Objective To investigate the risk factors for vascular cognitive impairment and the effet of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) on cognitive function in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods The data of patients with ischemic stroke over the age of 50 were collected.The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale and Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale were used to evaluate cognitive function.Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the depression status in order to exclude the patients with depression.The patients with ischemic stroke were divided into either a cognitive impairment group or a non-cognitive impairment group according to the scale evaluation results.The demographic and clinical characteristics in both groups were compared,and the multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to look for the independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with ischemic stroke.The Spearman rank correlation method was used to analyze the degree of CBMs,total score of MoCA,and the correlations of all cognitive domains scores.Results A total of 169 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled in the study.There were 80 patients in the cognitive impairment group and 89 in the non-cognitive impairment group; 34 patients had CMBs and 135 had no CMBs.The age was older (71.99 ±6.01 years vs.64.47 ±6.15 years; t =8.014,P =0.000),years of education were fewer (4.51 ± 1.534 years vs.6.94 ±2.357 years; t =8.023,P =0.000),systolic blood pressure was higher (156.19± 17.53 mm Hg vs.142.04± 16.03 mmHg,1 mmHg=0.133 kPa; t =5.479,P =0.000),scale of white matter lesion was higher (7.33 ± 2.04 vs.4.39 ± 2.17; t =8.951,P =0.000),cerebral infarction volume was larger (7 123.8 ± 1 587.1 mm3vs.5 628.4 ± 1 017.8 mm3;t =7.201 ; P =0.000),proportion of the patients with history of previous stroke or transient ischemic attack was higher (46.2％ vs.28.1％;x2 =5.982; P=0.014),and number of CBMs was larger (x2 =17.565; P=0.000) in the cognitive impairment group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age (odds ratio [OR] 1.115,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.013-1.227; P =0.026),years of education (OR 0.490,95％ CI0.325-0.793; P=0.001),systolic blood pressure (OR 1.048,95％ CI 1.014-1.083; P =0.005),scale of white matter lesion (OR 2.044,95％ CI 1.466-2.851; P =0.000),and cerebral infarction volume (OR 2.204,95％ CI 1.386-3.503; P =0.001) were all the independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with ischemic stroke.Compared to the non-CBM group,the age was older (72.06 ± 5.59 years vs.67.01 ±7.15 years; t =4.427; P =0.000),years of education were fewer (3.97 ± 1.381 years vs.6.25 ±2.317 years; t =7.367,P =0.000),systolic blood pressure was higher (155.03 ±20.16 mm Hgvs.147.16 ±17.32 mm Hg; t =2.290,P =0.023),scale of white matter lesion was more higher (7.03 ±2.139 vs.5.47 ±2.591; t =3.247,P =0.001),cerebral infarction volume was larger (6 968.5 ± 1 507.4 mm3 vs.6 177.0 ±1 477.1 mm3; t =2.735,P =0.007),and proportions of hypertension (82.4％ vs.41.5％ ;x2 =18.149,P =0.000),hyperlipidemia (88.2％ vs.39.3 ％ ;x2 =26.067,P =0.000),history of previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (70.6％ vs.28.1％ ;x2 =21.061,P =0.000) and coronary heart disease (94.1％ vs.45.2％ ;x2 =26.278,P=0.000) were higher in the CBM group.The MoCA total score (M[Q1 ～ Q3]; 24 [24 ～25]vs.28 [27 ～ 28] ; Z =-7.092,P =0.000) as well as the scores of attention (6 [5 ～ 6] vs.6 [6 ～ 6] ; Z =-2.502,P =0.012),abstraction (2[1 ～2] vs.2[2 ～2] ; Z =-2.382,P =0.017) and visuoexecutive (2[1 ～2] vs.4[4 ～5]; Z=-7.321,P=0.000) in the CMB group were significantly lower than those in the nonCBM group.The Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the CMB grade was negatively associated with the MoCA total score (rs =-0.879,P =0.000) as well as the scores of visuoexecutive (rs =-0.895,P =0.000),attention (rs =-0.337,P =0.005),and abstraction (rs =-0.333,P=0.006).Conclusions The age,years of education,systolic blood pressure,degree of white matter damage,and cerebral infarction volume are the risk factors for vascular cognitive impairment.The visuospatial executive dysfunction,attention and abstract thinking decline significantly in ischemic stroke patients with CBMs.CMBs and their numbers are closely associated with cognitive impairment.The more the CMB numbers are,the more obvious the cognitive impairment will be.

To explore the effects of exercise and Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule (DJC), a compound traditional herbal medicine, on the JNK signaling pathway in pancreatic tissues of diabetic rats and to investigate the possible mechanisms of exercise and DJC in treating diabetes.

Objective To investigate Aβ42 and P-tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods CSF of 25 cases of MCI and 14 cases of cognitively normal (CN) were investigated. The CSF levels of Aβ42 and P-tau were detected by ELISA method. Correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between P-tau level and MMSE score in MCI. Results The CSF level of Aβ 42 was higher and P-tau was lower in MCI than CN group(P<0.05). P-tau level in MCI was also negatively correlated with MMSE score (P<0.05). Conclusion Aβ42 and P-tau levels in CSF may be valuable biological markers in the diagnosis of MCI. P-tau level in CSF of MCI may be related to the severity of cognitive impairment.

Objective To establish and evaluate a method for determination of total arsenic in urine by test-tube rapid digestion hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry.Methods After digestion of urine samples using graduated test-tube and graphite digestion apparatus,arsenic content in urine was determined with atomic fluorescence spectrometer.Then the test results were evaluated by using quality control measures,such as precision and accuracy experiments,and the results between different laboratories were reviewed and compared.Results The urinary arsenic was in a linear range of 0-0.300 mg/L,correlation coefficient (r) ＞ 0.999 3,detection limit was 0.000 21 mg/L,relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤4.62％ and the recoveries of standard addition were 93.9％-104.3％.The value of standard reference material measured was within the allowable range.The blind sample of the national urinary arsenic was qualified.Conclusions This method is suitable for large scale determination of urinary arsenic for its micro sample amount needed,less interference and strong practicability.The error results are in a controlled range.

Objective To evaluate the effects of remifentanil on the metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma cells and expression of interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R).Methods Human adenocarcinoma cell line A549 cells were seeded in 24-well plates at a density of 2× 105 cells/ml (72 wells).The cells were divided into 4 groups (n =18 each) using a random number table:normal control group (group C) and remifentanil 2,4 and 6 ng/ml groups (group R2,group R4,group R6).In R2,R4 and R6 groups,remifentanil at the final concentrations of 2,4 and 6 ng/ml was added,respectively,and the cells were incubated for 4 h.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead of remifentanil in group C.The cells were collected at 24 h after the following incubation.The invasion of cells was determined by Transwell invasion assay,and the invaded cells were counted.The migration of cells was determined by cell scratch test,and cell migration rates were calculated.The expression of IL-7R in cells was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the number of invaded cells and cell migration rates were significantly decreased in R2,R4 and R6 groups,and the expression of IL-7R was down-regulated in R4 and R6 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group R2,the number of invaded cells and cell migration rates were significantly decreased,and the expression of IL-7R was down-regulated in R4 and R6 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group R4,the number of invaded cells and cell migration rates were significantly decreased,and the expression of IL-7R was down-regulated in group R6 (P＜0.05).Conclusion Remifentanil can inhibit metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma cells and down-regulate the expression of IL-7R.

OBJECTIVETo establish a blood glucose fluctuation model in diabetic rats.

METHODSMale SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, namely normal group and diabetes group. Rat model of diabetes was established by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and then divided into sustained high blood glucose group and blood glucose fluctuation group. Rat model of blood glucose fluctuation was established by subcutaneous injection with regular insulin or gavaging of glucose twice daily in diabetic rats. The general condition, body weight, daily blood glucose levels of 5 different times, daily average blood glucose (MBG), standard deviation of daily average blood glucose (SDBG), the maximum amplitude of glycemic excursions (LAGE), fasting serum insulin (FINS) and pancreatic tissue pathology were observed.

RESULTSRats in blood glucose fluctuation group and sustained high blood glucose group developed symptoms of polyphagia, polyuria and polydipsia. Though significant differences in body weight were observed at different time (P<0.01), no significant differences were found among the three groups (P>0.05). After 6 weeks of blood glucose fluctuation, MBG, SDBG and LAGE in blood glucose fluctuation group and sustained high blood glucose group were increased significantly than those in normal group (P<0.01), the level of FINS decreased markedly (P<0.05). SDBG and LAGE in blood glucose fluctuation group were higher than those in sustained high blood glucose group (P<0.01). Islet of diabetic rat became atrophy, irregular shape, sparse distribution, and decreased in number, and the changes were more obvious in blood glucose fluctuation group.

CONCLUSIONRat model of blood glucose fluctuation can be successfully established by subcutaneous injection of regular insulin of gavage of glucose twice daily in diabetic rats.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Fasting ; Glucose ; administration & dosage ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin

Objective The psychometric hepatic encephalopathy scale (PHES),including five psychometric tests,is a standard for the diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and enjoys predictive value of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE).We investigate whether a simplified PHES is as useful as the whole PHES.Methods Seventy consecutive hepatitis B cirrhotic patients without OHE,admitted to our hospital from October 2012 to June 2013,and other 72 healthy volunteers were chosen in our study.PHES was performed in both groups.Expected normal reference value formula were established based on the 5 psychometric tests in healthy controls,and backward logistic regression was performed by eliminating stepwise variables of PHES to get a simplified PHES (SPHES).Then,SPHES was performed on the 70 patients and followed up for a year to detect the prevalence rate of MHE and OHE.Results PHES was easily influenced by age and educational level.In patients with liver cirrhosis,44.29％ patients (31/70) had MHE based on PHES and 41.43％ (9/70) had MHE based on SPHES,without significant differences (P＞0.05).According to the follow-up study,21 patients developed OHE; the number of developing OHE showed no significant difference between MHE patients dignosed by PHES and SPHES (P＞0.05).Conclusion SPHES is as good as PHES in diagnosing MHE and predicting the occurrence of OHE,which consumes less time and is more suitable for clinical screening.

In order to investigate the effects of rhGM-CSF on apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced with VP-16 treatment, HL-60 cells were first incubated with rhGM-CSF before they were treated with VP-16. The apoptosis processes and the changes in apoptosis related gene bcl-2 and fas expression were observed. The morphological and ultrastructural changes were observed under optics microscope and electromicroscope. DNA fragmentation were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis, the apoptotic rate, bcl-2 and fas expression with flow cytometry. Our results showed that rhGM-CSF inhibited the apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced with VP-16 treatment, which enhanced the down-regulation of bcl-2 expression, but inhibited the up-regulation of fas expression. So it suggested that rhGM-CSF can decrease the sensitivity of HL-60 cells to VP-16, probably by down-regulation of fas expression.

OBJECTIVETo analyze potential mutations of NOTCH3 gene in a Chinese family featuring cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarct and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) in order to facilitate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSThe proband and related family members and 100 healthy controls were recruited. The NOTCH3 gene was screened for mutations by polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing. PolyPhen-2 and SIFT software were used to predict the protein function.

RESULTSThe proband and two affected individuals from the family were adult-onset, with main clinical manifestations including recurrent transient ischemic attacks and(or) strokes, cognitive impairment, memory decline, and depression. MRI findings suggested multiple cerebral infarcts and severe leukoencephalopathy. A novel heterozygous missense mutation c.3043T> A (p.Cys1015Ser) located in exon 19 of NOTCH3 gene was identified not only in the proband and two patients, but also in an asymptomatic relative from the family. The same mutation was detected in none of the 100 unrelated healthy controls. Function analysis suggested that this mutation can severely affect the functions of this protein. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that the mutation site was extremely conserved in various species.

CONCLUSIONA novel heterozygous Cys1015Ser mutations in exon 19 of the NOTCH3 gene probably underlies the CADASIL in this family.

Adult ; Aged ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; CADASIL ; complications ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Family Health ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, Notch3 ; Receptors, Notch ; genetics ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid