Objective To explore the characteristics of visual P300 event-related potentials (ERP) in children with mental retardation and evaluate the correlations between visual P300 in event-related potentials and intelligent quotient.Methods Thirty children with mental retardation were selected as the test group who were inpatients or saw a doctor in the Department of Rehabilitation of Hunan Children Hospital.At the same time,thirty normal children were selected as the control group who saw a doctor in the Department of Child Healthcare of Hunan Children Hospital.Two groups had no statistically significant difference in sex and age (P ＞ 0.05) and were comparable.All children were administered with the Wechsler intelligence test in the Department of Child Healthcare and the visual event-related potential test in the Department of Rehabilitation.The results of the visual P300 latency and amplitude were analyzed.Another,the relevance between intelligent quotient (IQ) and P300 latency and amplitude were also compared by statistics.Results Compared to the control group,the visual P300 latency in children with mental retardation (MR) was apparently longer and the amplitude decreased significantly in children with MR,with a statistically significant difference between two groups(P ＜0.05).P300 latency in MR expected negative correlation with intelligent quotient and the amplitude in MR expected no correlation with intelligent quotient.Conclusions P300 latency and amplitude of ERP could objectively reflect cognitive function in children with MR,could be regarded as one of the objective measurement in the evaluation of cognitive function in children with MR.It can be used as an objective electrophysiological index for assisting in the diagnosis of mental retardation of children in clinic.

To study the biomechanical behaviors of the cells, reliable fluid shear stress loading system is needed. Compared to the traditional parallel plate flow chamber (PPFC) system, a rocking system presented by Zhou offers some advantages such as easier operation, lower cost and higher quantity of pocessing. But the feasibility of it has not been practically studied. To investigate the feasibility whether the rocking system can be used to apply quantified fluid shear stress loading, primary osteoblasts of mouse were loaded with fluid shear stress based on rocking system and traditional PPFC system, respectively. Another group of cells was unloaded as control. The cytoskeleton was observed with laser scanning confocal microscope (LSM) and average fluorescence of F-actin was recorded. Cell cycle was also measured by flow cytometry and percentage of S-phase cells was recorded. The result showed that average fluorescence of F-actin was enhanced after rocking system loading (46.8 +/- 4.5) compared to the control (20.4 +/- 1 8) and the percentage of S-phase cells was increased (10.6 +/- 1.04) after rocking system loading as well (which was 4.1 +/- 0.54 in control group). Furthermore, the fluid shear stress generated by rocking system could induce more significant biological effects compared to PPFC system. This study demonstrated that fluid shear stress generated by rocking system could induce biological effects of osteoblasts, and it could simulate the micro environment of cells in vioe better than PPFC. Rocking system is a convenient and feasible method for fluid shear stress loading.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeleton ; ultrastructure ; Feasibility Studies ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Shear Strength ; Skull ; chemistry ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of cultivation techniques on the flower yield flavonoid content in Chrysanthemum flower grown in Hebei.

METHODStudied on flowers yield and three factors (transplanting date and plant density and fertilizer quantity) were examined in field experiment at 4 treatments levels.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe best results were obtained at following conditions: diammonium phosphate 300 kg x hm(-2) and potassium sulfate 150 kg x hm(-2) fertilized before transplanting, transplanting at the first ten days of May and the spacing 40 cm x 40 cm.

Biomass ; China ; Chrysanthemum ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Fertilizers ; Flavonoids ; metabolism ; Flowers ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Gardening ; methods ; Phosphates ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Seasons ; Sulfates

Using the theory and method of health economics,we analyzed CER and ICER in early elimination stage (2005-2009),the late elimination stage (2015-2010) and the post elimination phase (2016-).Results showed that annual total cost of investment was as following:64 235 144.8 Yuan in early elimination stage,11 250 248 Yuan in the late elimination stage,and 11 075 228.8 Yuan the post elimination phase.Effect analysis showed that the difference of the three-stage monitoring measures was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Number of cases within 3 days of onset (rate) prompt monitoring measures had the best effect in the late elimination stage,number of blood tests (rates),number of cases reported (rates) and number of cases within 1 days of onset (rate).Prompt monitoring measures had the best effect in the post elimination phase.CER and IC-ER showed that taking the number of blood test as the effect index,the monitoring measures in the late elimination stage were more cost effective.The number of cases reported,number of cases within 3 days of onset and number of cases within 1 day of onset were as the effect index,the monitoring measures in the post elimination phase were more cost effective.The elimination effect for monitoring measures after stage was optimal,cost the least,and might be the most effective.The study provides basic data for Fujian Province to strengthen the monitoring of imported cases of malaria on the construction of the management mechanism,and scientific and effective evaluation of monitoring measures,which has very important practical value and significance.

Aim To explore the influences of scutellarin on ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis,using LPS-primed murine macrophages J774A.1 as an inflammatory cell model,and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods The effects of scutellarin on ATP-induced pyroptosis in murine J774A.1 macrophages were analyzed by propidium iodide (PI) staining assay.The levels of IL-1β,caspase-1 and HMGB1 in cell lysates and culture supernatants were analysed using Western blot.The levels of IL-1β in cell culture supernatants were measured by cytometric beads array (CBA).Results ATP significantly induced caspase-1 activation and mature IL-1β and HMGB1 release into the culture supernatants in LPS-primed murine J774A.1 macrophages,and induced pyroptosis.Scutellarin treatment dose-dependently inhibited ATP-induced caspase-1 activation,mature IL-1β and HMGB1 release,and pyroptosis.Notably,scutellarin's inhibitory effects on ATP-induced pyroptosis were markedly reversed by the adenylate cyclase inhibitor MDL12330A and selective protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89.Conclusion Scutellarin inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis by modulating the PKA activity in macrophages,thereby exhibiting anti-inflammatory activities.

OBJECTIVETo ascertain the karyotype of a girl with moderate mental retardation and growth retardation, perform correlation analysis between chromosomal variation and phenotype, and investigate the application and superiority of array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) in clinical cytogenetic diagnosis.

METHODSG-banded chromosome analysis, array-CGH, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) were used to ascertain the karyotype of the patient and her relatives.

RESULTSG-banding analysis of the patient showed a derivative chromosome 10 with an extra fragment on its long arm terminal, both her father and grandmother had an apparently balanced translocation t(4;10)(q25;q26). Array-CGH revealed that the breakpoint on chromosome 4 was located at 4q26. In addition, a microdeletion of about 0.54 Mb del(10)(q26.3) was identified from the patient. FISH and RQ-PCR confirmed that the del(10)(q26.3) was also present in both her father and grandmother.

CONCLUSIONNo recognizable phenotype was associated with del(10)(q26.3). The abnormal phenotypes presented in the patient may be ascribed to the 4q26-q35.2 triplication. Further more, compared with conventional cytogenetic analysis, array-CGH is of high resolution and high accuracy.

Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 ; genetics ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Intellectual Disability ; genetics ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Trisomy ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of the combination of Wenxia Changfu Formula ([see text], WCF) with cisplatin (CDDP) on inhibiting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro and In Vivo and explore its mechanism from its effect on cell cycle.

METHODSIn vitro, WCF-containing serum was prepared and the rhubarb b1, emodin, and aconitine were detected qualitatively by high-performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC). A549 cell lines were treated with blank control (dimethyl sulfoxide), normal serum, normal serum with CDDP (1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 μg/mL, respectively), WCF-containing serum plus different doses of CDDP (1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 μg/mL, respectively). The inhibitory effect was detected by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazo(-zy1)-3,5-diphenylterazolium bromide (MTT). The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The protein and mRNA expressions of cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), retinoblastoma (Rb), and p16 were observed with immunofluorescence and RT-PCR, respectively. In Vivo, nude mice xenograft model was established and grouped into the control, CDDP, WCF, and combination groups. The combination's inhibition of tumor growth and influence on the weight, spleen, and thymus gland were observed.

RESULTSThe inhibitory rate of the combination against A549 cell lines excelled the CDDP alone significantly (P <0.05); the combination showed a synergism inhibitory effect (Q=1.19). Compared with the monotherapy, the combination increased the cell percentage in G(0)/G(1) phase and decreased the cell percentage in S phase significantly (P <0.05); the protein and mRNA expressions of cyclin D1, PCNA, and Rb were significantly reduced; the protein and mRNA expressions of p16 were significantly enhanced. Compared with the monotherapy, the combination inhibited the tumor growth significantly In Vivo and reduced the weight of tumor (P <0.05); compared with the CDDP group, the spleen and thymus gland index of the combination group were enhanced significantly (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of WCF with CDDP significantly inhibited the A549 cell lines proliferation in vitro and the growth of the tumor In Vivo; it inhibited effectively the atrophy of the immune organ caused by chemotherapy. The combination inhibited overproliferation of A549 cell lines by arresting the G(0) /G(1) phase of cell cycle and affecting the protein and mRNA expressions of cell cycle-related proteins, cyclin D1, etc.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spleen ; drug effects ; pathology ; Thymus Gland ; drug effects ; pathology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

The quantitative identification and enrichment of viable regulatory T cells (Treg) requires reliable surface markers that are selectively expressed on Treg. Foxp3 is the accepted marker of natural Treg, but it cannot be used to isolate cells for functional studies. CD127 is a new surface marker expressed in Treg cells. In this study, two populations of Treg, including CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low/-) and CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)T cells, and profiles of the Foxp3 expression in CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low/-) cells were compared to evaluate which population is better. The peripheral blood cells were collected and spleen suspension of BALB/C mice were prepared, and using triple staining CD4, CD25, CD127 and CD4, CD25, Foxp3. The profiles of Treg, including CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low/-) and CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) were detected by flow cytometry. The quadruple staining CD4, CD25, Foxp3 and CD127 were used to determine the CD127 expression in CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells. The results showed that on T cell subset the median expression levels of CD4(+), CD4(+)CD25(+) were 39.02%, 5.35% in peripheral blood and 23.49%, 3.86% in spleen. On CD4(+) T cell subset, the median expression level of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low/-) and CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)T cells were 7.13%, 3.97% in peripheral blood and 12.8%, 8.23% in spleen. The ratio of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low/-) T cells was higher than that of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells in both peripheral blood and spleen cells (P < 0.01). The CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low/-) cells highly expressed Foxp3, while the CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)T cells lowly expressed CD127. It is concluded that compared with the CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) populations, CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low/-) T cells better fit the definition of naturally occurring regulatory T cells in peripheral blood cells and spleen of BALB/C mice. CD127(low/-) is a characteristic marker on surface of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells, and has been confirmed to be more specific marker for quantitatively sorting Treg cells.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Female ; Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Spleen ; cytology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; metabolism

Objective To develop a buckle tourniquet to facilitate further casualty treatment.Methods The requirements oftheater/field first aid of the PLA were analyzed.The existing spinning tourniquet was modified from the aspects of shorteningoperation time,controlling hemostatic pressure precisely,relieving tourniquet timely etc.The developed tourniquet was madeof engineering plastics and polyester webbing,and composed of a micro-regulation buckle,a main strap,a tightening band,atimer,a garrote,Velcro,a self-adhesive band,a garrote fixation clamp etc.Results The tourniquet had the operation timebeing 11.52 s,and avoided ischemic necrosis of tissues by automatic alarm in case of 1-h hemostasis for upper limbs or 1.5-hhemostasis for lower limbers.Conclusion The tourniquet gains advantages in low cost,high portability,easy operation,high efficiency and timing function,and thus meets the requirements for theater/field first aid.

BACKGROUNDMedullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignant tumour and usually difficult to diagnose with ultrasound. The aim of the study is to summarize the sonographic features of MTC and evaluate their diagnostic values.

METHODSWe analyzed the sonographic features of 35 MTCs and 50 benign nodules with respect to nodular size, echogenecity, internal content, shape, height/width, border, peripheral halo, calcifications and colour flow pattern. The ratio of long to short axis, echogenecity, internal content and calcifications were also assessed in cervical lymph nodes. The differences in sonographic features between MTCs and benign nodules were analyzed with Chi square test. The diagnostic efficiency of each sonographic feature was determined.

RESULTSThe main sonographic features of MTC were hypoechogenicity (including marked hypoechogenicity) (n = 34, 97%), internal solid content (n = 29, 83%), taller than wide (n = 34, 97%), well defined border (n = 24, 69%), microcalcifications or macrocalcifications (n = 23, 66%). The echogenicity, internal content, shape, peripheral halo and calcifications were significantly different between these two groups, while the tall/wide, border, and perinodular and intranodular vascularisation were not significantly different. Among all the individual sonographic features, irregular shape had the highest diagnostic efficiency with a sensitivity of 51% and specificity of 92%. The combination of marked hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, and irregular shape yielded a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 86%.

CONCLUSIONSThe typical sonographic features of MTC are hypoechogenicity, predominantly solid, irregularly shaped with intranodular micro- or macro-calcifications. The combination of multiple sonographic features is helpful, but not definitive, for the diagnosis of MTC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult