Climacteric ; Depression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Because the continuity and integrity of the trachea are likely damaged to some extent after tracheostomy, the implementation of sequential ventilation has certain difficulties, and sequential invasive-noninvasive ventilation on patients after tracheostomy is less common in practice. The present study aimed to investigate the feasibility of invasive-noninvasive sequential weaning strategy in patients after tracheostomy. METHODS: Fifty patients including 24 patients with withdrawal of mechanical ventilation (conventional group) and 26 patients with sequential invasive-noninvasive weaning by directly plugging of tracheostomy (sequential group) were analyzed retrospectively after appearance of pulmonary infection control (PIC) window. The analysis of arterial blood gases, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence, the total duration of mechanical ventilation, the success rate of weaning and total cost of hospitalization were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Arterial blood gas analysis showed that the sequential weaning group was better than the conventional weaning group 1 and 24 hours after invasive ventilation. The VAP incidence was lowered, the duration of mechanical ventilation shortened, the success rate of weaning increased, and the total cost of hospitalization decreased. CONCLUSION: Sequential invasive-noninvasive ventilator weaning is feasible in patients after tracheostomy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors 1-3 (S1P1- 3) in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats and its relationship with the NOS/NO/cGMP and RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathways.

METHODSWe equally randomized 18 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into a sham-operation control, a castration, and a testosterone replacement (TR) group and harvested the bilateral testes and epididymides from the rats in the latter two groups, followed by 4 weeks of subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 3 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for those in the TR group and that of plant oil for those in the control and castration groups. At the age of 12 weeks, we measured the serum testosterone (T) level and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) of the animals and determined the expressions of SlP1-3, eNOS, P-eNOS, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in the corpus cavernosum by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly decreased in the rats of the castration group as compared with those of the control and TR groups ([0.41 ± 0.04] vs [16.01 ± 1.02] and [15.84 ± 1.32] nmol/L, P < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference between the latter two groups. The ICPmax/MAP at 0 V, 3 V, and 5 V electric stimulation was remarkably lower in the rats of the castration group (0.088 ± 0.014, 0.323 ± 0.014, and 0.432 ± 0.012) than in those of the control group (0.155 ± 0.011, 0.711 ± 0. 010, and 0.819 ± 0.024) and TR group (0.153 ± 0.012, 0.696 ± 0.017, and 0.763 ± 0.027) (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the latter two groups. With GAPDH as internal control, the animals of the castration group showed markedly reduced expressions of S1P1 ([49.99 ± 3.39]%), eNOS ([46.82 ± 3.81]%) , and P-eNOS ([45.42 ± 4.35]%) in comparison with those in the control group ([72.57 ± 3.06], [89.76 ± 3.98], and [82.53 ± 8.92] and TR group ([71.77 ± 4.43], [87.19 ± 4.23], and [79.82 ± 7.38]%) (P < 0.01) , while the expressions of S1P2, S1P3, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated in the castration group ([82.35 ± 4.13], [61.03 ± 5.14], [74.50 ± 4.02], and [69.83 ± 5.75]%) as compared with those in the control group ([41.67 ± 1.68], [31.66 ± 2.67], [35.69 ± 5.56], and [39.85 ± 7.17]%) and TR group ([42.80 ± 3.87], [32.25 ± 4.22], 38.06 ± 5.21], and [42.36 ± 4.44]%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAndrogen deficiency induces significant reduction of ICPmax/ MAP in male rats, which is possibly associated with the decline of S1P1 in the corpus cavernosum, inhibition of the eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, increased expressions of S1P2 and S1P3, and activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway.

Animals ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; pharmacology ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism

Objective: To observe the effect of different moxibustion durations on rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the relationship between moxibustion amount and moxibustion efficacy.Methods: Eight rats were randomly selected as a normal group from the 40 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and the other 32 rats were used to establish typeⅡ collagen-induced RA models. After successful modeling, the 32 rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion for 20 min group, a moxibustion for 40 min group and a moxibustion for 60 min group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the normal group did not receive modeling and moxibustion intervention; rats in the model group did not receive moxibustion after modeling; rats in the moxibustion for 20 min group, the moxibustion for 40 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group were treated with moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 20 min, 40 min and 60 min, respectively. Six days were a course of treatment, with a total of 3-course treatments and a 1-day rest between the courses of treatment. After treatment, the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, arthritis index (AI) scores, toe volumes and pathological score of synovitis were evaluated in the rats.Results: Compared with the normal group, the serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, and the toe volumes in the model group were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01), before the treatment. Compared with the model group, the serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, toe volumes and arthritis index (AI) scores were significantly decreased in the moxibustion for 20 min group, the moxibustion for 40 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group (P<0.05 orP<0.01 ). Compared with the moxibustion for 20 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group, serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, toe volumes and AI scores were decreased more significantly in moxibustion for 40 min group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05 orP<0.01). There were no significant differences in serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels, AI scores and toe volumes between the moxibustion for 20 min group and the moxibustion for 60 min group (allP>0.05). The synovial histopathological improvement was the most obvious in the moxibustion for 40 min group, when the synovial histopathological changes were compared among the moxibustion for 20 min group, moxibustion for 40 min group and moxibustion for 60 min group.Conclusion: The therapeutic efficacy of moxibustion for 40 min in RA rats was more significant than that of moxibustion for 20 min and moxibustion for 60 min, indicating that the duration of moxibustion is the main factor affecting its therapeutic efficacy.

Objective MRI and MR hydrogen proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS) were used to detect the abnormal signal and alteration of metabolites, in order to explore the efficacy of these method in evaluating the damages of central nervous system (CNS) induced by occupational manganese exposure.Methods Eighteen workers exposed to manganese without any manganism symptoms, 12 workers with slightly chronic manganese poisoning, and 19 healthy workers were scanned using routine MRI sequence and 1H-MRS.The blood manganese concentration was also collected for each subject.On cerebral axial T1 WI,the signal intensities of ipsilateral globus pallidus and frontal white matter were measured in the visually brightest area (try to select the signal homogeneous region), and the globus pallidus index (PI) was then calculated.The 1H-MRS data was calculated to get the values of the peak height of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), inositol (mI) and creatine (Cr) and the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, and mL/Cr were also calculated.One way ANOVA was used to compare the values of PI, NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, mI/Cr and MnB among the three groups, and the correlations between PI and the time span of manganese exposure or blood manganese concentration were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.Eight workers exposed to manganese were followed up one year, and their PI , NAA/Cr before and after follow-up were compared by t test.Results Fourteen of 18 cases exposed to manganese without any manganism symptoms showed symmetrically high intensity signal on T1 WI, while the T2 WI were normal.No high signal intensity was observed on T1WI in any of the healthy workers or manganese poisoning workers.We found that the average PI in manganese exposed group (1.16 ±0.09) was significantly higher (F =24.79 ,P =0.O00)than those of the poisoning ( 1.05 ± 0.07 ) and control groups ( 1.01 ± 0.05 ).The blood manganese concentration in manganese exposed group, the poisoning group and the control group were (0.051 ±0.024), (0.047 ±0.018 ), ( 0.043 ± 0.020 ) μg/ml respectively, which was not significantly different ( F = O.623, P =0.541 ) and did not exceed the upper limit of normal reference value ( < 0.10 μg/ml ).There was a significantly correlation between PI and the time span of manganese exposure ( r = 0.67, P = 0.002 ),however, there was no correlation between PI and blood manganese concentration ( r = 0.20, P = 0.427 ).Furthermore, the NAA/Cr ratio decreased variously in the manganese poisoning group ( 1.22 ± 0.07 ) which was significantly lower( F = 4.120, P = 0.023 ) than those of the poisoning( 1.33 ± 0.13 ) and control groups ( 1.31 ±0.13).No statistical significanees were found in the ratios of Cho/Cr and mI/Cr among these three groups(P>0.05).No obvious changes of the PI and NAA/Cr were found in the 8 manganese exposed workers after 1 year follow-up.Conclusion Manganese exposure could lead to the high intensity signal on T1 WI, therefore the increased PI may be the biomarkers of central nerve system damages caused by the occupational manganese exposure.

The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.
Alanine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Aspartic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Inositol ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), dexamethasone (Dex), and insulin on the mRNA and protein expressions of GPR54 in the MCF7 cell line in vitro.

METHODSMCF7 breasr cancer cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of LPS (10 and 20 µg/ml), TNFα (20 and 100 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 and 20 ng/ml), Dex (10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L), and insulin (0.01 and 0.1 IU/L). Those treated with culture fluid only served as controls. The mRNA and protein expressions of GPR54 were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively, after 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the blank con- trol, LPS (10 and 20 µg/ml), TNFα (20 and 100 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 and 20 ng/ml), Dex (10(-6) and 10(-7) mol/L), and insulin (0.01 and 0.1 IU/L) significantly increased the expressions of GPR54 mRNA (P < 0.05) and protein (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLPS, TNFα, IL-6, Dex, and insulin evidently increase the expression of GPR54 in the MCF7 cell line, indicating their influence on the function of gonads by regulating the GPR54 level.

Blotting, Western ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; MCF-7 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Kisspeptin-1 ; Time Factors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Objective:To investigate the distribution of uric acid in different occupation, age and gender groups, and changes of prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA) and its influencing factors in healthy adults who receiving physical examination in Nanjing.Methods:The study was conducted in 107 478 subjects who received physical examination from 2012 to 2016. The prevalence of HUA in different genders and different years was compared. Subjects were divided into non-HUA and HUA groups according to serum uric acid. The differences in metabolic indicators and ages between two groups were analyzed. Uric acid levels among different occupations were evaluated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios ( OR) of HUA. Results:The total HUA prevalence was 14.9%, in which the prevalence of HUA in men was significantly higher than that in women [20.5%(15217/74339)vs .2.5%(818/33139), P<0.01]. The prevalence of HUA in men sustained at a high level, while that in women trended to decrease during the five years. The prevalence of HUA increased with age in women (1.0%, 0.7%, 0.9%, 2.7%, 3.8% and 9.6% in subjects within 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and ≥70 age groups, respectively, Pfor trend<0.01). The percentages of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, and body mass index (BMI) in both men and women were significantly higher in HUA group than those in non-HUA group ( P≤0.01). Among all occupations, subjects in health care had the lowest levels of uric acid (298±91 μmol/L) and prevalence of HUA (10.4%), while, those in public security had the highest levels of uric acid [(342±82) μmol/L] and prevalence (16.5%). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that males, high triacylglycerol, high cholesterol, obesity and certain occupation were significantly associated with HUA. Conclusions:The prevalence of HUA in men is significantly higher than that in women. It increased with ages in women. Subjects in health occupations had the lowest levels of uric acid and HUA prevalence, while, those in public security had the highest levels among the six occupations. Obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, occupations and males are positively associated with HUA.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathology and immunophenotype of primary non- Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL)of the female genital system,and to analyze the prognosis of such tumors. Methods Clinicopathologic features of 43 cases of primary NHL of the female genital system were studied retrospectively,with the histological classification based on the Classification of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tumors(WHO,2001).Immunochemistry technique,in-situ-hybridization and polymerase chain reaction methods were used to detect the immunophenotype,epstein barrvirus(EB)virus infection status and immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement,respectively.Results(1)Primary lesions:there were 24 cases of lymphoma originating in the ovary,3 cases in the endometrium,10 cases in the cervix,2 cases in the vagina and 4 cases in the vulva.(2)Staging:12 cases(28%)were in stage Ⅰ,9 cases (21%)in stage Ⅱ,and 22 cases(51%)in stage Ⅲ.(3)Histological classification:37 cases(86%)were diffuse large B cell lymphoma(DLBCL),3 cases were Burkitt lymphoma and the remaining 3 cases were unspecified peripheral T-cell lymphoma according to biopsy,immunophenotype analysis,in-situ- hybridization technique and IgH gene rearrangement detection.(4)Prognosis analysis:increase in the level of lactic acid dehydrogenase,stage Ⅲ,DLBCL and single operation suggest poor prognosis.Conclusions Establishment of the diagnosis of primary NHL of the female genital system is based on biopsy, immunophenotype analysis,in-situ-hybridization technique and IgH gene rearrangement detection,which play important roles in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the tumor.Combined therapy is the first choice of therapeutic regimens.

Objective To study the effect of chest wall vibration therapy on bronchiolitis. Methods A total of 64 patients with bronchiolitis were divided into an experimental group and a control group, the former included 34 cases and the latter included 30 cases. The experimental group received both routine treatment and chest wall vi- bration, while the control group only received routine treatment. PaO_2, PaCO_2, SaO_2, Heart Rate (HR) and Respi- ration (R) were observed, respectively, in the experimental group and the control group at the beginning and the end of the third day. Time needed for expectoration and length of hospital stay in the two groups were observed. Results It was shown that PaO_2, PaCO_2, SaO_2 , HR, R were significantly improved at the end of the third day when compared with those at the beginning in both groups(P