AIMTo investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on histology and behavioral tests during global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in gerbils.

METHODSGlobal cerebral ischemia was induced by occluding the bilateral common carotid arteries for 10 min in gerbils. Three doses of MT were administrated intraperitoneally 30 min prior to the onset of ischemia. Locomotor activity was measured by using the open field method 3 and 7 days after the ischemic episode. T maze test was carried out 4, 5 and 6 days after ischemia to assess the working memory of gerbils. Neuronal damage was assessed in CA1 pyramidal layer of gerbil hippocampus and evaluated 7 days after ischemia.

RESULTSMT significantly reversed the locomotor activity increases, ameliorated learning and working memory deficit, and reduced the extent of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells injury after transient global cerebral ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil.

CONCLUSIONMT provides significantly protective effect against both histological and behavioral consequences of global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in gerbils.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Female ; Gerbillinae ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Memory ; drug effects ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Neurons ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of three kinds of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchor proteins (GPI-AP), the CD(55), CD(59) and CD(87) on the peripheral granulocytes and the soluble u-PAR (su-PAR) level in serum from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), aplastic anemia (AA), and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and to analyse their clinical implications.

METHODSTwenty-two PNH patients, including 4 complicated with thrombotic diseases and 5 with AA-PNH syndrome, 30 AA patients, including 9 being severe AA (SAA) and 11 chronic AA (CAA), 27 MDS-RA patients, and 20 healthy individuals were tested. The expressions of CD(55), CD(59) and CD(87) on peripheral granulocytes were analyzed with flow cytometry. Serum su-PAR was assayed by ELISA.

RESULTSThe CD(55)(+), CD(59)(+) and CD(87)(+) granulocytes in peripheral blood of 20 normal controls were all more than 90%. The expressions of three kinds of GPI-APs in 22 PNH patients were significantly decreased as compared with that in normal controls, AA patients and MDS-RA patients. The serum level of su-PAR in PNH group was higher than that of the other three groups. The expression of CD(87) was significantly decreased in thrombotic PNH patients as compared with that in non-thrombotic PNH patients. The expression of CD(87) was significantly decreased in AA patients than in normal controls. The expressions of three kinds of GPI-APs in 5 AA-PNH syndrome patients were remarkably reduced as compared with AA patients, but no significant difference was found for these indexes between AA-PNH syndrome and PNH patients and between 27 MDS-RA patients and 20 normal controls.

CONCLUSIONMeasurement of CD(55), CD(59) and CD(87) expressions levels on the peripheral granulocytes and su-PAR in serum would be alternative approaches for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PNH. Serum level of su-PAR may be helpful to monitor thrombosis in PNH patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Anemia, Aplastic ; blood ; CD55 Antigens ; blood ; CD59 Antigens ; blood ; Female ; Glycosylphosphatidylinositols ; blood ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; blood ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; blood ; Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator

OBJECTIVETo compare the properties of water-absorption, water-locking, and air permeability among several foam dressings, and to provide references for clinician in choosing dressings for different types of wounds.

METHODSThe comparison was made among Allevyn foam dressing, Mepilex foam dressing, and Biatain foam dressing that were commonly used in clinic. NaCl and CaCl2·H2O respectively in the weight of 8.3 g and 0.367 g were diluted with distilled water to the volume of 1 L to simulate wound exudation. The simulated wound exudation was used to test the water-absorbing rate of dressings at post immersion hour (PIH) 24, water-absorbing speed of dressings at post immersion minute (PIM) 1, 5, 10, and 20, the diffusion diameter of exudation dripped on the surface of dressings for 5 min to reflect the water-locking capacity of dressings, and the water evaporation capacity of exudation after being sealed up by dressings for 24 h to reflect the air permeability of dressings. Five samples of each dressing were used for each index. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and analysis of variance of repeated measurement, and LSD method was applied in paired comparison.

RESULTS(1) The water-absorbing rate at PIH 24 of Allevyn foam dressing, Mepilex foam dressing, and Biatain foam dressing were respectively (646 ± 18)%, (616 ± 19)%, and (499 ± 11)% (F = 423.854, P < 0.01). The differences between each two dressings in water-absorbing rate were statistically significant (with P values all below 0.01). (2) The water-absorbing speed of Allevyn foam dressing at PIM 1, 5, 10, and 20 were (35.20 ± 2.31), (12.48 ± 0.37), (6.63 ± 0.23), and (3.39 ± 0.08) g×s(-1)×m(-2), which were obviously lower than those of Mepilex foam dressing [(119.68 ± 2.59), (24.39 ± 0.62), (12.33 ± 0.29), and (6.18 ± 0.13) g×s(-1)×m(-2)] and Biatain foam dressing [(121.09 ± 3.41), (24.73 ± 0.52), (12.37 ± 0.25), (6.18 ± 0.13) g×s(-1)×m(-2)], with P values all below 0.01. The water-absorbing speed of each dressing showed the trend of declination among three dressings with prolongation of time. The differences between two adjacent time points within each dressing in water-absorbing speed were statistically significant (with P values below 0.01). (3) Diffusion diameters of exudation dripped on the surface of Allevyn foam dressing, Mepilex foam dressing, and Biatain foam dressing were respectively (5.66 ± 0.15), (4.84 ± 0.15), (3.94 ± 0.21) cm (F = 124.742, P < 0.01). The differences between each two of the three dressings in diffusion diameter were statistically significant (with P values all below 0.01). (4) The water evaporation capacity of exudation after being sealed up by each dressing for 24 h decreased in succession for Allevyn foam dressing, Mepilex foam dressing, and Biatain foam dressing, which were respectively (31.2 ± 3.1), (29.7 ± 8.7), (5.6 ± 2.8) g×h(-1)×m(-2) (F = 24.324, P < 0.01). The water evaporation capacity of exudation sealed with Biatain foam dressing was significantly lower than that of exudation sealed with Allevyn foam dressing and Mepilex foam dressing (with P values below 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAmong the three kinds of foam dressings, Allevyn performs best in water-absorbing rate, water-locking capacity, and air permeability, while Mepilex and Biatain perform best in water-absorbing speed. For selecting foam dressing in clinic, the properties of foam dressings and wound characteristics should be considered at the same time.

Absorption ; Materials Testing ; Occlusive Dressings ; Permeability ; Water

OBJECTIVETo compare the morphological difference between dermal tissue of normal skin and that of scar in rat, and to explore its structural pattern.

METHODSThe full-thickness skin and the scar tissue formed 3 weeks after wound healing from SD rats were harvested as samples, which were prepared appropriately afterwards. Samples were scanned and imaged with synchrotron radiation technology, micro-CT, and phase-contrast imaging technology. The images were rebuilt with three-dimensional software.

RESULTSThe micro-CT was materialized by using X-ray generated by synchrotron radiation light source. The structure of dermal tissues was clearly shown with the assistance of phase-contrast imaging technology in the process. It was demonstrated that the dermal tissues of normal skin of rat were mainly composed of collagenous fibers, which twined together to form an olive-like structure. These olive-like structures as basic units were arranged randomly in a certain way. The collagenous fibers in dermal tissue of the scar were arranged in a parallel manner, while some fibers were crooked and arranged in a disorderly manner.

CONCLUSIONSDermal tissue of normal skin in rat has stable three-dimensional structure, and its basic structure and manner of composition are obviously different from those of scar dermal tissue.

Animals ; Cicatrix ; diagnostic imaging ; Dermis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; diagnostic imaging ; Synchrotrons ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination therapy with surgery and recombinant adenovirus-p53 injection of recurrent malignant gliomas.

METHODS38 patients with recurrent malignant gliomas were included in this study. Among them, 18 patients of combined treatment group had Ommaya reservoirs placed into the tumor cavities after the resection of the tumors and received regular recombinant adenovirus-p53 injections after the operation. The other 20 patients received surgery alone.

RESULTSThe 6-month and 1-year survival rates after the combination therapy were 66.7% (14/18) and 44.4% (8/18), respectively. The median survival time was 9.7 months. Compared with the surgery-alone group, the combined treatment group achieved significant improvement (P < 0.05). The Karnofsky score was significantly improved at 6 months after the combination therapy compared with that before the treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus-p53 injection is safe and effective in treatment of recurrent malignant gliomas. The combination therapy of surgery and recombinant adenovirus-p53 injection may improve the life quality and the prognosis in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genes, p53 ; Genetic Therapy ; Glioma ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; therapeutic use

The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemic condition of water-related diseases in the eastern route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP).All data were extracted from published literatures in Chinese about water-related diseases in the eastern route of SNWDP.Pooled analysis was used to explore geographical distribution and epidemiology of the disease.A total of 325 articles about water-related diseases were retrieved during 1953 to 2013,and 209 articles were included in this study.Pooling analysis showed that Shandong Province had the largest number of cases for water-related diseases,following by Jiangsu,Hebei,Tianjin,and Anhui.The numbers of cases were relative small before 1960s according to epidemic curve,and the curve peaked in the 1970s,and decreased after the 1980s.A total of 1 383 834 cases of bacillary dysentery was reported,accounting for 84％ of all water-related diseases on these regions of SNWDP,and followed by hepatitis A,hepatitis E,Japanese encephalitis,typhoid and paratyphoid fever and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.Other reported diseases displayed scatter condition and a small numbers of cases.The prevalence of water-related diseases is sporadic and a trend of decline along the regions of the eastern route of SNWDP.

Objective To investigate the effects of flurbiprofen axetil on percentage of each band power of quantitative pharmaco -electroence-hphalography ( QPEEG ) in rabbits.Methods Twenty -four healthy rabbits were randomly divided into four groups ( n =6 ): 0.9%NaCl 1 mL· kg -1 group, flurbiprofen axetil 5, 10, and 20 mg · kg -1 groups.The QPEEG and power spectral analysis were adopted to analyze the changes of brain electrical activities before and after the intravenous in-jection of flurbiprofen axetil.Results Compared with the baseline , the percentages of each encephalic region and band power had no significant differences in these four groups ( P>0.05 ).Conclusion Flurbiprofen axetil has no obvious effect on percentage of each band power of quantita-tive pharmaco-electroencephalography in rabbits , suggesting that its site of action is not in the cerebral cortex.It is quite different from the opioid analgesics.

Objeetive The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic vatue of the postprocedurat neutrophil count in patients with first acute ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)treated with successful primary Dercutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Metllods A total of 226 consecutive STEMI patients underwent 8uccessful primary PCI were enrolled.Electrocardiograms were recorded before PCI and 2 houm after PCI.Neutmphil counts were measured within 12 hours after PCI.All patients were followed up for 2 years.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictive values of postprocedural neutrophil for ST-segment resolution(STR)after PCI and for death,non-fatal myocardial infarction and heart failure at 30 days and 2 years post PCI.Time-to-event analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier survivat curves in patients with various ranges of postprocedural neutrophil counts.ResultsPostprocedurat neutrophil count ranged from 2.83×109/L to 18.74 x 109/L,first quartile,median and fourth quartile were 5.66×109/L,7.38×109/L and 9.34×109/L respectively.Muhivariable logistic analysis showed that when postprocedural neutrophil count increased 1×109/L,the risk of non-STR increased 2.28 fold(OR:2.28,P=0.009),the risk of death(OR:1.63,P=0.010)and heart failure (OR:1.16.P=0.035)at 30 days increased 1.63 and 1.16 folds respectively,and the risk of death(OR:1.29,P=0.003)and heart failure(OR:1.20,P=0.007)at 2 years increased 1.29 and 1.20 folds respectively,but the risk of non-fatal myocardial infaretion was not affected by postprocedural neutrophil count.Furthermore,the patients with postproeedural neutrophil count≥9.34×109/L had significant lower 30-day(89.1%vs.99.1%vs.98.2%,P=0.010)and 2-year(82.4%vs.96.1%vs.96.3%,P=0.003)SUrvival rates compared with the patients with postprocedural neutrophil count from 5.66×109/L to 9.33×109/L and the patients with postprocedural neutrophil count＜5.66×109/L(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Postprocedural neutrophil count is an independent predictor of short-and long-term death and heart failure in first acute STEMI patients treated with successful primary PCI.

Based on the field investigations in 91 investigation sites (counties) in southwest China between 2001 and 2019, the present paper reported the chigger mites on A. agrarius mice in southwest China for the first time by using a series of statistical methods. From 715 striped field mice captured in 28 of 91 investigated sites, only 255 chiggers were collected, and they were identified as 14 species, 6 genera in 3 subfamilies under 2 families. Of 715 A. agrarius mice, only 24 of them were infested with chigger mites with low overall prevalence (PM=3.4%), overall mean abundance (MA=0.36 mites/host) and overall mean intensity (MI=10.63 mites/host). The species diversity and infestation of chiggers on A. agrarius were much lower than those previously reported on some other rodents in southwest China. On a certain species of rodent, A. agrarius mouse in southwest China seems to have a very low susceptibility to chigger infestations than in other geographical regions. Of 14 chigger species, there were 3 dominant species, Leptotrombidium sialkotense, L. rupestre and Schoengastiella novoconfuciana, which were of aggregated distribution among different individuals of A. agrarius hosts. L. sialkotense, one of 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China, was the first dominant on A. agrarius. The species similarity of chigger mites on male and female hosts was low with CSS=0.25, and this reflects the sex-bias of different genders of A. agrarius mice in harboring different chigger species.

OBJECTIVETo isolate and identify the influenza virus that caused four influenza-like-illness outbreaks in Jining city of Shandong Province in 2009 and analyze the genetic characteristics of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene, the variation of these genes were studied.

METHODS34 nasopharyngeal swabs from fever patients of four influenza-like-illness outbreaks were collected and diagnosed by real time quantitative RT-PCR method. The positive samples were incubated and cultured for virus. HA and NA genes of isolated pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus were sequenced, the homology analysis was done with DNAStar software and the genetic evolution and amino acid substitutions were performed with Mega 4.0 software. The sequences were compared with WHO recommended vaccine virus, native reference virus.

RESULTSSeventeen of 34 nasopharyngeal swabs were positive, 11 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) viruses were isolated and HA and NA genes of 7 strains were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis for hemagglutinin and neuraminidase gene of Shandong outbreak strains showed that there were 98.4% - 99.6% and 99.2% - 100.0% sequence identity. Compared with WHO-recommended vaccine strain, the reference virus in mainland China strain, eleven amino acids were changed for HA protein, including position 38, 40, 56, 90, 100, 145, 172, 173, 220, 303 and 338, and 38, 40, 303 of HA protein were located in the antigenic determination C cluster, 172, 173 in the D cluster, 56 in the E cluster, site 40 of HA protein were glycosylated. In NA protein, seven amino acids were changed, including position 80, 106, 241, 248, 351, 369 and 386, site 40 of NA protein were glycosylated. No mutations of 275 in NA protein were found.

CONCLUSIONThe HA and NA genes of the epidemic strains showed high homology, some mutations in the HA and NA proteins were found, the antigenic site and glycosylation site of some strains were changed during the epidemic process.

China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Glycosylation ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Neuraminidase ; genetics