BACKGROUND:α-zearalanol, a natural phytoestrogen has the effect of anti- atherosclerosis like the estrogen but with less side effect. Therefore, it has a potential for more application in the future. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) and α-zearalanol (ZAL) on coagulation and fibrinolysis in ovariectomized rats and to compare and analyze their effects. DESIGN: An observational and controlled experiment. SETTING:Department of Pathophysiology of the Capital University of Medical Sciences and the Department of Pathophsiology of the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. MATERIALS: The experiment was completed at the Science Department of Experiment Animals from July to September 2003. Thirty-six healthy female Wistar rats aged 12-week old , weighing (250±10)g, clean grade were involved. The animals were divided into 4 groups, namely sham-operation control group, ovariectomy (OVX) group, OVX +E2 group, OVX+ZAL group with 9 rats in each group. METHODS: For the rats in the sham-operation control group, operation was performed without removing the ovary. For the rats in the OVX group,ovariectomy was performed and the rat models were made at the sterile condition. 1 mg/kg 17β-estradiol and 1mg/kg α-zearalanol were respectively injected intramuscularly into the rats in the OVX +E2 group and OVX+ZAL group 14 days after the operation, once every three days for 35days altogether. After the administration of 17β-estradiol or α-zearalanol for 5 weeks, rats were killed, and blood was collected through the common carotid artery and plasma was collected from it. The prothrombin time (PT)and the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were determined with coagulation method. The level of fibrinogen (FG) was measured with an automatic biochemistry analyzer. Tissue factor(TF)level was determined with ELISA method, the activity of tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA)and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1)were determined with chromogenic substrate assay. At the same time, the uteri were cut off and weighed by an electronic scale to work out the uteri weight/body weight (g/kg). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① PT, APTT, FG,TF, t-PA, PAI-1; ②uteri mass/body mass RESULTS: All the 36 rats entered the stage of the result analysis. ①change of PT: it was shorter in the OVX group than that in the sham-operation control group (P ＜ 0.01 ), but it was longer than that in the OVX group after supplementation of E2 and ZAL (P ＜ 0.05-0.01 ). ② Change of FG and TF: they were significantly higher than those in the sham-operation control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01 ). But, they were lower than those in the OVX group after supplementation of E2 and ZAL (P＜ 0.05-0.01 ). ③Change of tPA: It was significantly lower in the OVX group than that in the sham-operation control group [(0.33±0.33) μkat/L,(4.00±1.50) μkat/L,(q=9.43, P ＜ 0.01 )]. However, it was significantly higher than that in the OVX group after supplementation of E2 and ZAL [(1.83 ±0.67)μkat/L,(1.17±0.83) μkat/L, (q=13.50, P ＜ 0.01; q=5.00, P ＜ 0.05). ④ Change of PAI-1: It was significantly higher than that in the sham-operation control group [(2.33±0.67) μkat/L,(1.17±0.33) μkat/L,(q=10.5, P ＜ 0.01 )]. ⑤Uteri mass/body mass: It was significantly lower in the OYX +ZAL group than that in the OVX+ E2 group [0.66,1.96, (q=14.67, P ＜ 0.01)]. CONCLUSION: Both 17β-estradiol and α-zearalanol can resume the balance of coagulation-fibrinolysis of ovariectomized rats, suggesting that αzearalanol has a similar protective effect similar to that of 17β-estradiol on cardiovascular system. As α-zearalanol has less adverse effect on uteri enlarging than 17β-estradiol, it has a better prospect for substitution of estrogens as a natural phytoestrogen.

Objective:This article has summarized the second generation cognitive screening exam(NCSE) about it's subtests,methods of use,applicability,characteristics and flaws.

Objective To investigate the effect of preconditioning with emulsified isoflurane (eISO) on neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 region induced by focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Methods Forty-eight healthy adult male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 8 each): sham operation group (group S); I/R group; eISO + I/R group (group EI); LY294002 (a specific PI3K inhibitor) + eISO + I/R group (group L+ EI); LY294002 + I/R group (group L) and DMSO (solvent for LY294002) + I/R group (group DMSO). Focal cerebral I/R was induced by 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion ( MCAO). A nylon thread (0.26 mm in diameter) with rounded tip was inserted into internal carotid artery and advanced cranially until resistance was met (depth of insertion about 18-20 mm) . eISO 10.5 ml/kg (120 mg/ml) was injected intraperitoneally (IP) in groups EI and L+ EI. LY294002 (25 mmol/L) 5 pi was injected into cerebral ventricle on the ischemic side in group L + EI ( at 30 min before eISO) and group L. DMSO 5 μl was injected into the cerebral ventricle on ischemic side before MCAO in group DMSO. Neurologic deficit was assessed and scored (0 = normal, 4 = unconscious) at 24 h of reperfusion. The animals were then killed and their brains were removed for detection of neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL) and p-Akt expression (by immuno-histochemistry) in hippocampal CA1 region. Results Cerebral I/R significantly increased the neurologic deficit scores, the number of apoptotic cells and p-Akt expression in group I/R as compared with group S. Preconditioning with elSO attenuated the I/R-induced increase in neurologic deficit scores and number of apoptotic cells but further increased p-Akt expression. The neuroprotective effect of eISO preconditioning against I/R-induced changes was counteracted by LY294002. Conclusion eISO preconditioning can attenuate focal cerebral I/R-induced neuronal apoptosis in rats by activating PI3K/Akt pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of preconditioning with different doses of emulsified isoflurane on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Methods Ninety-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups ( n = 16 each): sham operation group (group S), I/R group, low, median and high doses of emulsified isoflurane preconditioning group (group L, M, H) and intralipid group (group IL). Middle cerebral artery occlusion was produced by inserting a nylon thread. In group S, intraperitoneal normal saline (NS)10.5 ml/kg was injected, but the artery was only exposed 24 h later. In group I/R, intraperitoneal NS 10.5 ml/kg was injected, and the model was established 24 h later. In group L, M, H and IL, 8% emulsified isoflurane 3.5 ml/kg+NS 7.0 ml/kg, 8% emulsified isoflurane 7.0 ml/kg + NS 3.5 ml/kg, 8% emulsified isoflurane 10.5 ml/kg and 30% intralipid 10.5 ml/kg were injected intraperitoneally respectively, and then the model was established 24 h later. The temperature, HR and RR were recorded at 10 min before ischemia and at 10 min of reperfusion. The neurological deficit was scored, the cerebral infarct volume and apoptosis in neurons were detected, and microscopic examination of ischemic penumbra region was performed at 24 h of reperfusion. Results The rectal temperature and HR were significantly increased, while RR was significantly decreased duing cerebral I/R.The neurological deficit score was significantly higher, cerebral infarct volume and the number of apoptotic neurons were significantly larger in the other groups than in group S. Emulsified isoflurane preconditioning reduced neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarct volume and the number of apoptotic neurons dose-dependently. Conclusion Emulsified isoflurane preconditioning can reduce focal cerebral I/R injury in a dose-dependent manner in rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of postconditioning with 8 % emulsified isoflurane (EI) on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Methods Forty-eight male SD rats weighing 260-300 g were randomly divided into 6 groups ( n = 8 each): group Ⅰ sham operation (group S); group Ⅱ I/R; group Ⅲ,Ⅳ, Ⅴ 3 different doses of EI (group L-EI, M-EI, H-.EI) and group Ⅵ lipid emulsion (group LE). Right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced by inserting a nylon thread 0.24 mm in diameter into right internal carotid artery. The thread was threaded cranially until resistance was met. MCAO was maintained for 2 h followed by 24 h reperfusion in group Ⅱ-Ⅵ. In group Ⅲ-Ⅴ EI 3.5, 7.0 and 10.5 ml/kg were injected intraperitoneally (IP) immediately before reperfusion respectively. In group LE 30% lipid emulsion 10.5 ml/kg was given instead of EI. The neurologic deficit was assessed and scored (0 = normal, 4 = unable to move and unconscious). The animals were then killed and infarct size was measured. Results IP 8% emulsified isoflurane 7.0 and 10.5 ml/kg injected before reperfusion significantly reduced neurologic deficit scores and infarct size in group M-EI and H-EI as compared with group I/R. Conclusion Postconditioning with 8% emulsified isoflurane can protect the brain against focal cerebral I/R injury.

Objective To investigate the vasodilatation effects of total flavonoid from polygonum aviculare on rat thoracic aorta and its underlying mechanisms. Methods Total flavonoid from polygonum aviculare was gotten by extracted with 65% alcohol, gathered with polyamide, and eluted with 75% alcohol.The content of flavone was determined with rutoside as standard preparation. Normal rats thoracic aorta in vitro used as sample, BL-420E biological functional experiment system was utilized to record dilatation effect of total flavonoid on PE affecting pre-contracting blood vessel and the relation between dilatation effect of total flavonoid on blood vessel and calcium influx. Results Total flavonoids from polygonum aviculare can diastole contractions of thoracic aorta caused by PE. In calcium-free perfusion, gradually adding CaCl2 induced calcium influx. Clinical data showed dose-effect relation between drug and blood vessel contraction decreased in the total flavonoids from polygonum aviculare incubation rats than normal rats. Besides, total flavonoids from polygonum aviculare can obviously inhibit contraction of blood vascular circle induced by calcium releasing.Conclusion FP exerted a dose-dependent vasodilatation effect on rat isolated aorta rings by inhibiting Ca2+influx via L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, consequently decrease Ca2+ in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Objective To investigate children' s understanding of food,nutrition and its relation to health.Methods Participants were interviewed individually,various experimental tasks were used to explore 5-9 year old children' s spontaneous classification of familiar food and their understanding of food balance.Results Five-year-old children rely more than elders on physical cues.There was significant age difference of their criterion of classification among physical (H_((2))=12.929,P ＜ 0.01),conventional (H_((2))=5.540,P=0.063)land processing criterion(H_((2))=6.076,P＜ 0.05).There was significant SES difference of their choices(X_((1))~2=5.857,P=0.016 ; X_((1))~2=4.510,P=0.034 in two different tasks).Higher SES children tended to choose balanced food(percentage of choosing balanced food in higher SES group was 75.0% ,93.8% ;45.2% ,74.2% in lower SES group).Conclusion The criterion children used is related to their cognitive development and experience.As they become older,more and more children realize the nutritional value of foods.There were a significant age difference in nutrition-balanced food choice ,and children's social economic status influence their performance.

Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; complications ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Nasal Polyps ; complications ; congenital ; Nasopharyngeal Diseases ; complications ; congenital

Objective:To analyze the association between obesity and age at spermarche among Chinese Han boys aged 11-18 years . Methods:The height, weight and status of the spermarche of Chinese Han boys aged 11-18 years were selected from the data of 2010 National Physical Fitness and Health Surveil-lance. The body mass index ( BMI) , prevalence of spermarche in each age group and ages at spermarche by BMI groups were calculated. Chi square test was used to analyze the differences of prevalences of spermarche among the boys with different BMIs across ages. U-test was used to compare the differences of age at spermarche between the boys who were obese and not. Results:In the boys aged 12 and 17 years in urban areas and boys aged 13 years in rural areas, the differences of prevalences of spermarche among the normal weight, overweight and obesity groups were significant (P<0. 05). The age at spermarche in the obesity group (13. 90 years) was 0. 1 years earlier than that in the non-obesity group (14. 00 years) (P<0. 05). Conclusion:Obesity may make the age at spermarche ahead of time.

Aging ; drug effects ; Cerebral Infarction ; drug therapy ; China ; Dementia ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy