,P ＜ 0.01; T2:F=2 826.260,P ＜ 0.01; T3:F=1 698.360,P ＜ 0.01.FT4:Tl:F=1 145.440,P ＜ 0.01; T2:F=2 260.240,P ＜ 0.01; T3:F=1 439.920,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions TSH and FT4 measurement using four different commercial kits showed similar trimester-dependent dynamic changes.However,it is necessary to establish trimester-dependent and detection kit dependent normal reference ranges of TSH and FT4 for thyroid function evaluation for pregnant women.