AIM:To observe the influence of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathways in ovariectomized rat myocardium .METHODS:Female SD rats (n=30) were divided into sham oper-ation group , ovariectomized group , progynova group , high-dose LBP group and low-dose LBP group .The serum levels of estradiol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were measured by ELISA.The myocardial contents of H2 S and oxidative stress injury-related indicators were also detected .The morphological changes of the myocardium were observed with HE staining.The expression of eNOS and PI3K/Akt pathway-related proteins in the myocardium was deter-mined by Western blot .RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group , the serum level of estradiol , the content of H2 S, the activity of GSH-Px, and the expression of eNOS and PI3K/Akt pathway-related proteins in the myocardium in ovariectomized group were all decreased , and the levels of ROS and MDA in the myocardium were increased (P<0.05). The serum levels of LDH and CK were also increased .The arrangement of the myocardial cells was disordered , and the in-tercellular space was also increased in the ovariectomized group .Compared with ovariectomized group , the serum level of estradiol, the myocardial levels of H2S and GSH-Px, and the protein levels of eNOS and phosphorylated Akt were all in-creased in high dose group, while the levels of ROS and MDA in the myocardium were decreased (P<0.05).The serum levels of LDH and CK were also decreased .The morphological changes of the rat myocardium were improved in high dose group.CONCLUSION: LBP prevents and treats postmenopausal cardiovascular lesions through regulating PI 3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathways in ovariectomized rats .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the DNA and chromosome damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte of workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde (FA).

METHODSAll 151 workers occupationally exposed to FA from two plywood factories and 112 workers without occupational FA exposure working in a machine manufactory were recruited into this study. Comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus technique was used to evaluate the DNA and chromosomal damage of peripheral blood lymphocyte. The air FA samples were collected with SKC 224-PCXR8 air samplers. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the FA level. Personal information including occupational history, age, sex, smoking and drinking status was collected by the questionnaire.

RESULTSThe time weighted average concentration (TWA) of FA in the working environment of FA-exposed workers (range 0.10 - 7.88 mg/m(3)) was higher than those in controls (< 0.01 mg/m(3)). The olive tail moment (Olive TM) in low FA-exposed workers [3.03 (2.49 - 3.67)] was lower than that in high FA-exposed workers [3.95 (3.53 - 4.43)], but higher than that in controls [0.93 (0.78 - 1.10)], the differences were statistical significant (P < 0.05). Comet trail length in FA-exposed workers were significantly higher than that in controls [6.78 (6.05 - 7.60)], but no significant differences ware found between the high FA-exposed workers [12.59 (11.80 - 13.43)] and the low FA-exposed workers [11.25 (10.12 - 12.50)]. The frequency of micronuclei per 100 binucleated cells in low FA-exposed workers (0.41 +/- 0.25) was lower than that in high FA-exposed workers (0.65 +/- 0.36), but higher than that in controls (0.27 +/- 0.13), the differences were statistical significant (P < 0.05). The increased tendencies with the exposure levels were found in those three indices. In stratification analysis, the same results were found.

CONCLUSIONIn the current FA exposure levels, the DNA and chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte might be induced by FA exposure, and be increased with the levels of exposure.

Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Formaldehyde ; analysis ; poisoning ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Micronucleus Tests ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Smoking ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of endometriosis.

METHODSThe clinical and MR data of 33 patients with endometriosis were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSMR manifestations of endometriosis included endometrioma, peritoneal endometrial implant, adhesion, and other rare features.

CONCLUSIONSMR manifestations of endometriosis vary. Combining the clinical data with imaging data will help more accurate preoperative assessment of endometriosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Endometriosis ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine pretreatment on inflammatory visceral pain in rats. Methods Forty healthy male Wistar rats, weighing 200-300 g, aged 6-8 weeks, were divided into 5 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group ( group C) , visceral pain group ( group VP ) , dexmedetomidine 1 μg∕kg group ( group Dex1 ) , dexmedetomidine 5μg∕kg group ( group Dex2) and dexmedetomidine 10μg∕kg group ( group Dex3) . The model of inflammato-ry visceral pain was established by intraperitoneally injecting 0. 9％ acetic acid 10 ml∕kg in VP, Dex1, Dex2 and Dex3 groups, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group C. At 15 min be-fore intraperitoneal injection, dexmedetomidine 1, 5 and 10μg∕kg were injected via the tail vein in Dex1, Dex2 and Dex3 groups, respectively, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in C and VP groups. Behavioral changes of rats were observed within 60 min after the model was established, and viscer-al pain index ( VPI) was calculated. Blood samples were collected from the hearts at 180 min after establis-hing the model for determination of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-α) concentrations in serum. The ani-mals were then sacrificed, and colons were obtained for examination of pathological changes with a light mi-croscope. Results Compared with group C, the VPI and serum TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased in VP and Dex1-2 groups, and the serum TNF-αconcentrations were significantly increased ( P<0. 05), and no significant change was found in VPI in group Dex3 (P>0. 05). Compared with group VP, the VPI and serum TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased (P<0. 05), and the pathological changes of colon tissues were significantly attenuated in group Dex1-3. Compared with group Dex1, the VPI and serum TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased ( P<0. 01) , and the pathological changes of colon tissues were significantly attenuated in Dex2-3 groups. Compared with group Dex2, the VPI and ser-um TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased (P<0. 01), and the pathological changes of colon tissues were significantly attenuated in group Dex3. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine pretreatment can miti-gate inflammatory visceral pain in rats.

Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; complications ; drug therapy ; surgery ; therapy ; Fibrosis ; complications ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; etiology ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; drug therapy ; etiology ; surgery ; therapy

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in the oldest old.Method:The clinical data of elderly patients (≥60 years old) with BPPV diagnosed in the Clinical Center for Vertigo and Balance Disturbance of Capital Medical University between January 2019 and October 2021 was collected, including basic information, clinical symptoms in a structured medical history questionnaire and the time interval from the appearance of symptoms to medical consultation. According to the age, patients were divided into elderly group (60-74 years old) and the oldest old group (≥75 years old), and the demographic information, clinical symptoms and consultation time were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 3 019 patients with BPPV were included in analysis; there were 415 patients in the oldest-old group with the age of (79.54±3.62) years, and 2 604 patients in the elderly group with the age of (65.59±3.88) years. The incidence of vertigo, dizziness or vertigo triggered by position changes of head or body, headache and autonomic symptoms in the eldest-old group were less common than that in the elderly group (all P<0.05). But hearing loss and other types of dizziness (unable to determine the nature of dizziness or vertigo, or without typical symptoms such as dizziness, balance disorders, or instability) were more common in the eldest-old group than those in the elderly group (all P<0.05). Among 3 019 patients, 1 137 had definite time from symptom onset to diagnosis (1 004 in the elderly group and 133 in the oldest-old group), the proportion of patients with the time from the onset to diagnosis>7 days in the oldest-old group was higher than that in the elderly group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The oldest old patients with BPPV have more atypical symptoms than the younger elderly patients.

BACKGROUNDChronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with calcium transients and calcium handling proteins. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor has been demonstrated to have beneficial effect on CHF. Yet studies addressed to the relationship between ACE inhibitor and calcium transients in CHF are rare. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ACE inhibitor (perindopril) on the contractility and calcium transients and calcium handling proteins in ventricular myocytes from rats with experimental heart failure.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomized to heart failure group treated with perindopril [CHF-T, 3 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)], heart failure group without treatment (CHF-C) and sham-operated group (PS). Heart failure was induced by abdominal aortic constriction. All groups were further followed up for 12 weeks. Left ventricular myocytes were then isolated. Single cell shortening fraction and [Ca(2+)]i were simultaneously measured by laser scanning confocal microscope under the field stimulation (1.0 Hz). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to evaluate the changes of mRNA and protein of Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX1), sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2) and phospholamban (PLB).

RESULTSThe fraction of cell shortening (FS%) and [Ca(2+)]imax (nmol/L) were significantly reduced in group CHF-C compared with group PS (FS%: 7.51 +/- 1.15 vs 13.21 +/- 1.49; [Ca(2+)]i max: 330.85 +/- 50.05 vs 498.16 +/- 14.07; both P < 0.01), and restored at least partially in CHF-T group. In CHF-C group, the left ventricular mRNA of NCX1 and PLB were significantly upregulated in comparing with PS group (RNCX1/beta-Actin: 0.51 +/- 0.12 vs 0.19 +/- 0.06, P < 0.01; RPLB/beta-Actin: 0.26 +/- 0.12 vs 0.20 +/- 0.08, P < 0.05), while SERCA2 mRNA was downregulated (0.48 +/- 0.10 vs 0.80 +/- 0.11, P < 0.01). The mRNA levels of NCX1 and SERCA2 in CHF-T group were between the CHF-C and PS group, and the differences of the latter two groups were significant (all P < 0.05). In CHF-C and CHF-T groups, the protein expression of NCX1 were 1.141 +/- 0.047 and 1.074 +/- 0.081 times of that in PS group respectively (both P < 0.05), and SERCA2 protein levels were 0.803 +/- 0.100 and 0.893 +/- 0.084 times of that in PS group respectively (both P < 0.05). The protein expression of NCX1 and SERCA2 in the CHF-C and CHF-T groups is significantly different (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONACE inhibitor could improve cardiac function of failing heart through directly enhancing the contractility of single cardiomyocyte, and these effects are probably mediated by its roles in preventing the deleterious changes of calcium transients and calcium handling proteins in CHF.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; genetics ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Perindopril ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of ACE inhibitor (perindopril) on the contractility and calcium transient and calcium handling proteins in ventricular myocytes from rats with experimental heart failure.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomized to heart failure group treated with perindopril (CHF-T, 3 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)), heart failure group without treatment (CHF-C) and sham-operated group (PS) after heart failure was induced by constricting abdominal aorta for 16 weeks. All groups were further followed up for 12 weeks. Left ventricular myocytes were isolated, and single cell shortening fraction and [Ca(2+)](i) were simultaneously measured through laser scanning confocal microscope under the field stimulation (1.0 Hz). RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to evaluate the level of mRNA and protein of Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX(1)), sarcoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA(2)) and phospholamban (PLB).

RESULTSThe fraction of cell shortening (FS%) and [Ca(2+)](i max) (nmol/L) were significantly smaller in group CHF-C than group PS (FS%: 7.51 +/- 1.15 vs 13.21 +/- 1.49; [Ca(2+)](i max): 330.85 +/- 50.05 vs 498.16 +/- 14.07; both P < 0.01). And in CHF-T group, FS and [Ca(2+)](i max) were greater than those in CHF-C group. In CHF-C group, the left ventricular mRNA of NCX(1) and PLB were significantly higher than those in PS group (R(NCX)(1)/beta-Actin: 0.51 +/- 0.12 vs 0.19 +/- 0.06, P < 0.01; R(PLB)/beta-Actin: 0.26 +/- 0.12 vs 0.20 +/- 0.08, P = 0.045), yet SERCA(2) mRNA was lower than PS group (0.48 +/- 0.10 vs 0.80 +/- 0.11, P < 0.01). In CHF-T group, the mRNA levels of NCX(1) and SERCA(2) were just in the midst of the CHF-C and PS group, and had statistical significance respectively (all P < 0.05). In CHF - C and CHF - T group, the protein levels of NCX(1) were 1.141 +/- 0.047 and 1.074 +/- 0.081 times PS group, respectively (both P < 0.05), and SERCA(2) protein levels were respectively 0.803 +/- 0.100 and 0.893 +/- 0.084 times as high as in PS group (both P < 0.05). The protein expression of NCX(1) and SERCA(2) were also different between CHF-C and CHF-T groups (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONACE inhibitor could improve cardiac function in CHF through directly enhancing the contractility of single myocardial cell, and these effects were probably mediated by its role in preventing the deleterious changes of calcium transient and calcium handling proteins in CHF.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Perindopril ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To investigate the effect of different serum sodium levels on heart function and prognosis in very elderly patients with heart failure. Methods Totally 152 elderly patients(aged ≥ 85 years)with hyponatremia were enrolled.Based on the serum sodium level ,they were divided into mild(125 mmol/L ≤ Na+ < 135 mmol/L) ,moderate(125 mmol/L ≤ Na+ < 135 mmol/L) ,and severe hyponatremia(Na+ < 115 mmol/L)groups ,and 76 patients with normal blood sodium level(Na+ ≥ 135 mmol/L)were selected as control group. The general data ,levels of serum creatinine and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP)and prognosis were compared among the above groups. Results Compared with the control group ,patients with severe hyponatremia were much older ,with more diuretics administration ,higher level of serum creatinine , lowerlevelofeGFRandleftventricularejectionfractions[(38.1±3.9)％ vs.(45.2±9.7)％ ].There were higher incidences of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease [72.4％ (n=21)vs. 56.6％ (n=43)] ,diabetes[41.4％ (n=12)vs. 23.7％ (n=18)] ,chronic renal insufficiency [22.6％ (n=8)vs. 11.8％ (n=9)] ,stroke[20.6％ (n=6)vs. 9.2％ (n=7)]in patients with severe hyponatremia compared with other groups. The severe hyponatremia group showed significantly higher levels of NTproBNP [(4823. 9 ± 588. 1 )ng/L v s. (1124. 4 ± 349. 1 )ng/L ,(1836. 2 ± 369. 3 )ng/L ,(2894. 1 ± 687. 3 )ng/L ]and higher rates of mortality [27.6％ (n=8) vs.5.3％ (n=4) ,7.6％ (n=6) ,13.6％ (n=6)]as compared to the control group ,mild and moderate hyponatremia groups. Furthermore ,length of stay in hospital were markedly longer in patients with severe hyponatremia than those with mild and moderate hyponatremia[(11.1 ± 7.1)d vs. (19.6 ± 5.7)d ,(16.1 ± 4.2)d] . Conclusions Hyponatremia is a common type of electrolyte disorder in very elderly patients with heart failure ,and severe hyponatremia may predictand increased risk of death.

ObjectiveTo understand the current research status, research hotspots and development trends of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in the field of rehabilitation. MethodsThe relevant articles of CIMT in rehabilitation from January, 2000 to October, 2022 in CNKI and Web of Science were retrieved. The authors, institutions, countries, keywords and burst words were extracted with CiteSpace 6.1.R3 to draw knowledge mapping. ResultsA total of 1 165 articles were included, 359 articles in Chinese and 806 in English. The trend of annual publications was generally consistent, and after a period of rapid growth, the current annual publications showed a fluctuating trend. There was more cooperation among the institutions in English articles, with geographical limitation. The institutions in Chinese articles had the problem of insufficient cooperation. The researches mainly focused on the application of CIMT in different diseases, the improvement of motor function by CIMT, the application of CIMT in combination with other therapies, and the study of the related mechanisms of CIMT. In recent years, Chinese burst keywords included modified constraint-induced movement therapy, stroke hemiparesis, clinical efficacy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; English burst keywords included transcranial direct current stimulation, non-invasive brain stimulation, and unilateral cerebral palsy. ConclusionResearch on CIMT in the field of rehabilitation is in a period of steady development, and CIMT combined with non-invasive brain stimulation is likely to be a hotspot in future research.