Objective To compare the thickness of the retina and its sublayers between young and elderly rats using a stereological method. Methods Six young(3 months old) and six elderly(2 year old) LongEvans rats were used in this study.The right eyeball was dissected from each rat and prepared as a set of serial sagittal sections and applied with HE staining.The sections and fields were sampled in the systematic random fashion and examined under a light microscope.The thickness of the whole retina and its 8 sublayers were identified and measured. Results Compared with that of the young rats,the thickness of the whole retina and most of the sublayers of the elderly rats were significantly decreased.The decrease was such so that the proportion of the thickness of each sublayer to that of the whole retina remained unchanged.Most interestingly,among the 8 sublayers of the retina,the thickness of the exterior plexus layer reduced nearly 46.2% during aging process.Conclusion Aging has a significant effect on the thickness of the rat retina.Such effect is better presented with the systematic random sampling method.

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of intense pulsed light (IPL) on the dermatopathological manifestation in a Bama miniature pig model of steroid-induced dermatitis.MethodsFive female Bama miniature pigs aged two months were selected.The white skin areas with white hair at both sides of the neck served as the target area.Halometasone(0.05％) cream was applied to the right target area twice daily for 60 days to establish a model of steroid-induced dermatitis.Then,3 pigs were randomly selected and irradiated with IPL of 25 J/cm2 at the model area with an interval of 3 weeks for 9 weeks,the remaining 2 pigs receiving no treatment served as the natural recovery group.Finally,skin tissues were obtained from the left and right target areas and subjected to haematoxylin and eosin staining for the observation of histopathological changes.ResultsA significant increase was observed in the layer number of keratinocytes and thickness of dermal collagen fiber in the IPL-treated pigs compared with the pigs in natural recovery group (6.27 ± 1.26 vs.2.98 ±0.92,t =3.27,P＜ 0.01; 1.88 ± 0.19 mm vs.0.84 ± 0.15 mm,t =4.25,P＜ 0.01).Moreover,IPL irradiation resulted in the regression of telangiectasis in the dermis.ConclusionIPL may increase skin thickness,relieve flushing and improve skin elasticity efficiently.

Objective To investigate the effect of apolipoprotein E gene knock-out(ApoE KO) and high-fat diet on morphology and the expression of mortalin in hippocampal CA_3 neurons of mice, and to explore the impact of these factors on memory and Alzheimer's disease.Methods Ten wild-type and 10 ApoE KO mice were fed with common chow as the control group and the KO group respectively while 10 ApoE KO mice were fed with high fat diet.Twelve weeks later, the weight and the lid of these mice were measured.The brain tissues were observed using HE staining, nissl staining, protargol staining,immunohistochemistry staining and image analysis by computer.Results In the ApoE KO group, weight,total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher than those in the control group,and these changes were more significant in ApoE KO high-fat diet group.The nissl was higher in the ApoE KO group (0.301±0.031) and in ApoE KO high-fat diet group (0.261±0.020) than those in the control group (0.341±0.035, F=18.068, P<0.05).The mortalin in the ApoE KO group (0.322±0.060) and in ApoE KO high-fat diet group (0.391±0.041) were higher than the control group (0.256±0.061, F=15.230, P < 0.05).Conclusions ApoE KO and high-fat diet can reduce nissl, and improve the expression of mortalin.This protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: To investigate whether lipopolysaccharide induced parkin expression and mitophagy in macrophages.Methods:The murine peritoneal primary macrophages were aseptically isolated from Kunming mice and cultured in complete medium.The mitochondrial membrane potential of macrophages was detected by flow cytometry,after the cells were stimulated with 200 ng/ml LPS and labeled mitochondria with JC-1.The parkin mRNA level of macrophages was detected by RT-PCR, protein levels of parkin and autophagic related protein LC3 Ⅱ and LC3 Ⅰ were determined by Western blot.The distribution and co-localization of parkin with LC3 and mitochondria in macrophages were respectively observed by laser scanning confocal microscope, before and after the cells were treated with LPS.Results: Flow cytometry results after JC-1 staining showed that mitochondrial membrane potential in macrophages was declined after stimulation with 200 ng/ml LPS, and continuously decreased with prolonged treatment time.The mRNA levels of parkin were increased slightly within 6 h after LPS stimulation,but parkin proteins were increased significantly within 6 h after LPS stimulation.The results of parkin distribution showed that parkin was evenly distributed in the cytoplasm at normal status, but became the obvious punctate distribution after LPS stimulation in macrophages.Western blot results showed LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ levels were increased after LPS stimulation, indicating the appearance of macrophage autophagy.Confocal microscopy showed that there were co-localization of parkin,LC3 and mitochondrial in macrophages after LPS stimulation.Conclusion:Parkin expression is increased significantly and mediated mitochondrial autophagy in macrophages after LPS stimulation, which is involved in the clearance of damaged mitochondria,thereby playing a role in regulating macrophage inflammatory response.

Objective To explore clinical classification and strategies for irreducible femur intertrochateric fractures.Methods A retrospective study was conducted of the 96 patients with irreducible intertrochanteric fracture who had been treated from January 2012 through December 2014 at our department.They were 47 men and 49 women,aged from 48 to 97 years (average,78.5 years).We classified the fractures according to location of fracture line and mechanism of fracture displacement into 5 types:13 cases of type Ⅰ (sagittal irreducible fracture),7 cases of type Ⅱ] (coronal irreducible fracture),72 cases of type Ⅲll (sagittal plus coronal irreducible fracture),zero of type Ⅳ (irreducible fracture involving the lesser trochanter),and 4 cases of type Ⅴ (irreducible fracture involving the greater trochanter).All the patients were managed using different techniques for closed reduction and fixation with proximal femoral nails antirotation Ⅱ.Results Of this series,limited open reduction was eventually conducted in 7.The operation time averaged 40 min;the amount of intraoperative blood loss averaged 200 mL.Fracture reduction was rated as grade Ⅰ in 78 cases and as grade Ⅱ in 18.The follow-up time averaged 16.6 months (from 12 to 24 months).All the fractures got united after an average of 5.8 months (from 3 to 9 months).The function of the affected hip was rated at the final follow-up using Harris scoring system as excellent in 79 cases and as good in 17,with an excellent to good rate of 100％.Refracture happened in one patient due to striking injury,urinary infection occurred in 2 patients and no wound infection was observed.Conclusion According to the classification and reduction strategy proposed by us,satisfactory reduction and fracture fixation can be achieved in management of irreducible intertrochanteric fractures.

Objective To explore the effect of human leukocyte antigen B* genotype and age on serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels in children with seizures or epilepsy. Methods Fifteen children with seizures or epilepsy in whom HLA-B*15:02 genotype was detected during October 2015 to June 2016 were included. The plasma Hcy concentration in children with different genotypes was compared. The association of Hcy concentration and age was performed by linear-regression analysis. Results The mean concentration of Hcy was 8.38±4.23 μmol/L in children not carrying HLA-B*15:02 gene, which was obviously higher than that in children carrying HLA-B*15:02 gene 13.03±0.97 μmol/L (P<0.05). The Hcy concentration increased with the age (r2 =0.29, P<0.05). Conclusions Elder children with seizures or epilepsy carrying HLA-B*15:02 gene tend to have higher Hcy concentration and increased potential risk of disease. HLA-B*15:02 gene type and age can predict the changes of Hcy concentration in children with convulsions.

AIM To study the effects of No.1 Weiyan Decoction (Codonopsis Radix,Paeoniae Radix alba,Taraxaci Herba,etc.) on hypoxia and hypoxic tolerance in gastric mucosal epithelial cells in rats with precancerous lesion of gastric cancer (PLGC).METHODS Forty rats were randomly divided into normal,model,Vitacoenzyme Tablets and No.1 Weiyan Decoction groups.Except for the normal group,the rats in the other groups were given with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and Little Chengqi Decoction to establish a PLGC rat model.Ten weeks after the administration,the gastric mucosal epithelial microvascular ultrastructure was observed,the expressions of Hif1a mRNA,HIF-1 α protein and VEGF protein in gastric mucosal epithelium were detected.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the number of microvasculatures in gastric mucosal epithelium was decreased;lumen was severely stenosed or expansive;inner wall was not smooth and had adhesion;vascular endothelial cells were swollen;the expression of Hif1α mRNA showed an increasing trend;the expressions of HIF-1α protein and VEGF protein were anomalous in the model group.Compared with the model group,the gastric mucosal vascular lesion of PLGC rats was improved,and the expressions of Hif1a mRNA,HIF-1α protein and VEGF protein were significantly decreased in the No.1 Weiyan Decoction group.CONCLUSION No.1 Weiyan Decoction can improve hypoxia and hypoxia tolerance,and induce angiogenesis in gastric mucosal epithelium in PLGC rats.

The Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (S. suis 2) isolates 05ZYH33 and 98HAH33 have caused severe human infections in China. Using a strand-specific RNA-seq analysis, we compared the in vitro transcriptomes of these two Chinese isolates with that of a reference strain (P1/7). In the 89K genomic island that is specific to these Chinese isolates, a toxin–antitoxin system showed relatively high levels of transcription among the S. suis. The known virulence factors with high transcriptional activity in these two highly-pathogenic strains are mainly involved in adhesion, biofilm formation, hemolysis and the synthesis and transport of the outer membrane protein. Furthermore, our analysis of novel transcripts identified over 50 protein-coding genes with one of them encoding a toxin protein. We also predicted over 30 small RNAs (sRNAs) in each strain, and most of them are involved in riboswitches. We found that six sRNA candidates that are related to bacterial virulence, including cspA and rli38, are specific to Chinese isolates. These results provide insight into the factors responsible for the difference in virulence among the different S. suis 2 isolates.

Objective:To observe clinical outcomes of the repair of traumatic nerve defects in the proximal upper extremities by human acellular nerve allograft(hANG).Methods:Nerve defects in the upper extremities in 8 patients were repaired by hANG from March 2017 to January 2019. The patients were 6 males and 2 females with mean age of 35.4 (21-53) years old. The nerve defects were 2 radial nerve in distal upper arm, 4 median nerve in forearm, 1 interosseous dorsal nerve and 1 ulnar nerve in forearm. All injuries were acute nerve injury. Two patients had combined injury of upper arm muscle, 4 of forearm muscle and 1 of brachial artery defect. All wound were moderate to severe contaminated. The length of nerve defects was 30-60 (mean 45) mm. The surgical procedures were fixation of fracture, repair of the muscle and discovery of the broken ends of nerve and to repair with hANG. The postoperative follow-up period ranged 18 to 40 (mean 30.6) months to observe the local response of recovery. The efficacy was evaluated by the Upper Extremity Function Evaluation Standard set up by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association and Grading Standard of Muscle Strength.Results:No graft rejection was observed in all cases. Primarily healing was in 5 patients. Delayed healing in 2 patients and free skin grafting was performed. Local flap transfer was performed to repair the wound in 1 patient who developed a skin necrosis 10 days after surgery. Two patients with median nerve defects had nerve function restored well. The strength of finger grip and thumb opposition muscle restored to grade IV and the sensory function had restored S 3+. The interosseous dorsal nerve in 1 patient restored well. The strength of extensor digitorum tendon had restored to grade IV. Based on the evaluation criteria for the upper extremity issued by the Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, 3 patients was rated in excellent for function recovery, 1 in fair and 4 in poor. Conclusion:After throughout debridement, hANG can be applied in the repair of traumatic nerve defect in the proximal upper extremity in an emergency surgery and it can partially restore the nerve function.

Objective: To investigate the combined impact of lifestyle factors on stomach cancer risk. Methods: We analyzed the data from the Shanghai Men's Health Study (SMHS) (2002-2013). The SMHS was conducted in eight neighborhood communities of urban Shanghai. From 2002 through June 2006, 61 480 residents aged 40 to 74 years old with no history of cancer were recruited. Failure time was the date of stomach cancer incidence, death or date of the last follow-up (December 31, 2013). The first two in-person follow-up surveys were conducted in 2004-2008, and 2008-2011, respectively. Using data on lifestyle, the healthy lifestyle index (HLI) was developed. The following lifestyle factors were included: smoking, alcohol consumption, diet habit, overweighted and physical activity. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association of stomach cancer risk with lifestyle factors and HLI. Results: Over 9.28 years' follow-up, 477 incident cases of stomach cancer were identified from 59 503 study participants. Participants with zero, one, two, three, four, and five favorable lifestyle behaviors accounted for 3.44% (n=2 045), 18.14% (n=10 793), 33.68% (n=20 041), 29.43% (n=17 511), 12.82% (n=7 627), and 2.50% (n=1 486), respectively. Among all the five lifestyle factors, smoking and alcohol use were significantly related to stomach cancer risk. The relative risk of stomach cancer was 0.71 (95%CI: 0.57-0.87) for those who never smoked or quitted smoking for no less than 10 years and 0.70 (95%CI: 0.55-0.90) for those who consumed alcohol no more than 14 drinks per week. For each increment of healthy lifestyle index, the relative risk of stomach cancer was 0.86 (95%CI: 0.79-0.95). Compared to men with none or one healthy lifestyle factor, the relative risk for those with four or five was 0.62 (95%CI: 0.46-0.83). When we rebuilt HLI using more categories of each lifestyle factors, the HLI ranged from 0 to 11. For each point increase, the relative risk of stomach cancer was 0.93 (95%CI: 0.89-0.97). Compared those with 0 to 3 points, the relative risk of those with 8 to 11 points was 0.64 (95%CI: 0.47-0.87). Conclusion In the SMHS, only a small proportion of men adhered to all the five healthy lifestyle factors. Compared to those with none or one healthy lifestyle behaviors, those with five may prevent about 1/3 stomach cancer incidence and the HLI was inversely associated with stomach cancer risk.