OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of aminoguanidine and vitamin C on serum laminin of rats with diabetic nephropathy model. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into normal control group, diabetes model group, vitamin C group,aminoguanidine group,vitamin C plus aminogucinidine group. The diabetes model(Type 1) was established in all groups except the normal control group by injecting them intraperitoneally with streptozotocin, after which, they were treated with the corresponding drugs for 16 weeks. During and after the treatment, the general state, blood gloucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum laminin, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and the 24-hours urinary albumin excretion rate of each group were observed and determined. RESULTS: The serum laminin levels increased and diabetic nephropathy occurred in all the 4 groups after being modelled. Aminoguanidine group, vitamin C had no effect on blood glucose level, while they could improve the basic condition and the combination of the two could significantly decrease serum levels of laminin, urea nitrogen, creatinine and the 24-hours urinary albumin excretion rate. CONCLUSION: Aminogucinidine and vitamin C couldn't decrease the blood sugar level but the combination of which has a synergistic action to decrease serum laminin level while preventing renal function.

Objective To measure the organ weights , blood physiological and biochemical parameters , and immune function of Specific Pathogen Free ( SPF) Rag2 knockout ( KO) mice.Methods Rag2 knockout mice were selected at five and ten weeks , and the organ weights , blood physiological and biochemical parameters were observed .The percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, B220+, NK1.1+, and CD11b+were checked by FCM in Rag2 KO mice at six week of age in terms of its T , B lymphocyte function and NK cell activity .Results Among the same sex group of NOD/SCID mice, the weights of brain, lung, spleen, liver, heart, kidney, and the levels of TBIL, WBC in 10 weeks of age are higher than 5 weeks.At the same age, the weights of heart, kidney, liver, spleen, and the levels of AST, ALP, A/G, GLU, PLT, PCT, WBC, and LYM%in male mice are higher than females.The Rag2 KO mice lacks T cells(0.36 ±0.15)%、CD4+T cells(0.21 ±0.06)%、CD8+T cells(0.23 ±0.07)%、CD19+B cells(0.28 ±0.04)%、B220+B cells(2.03 ±0.42)%).The percentage of NK cells is(24.13 ±3.62)%, and the percentage of granulocytes is (57.20 ±3.85)%.Conclusion The study suggests that the organ weights , blood physiological and biochemical parameters are affected by age and gender in Rag2 KO mice, which main biological characteristics are similar with C 57BL/6J mice.The Rag2 KO mice show the deficiency of T , B cells function .

Objective To develop a clinical intelligent management system of dressing consumables to realize precision consumables management without increased manpower consumption.Methods The system was composed of four parts of storage box,display screen,detection unit and control processor.The storage box consisted of storage units,identification unit and an input panel.The storage unit included a box body,a lid and an electronic lock for locking the body and lid,and the lock was connected with the control processor.Results The system recognized the medical prescription automatically,and then corresponding dressing consumables were packed and ejected accordingly.Conclusion The system decreases the costs for time,manpower and medical service,and thus is worthy promoting practically for precision hospital consumables management.

AIM: To evaluate whether tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) loaded with heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) inhibit the progression of aortic atherosclerotic plaque in hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein E (Apo-E) -null mice. METHODS: Bone marrow derived DC of the mice were loaded with HSP60 and co-cultured with rapamycin to generate tolerogenic DC. The tolerogenic DC, DC loaded only HSP60 and PBS were injected into the ApoE-null mice at 8 weeks of age for three times at a one-week interval. 8 weeks after the last injection, aorta were harvested for HE staining and anti-CD4~+T cell immunostaining. Responses of pleenic cells to HSP60 were also evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with DC, DC_ HSP60 expressed higher levels of CD86, and stimulated T lymphocytes to proliferation significantly, while the tolerogenic DC expressed lower levels of CD86, and inhibited T lymphocytes to proliferation. After immunization with different injection, the numbers of CD4~+ T cells in plaque were increased significantly in DC_ HSP60 group vs in PBS group (P

Objective To explore the chronic effects of mild and moderate iodine excess and iodine restriction on apoptosis of thyrocytes. Methods Wistar rats were exposed to 4 different doses of iodine: 4 μg/d (control), 6 μg/d (1.5 fold iodine excess), 12 μg/d (3 fold iodine excess), and 24 μg/d (6 fold iodine excess) for 1, 2, 4 and 8 months. Some rats treated for 8 months were fed with 4 μg/d iodine for another 3 months. Urinary iodine concentration was monitored by arscnic/cerium catalyzing spectrophotography. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry after Annexin V-FTTC staining and uhrastructure assessment under electronic microscope. Cell cycle kinetics was analyzed by flow eytometry after propidium iodine staining. Fluorescent measurement by DCFH-DA probe was used to determine the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Expressions of apoptic proteins were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Results Apoptotosis rate and ROS production in thyrocytes were significantly increased in 3 and 6 fold iodine excess groups after 4 months and 8 months (all P < 0.05), which was reversed with iodine restriction. 6 fold iodine exposure was proved to cause a reduction of cells in GOG1-phase (64% and 67% vs 80%, both P < 0. 05) and a concomitant accumulation in S-phase (5% and 6% vs 3%, both P <0.05) after 4 months and 8 months. Expressions of Fas, FasL and TRAIL proteins in 3 and 6 fold iodine excess groups after 8 months were increased by 2 to 4 times compared with control group and did not return to normal after iodine restriction. Bcl-2 and Bax remained constant. Positive correlations were observed among iodine amount, apoptosis rate and ROS level in 6 fold iodine excess group after 8 months (r = 0. 637-0.790, P < 0.01). Conclusion Chronic iodine excess results in thyrocyte apoptosis due probably to generation of ROS.

Analyzing the digital characteristics (chaotic and spectral features) of fetal and pregnant woman's heart period signal (HPS) can assess the autonomic nervous system function. Extracting and analyzing HPS of fetal and pregnant woman in perinatal period were realized by using the method of visual programming. The subjects were in supine position. Electrocardiography-signal (ECS) from the leads placed at symphysis pubic bone to inferior border of abdominal wall was acquired. ECS was preprocessed by wavelet filter. The sophisticated technique developed by our laboratory was used to analyze the digital characteristics of HPS. The system could be used to assess fetal and pregnant woman's autonomic nervous system function, furthermore, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous function could be evaluated respectively and quantificationally. The system also could be used to prognosticate fetal distress. The digital characteristics of fetal and other age groups' HPS, which vary with age, suggest the physiological process of development, mature and senility of autonomic nervous system; based on it, we could find the way of anti-senility. Some digital parameters of fetal HPS stand between those of newborn and adult, which may imply that fetal autonomic nervous regulation is influenced by mother's nerve and endocrine system.
Adult ; Autonomic Nervous System ; embryology ; physiology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fetal Heart ; physiology ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Parasympathetic Nervous System ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

Objective To determine the factors that influence the development of abnormal thyrotropin (TSH) level in an euthyroid population.Methods We conducted a follow-up study in 3 communities with different iodine status.Of the 3403 euthyroid subjects at baseline screened in 1999,80.1% ( n = 2727 ) was visited and sampled in 2004 for measuring TSH,thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb).Results Iodine status in the 3 communities were stable.Decreased TSH level( <0.3 mU/L) developed in 2.5% (n =68) of sampled subjects,while raised TSH level( > 4.8 mU/L) in 2.4% (n = 64).A logistic analysis showed that risk factors for developing decreased TSH level included positive conversion of TPOAb (OR = 5.5 ),positive TPOAb both in 1999 and in 2004 ( OR = 4.0),positive TgAb in 2004 ( OR = 3.7) and TSH < 1.0 mU/L in 1999 ( OR = 2.6).Risk factors involved in developing raised TSH level included iodine status of Zhangwu community ( OR = 4.1 ),iodine status of Huanghua community ( OR = 3.9),positive TgAb in 2004 ( OR = 3.7 ),positive TPOAb both in 1999 and 2004 (OR =3.6),positive conversion of TPOAb (OR =2.7) and TSH > 1.9 mU/L in 1999 (OR = 2.6 ).Conclusions Exposure to long-term iodine excess imposes danger of developing hypothyroidism.The risk will be even higher when exposing to iodine adequacy after correction of iodine deficiency.An interval between 1.0 and 1.9 mU/L of TSH level was optimul with the least probability of developing abnormal TSH level.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role and value of Changhai fulcrum bending radiograph(CH-FBR) in curve flexibility assessment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS) patients.

METHODSThirty-seven AIS patients treated between June 2012 and August 2013 were enrolled, including 31 female and 6 male patients whose age ranged from 10 to 19 years, averaged of 15.0 years. The assessment of radiographs included preoperative standing posterior-anterior radiograph, supine side-bending radiograph, traditional fulcrum bending radiograph, Changhai fulcrum bending radiograph and postoperative standing posterior-anterior radiograph. Postoperatively, radiographs were assessed at one week. The CH-FBR was performed at the lowest height and the optimized height which means the weight on the fulcrum touch the maximum. All measurements of angle were made with use of the Cobb method. The flexibility of the curve as well as the correction rate and fulcrum bending correction index (FBCI) were calculated for all patients. The maximum height of CH-FBR, basic weight and maximum weight were measured for all AIS. Paired t-tests were used to assess differences between preoperative and postoperative curves within group samples. The Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated using bivariate analysis between CH-FBR flexibility rate and correction rate, the maximum height of CH-FBR and maximum weight, the height changes of CH-FBR and weight changes.

RESULTSA total of 46 curves were involved in this study, including 28 thoracic and 18 thoracolumbar/lumbar curves. Preoperatively, the mean Cobb angle of the 46 structural curves was 47° ± 11°. Postoperatively, the mean Cobb angle was 11° ± 5°. Cobb's angle in supine side-bending(t = 7.2, P = 0.001), traditional fulcrum bending (t = 7.1, P = 0.001) and lowest height of Changhai fulcrum bending (t = 6.5, P = 0.001) were significantly different from the postoperative Cobb angle; Cobb's angle in traditional FBR (t = 11.0, P = 0.001) and lowest height of Changhai fulcrum bending (t = 13.6, P = 0.001) were significantly different from the optimized height CH-FBR Cobb angle. There was no significant difference found between traditional FBR Cobb angle and lowest height CH-FBR Cobb angle (t = 2.0, P = 0.051), optimized height CH-FBR Cobb angle and postoperative Cobb angle (t = 0.9, P = 0.36), lowest height CH-FBR Cobb angle and traditional FBR Cobb angle(t = 2.0, P = 0.051). The maximum height of CH-FBR, basic weight and maximum weight were (29.6 ± 1.4)cm,(20 ± 6)kg, and (40 ± 6) kg. Preoperatively, the mean Cobb angle of the 28 structural curves(main thoracic curves) was 46° ± 11°. Postoperatively, the mean Cobb angle was 12° ± 6°. Preoperatively, the mean Cobb angle of the 18 structural curves(thoracolumbar/lumbar curves) was 49° ± 12°. Postoperatively, the mean Cobb angle was 10° ± 5°. The results were same in 28 structural curves, 18 structural curves as well as 46 curves. Correlation analysis of 46 curves indicated that the maximum height of CH-FBR positively correlated with maximum weight (r = 0.69, r(2) = 0.47, P = 0.001), the height changes of CH-FBR positively correlated with weight changes on CH-FBR (r = 0.62, r(2) = 0.38, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSCH-FBR is a more reliable and effective method than traditional FBR and supine side-bending for curve flexibility evaluation in AIS patients. Moreover, compared to the traditional FBR and side-bending radiograph, the flexibility suggested by the optimized height CH-FBR more closely approximates the postoperative result made by pedicle screws fixation and fusion.

Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: A failed electrocardiography (ECG)-trigger often leads to a long acquisition time (TA) and deterioration in image quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and optimize the technique of self-gated (SG) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for cardiac late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging of rats with myocardial infarction/reperfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance images of 10 rats were obtained using SG-LGE or ECG with respiration double-gating (ECG-RESP-gating) method at 7T to compare differences in image interference and TA between the two methods. A variety of flip angles (FA: 10°–80°) and the number of repetitions (NR: 40, 80, 150, and 300) were investigated to determine optimal scan parameters of SG-LGE technique based on image quality score and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). RESULTS: Self-gated late gadolinium enhancement allowed successful scan in 10 (100%) rats. However, only 4 (40%) rats were successfully scanned with the ECG-RESP-gating method. TAs with SG-LGE varied depending on NR used (TA: 41, 82, 154, and 307 seconds, corresponding to NR of 40, 80, 150, and 300, respectively). For the ECG-RESP-gating method, the average TA was 220 seconds. For SG-LGE images, CNR (42.5 ± 5.5, 43.5 ± 7.5, 54 ± 9, 59.5 ± 8.5, 56 ± 13, 54 ± 8, and 41 ± 9) and image quality score (1.85 ± 0.75, 2.20 ± 0.83, 2.85 ± 0.37, 3.85 ± 0.52, 2.8 ± 0.51, 2.45 ± 0.76, and 1.95 ± 0.60) were achieved with different FAs (10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, and 40°, respectively). Optimal FAs of 20°–30° and NR of 80 were recommended. CONCLUSION: Self-gated technique can improve image quality of LGE without irregular ECG or respiration gating. Therefore, SG-LGE can be used an alternative method of ECG-RESP-gating.
Animals ; Electrocardiography ; Gadolinium* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methods ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Rats* ; Respiration

Objective:To explore any effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the recovery of neurological functioning and the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and inflammatory factors after ischemic stroke.Methods:Sixty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, a sham stimulation group and an observation group, each of 16. All mice except those of the normal control group received middle cerebral artery occlusion using the suture method to model an ischemic stroke. After the modeling the observation group was given 1Hz rTMS daily for 7 consecutive days, while the sham stimulation group was given sham rTMS. After the intervention, Zea-Longa scores were used for all of the groups, and the size of the cerebral infarct was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The expression of NLRP3 around the cerebral infarction was detected using immunofluorescence, while that in the brain tissue was measured using Western blotting. The expression of interleukin-1β and IL-18 in the brain tissue was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results:Compared with the normal control group, a significant increase was observed in the other groups′ average neurological function impairment scores. Expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in the model and sham stimulation groups also increased, with large cerebral infarcts in the cortex and hippocampus. Compared with the sham stimulation and model groups, there was a significant decrease in the average neurological dysfunction scores, the area of cerebral infarction in the cortex and hippocampus, as well as the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 in the observation group.Conclusions:Low-frequency rTMS can promote the recovery of damaged nerve function after an ischemic stroke, at least in mice. It can reduce the size of cerebral infarction, and inhibit neuronal pyroptosis, which is closely related to the down-regulation of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 expression.