Animals ; Cholestasis ; complications ; Fibrosis ; etiology ; Gallbladder ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; physiology

Aim To investigate the antiarrhythmic mechanism of taurine-magnesium coordination com-pound on abnormal sodium current channel ( INa ) in-duced by hypoxia-reoxygenation in ventricular myocytes of rats. Methods Single ventricular myocytes were i-solated from each rat heart using enzymatic dissociation through Langendorff retrograde aortic perfusion. Whole-cell patch clamp was applied in voltage clamp mode to record INa both in normal ventricular myocytes and single ventricular myocytes of arrhythmia induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation. Results The peak density of INa was changed from ( 56. 89 ± 2. 07 ) pA/pF to (35. 05 ± 1. 52) pA/pF( n=6, P <0. 01 vs control) by hypoxia-reoxygenation with the INa I-V curve shifting upward. TMCC(200, 400 μmol·L-1)was able to re-store the reduction caused by H/R to (35. 78 ± 1. 95) pA/pF, (41. 52 ± 0. 86) pA/pF, (n=6,P <0. 01) and (48. 34 ± 0. 99) pA/pF(n=6,P<0. 01) respec-tively, but not at 100 μmol·L-1(n=6, P>0. 05), in a concentration-dependent manner, while amioda-rone restored it to (39. 44 ± 1. 24) pA/pF (n=6,P<0. 01 ) . Both high concentration of TMCC and amioda-rone could shift the I-V curve downward. In addition, TMCC and amiodarone could restore the INa inactivation curve and slow down its inactivation, whereas the acti-vation curves showed no significant differences among groups. Conclusion TMCC(200,400 μmol·L-1) could restore the H/R induced INa reduction and shift the I-V curve downward by inhibiting steady-state inac-tivation, which is suggested to be one of the mecha-nisms of the antiarrhythmic effects of TMCC in hypoxia-reoxygenation model.

Objective To explore value of detecting fetal thymus size with the thymic-thoracic ratio (TT-ratio).Methods Prenatal ultrasonography examinations were performed on totally 317 normal singleton healthy pregnancies from 18 to 39 gestational weeks.The normal thymus of fetus were observed on the three-vessel-trachea (3VT) view.The anteroposterior diameter of the thymus (T1) was measured between the anterior border of the aortic arch and posterior border of sternum.The intrathoracic mediastinal diameter (T2) was measured between the anterior border of thoracic vertebral body and posterior border of sternum.The TT-ratio was then calculated as the ratio of T1 to T2.Scatter plot between TT-ratio and gestational age was drawn.And the Spearman regression analysis was performed.Results The thymus of fetus was shown as an irregular homogenous structure in the anterior mediastinum on the 3VT view.The mean TT-ratio was 0.45± 0.03.There was no correlation between TT-ratio and gestation (rs =0.06,P=0.29).Conclusion Prenatal ultrasound can display the thymus obviously.TT-ratio could be applied to assess the fetal thymus size,which can provides clinical basis for the detection of absent or hypoplastic thymus in fetus.

Aim To investigate the effects of dioscin ( Dio) on rat myocardial contractility. Methods Left ventricular contractile function was measured using the Langendorff non-recirculating mode of isolated rat heart perfusion. Effects of low, middle and high concentra-tion of Dio were investigated by measuring left ventricu-lar systolic pressure ( LVSP ) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure ( LVEDP) . Also, peak rates of rise/fall of left ventricular pressure ( ± dp/dtmax ) of isolated rat heart were calculated. Effects of Dio on intracellu-lar free calcium concentration in rat H9 c2 cells were measured by using the confocal microscopy. Mitochon-drial membrane potential was detected with multifunc-tional microplate reader. Results With 0. 1, 1 μmol · L-1 Dio, LVSP were significantly enhanced from (11. 55 ± 0. 52), (10. 53 ± 0. 28) kPa to (13. 08 ± 0. 72), (12. 53 ±0. 64) kPa(P<0. 01); +dp/dtmax were dramatically increased from ( 0. 38 ± 0. 10 ) , (0. 40 ± 0. 07) kPa·ms-1 to (0. 42 ± 0. 11), (0. 43 ± 0. 02) kPa·ms-1(P<0. 05). With the 10μmol· L-1 Dio, LVSP and + dp/dtmax were both decreased from (12. 13 ± 0. 33) kPa and (0. 42 ± 0. 04) kPa· ms-1 to ( 9. 46 ± 0. 77 ) kPa and ( 0. 24 ± 0. 04 ) kPa ·ms-1 (P <0. 01). With 0. 1, 1, 10 μmol·L-1 Dio, the relative fluorescence intensity of intracellular free calcium concentrations was increased significantly from (16. 62 ± 0. 89) to (21. 48 ± 0. 80), (25. 68 ± 0. 69) and (19. 84 ± 0. 66)(P <0. 01)respectively. 0. 1, 1μmol·L-1 Dio showed no significant effects on the mitochondrial membrane potential of rat H9 c2 cells, while with effects of 10 μmol·L-1 Dio, the ra-tio of JC-1 monomer and J-aggregates was changed from (1. 14 ± 0. 03) to (1. 35 ± 0. 06)(P<0. 01), indica-ting a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane poten-tial. Conclusion Low and middle concentrations of Dio show a positive inotropic effect on isolated rat heart, as the LVSP and + dp/dtmax are enhanced, which may concern with the increase of the intracellu-lar concentration of Ca2+. It will not cause the calcium overload while the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ is increased by low and middle concentration of Dio in the myocytes except high concentration of Dio.

Objective To investigate the effects of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on non-fluent aphasia in patients after stroke.Methods Forty stroke patients displaying non-fluent aphasia were randomly assigned to an rTMS group and a control group using a random number table.Both groups were treated with conventional language therapy,while the rTMS group was additionally given 0.5 Hz rTMS over the Broca's homologues of the unaffected hemisphere 5 days a week for 3 weeks.The patients were stimulated at 90％ of the motor threshold (MT),with 16 second trains and intervals of 3 seconds 48 times (384 pulses) in a session.Before and after the 3 weeks of treatment,the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and the Communicative Abilities in Daily Living (CADL) test were conducted in both groups to evaluate their language function and communication ability.Results Only spontaneous speech improved significantly (P＜0.05) in the control group after 3 weeks of treatment.In the rTMS group,the spontaneous speech,auditory comprehension,repetition,naming and aphasia quotient (AQ) had all improved significantly (P＜0.05).Moreover,after the treatment,the average score of the auditory comprehension (153.90± 31.79),repetition (82.65± 15.14),naming(81.28±22.12) and AQ (63.66± 13.64) of the rTMS group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion rTMS applied to the Broca's homologues of the unaffected hemisphere can significantly improve language function in those exhibiting non-fluent aphasia after stroke.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of two fluid resuscitations on the bacterial translocation and the inflammatory factors of small intestine in rats with hemorrhagic shock.

METHODSFifty SD healthy male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n equal to 10 per group): Group A (Sham group), Group B (Ringer's solution for 1 h), Group C (Ringer's solution for 24 h), Group D (hydroxyethyl starch for 1 h) and Group E ((hydroxyethyl starch for 24 h). A model of rats with hemorrhagic shock was established. The bacterial translocation in liver, content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and changes of myeloperoxidase enzyme (MPO) activities in small intestine were pathologically investigated after these two fluid resuscitations, respectively.

RESULTSThe bacterial translocation and the expression of TNF-alpha in the small intestine were detected at 1 h and 24 h after fluid resuscitation. There were significant increase in the number of translocated bacteria, TNF-alpha and MPO activities in Group C compared with Group B, significant decrease in Group E compared with Group D and in Group B compared with Group D. The number of translocated bacteria and TNF-alpha expression significantly decreased in Group E as compared with Group C.

CONCLUSIONSThe bacterial translocation and the expression of TNF-alpha in the small intestine exist 24 h after fluid resuscitation. 6% hydroxyethyl starch can improve the intestinal mucosa barrier function better than the Ringer's solution.

Animals ; Bacterial Translocation ; drug effects ; Fluid Therapy ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the reliability, validity and sensitivity of a Family Burden Scale (FBS) of disease used on schistosomiasis. Methods 224 schistosomiasis patients were investigated, using the FBS. Reliability was estimated by Cronbach's α coefficient and split-half reliability. Validity was tested by factor analysis. Sensitivity was evaluated by comparison of patients with different income levels. Results The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.874 and split-half reliability was 0.939 for FBS, respectively. Most values of Cronbach's α and split-half reliability for each component of scale were above 0.70. Construct validity was appraised by factor analysis, and 6 factors were identified. These factors could explain 66.76 % of the total variance. Patients with different income levels showed significant difference in terms of family burden for schistosomiasis (P<0.001 ). Conclusion This FBS appeared to have satisfactory reliability, validity and sensitivity and could be used in evaluating family burden of schistosomiasis patients.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and missed diagnosis of intraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC-P) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.Methods:The preoperative PSA, prostate MRI, bone scans and lung CT of all patients who underwent prostate biopsy in Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2018 to July 2020 were reviewed. A total of 261 patients with high suspicion of metastatic prostate cancer were screened for inclusion. Two full-time senior pathologists of urogenital tumors in Xiangya Hospital independently reviewed their pathological sections and detected IDC-P according to the 2016 WHO tumor classification. Diagnostic criteria are defined as malignant epithelial cells filling large acini and prostatic ducts, with preservation of basal cells and solid or dense cribriform pattern/loose cribriform or micropapillary pattern with either marked nuclear atypia or non-focal comedonecrosis.Results:The detection rate of IDC-P was 29.12%(76/261), while the actual reporting rate was only 9.96%(26/261). The results of subgroup analysis including age, PSA level, Gleason score as well as different metastatic sites showed that detection rate of IDC-P was 33.69% in the PSA≥50 ng/ml subgroup, much higher than 17.57% in the PSA <50 ng/ml subgroup ( P=0.0039); And it was 32.33% in the Gleason score ≥ 8 subgroup, much higher than 3.45% in the Gleason score < 8 subgroup ( P<0.01). It was not significantly different in different age subgroups as well as different metastatic site subgroups. These data suggest that PSA ≥ 50 ng/ml as well as Gleason score ≥ 8 may be risk factors of IDC-P.157 samples were stained by immunohistochemistry. The detection rates of IDC-P were 84.21% (16/19) in P63 (+ ) samples, 36.00% (9/25) in ERG (+ ) samples. There were 3 samples with both P63 (+ ) and ERG (+ ), all of which had IDC-P. Conclusions:There is misdiagnosis of IDC-P on prostate needle biopsy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer currently. PSA ≥ 50 ng/ml and Gleason score ≥ 8 are risk factors of IDC-P. Thus, attention should be paid to the possibility of IDC-P in such patients. When the diagnosis is difficult, immunohistochemical staining for ERG and P63 is helpful in IDC-P determination.

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between knee osteoarthritis (OA) and intercondylar notch narrowing based on the notch width index.

METHODSMagnetic resonance (MR) images were collected from middle-aged and elderly patients with a definite diagnosis of knee OA, including 42 with mild OA and 37 with moderate to severe OA, with 70 healthy individuals serving as the control group. The notch width indexes NWI, NWI-A, and NWI-P on the coronal images at different levels were calculated, and the intercondylar notch was classified, according to the features on axial MR images, into types A, U, and W. The association of OA with NWI, NWI-A, NWI-P, and notch type was determined, and the cutoff values were obtained based on the ROC curves at different levels as indicators for diagnosis of intercondylar notch stenosis.

RESULTSIn the control, mild OA, moderate to severe OA groups, the NWI value on coronal MR images were 0.252±0.019, 0.251±0.017, and 0.240±0.020, NWI-A were 0.261±0.024, 0.259±0.023, and 0.245±0.023, and NWI-P were 0.271±0.026, 0.270±0.024, and 0.254±0.022, respectively. Patients with moderate to severe OA had significantly smaller NWI, NWI-A, and NWI-P than the other two groups (P<0.05), and a significant association was found between NWI values at each level and the occurrence of moderate to severe OA (P<0.01). A NWI value<0.248, NWI-A<0.256, and NWI-P<0.266 supported a diagnosis of intercondylar notch narrowing. Type A intercondylar notch was found in the majority of patients with intercondylar notch narrowing (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients with moderate to severe OA have significant intercondylar notch narrowing, and patients with a type A intercondylar notch are more likely to have intercondylar notch narrowing than those with type U notch.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; anatomy & histology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; pathology ; ROC Curve