AlM: To investigate the refractive status of the preschool children in Xiantao, Hubei Province in order to find out the abnormal refraction error beyond the physiological range.
METHODS: ln this cross - sectional study, we investigated preschool children in kindergartens and the scattered ones were 12 716 ( 25 432 eyes ) ranging from 6mo ~ 6 years old. 1 581 children ( 3 162 eyes ) were diagnosed ametropia by Suresight refractive screening instrument, which were confirmed again after mydriasis optometry.
RESULTS: The incidence rate of ametropia in preschool children in Xiantao was 12. 4%, and statistics showed no significant difference between boys and girls (P>0. 05), but had differences of morbility rate among each age group (P<0. 05). With age increasing morbility rate of the refractive error decreased. The simple hyperopia and the compound hyperopia astigmatism were dominant in all refraction error. Professional ophthalmologists diagnosed amblyopia in 261 children (522 eyes), which was 16. 5%, among 1581 abnormal refractive children (3 162 eyes) screened out by Suresight refractive screening instrument.
CONCLUSlON: The incidence rate of ametropia decreases with age increasing in the preschool children from 6mo~6 years old, which imply preschool children should have mydriasis optometry in order to find out amblyopia and other congenital eye disease.

AIMTo search for flavonoids which possess stronger vasorelaxation action.

METHODSFour quercetin glycosides (1a - d) were synthesized from quercetin in three steps i. e. selective protection of quercetin, condensation with corresponding acetyiglycosyl bromide, and then removal of the protecting group; Six flavone compounds (2a - f) were prepared from phloroglucinol according to the conventional methods; The structures of synthetic compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS. Vasorelaxation action of ten synthetic quercetin derivatives (or analogues) and four natural flavonoids compounds were examined on the isolated rat thoracic aorta rings; Comparative octanol-water partition coefficients (logP) were measured using a reversed-phase HPLC method.

RESULTSMost of the tested flavonoids showed concentration dependent relaxation effects against PE-induced contractions of rat aortic rings. These compounds had stronger action with the augment of logP values.

CONCLUSIONCompound 3-bromo-5 ,7-dihydroxyflavone (2d) was identified to have the most potent vasodilating action. These compounds exert vasodilating effects that are related to the logP values. A structure-activity relationship of flavonoids was suggested.

Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flavonoids ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Quercetin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology

To investigate the protective effect of preconditioning with hyperoside ( Hyp) against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats and the role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. MIRI was established by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min in rats. Male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham group,model group (MIRI),Hyp preconditioning group(Hyp), Hyp preconditioning + LY294002 (a PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor) group (Hyp + LY), and LY294002 group (LY). At the end of reperfusion, hemodynamic parameters were recorded as left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) , left ventricular end-diastolic pressure ( LVEDP) and maximal rate of increase and decrease of left ventricular pressure (± dP/dt(max)). Myocardial infaret size, the oxidative stress markers, myocardial enzymes indicators and inflammatory factors were also analyzed. The expressions of Akt, p-Akt, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins was detected by using Western blot method. The results showed that Hyp preconditioning remarkably improved cardiac constriction and relaxation function, reduced myocardial infarct size and enhanced the activities of oxidative stress markers about correlated to MIRI, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and decreased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) as compared with MIRI group. Simultaneouly, the levels of myocardial enzymes, i. e. creatine kinase ( CK) and creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), and inflammatory factors, for instance tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were decreased. Hyp pretreatment apparently restrained myocardial apoptosis as evidenced by decreasing the level of Bax expression, increasing the levels of phosphorylation of Akt and Bcl-2 expression. These effects were inhibited by LY294002, a blocker of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings indicated that the cardioprotection of Hyp preconditioning against MIRI may be related to activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, upregulating the expression of BCL-2 protein and down-regulating the expression of Bax protein.
Animals ; Creatine Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Heart ; drug effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; prevention & control ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Quercetin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the correlation of Bax and apoptosis in enterocytes of neonatal rats with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).Methods Forty-eight neonatal rats (1 day) were randomly divided into control group (n =24) and NEC model group (n =24) by use of odd and even.The rats in control group were maternal breast-fed.The rats in NEC model group were separated from their mothers.To be given formula feeding,cold exposure after hypoxic-reoxygenation treatment.The intestinal tissue located at the boundary of ileum and caecum of two groups were gained on the 24 h,48 h and 72 h with which that all rats were sacrificed by cutting neck.Section of intestinal tissue were stained with immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of Bax and were stained with TdT mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) to evaluate the apoptosis in each group.Results The integrate optical density (IOD) value of expression of Bax in the NEC model group began to increase on the 24 h [(1 005.06-± 11.96) IOD] and reached the summit on the 72 h [(3 340.66 ±68.72)] compared with the control group[(666.55 ± 15.77)IOD].A few of TUNEL positive cells began to increase with time dependence.A lot of TUNEL positive cells could be found in NEC model group on the 24 h [(15.04 ± 0.24) ％],and the apoptotic index reached the peak on the 72 h [(35.65 ±0.61) ％] compared with the control group[(4.73 ±0.04) ％,P ＜0.01]-There was a significantly positive correlation between the cell apoptosis and the ratio change of Bax in NEC model group (r =0.94,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion There is a significantly positive correlation between the cell apoptosis and the ratio change of Bax in enterocytes of neonatal rats with NEC.The cell apoptosis in enterocytes of neonatal rats with NEC maybe be induced by Bax.

To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of hyperoside (Hyp) on the vascular endothelium function in middle cerebral artery (MCA) ex vivo in rats. Isolated arterial segments from MCAs of rats were used for surveying vasomotoricity in a pressurized chamber. Transmembrane potential was recorded by using glass microelectrodes to evaluate hyperpolarization. Hyp (1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-4) mol . L-1) was utilized to observe the effect on 1 x 10(-7) mol . L-1 U46619-preconstricted MCA in rats. The results showed that 1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-4) mol . L-1 Hyp significantly induced concentration-dependent vasodilatation and hyperpolarization, leading to the maximal diastolic ratio of (73. 2 ± 6. 1)% and maximal changes in membrane potentials of (-13. 2 ± 2. 2) mV. Hyp still elicited vasorelaxation and hyperpolarization by removal of endothelium in MCA of rat, which was notably attenuated as compared with vascular endothelium-intact group (P <0. 01). In the MCAs preconstricted by U46619 (1 x 10(-7) mol . L-1), Hyp (1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-4) mol . L-1) produced concentration-dependent vasorelaxation and hyperpolarizition that were partially attenuated by 3 x 10(-5) mol . L-1 L-NAME(a NOS inhibitor) plus 1 x 10(-5) mol . L-1 PGI2 ,(a synthetase inhibitor). The residual effects were further decreased by 1 x 10(-3) mol . L-1 TEA (an inhibitor of Ca2+-activated potassium channel) or 1 x 10(-5) mol . L-1 PPG (a blocker of endogenous H2S synthese-CSE). Similarly, 1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) mol . L-1 NaHS (a donor of exogenous H2S) or 1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) mol . L-1 L-Cys (the substrate of endogenous H2S synthesis) obviously evoked dose-dependent vasodilatation and hyperpolarization of MCA in rats. These findings indicated that Hyp may induce endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent responses. And the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation may be related to the increases of endogenous H2S that has been promoted Hyp in the endotheliocyte of MCAs, and activated Kca and opening of Kca channels, resulting in the hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle cell membrane and subsequent reduction of Ca2+ influx and vasodilation.
Animals ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; drug effects ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfides ; metabolism ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

Background Pupillary light reflex has been widely used in the diagnosis and evaluation of visual system and nervous system diseases.However,in animal experiments,functional evaluation of the visual system and nervous system needs more advanced technology and are affected by many factors.Objective This study was to explore the use of the dynamic pupillometer in evaluating pupillary light reflex and to discuss the influence of brightness of stimulate on relevant curve parameters in C57BL/6 mouse.Methods Ten healthy SPF male C57BL/6 mice were collected in this experiment.White light of five luminance levels (2,8,32,128,256 cd/m2) was used to stimulate the mice following a 2-hour dark adaptation.The stimulation was given at the 60-second intervals,for a duration of 100 ms at every stimulation.An infrared camera and video capture card were used to capture digital images during the measuring process in a scotopic environment,at a speed of 60 frames per second.Measuring outcome was saved in the*.AVI format.A software that was developed by our group was used to determine pupil diameter and output pupillary light reflex curve offline.Pupil initial diameter (R1),constriction amplitude (CA),constriction velocity (CV),latency (T1),time for maximum velocity (T2),time for maximum constriction (T3),time for maximun con-striction to 10.1％ R1 re-dilation (RT)and re-dilation velocity (RV)were assessed,and the correlations between luminosity and measuring parameters were analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation.The use of animals followed the Regulations for thd Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results R1 values showed no statistically significant difference among the 5 different luminosity groups(F=1.117,P=0.361).A positive linear correlation was found between stimulating luminosity and CA(r=0.508,P＜ 0.01),but negative correlations were seen between stimulating luminosity and CV or RV (r=-0.625,-0.609,P＜0.01).T1 and T2 values in the 5 different luminosity groups were not statistically significant (F =0.202,P =0.936 ; F =1.584,P =0.195).The different levels of stimulating luminosity showed positive linear correlations with T3 and RT values (r =0.791,0.609,P＜ 0.01).Conclusions The dynamic pupillometer can quantitatively measure the pupillary light reflex of C57BL/6 mice.The pupillary light reflex dynamic curve parameters of mouse were affected by stimulus luminosity levels.These outcomes offer a basis for the application of the dynamic pupillometer system for measuring pupillary light reflex in animal models.

Objective To explore hemodynamic parameter changes in pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)treated by transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MMSCs)in the experimental rats.Methods MMSCs cells were collected from bone marrow of Sprague-Dawleye(SD)rat's femoral and tibial bones,cultured and passaged in vitro,then stained by Hoechst 33342 fluorescence dye stuff.Ninety healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=30):normal control group(group N),MMSCs transplanted group(group M),PAH model group(group H).The rats in the two latter groups were given a single subcutaneous crotaline(50 mg/kg)to establish the model of PAH.The rats of group N were injected respectively a single subcutaneous 9 g/L saline water(6 mL/kg).After 21 days,5?109 L-1 MMSCs cultured in 1 mL phosphate-buffered saline were infused into the rats respectively in group M by sublingual vein and 1 mL L-DMEM was given in group H.The indexalso of right ventricle systolic pressure(RVSP),right ventricle hypertrophy index,arterial blood gas analysis and the changes of small pulmonary blood vessel were observed after 28 days.Results The administration of MMSCs 28 days after PAH nearly completely prevented the increase in RVSP with PAH alone [(32.20?2.32)mmHg vs(48.30?1.56)mmHg P

Nosocomial infection (NI) is one of the most significant complications arising after open heart surgery,and leads to increased mortality,hospitalization time and health resource allocation.This study investigated the morbidity,mortality,and independent risk factors associated with NI following open heart surgery.We retrospectively surveyed the records of 1606 consecutive cardiovascular surgical patients to identify those that developed NI.The NI selection criteria were based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.The term NI encompasses surgical site infection (SSI),central venous catheter-related infection (CVCRI),urinary tract infection (UTI),respiratory tract infection and pneumonia (RTIP),as well as other types of infections.Of 1606 cardiovascular surgery patients,125 developed NI (7.8％,125/1606).The rates of NI following surgery for congenital malformation,valve replacement,and coronary artery bypass graft were 2.6％ (15/587),5.5％ (26/473) and 13.6％ (32/236),respectively.The NI rate following surgical repair of aortic aneurysm or dissection was 16.8％ (52/310).Increased risk of NI was detected for patients with a prior preoperative stay ≥3 days (OR=2.11,95％ CI=1.39-3.20),diabetes (OR=2.00,95％=CI 1.26-3.20),length of surgery ≥6 h (OR=2.26,95％ CI=1.47-3.47),or postoperative cerebrovascular accident (OR=4.08,95％ CI=1.79-9.29).Greater attention should be paid toward compliance with ventilator and catheter regulations in order to decrease NI morbidity and mortality following cardiovascular procedures.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the myocardial damage and changes of myocardial mitochondrial Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity in craniocerebral injured rats and the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on them.

METHODSCraniocerebral injured rats model was established by fluid-percussion and treated with GBE. The dynamical changes of electrocardiograph (ECG) in 24 h were monitored, the serum level of MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) and the change of myocardial mitochondrial Mn-SOD activity as well as the pathologic changes of myocardium (HE staining) were observed.

RESULTSThe occurrence of ECG abnormality obviously increased in the injured rats, accompanied with increased serum CK-MB (P<0.05) and decreased myocardial Mn-SOD levels (P<0.05), and the Mn-SOD activity was negatively correlated with the level of CK-MB (r=-0.997, P<0.05). Pretreatment of GBE resulted in the decrease of ECG abnormality occurrence (P<0.01), serum CK-MB level (P<0.05), and degree of myocardial damage, as well as the increase of Mn-SOD activity in post-craniocerebral injured rats.

CONCLUSIONSCraniocerebral injury can result in distinct myocardial damage, which is possibly correlated with the lowering of anti-oxidation stress level of myocardial cellular mitochondria. GBE possesses the protective effect on myocardial damage after craniocerebral injury.

Animals ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Electrocardiography ; Ginkgo biloba ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish discriminant functions of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) by studying it from quantitative diagnosis angle, hoping to reduce interference of subjective factors in diagnosing and differentially diagnosing Chinese medical syndromes of IBS-D.

METHODSA Chinese medical clinical epidemiological survey was carried out in 439 IBS-D patients using Clinical Information Collection Table of IBS. Initial syndromes were obtained by cluster analysis. They were analyzed using step-by-step discrimination by taking information of four Chinese medical diagnostic methods and serum brain-gut peptides (BGP) as variables.

RESULTSClustering results were Gan stagnation Pi deficiency syndrome (GSPDS), Pi-Wei weakness syndrome (PWWS), Gan stagnation qi stasis syndrome (GSQSS), Pi-Shen yang deficiency syndrome (PSYDS), Pi-Wei damp-heat syndrome (PWDHS), cold-damp disturbing Pi syndrome (CDDPS). Of them, GSPDS was mostly often seen with effective percentage of 34. 2%, while CDDPS was the least often seen with effective percentage of 5.5%. A total of 5 discriminant functions for GSPDS, PWWS, GSQSS, PSYDS, and PWDHS were obtained by step-by-step dis- crimination method. The retrospective misjudgment rate was 4.1% (16/390), while the cross-validation misjudgment rate was 15.4% (60/390).

CONCLUSIONThe establishment of discriminant functions is of value in objectively diagnosing and differentially diagnosing Chinese medical syndromes of IBS-D.

Alarmins ; Brain ; Cluster Analysis ; Diarrhea ; classification ; diagnosis ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; classification ; diagnosis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Qi ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Yang Deficiency