Objective To observe the effects of an enriched environment (EE) on cognitive functioning and the synaptic plasticity of mice modeling post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and explore the possible mechanisms involved.Methods Mice modeling PSCI and sham-operated mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham-operated mice in a standard environment (the Sham+SE group),PSCI mice in a standard environment (the PSCI+SE group) and PSCI mice in an enriched environment (the PSCI+EE group).The cognitive functioning of all of the mice was quantified using a Morris water maze and their hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) was recorded using an electrophysiological method.The level of synaptophysin was detected using Western blotting.Synaptic ultrastructure in the hippocampus was imaged using electron microscopy.Results Compared with the Sham +SE group,the PSCI+SE group showed significantly poorer water maze performance and failed induction of contralateral LTP.Their average level of synaptophysin was significantly lower,and significant adverse changes in the synaptic ultrastructure of the hippocampus were observed,including a decreased number of synapses.The average width of the synaptic cleft,postsynaptic density and the interface curvature of the synapses were all less desirable.All of the measurements of the PSCI+EE group improved significantly compared to those of the PSCI+SE group,but were still significantly poorer than those of the Sham+SE group.Conclusions An enhanced environment can improve the cognitive functioning of mice modelling PSCI.It may be that an EE can improve synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus contralateral to the stroke.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of stage III gastric cancer.

METHODSA retrospectively study of 1007 patients with Stage III gastric cancer in a single institute in China was performed. The patients underwent surgical resection from January 1991 to December 2005. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model to access the prognostic factors in stage III gastric cancer patients who received curative (R0) gastric resection.

RESULTSThe mean age of the 1007 patients was 58.7 years and the male-to-female ratio was 2.6:1.0. There were 242 patients with stage IIIA disease, 403 patients with stage IIIB, and 362 patients with stage IIIC. R0, R1, and R2 resection were performed in 754 patients (74.9%), 56 patients (5.5%), and 197 patients (19.6%), respectively. The 5-year survival rate (37.8%) of patients who received R0 resection was significant higher than that of patients who received R1(21.2%) and R2(8.9%) resection (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that pN stage, pT stage, and Borrmann type were independent prognostic factors (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSStage III gastric cancer patients have certain clinicopathological characteristics and R0 resection should be performed if possible. Lymph node count, depth of tumor invasion, and Borrmann type are independent prognostic factors in stage III gastric cancer patients undergoing R0 resection.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy and toxic reaction of Tegafur,Gimeraciland Oteracil Potassium Capsule combined with Gemcitabine chemotherapy for patients with radical resection for advanced gallbladder carcinoma.Methods The clinical dataof 135 patients with advanced gallbladder cancer who were admitted to the 1 st Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and supported after the gastrectomy by the pathology from June 2007 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were divided into three groups by different therapeutic regimens,operation groups (Radical resection or Extended radical resection of gallbladder carcinoma) with 47 cases,chemotherapy A group (Tegafur,Gimeracil and Oteracil Potassium Capsule combined with Gemcitabine chemotherapy after Radical resection or Extended radical resection of gallbladder carcinoma) with 52 cases,and chemotherapy B group (5-Fluorouracil combined with Oxaliplatin chemotherapy after Radical resection or Extended radical resection of gallbladder carcinoma) with 36 cases.We collected the dates of all patients with the median survival time and the 1,3 and 5-year survival rate after operation,and counted the rate of major toxic reaction after chemotherapy.Results There were no significant differences in the general date of three groups (sex,age,tumor size,CA19-9,CA125,TNM stages,with or without cholecystolithiasis,operation methods,operation complication),The chemotherapy A group and chemotherapy B group had no differenceswiththe median survival time and 1,3 and 5-year survival rate after operation.There were significant differences in the median survival time and 3,5-year survival rate after operation between the operation group and chemotherapy A group (or between the operation group and chemotherapy B group).There were significant differences in the rate of whole toxic reaction and the rate of toxic reaction beyond Ⅲ degree between chemotherapy A group and chemotherapy B group.Conclusions The treatment of Tegafur,Gimeracil and Oteracil Potassium Capsule combined with Gemcitabine chemotherapy for patients with radical resection of advanced gallbladder carcinoma has a lower rate of whole toxic reaction and rate of toxic reaction beyond Ⅲ degree than 5-Fluorouracil combined with Oxaliplatin chemotherapy,and for patients with advanced gallbladder carcinoma,the frontal treatment can obviously prolong the median survival time and effectively improve the 3 and 5-year survival rate after operation.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of young patients with gastric cancer by comparing with older patients.

METHODThe clinicopathologic data of 157 younger adults (age, 40 years) was analyzed and compared retrospectively. All of the 1918 patients were surgically treated between January 1980 and December 2000.

RESULTSThe rates of poorly differentiation, diffusive growth, Borrmann 4 type, whole-stomach invasion were significantly higher in younger cases than those in the elder counterparts (P < 0.05), especially in young female patients. The rate of early gastric cancer was significantly higher in young patients than that in older patients (P < 0.05), especially in young male patients. There was significant difference between the survival rate of younger male cases (median survival, 35 months) and younger female cases (median survival, 19 months) (P = 0.0219), but no significant difference was found between elder male and elder female (median survival, 26 vs. 30 months). TNM stage, operative curability, gross type were independent predictive factors of survival for younger patients.

CONCLUSIONSYounger female gastric cancer patients tends to have worse prognosis than older patients, while younger male patients have better prognosis due to higher percentage of early gastric cancer when diagnosed. Pathologic staging and operative curability are the independent predictive factors of survival for younger patients.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; Survival Analysis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombi-nant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ( rhG-CSF) used for chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Methods Two hyndreds twenty-two cases suffering from small cell lung cancer of PLA General Hospital from 2002 to 2006 were chosen in our retrospective study, and 62 of these cases, used rhG-CSF after chemotherapy,were included in a statistics analysis. Results rhG-CSF was effective for chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression reactions and increasing significantly the number of neutropenia leukocyte and WBC (white blood cell). Average duration of recovery was 3 days and the effective rate was 95. 2%. Conclusion rhG-CSF showed high overall response rate of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression reaction with only a few adverse reactions. But dosage and administration should be adjusted to different patients in different situations.

Objective To explore the effect of septoplasty or in combination with outfracture of the inferior turbinate in patients with nasal septum deviation on the airflow field and the nasal airway structure.Methods Six patients with nasal septum deviation underwent spiral CT imaging scans before surgery and during the follow-up.The 3D finite element meshes of the nasal airway were developed from the above CT scans.Given three preconditions,the nasal airflow fields were described by the Navier-Stokes and continuity equations at the inspiratory flow rate of 12 L/ min. The whole airflow patterns were obtained and then compared with the airflow filed and airway structure changes before and after surgery.SPSS 12.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results Before surgery,area of the common airway and the middle and ventral medial regions in the concave side were (1.61 ± 0.18),(0.40 ± 0.10),(0.40 ± 0.14) cm2 respectively,and those of convex side were (1.30 ±0.18),(0.33 ±0.05),(0.36 ±0.10) cm2 respectively.The differences between both sides were of no statistical significance (Z value was 1.782,1.363,0.526 respectively,all P ＞ 0.05).Airflow of the above airways were (361 ± 68),(131 ± 25),(100 ±28) ml respectively in concave side and (178 ± 33),(59 ± 26),(59 ± 18) ml respectively in convex side, which differences were significant statistically (Z value were 2.207,2.201,2.201respectively,all P ＜ 0.05＝.The inferior turbinate in concave side [(0.93 ± 0.10) cm] was statistically (Z=2.214,P＜0.05＝ bigger than that in convex side[(0.58 ±0.12)cm] before surgery.The airflow fields were in disorder in both ill-airways.After surgery,area of the common airway was (2.55 ±0.44) cm2in concave side and (2.20 ± 0.72)cm2 in convex side respectively,and area of the middle and ventral medial regions in the convex side were (0.58 ± 0.13),(0.81 ± 0.26)em2 respectively,which differences were of significance statistically when comparing to areas before surgery (Z value were 2.201,2.201,2.201,2.201,P ＜0.05＝.The airflow passed through nasal airway orderly in both sides.But the thickness of inferior turbinate was (0.73 ±0.08)cm in concave side after surgery,which difference was significant statistically in comparison to that before surgery (Z = 2.264,P ＜ 0.05＝.Consequently,nasal resistance decreased from (0.41 ± 0.03) k Pa · L- 1 · s - 1 to (0.16 ± 0.01) kPa · L -1 · s - 1 after surgery,the difience was significantly(Z = -2.207,P = 0.027).Conclusion Septoplasty or in combination with outfracture of the inferior turbinate,followed by the self-adaptation consecutively,could improve the airway and breathing capacity of the nose.

OBJECTIVETo understand the prevalence, consequences and risk factors of falls among urban community-dwelling elderly in Beijing.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in Longtan Community, Beijing. A total of 1512 individuals aged 60 years or over were selected by stratified cluster sampling. Data regarding the frequency of falls in the previous year, as well as circumstances, consequence and related factors of falls were collected from the elderly through face-to-face interviews with questionnaires in their home.

RESULTSThe prevalence of falls was 18.0% on the average among 1512 participants, higher in women (20.1%) than in men (14.9%) (P = 0.006), and increased with age (chi2(for trend) = 10.37, P = 0.001). The total rate of falls-induced injuries among the fallers was 37.7%. Falls usually resulted in soft-tissues bruises (58.7%), fear of repeated episodes of falls (58.8%), loss of independence and confidence in movement (35.7%) and even in hip fracture. In addition to the burden of medical care, falls also generated a big economic burden. Occurrence of falls was significantly associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The related factors of falls in the elderly included age > or = 60-70 years, femininity, less physical activities, fear of future falls, living alone, severely impaired vision, health problem-impacted activities of daily living, chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, postural hypotension, stroke sequela, cataract, arthritis, dementia and depression), medications (psychoactive, anti-diabetic), gait imbalance, high bed and faintly-lighted stairway.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of falls among urban community-dwelling elderly in Beijing is closely associated with significant associated with intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Efforts to prevent falls in the elderly should be made at community level.

Accidental Falls ; prevention & control ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of high frequency ultrasound in diagnosing peripheral nerve diseases (PNDs).

METHODSFrom January 2003 to December 2006, 64 cases of PNDs were analyzed retrospectively. The ultrasound diagnosis was compared with the operative and pathological diagnosis.

RESULTSBased on the operative and histopathological results, in 38 patients with trauma or entrapment, 38 among 45 traumatic nerves were rightly diagnosed by ultrasound. The coincidence rate was 84.4%. In 26 patients with original peripheral nerve tumors (PNTs), including 20 neurilemmomas, 4 neurofibromas and 2 malignant neurilemmomas, 16 cases were diagnosed by ultrasound with a coincidence rate of 61.5%. The coincidence rates in limbs and trunk were 86.7% (13/15) and 27.3% (3/11) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe study suggests that high frequency ultrasound can locate peripheral nerve trauma precisely, assess the impair degree correctly and provide useful information for clinic diagnosis. The high frequency ultrasound brings better diagnosis outcome in limbs nerve tumors than in trunk.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Trauma, Nervous System ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic data of 12 autosomal STR loci included in Investigator HDplex kit and to evaluate its forensic application in Han nationality of Eastern China. METHODS: A total of 484 unrelated healthy individuals in Han nationality of Eastern China were investigated with Investigator HDplex kit. Allele frequencies, population genetics parameters and linkage disequilibrium information of the 12 autosomal STR loci were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected and all loci were independent form each other within the studied 484 unrelated healthy individuals. DP values of the 12 autosomal STR loci were all above 0.8, and CDP was 0.999 999 999 92. The cumulative probability of paternity exclusion in duo and in trio were 0.999 82 and 0.999 998 6, respectively. CONCLUSION Investigator HDplex kit with 12 highly polymorphic STR loci in Han nationality of Eastern China could be used effectively for forensic DNA genotyping.
Alleles ; Asian People/genetics* ; China ; Ethnicity/genetics* ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Loci/genetics* ; Genetic Markers/genetics* ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

Objective To conduct a comprehensive study on pulsatile blood flow in arteries by proposing a convenient theoretical research system for hemodynamics. Methods Based on Womersley algorithm for fully developed pulsatile flow, numerical algorithm was introduced to establish the solving and analytical system of hemodynamics based on flow rate in arteries during one cardiac cycle. The flow rate of carotid artery in pig was measured under three blood flow states: the ideal state with a sinusoidal inflow waveform, the normal physiological state and the enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) state for comprehensive hemodynamic research. Results Important hemodynamic parameters such as the axial speed vector, the wall shear stress (WSS), and the oscillatory shear index (OSI) during one cardiac cycle under the mentioned three flow states were solved respectively. The waveform of flow rate had a certain effect on WSS distributions and OSI level; the EECP performance obviously resulted in a significant increase in the level of WSS (WSS peak in particular) and OSI. Conclusions The solving system developed in this paper can be used for hemodynamics study conveniently and effectively. One of the most important hemodynamic mechanisms that lead to EECP’s good clinical effect may lie in its promotion to WSS level under physiological state, but the effect of OSI on endothelial function of the artery might much smaller than WSS itself; therefore, OSI may not be an ideal hemodynamic index for predicting the lesion of atherosclerosis.