OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of prenatal exposure to lead on nephroblastoma over-expressed gene (NOV) protein and mRNA expression in hippocampus of rats' offspring, and to explore the molecular mechanism of lead on learning and memory.

METHODSThe pregnant rats were divided into 1 control group and 3 lead expose groups randomly: low( 125 mg/L), middle (250 mg/L) and high (500 mg/L). 8 rats in each group. From pregnancy ld until birth, the rats were given double evaporated water or lead acetate water of different doses according to their groups. The samples of descendants were taken on embryo 18 th day, postnatal 1st day, 21st day, 60th day. The contents of lead in blood and hippocampus were determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry method. The expression of NOV protein and mRNA in hippocampus were observed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

RESULTSThe lead contents of blood [(312.46 +/- 43.55), (419.35 +/- 62.25), (541.45 +/- 47.90) microg/L] and hippocampus[(2.10 +/- 0.18), (2.58 +/- 0.12), (3.41 +/- 0.23) microg/L] were significantly higher in lead exposed groups than that of control [(214.31 +/- 40.77), (0.76 +/- 0.13) microg/L] (P < 0.05) on the embryo 18th, 1st and 21 st day, while there was no significantly difference among them on 60 th day. The expression of NOV protein in all lead exposed groups were significantly decreased compared with control group (P < 0.05) on 1st and 21 st day, while there was no significantly difference among them on 60th day. The expression of NOV mRNA of all the lead exposed groups were significantly decreased compared with control group (P < 0.05) on the embryo 18th, 1st and 21st day, while there was significantly difference only in the high dose group (0.0355 +/- 0.0100) compared with control (0.0900 +/- 0.0200) (P < 0.01) on 60th day.

CONCLUSIONPregnancy low level lead exposure could decrease the NOV protein and mRNA expression in hippocampus of offspring, which might be one of the molecular mechanisms of effect of lead on learning and memory.

Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Lead ; adverse effects ; blood ; Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of aluminum trichloride on the abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein in SH-SY5Y cells.

METHODSSH-SY5Y cells were assigned to control group and aluminum trichloride exposure groups (200, 400, and 800 µmol/L Al(3+)). The cell morphology was observed after 48 hours of exposure; the cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay; total protein was extracted from the cells, and the expression of phospho-tau (p-tau) 181, 231, 262, and 396 and tau 5 was measured by Western blot.

RESULTSAs the Al(3+) concentration rose, the number of living SH-SY5Y cells decreased, and the synapses of the cells retracted. The viability of cells exposed to 800 µmol/L Al(3+) was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The 200, 400, and 800 µmol/L Al(3+) exposure groups showed significantly higher expression of p-tau 181, 231, and 396 and tau5 than the control group (P < 0.05), and the 800 µmol/L Al(3+) exposure group showed significantly higher expression of p-tau 262 than the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUnder the present experimental conditions, aluminum trichloride has toxic effect on SH-SY5Y cells and can lead to abnormal expression of p-tau 181, 231, and 396 and tau 5 at low Al(3+) concentration.

Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; tau Proteins ; metabolism

Objective To discuss the effect of proximal interphalangeal joint(PIPJ) motion on the tension of the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon through measuring the extensor tendon and find the fixed position of PIPJ when the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon at minimum tension,and to provide reference for best fixed position in clinical treatment.Methods The maximal passive flexion angles of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP J) of the index,distal,ring and little fingers were measured in 20 cadaver hands when the PIPJ flexed at 0 °,20 °,40 °,60 °,80 ° and 100 °.Making an incision over the back of the DIPJ to expose the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon.Incising the extensor tendon laterally at the level of the DIPJ with the DIPJ fixed in extension position to make a mallet finger.Pierced a Kirschner wire through and perpendicular to the distal phalangeal basement as a sign.Parallel to this sign,marked the zone Ⅰ extensor tendon and measured its relative distance to the sign as the sliding distance of the extensor.Recording the widest gap between the tendon edges and the tendon sliding distance while the PIPJ was in extension and 20°,40°,60°,80° and 100°flexion position,severally.Results The maximal passive flexion angle of the DIPJ increased with the PIPJ flexed from 0°to 100°in 80 fingers.The gap between the extensor tendon edges in zone Ⅰ was (1.322 8 ± 1.078 9) mm when the PIPJ was in extension position.The proximal extensor tendon glide distally while the PIPJ flexed to 100° with an average sliding distance of(1.540 5 ± 0.690 7) mm.Conclusion The zone Ⅰ extensor tendon has the maximal tension while the PIPJ is in extension position.Flexing PIPJ can make the tension decrease.

Objective To investigate the relationship of galectin-3 (Gal-3)and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)with in-stent restenosis (ISR).Methods We consecutively recruited 434 patients who had undergone successful drug eluting stent (DES)implantation.Then we divided them into ISR group (n=41)and NO-ISR group (n=393)according to the results of coronary angiography review.Independent risk factors for ISR were found out by multivariate analysis and the two groups were matched for these factors except for Gal-3 and MMP-9 .After elim-ination of the influence of confounders,serum Gal-3 and MMP-9 were compared between the groups and their rela-tions with the severity of ISR were analyzed.Patients were grouped based on Gal-3 and MMP-9 concentrations and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs)were compared between the two groups.Results After elimination of the influence of confounders,the results showed that serum levels of Gal-3 and MMP-9 were significantly higher in ISR group than in NO-ISR group (P＜0.001).Serum levels of Gal-3 and MMP-9 increased with the increased grade of classification.Serum levels of Gal-3 and MMP-9 were obviously higher in classes Ⅲ and Ⅳ ISR than in class Ⅰ (P＜0.05).Patients with higher levels of Gal-3 and MMP-9 had a higher incidence of MACEs (P＜0.01).ISR group had a higher incidence of MACEs than NO-ISR group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum levels of Gal-3 and MMP-9 are correlated with ISR and its severity,and they are independent risk factors for ISR.The rate of MACEs during follow-up period was increased with the increased levels of Gal-3 and MMP-9 .

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between cutaneous glycometabolic disorders and cutaneous neuropathy in diabetic rats, and to look for the mechanism of neuropathy and impaired wound healing.

METHODSEighty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (NC, n = 20), diabetic group (D, n = 20), aminoguanidine-interfered group (AI, n = 20), and insulin-interfered group (II, n = 20) by drawing lots. Diabetes was reproduced in rats of D, AI, and II groups with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Then, rats in AI group were fed with 100 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) aminoguanidine, while rats in II group were subcutaneously injected with insulin for satisfactory control of blood glucose. Changes in mechanical and heat pain thresholds of pad of hind limb were measured at post injection week (PIW) 2, 4, 8. Skin specimens were collected during PIW 2-8 from pads for determination of contents of glucose, advanced glycation end product (AGE), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and observation of distribution and ultrastructure of skin nerve fibers. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSThe mechanical and heat pain thresholds in D group at PIW 2 [(6.3 ± 1.5) g, (6.0 ± 0.9) s, respectively ] were obviously lower than those in NC group [(13.0 ± 3.2) g, (10.3 ± 1.2) s, with t value respectively 2.71, 3.42, P values all below 0.05]. Contents of glucose and AGE in skin tissue in D group were significantly increased when compared with those in NC group, especially at PIW 8 [(2.85 ± 0.33) mg/g, (31.7 ± 3.2) U/mg of hydroxyproline vs. (0.82 ± 0.22) mg/g, (22.2 ± 1.9) U/mg of hydroxyproline, with t value respectively 1.65, 6.47, P values all below 0.01]. The myelinated nerve fibers were edematous and degenerated, with axons compressed, while the unmyelinated nerve fibers were vacuolated, with microfilament and microtubule disorderly arranged. Content of SP in skin tissue in D group was lower as compared with that in NC group, especially at PIW 2 [(16.8 ± 3.4) pg/g vs. (28.5 ± 5.0) pg/g, t = 2.42, P < 0.01]. There was no obvious difference in content of CGRP between NC and D groups, and also in content of glucose in skin between D and AI groups. Compared with those in D group, content of AGE in AI group at PIW 8 was decreased markedly [(27.2 ± 1.4) U/mg of hydroxyproline, t = 3.38, P < 0.05]; contents of glucose and AGE in II group at PIW 8 were significantly decreased [(1.42 ± 0.38) mg/g, (23.6 ± 1.3) U/mg of hydroxyproline, with t value respectively 1.74, 8.17, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01]. Compared with that in D group, contents of SP in AI and II groups were increased, with a delay in time of trough value. Content of CGRP showed no obvious difference among D, AI, and II groups.

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose and accumulation of AGE are key mediators of cutaneous neuropathy and impaired wound healing in diabetes mellitus, which confirms that diabetic wound takes an atypical footing during wound repairing. Aminoguanidine and insulin can reduce contents of glucose and AGE in diabetic skin tissue, and ameliorate diabetic cutaneous neuropathy.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; metabolism ; Male ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; etiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; metabolism ; pathology ; Skin Diseases ; etiology ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo explore the attitudes on suicide and their related factors among university students in Chongqing.

METHODSA total of 9808 students from 11 universities in Chongqing, were chosen under stratified cluster random sampling method and had completed a questionnaire survey through the Scale of Public Attitudes on Suicide(SPAS).

RESULTSData showed that the scores of university students having negative or neutral attitudes towards questions including "suicide is not preventable", "suicidal behavior is not controllable or is caused by outside forces" and "suicidal behavior can(or is used to)affect the behavior of others'" were 34.28±16.44, 35.64±19.14 and 36.94±16.05 respectively. The scores of students taking neutral attitude towards questions as:"similarity of attempted and completed suicide", "negative attitudes on the behavior or on the person him/her self", "positive aspects of suicide and positive feelings about suicides"were 47.38±22.01, 51.78±17.05 and 37.77±18.12 respectively but 70.77±17.21 went to the students who had agreed with "suicide is an important social/health problem". Factors as gender, nationality, religion, history of attempted suicide and suicide exposure to others appeared having had important effects on the attitude towards suicide among college students.

CONCLUSIONIt is necessary to consider above mentioned factors when developing related suicide crisis intervention strategy.

Adult ; Attitude ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Students ; psychology ; Suicide ; psychology ; statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Universities

OBJECTIVETo clarify the effect of aluminum exposure on the cognitive function in electrolytic workers and the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among them by prevalence survey, and to investigate its influential factors.

METHODSSixty-six retired workers from the electrolysis workshop of an electrolytic aluminum plant were selected as an aluminum exposure group, while 70 retired workers from a flour mill in the same region were selected as a control group. MCI patients were screened out by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); the blood aluminum level was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; multivariate statistical analysis was used to investigate the influential factors for MMSE scores and the correlation between blood aluminum level and MCI prevalence.

RESULTSThe aluminum exposure group showed a significantly higher blood aluminum level than the control group (25.18 ± 2.65 µg/L vs 9.97 ± 2.83 µg/L, P < 0.01). The total MMSE score of the aluminum exposure group (26.13 ± 2.57) was significantly lower than that of the control group (27.89 ± 1.91) (P < 0.05), particularly the scores on time and place orientation, short-term memory, calculation ability, and language skill (P < 0.05). The detection rate of MCI was significantly higher in the aluminum exposure group (18.2%) than in the control group (5.7%) (P < 0.01). The main influential factors for MMSE scores were gender, age, education level, and blood aluminum level. The logistic regression analysis indicated that the MCI prevalence was significantly correlated with blood aluminum level in the study population (OR = 1.168, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLong-term exposure to aluminum can cause cognitive disorders in electrolytic workers and may be one of the risk factors for MCI. Advanced age, male, low education level, and high blood aluminum level may be high-risk factors for cognitive impairment.

Aged ; Aluminum ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Cognition Disorders ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Electrolysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Occupational Exposure

AIM:To study the effect of Aurora protein kinase inhibitor VX-680 on homogeneous adhesion and migration ability in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG 2.METHODS:The HepG2 cell were divided into ex-perimental group and control group, respectively.VX-680 was used in experimental groups at 3 concentrations(3.125 μmol/L group,6.25 μmol/L group and 12.5 μmol/L group).DMSO was used in the control group.The effects of VX-680 at different concentrations on the adhesion ability of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG 2 cells were observed by cell slow aggregation test and separation experiment.The effects of VX-680 at different concentrations on the migration ability of HepG2 cells was detected by wound healing assay.The expression of E-cadherin in HepG2 cells was detected by Western blot.RESULTS:The results of the slow aggregation test showed that compared with the control group,the number of cell clumps formed in experimental groups was significantly decreased(P<0.01).The results of separation experiment showed that the ratio of NTC/NTEgradually decreased with the increased concentration of VX-680.The results of wound healing as-say showed that as the concentration of VX-680 increased, the cell scratch healing ability gradually weakened compared with control group.The results of Western blot showed that the protein expression of E-cadherin in the HepG2 cells in-creased with the increased concentration of VX-680(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:VX-680 increases the homogeneous ad-hesion and inhibits the migration of HepG 2 cells.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic efficiency of ⁶⁸Gallium labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for staging the lymph node metastases (LNMs) in the prostate cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A broad search of scientific databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Database, and Chinese Biomedicine Literature Database (updated prior to November 1st, 2018) was conducted systematically by two reviewers. In this paper, we evaluated the methodological quality of each included article independently and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to reveal the summary of the diagnostic performance of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET and MRI in properly identifying LNMs of intermediate- and/or high-risk prostate cancer.RESULTS: Thirteen eligible articles comprising 1,597 patients were included. For LNMs detection, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET were 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49–0.79) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–0.97), respectively, while the corresponding values of MRI were 0.41 (95% CI: 0.26–0.57) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86–0.95). The area under the symmetric receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) curve for ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET and MRI were 0.92 and 0.83, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: In intermediate- or high-risk pre-treatment prostate cancer, ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET had a higher sensitivity and a slightly different specificity in probing the LNMs when comparing with MRI. Moreover, the area under the SROC curve indicated that ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET was a more effective weapon for predicting the LNMs prior to radical surgery.

BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary malignancies (PPMs) and non-pulmonary malignancies (PNPMs) may result in airway stenosis requiring stenting. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the clinical features and stent placement outcomes of airway stenosis caused by PPMs and PNPMs. METHODS: A total of 141 patients with malignant airway stenosis who underwent Micro-Tech stent placements between January 2004 and October 2017 at Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University were divided into PPM (n = 100) and PNPM groups (n = 41). Patients' clinical features and stent placement outcomes were collected and analyzed. Chi-square test was used to compare the categorical variables, while independent- or paired-sample t test was used to compare the continuous variables. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex, treatment history, respiratory symptoms, and incidence of obstructive pneumonia between groups. Multiple airway involvement (63.0% vs. 31.7%; χ = 11.459, P = 0.001) and atelectasis (17.0% vs. 2.4%; χ = 5.536, P = 0.019) were more common in the PPM group, while extraluminal obstruction (24.4% vs. 6.0%; χ = 8.033, P = 0.005) was more common in the PNPM group. Before stenting, the American Thoracic Society Dyspnea Index (ADI) and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05). After stenting, a satisfactory rate of symptom improvement was achieved in both groups (98.0% and 100.0% in the PPM and PNPM groups, respectively; χ = 0.016, P = 0.898); ADI and KPS scores, which showed no significant differences between groups (all P > 0.05), were significantly improved in each group (all P < 0.001). Complications after stenting could be effectively managed using bronchoscopic procedures. CONCLUSIONS Among cases of malignant airway stenosis requiring stenting, those caused by PPM are more likely to involve multiple airways and are associated with atelectasis, while those caused by PNPM are more likely to cause extraluminal obstruction. Micro-Tech stent placement has the same immediate effect in terms of improvement in respiratory symptoms and performance status for both malignant airway stenosis caused by PPM and that caused by PNPM.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Tracheal Stenosis ; etiology ; therapy