OBJECTIVES: To explore the correlation of hypertension with postoperative cognitive dysfunction and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Twelve-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were both randomized into control group and surgical group (n=8). In the latter group, the rats received carotid artery exposure surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia to establish models of postoperative learning and memory impairment. Postoperative cognitive function changes of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests. The hippocampus of the rats were collected for determining ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and for detecting expressions of UCP2 and astrocyte markers (GFAP and NOX4) using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Serum levels of ROS, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF‑α were detected using ELISA. Nissl staining was used to examine hippocampal neuronal loss in the CA1 region. RESULTS: The SHRs exhibited exacerbated learning and memory deficits following the surgery as shown by significantly reduced performance in novel object recognition tests and context-related and tone-related fear conditioning experiments. Compared with WKY rats, the SHRs had significantly decreased mitochondrial UCP2 expression and MMP in the hippocampus, increased hippocampal ATP level, and markedly increased serum levels of ROS and inflammatory factors, showing also increased activation of hippocampal astrocytes and microglia and reduced number of neurons positive for Nissl staining. CONCLUSIONS Hypertension can exacerbate major postoperative learning and memory impairment in rats possibly as a result of UCP2-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress damage, which further leads to astrocyte overactivation and neuronal damage.
Animals ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats ; Uncoupling Protein 2 ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Hypertension/physiopathology* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Down-Regulation ; Male ; Memory Disorders/etiology* ; Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism*

Objective To analyze the risk factors of poor prognosis in patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing enterobacterales(ESBL-E)bloodstream infection,and establish a nomogram prediction model to provide help for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods A total of 235 patients with ESBL-E bloodstream infection were collected from the First People's Hospital of Jiande City.According to their prognosis,the patients were divided into survival group(n=211)and death group(n=224).The clinical data of the patients were collected,and the independent risk factors of poor prognosis were screened by multivariate Logistic regression analysis.The nomogram was established and verified.Results The mortality of ESBL-E bloodstream infection patients with shock,respiratory failure,diabetes and leukemia,ICU admission,hypoproteinemia,increased or decreased white blood cells,and thrombocytopenia was higher(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that combined shock,respiratory failure and leukemia were independent risk factors for death from ESBL-E bloodstream infection.Conclusion The nomogram prediction model of adverse prognostic risk factors in patients with ESBL-E bloodstream infection can provide help for clinicians to judge the poor prognosis in the early stage,and it is of reference significance to take early intervention measures to reduce the mortality of patients.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 13-cis retinoid acid (13-CRA) and all trans retinoid acid (ATAR) redifferentiation therapy in patients with poorly differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods A single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel controlled clinical trial was preformed. All patients were randomized into three groups. 78 cases were enrolled in each group. The patients were treated by 13-CRA in A group, by ATRA in B group, and by placebo in control group. The induced effects of retinoid acid (RA) and 131I treatment efficacies were defined as primary outcome of efficacy. Results After RA induction therapy, the effective rates in A, B, and control groups were 59.72%, 52.86% and 7.69%, respectively, with statistically significant difference among 3 groups (P<0.05). Compared with control group, A and B groups revealed significant induced efficacies (P<0.017), but there was no significant difference between A group and B group. After 131I treatment, the effective rates in A, B, and control group were 70.83%, 64.29%, and 28.21% respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the effective rates of 131I treatment in A and B groups were significantly raised (P<0.017), but there was no significant difference between A group and B group. The damage of skins and mucous membranes such as desquamation, dry skin, dry lips, dry eyes, etc occurred mostly in A group. The symptoms of nervous system such as headache, dizziness, etc occurred mostly in B group. Conclusions The induced differentiation of 13-CRA or ATRA is an effective method for the treatment of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Objective To access the effect of intermittent catheterization (IC) on the urinary tract infection in patients with spinal cord injury. Methods Sixty patients of spinal cord injury combined with urinary tract infec-tion were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group (32 patients) treated with sensitive antibiotics and IC;control group (28 patients) treated with sensitive antibiotics only. Both groups were treated for two weeks. Results In the treatment and control group,the cure rate was 56% and 29% ,respectively,the total effective rate was 91% and 64% in the treatment and control group,respectively,the clearance rate of bacteria was 81% and 57% ,respec-tively. All differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusions IC can improve the effect of antibiotic on urinary tract infection in patients with spinal cord injury, and might be effective on the treatment of urinary tract infection caused by various neurogenic bladders.

0.05). Chuansu Jiuxin Capsule could improve haemorheology (mainly act on blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and HCT), degrade platelet function (increase TXB2 level and decrease 6-keto-PGF1? level) and protect endothelia (increase ET and decrease NO level). Conclusions Chuansu Jiuxin Capsule was effective and safe for the treatment on AP patients with syndrome of blood stasis in collateral of heart.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of combination therapy with methylprednisolone (MP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on axonal remyelination and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in rats.

METHODSForty-five rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group A received MP and BDNF; group B received MP and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); and group C received CSF only. Contusion injury to adult rat spinal cord was produced at the T(10) vertebra level followed by immediate intravenous MP or CSF, and was thereafter infused intrathecally with BDNF or CSF for 6 weeks. Axonal remyelination and functional recovery was observed using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and open field locomotion.

RESULTSAn increase of 28.4% +/- 2.3% in the expression of proteolipid protein (PLP) gene, an endogenous indicator of axonal remyelination, was demonstrated in group A 24 hours after injury. Ten weeks later, there were significant decreases in hematogenous inflammatory cellular infiltration in groups A and B compared to C (P < 0.05). Concomitantly, a significant amount of axonal remyelination was observed in group A compared to groups B and C (P < 0.05). Furthermore, combination therapy using MP and BDNF in group A resulted in stimulation of hindlimb activity as well as improvement in the rate of functional recovery in open field locomotion (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCombined therapy of MP and BDNF can improve functional recovery through mechanisms that include attenuating inflammatory cellular infiltration and enhancing axonal remyelination at the injury site. Such a combination may be an effective approach for treatment of spinal cord injury.

Animals ; Axons ; physiology ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; Myelin Proteolipid Protein ; genetics ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recovery of Function ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo use infrared thermography to take cat cerebral cortical temperature in order to visualize the temperature of its entire cerebral cortex as an image.

METHODSAfter performing craniotomy for exposure of cerebral hemispheres in 52 cats, their cortical temperatures were displayed and analyzed by computerized infrared thermovision.

RESULTSThe temperature distribution of the cerebral cortex was uneven, with a maximum difference of 2.3 degrees C among different cortical areas. The temperature in the cortical anterior-inferior area (including the Ant. Ectosylvian, the lower section of Mid. Ectosylvian and the Ant. Sylvian) was higher compared to the temperature in the posterior-super-parts (Post. Suprasylvian, Mid. Suprasylvian, Post. Lateral and Ant. Lateral). Locations with higher or lower temperatures showed little change within three days after craniotomy, and the cortical temperature held steady.

CONCLUSIONThe use of cortical infrared thermo-images for display of cat cortical temperature is possible and has many advantages over traditional methods. This new neuroimaging method has a practical value in neurological research.

Animals ; Body Temperature ; Cats ; Cerebral Cortex ; physiology ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Infrared Rays ; Male ; Thermography

AIM　To investigate the effect of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on ion channels of myocytes. METHODS　L-type calcium channel and sodium channel currents were recorded in guinea pig single ventricular myocyte using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. RESULTS　4-AP, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mmol*L-1 were shown to inhibit L-type calcium channel currents (ICa,L) and sodium channel currents (INa) concentration-dependently. The percentage of inhibition were (11.6±1.7)%, (37.5±8.3)% and (54.5±6.9)% (P<0.01) respectively for ICa,L, and (22.1±14.3)% (P<0.05), (39.4±8.8)% and (62.3±6.8)% (P<0.01) respectively for INa. 4-AP 0.5 mmol*L-1 shifted the I-V curves of ICa,L and INa upwardly. CONCLUSION　4-AP blocked L-type calcium channel and sodium channels in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes concentration-dependently.