Objective To examine the relationship between inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.Methods Twenty-five patients undergoing elective cardiac valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass were randomly divided into two groups:ulinastatin group(group U,n=13) and control group(group C,n=12).In group U,ulinastatin 12 000 U/kg Was given intravenously immediately after induction of anesthesia,6 000 U/kg ulinastatin Was added to the priming solution,and 6000 U/kg ulinastatin was given at 5 min before the aortic decamping.In group C,normal saline was given instead of ulinastatin.Venous blood samples were taken after induction of anesthesia,at the end of CPB,and 24 h after operation for determination of plasma IL-6 concentration and neutrophils NF-kB expression.The cognitive function of the patients was evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE) before and 3 d,7 d after operation.Results The concentraion of IL-6 and neutrophils NF-kB expression were lower in group U than in group C(P<0.05 or 0.01).There wag no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction between group C and U.Conclusion Inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass is not related to postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the relation between serum leptin/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)and malnutrition in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and stable chronic cor pulmonale (CCP) at high altitude. Methods Totally 162 COPD and CCP patients and 40 normal controls (group C) were studied. COPD and CCP patients were divided into malnutrition group (group A, n = 104) and normal nutrition group (group B, n =58) according to the nutritional parameters. Levels of serum leptin and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Body mass index (BMI), percentage of normal body weight (NW%), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-upper arm circumference (MAC), serum albumin (ALB) ingroupA[(17.4±1.8) kg/m2, (82.3±4.3)%, (7.0±2.6) mm, (17.8±2.8) cm, (30.3±3.9)g/L, respectively] were significantly lower than those in group B and group C [(21.8 ± 2.0) kg/m2,(98.6±5.5)%, (9.3±2.6) mm, (21.5±2.9) cm, (36.2±3.8) g/L, and (23.1±2.3) kg/m2,(102.2±5.2)%, (9.7±3.8) mm, (22.1±2.8) cm, (36.8±3.9) g/L, respectively; all P＜0. 01].The levels of serum leptin and TNF-α in group A [(9.5 ±1. 8) ng/ml and (17.3 ±2. 2) ng/ml, respectively]were significantly higher than those in group A and group C [(7.3 ± 2. 0) ng/ml, (13.5 ± 2. 3) ng/ml; and (6. 7 ±2. 3) ng/ml, (12. 8 ±2. 1) ng/ml, respectively; all P ＜0.01). However, they were not significantly different between group A and group B (all P ＞ 0. 05). The level of leptin was negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.745, P=0. 0005), NW% (r= -0.887, P=0. 0005), TSF (r= -0.725, P=0. 0005), MAC (r= -0. 761, P=0. 0005), serum albumin (r= -0. 558, P=0. 0005) in group A, and was positively correlated with TNF-α (r = 0. 527, P = 0. 0005). Conclusion Serum leptin and TNF-α correlate with malnutrition in patients with COPD and CCP at high altitude.

Objective To determine whether or not 810 nm low power Ga-Al-As laser treatment can stimulate the regeneration of damaged optic nerves by measuring the expression of growth associated protein 43 ( GAP-43 )and flash-visual evoked potential (F-VEP). Methods Eighty-eight Wistar rats weighing (180-220) g were randomly divided into a laser therapy group with 40 rats,an injury group with 32 rats,and a normal control group with 16 rats.Each group was subdivided into 1st,3rd,6th and 9th week subgroups.A standardized crushing of the optic nerve was applied to make the model.After this,the laser therapy group was treated for 3 minutes daily at 60 mW applied transcutaneously to a 5 mm diameter spot on the injured optic nerve.The injury and normal control groups received the same treatment with no laser output.The expression of GAP-43 was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR after 1,3,6 and 9 weeks of treatment.F-VEP was measured pre-injury,immediately after injury and 1,3,6 and 9 weeks post injury. Results After the optic nerve was injured,obvious changes in F-VEP were detected,including significantly prolonged latencies of N1,P1 and N2 waves.The latency increased immediately after the optic nerve injured,and then recovered,but after 1 and 3 weeks the latency was still prolonged.There was significant recovery from the 3rd to the 9th week.In the laser therapy group,the peak latencies of the N1,P1 and N2 waves were also prolonged,but the changes were less than those in the injury group.Expression of GAP-43 was hardly detectable in normal retinas and optic nerves.GAP-43 had its highest expression level at 1 week post-injury,and then decreased.At the 1st,3rd and 6th week post-injury,the expression of GAP-43 in the laser therapy group was significantly higher than in the injury group.GAP-43 mRNA content in the retina showed the same tendency as GAP-43 protein. Conclusion A 810 nm low power Ga-Al-As laser can promote neural repair and axonal regeneration after optic nerve injury.

Objective This study was designed tO survey the prevalence,distribution of nonmotor symptoms(NMS)in Parkinson disease(PD)and their relationship with disease severity and duration. Methods We used Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS)part Ⅲ,V,the PD NMS Questionnaire,activities of daily living(ADL)and mini-mental state examination(MMSE)to assess motor and non-motor symptoms in 81 patients with Parkinson disease. Results In PD,a range of NMS occurred across all disease stages.Each PD patient had 7 different NMS on average.The problems of remembering thing,constipation and nocturia ranked top 3 of NMS in patients with PD.There was a significant association of total NMS score with H-Y stage(P<0.01)and UPDRS Ⅲscore(P<0.01).There was a negative correlation between NMS score and ADL score(P

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effect of artemisinin on lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced intestinal epi-thelial barrier damage in IEC-6 cells and its molecular mechanism.METHODS:Cultured IEC-6 cells were divided to 5 groups:control group, LPS (100 mg/L) group and LPS +Artemisinin (30, 50 and 100μmol/L) groups.The cytotoxici-ty was detected by MTT assay.The releases of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 in the IEC-6 cells were measured by ELISA.The transepithelial electrical resistance ( TER) was detected by electrical resistance tester, and the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) flux permeability were analyzed by a microplate reader.The expression of tight junction proteins, ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin, and the expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB at mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Artemisinin alone (up to 100 μmol/L) or in combination with LPS (100 mg/L) was not toxic to IEC-6 cells.Compared with control group, the releases of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 in the culture supernatant of IEC-6 cells significantly increased after treatment with LPS.The expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB was activated by LPS.LPS down-regulated the protein expression of ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin.However, artemisinin treatment decreased the re-leases of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 in the culture supernatant of IEC-6 cells.The expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB at mR-NA and protein levels was gradually reduced after treatment with artemisinin.In addition, artemisinin upregulated the pro-tein expression of ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin significantly (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION:Artemisinin attenuates LPS-induced intestinal epithelial barrier damage by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB activation in the IEC-6 cells.

AIM To explore the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid on the gastric ulcer rats infected by Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and its action mechanism.METHODS Gastric ulcer rat models were induced by acetic acid stress and then followed by Hp infection.After treatment with low and high doses of glycyrrhetinic acid,the ulcer index,gastric acid and proteinase activities in gastric ulcer rats were analyzed.The effects of glycyrrhetinic acid on the expressions of BCL2 and Caspase-3,the GSK3β activity in gastric mucosa and gastric epithelial cells,and the cell apoptosis level were then detected.RESULTS Glycyrrhetinic acid reduced the ulcer index,gastric acid and proteinase activities in rats.Besides,the expression of BCL2 was significantly up-regulated by glycyrrhetinic acid in gastric mucosa and gastric epithelial cells,whereas the expression of Caspase-3,level of cell apoptosis,and GSK3β activity were significantly reduced.After the treatment with GSK3 β activator LY294002,the level of BCL2 was down-regulated,Caspase-3 expression was increased,and the level of cell apoptosis was enhanced.CONCLUSION Glycyrrhetinic acid promotes the healing of gastric ulcer infected by Hp via regulating GSK3β activity and inhibiting apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells.

Objective To investigate the associations between the single nucleotide polymorphisms of TERT rs2736098, CLK3 rs11543198 and bladder cancer. Methods 201 bladder cancer cases and 200 healthy controls were included in the research, and the genotypes of TERT rs2736098 and CLK3 rs11543198 were determined using the PCR-RFLP method. Relationship between genotypes and bladder cancer risks was investigated. Results There were statistical significance in the rs2736098 genotype frequencies and allele frequencies between cases and controls (χ2= 6.973, P = 0.031; χ2= 7.412, P = 0.006). Compared with the individuals with the GG genotype , the risk of bladder cancer increased 2.069 times with the AA genotype (OR = 2.069, 95%CI: 1.181-3.624, P = 0.011). And there were no significant associations between the rs11543198 genotype frequencies and allele frequencies between cases and controls (χ2 = 0.202, P = 0.904; χ2 = 0.188, P = 0.665). Rs2736098 and rs11543198 genotype distribution in bladder cancer pathologic grade and stage had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Conclusion Rs2736098 polymorphism is associated with risk of bladder cancer and rs11543198 polymorphism was not associated with risk of bladder cancer.

Objectives To investigate the frequency, distribution and features of lymph nodes metastasis in T1/T2 squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung, and to provide evidence for extensive dissection of lymph nodes．Methods 254 patients with T1/T2 squamous caroinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung underwent R2 surgery plus extensive dissection of hilar, interlobular and mediastinal lymph nodes according to the grouping system proposed by Naruke．Results A total of 1685 groups of lymph nodes were dissected． The metastatic rates of N1 and N2 were 20．0% and 10．2%． The differerce was very significant between T1 and T2 (P<0．01)． No, N2 metastasis was found in T1 squamous carcinoma． N2 metastatic rates were 22．0% in squamous carcinoma and 40．9% in adenocarcinoma (P<0．01)． 64．3% of squamous carcinomas spread to only one group of N2 nodes,and over 3 groups of lymph nodes were positive in 46．2% of adenocarcinonmas． Saltatory metastasis accounted for 57．5% of N2 metastasis． 13．6% of N2-positive tumors in the upper lobes metastasized to the lower mediastinum, whereas 51．6% of N2-positive tumors in the lower lobes spread to the upper mediastinum．Conclusions The frequency of lymph node metastasis increases with the growth of tumors． Metastasis occurs more frequently in adenocarcinoma than in squamous carcinoma． Tumor at any site can metastasize to the distant mediastinum． Except for T1 squamous carcinoma, radical surgery can be achieved only by extensive dissection of ipsilateral intrapulmonary and mediastinal lymph nodes．

Objectives To investigate the frequency, distribution and features of lymph nodes metastasis in T1/T2 squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung, and to provide evidence for extensive dissection of lymph nodes．Methods 254 patients with T1/T2 squamous caroinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung underwent R2 surgery plus extensive dissection of hilar, interlobular and mediastinal lymph nodes according to the grouping system proposed by Naruke．Results A total of 1685 groups of lymph nodes were dissected． The metastatic rates of N1 and N2 were 20．0% and 10．2%． The differerce was very significant between T1 and T2 (P<0．01)． No, N2 metastasis was found in T1 squamous carcinoma． N2 metastatic rates were 22．0% in squamous carcinoma and 40．9% in adenocarcinoma (P<0．01)． 64．3% of squamous carcinomas spread to only one group of N2 nodes,and over 3 groups of lymph nodes were positive in 46．2% of adenocarcinonmas． Saltatory metastasis accounted for 57．5% of N2 metastasis． 13．6% of N2-positive tumors in the upper lobes metastasized to the lower mediastinum, whereas 51．6% of N2-positive tumors in the lower lobes spread to the upper mediastinum．Conclusions The frequency of lymph node metastasis increases with the growth of tumors． Metastasis occurs more frequently in adenocarcinoma than in squamous carcinoma． Tumor at any site can metastasize to the distant mediastinum． Except for T1 squamous carcinoma, radical surgery can be achieved only by extensive dissection of ipsilateral intrapulmonary and mediastinal lymph nodes．

Objective: To improve physical activity by assessing pedometer-based physical activity during specific intervals over a week, among junior high school students,and to provide a reference for improving the level of students’ physical activity. Methods: Students (n=675) of grades 6-8 from six public junior high schools in Shanghai were recruited and instructed to wear a pedometer for a week, step counts and contents were recorded over a specific period. This period mainly included steps taken on the way to and from school, at school, at home in the evening on weekdays, and in the morning, afternoon, and evening on weekends. Results: The daily step counts recorded were 8 332 steps, with those on weekdays showing significantly higher values than step counts on weekends (9 065 steps vs. 6 392 steps)(t=22.9, P<0.01). Proportionately, the physical activity level at school contributed more to daily step counts (61.3%), followed by those on the commute to and from school(25.5%). Boys were more active than girls. For all intervals on weekdays, the step counts of students in rural districts, with overweight or obese, in grades 6 and 7, were higher than those in urban districts, with normal status, in grade 8 respectively (P<0.05). Low-activity students with physical education were more active than one without physical education(t boy=1.99,t girl=2.45,P<0.05). Conclusion These findings facilitate the implementation of effective, feasible interventions to enhance physical activity over a series of intervals during the day.