AIM:To study the effects of lipopolysaccharide(LPS), interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF?) on tissue factor(TF) expression of astrocytes. METHODS:Astrocytes were identified with anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein antibody. The TF activity of cell lysate was measured with one stage clotting assay. RESULTS:TF activity of astrocytes of LPS,IL-6,TNF? groups were obviously higher than that of the control group( P

Objective To investigate T-bet mRNA expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its relations with allergen specific IgE (SIgE), eosinophile cationic protein (ECP) levels, and allergic symptom in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods The allergen, SIgE, and ECP in serum of patients with AR were detected by Unicap CAP system. Blood samples were taken from 15 healthy controls and 35 house dust mite allergic patients. PBMC was isolated by density gradient centrifugation and one part of them was cultured with mite allergen at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. PBMC was subjected to analysis of T-bet mRNA expression using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The ratio of T-bet to β-actin mRNA levels was 0.418 ± 0. 101 in patients of AR and 0.706 ± 0.091 in healthy controls and the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.01). The expression intensity of T-bet mRNA was not related to varying severity of allergic symptom and ECP levels ( r = - 0.227, - 0.033, P ＞ 0.05). However, there was an inverse correlation between expression intensity of T-bet mRNA and SIgE concentration (r = -0.375, P ＜ 0.05). There was a positive correlation between SIgE and allergic symptom scores ( r = 0.426, P ＜ 0.05). After that PBMC was stimulated by mite allergen, the expression intensity of T-bet mRNA, ECP, and SIgE changed very little ( P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion Down-regulated expression of T-bet mRNA in mite-AR patients is not related to serum ECP and symptom scores but one of important links in the mechanism of imbalance of Th1/Th2 in the occurrence of AR. Specific allergen has no effect on T-bet mRNA, ECP, and SIgE of children and adults with AR in vitro. The level of SIgE objectively and directly indicates the severity of allergic symptom, but T-bet did not. T-bet may be one of indirect factors which affect the level of IgE.

Objective To investigate relationship between obstructive sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome(OSAHS) and hypertension.Methods Questionnaire survey was conducted among 1573 local permanent residents in Guangzhou during March and June 2006 to understand prevalence of hypertension and snoring,and polysomnography monitoring was performed for 347 of them with moderate and severe snoring to estimate prevalence of OSAHS.Risk factors for hypertension was screened with multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results In total,1547 copies of valid questionnaires were collected,and 184 cases (11.9%) of hypertension were found with a prevalence of 10Department of Endocrinology,Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital,Taiyuan 030012,China 0%,49 of diabetes with a prevalence of 2.7%,and 212 of dyslipidemia with a prevalence of 10.4%.Prevalence of OSAHS was found in 34 of them (2.2% ) with Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) score equal to or greater than nine.Prevalence of hypertension in OSAHS group was 32.5%,much higher than that in non-snoring group (8.3% ) and snoring group ( 17.1% ).Results of logistic regression analysis showed that age,gender,OSAHS,diabetes and dyslipidemia all were high-risk factors for hypertension,with OSAHS ranking the third.Conclusion OSAHS is one of high-risk factors for hypertension.

To improve students' experimental research skills,innovative consciousness,promote the construction of functional experimental center,we established series of “comprehensive,contrivable,innovative” experiments in medical students.

Objectives: To explore the effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13cRA) alone or combined with interferonα-2b (IFNα-2b) for the inhibition of cell growth and apoptosis induction of mantle cell lymphoma cell lines Jeko-1 cells. Methods: Jeko-1 cells were treated by different concentrations of 13cRA alone or combined with IFN-α2b. CCK-8 was used to measure the inhibition effects by different treatments. Cell cycles were analyzed by flow cytometry. Effects on apoptosis were assessed by staining of Annexin Ⅴ/PI. And the levels of Cyclin D1, caspase-9 and Rb proteins were measured by Western blot method. Results: 13cRA alone at different doses and its combination with IFNα-2b inhibited Jeko-1 cells growth and induced apoptosis, but the combination had higher inhibition potential and significant apoptosis rate (P<0.05) . The growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in Jeko-1 cells increased significantly with the elevation of drugs concentration and treating duration (P<0.05) . As well as the percentage of Jeko-1 cells at G₁/G₂ phases increased (P<0.05) and cells at S phase decreased (P<0.05) , the levels of Cyclin D1 and Rb decreased with elimination caspase-9. Conclusion 13cRA, IFN-α2b and their combined administration inhibited cells growth and induced apoptosis, decreased the cell populations at S phase and blocked the cells at G₁/G₂ phase. Combination of the drugs may have a cooperated action. The therapeutic synergistic effects of 13cRA and IFN-α2b were assumed to lower the expression of Cyclin D1 and Rb proteins, and induce apoptosis by activating caspase-9 pathway.

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsule (XSECC) in treating cerebral infarction and its potential mechanism of action. Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) of the qi deficiency and blood stasis type were randomly assigned to the control and observation groups. They were evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Hachinskilnchemic Scale (HIS), Barthel Index (BI), clinical efficacy scores, and TCM syndrome scores on days 0, 14, 30, and 90. Furthermore, VEGF and BDNF levels were measured on days 30 and 90. Finally, we analyzed the changes in each scale score and vascular neurological factor in both groups. Results: After 14 days of treatment, the difference values in NIHSS, ADL, and BI were higher, and TCM syndrome and clinical efficacy scores were increased in the observation group compared with those of the control group (all P < .05). After 30 days, the NIHSS, ADL, HIS, and TCM syndrome scores were decreased compared with those of the control group, while BI and clinical efficacy scores were increased (all P < .05). After 90 days, the difference value in ADL was higher, and TCM syndrome score was increased in the observation group compared with that of the control group (P = .047, P = .005, respectively). The levels of VEGF and BDNF were higher in the observation group than in the control group on days 14, 30, and 90 (all P < .05). VEGF and BDNF levels on day 0 were associated with prognosis of patients with AIS; therefore, they have a predictive value for the prognosis of acute cerebral infarction. Conclusions XSECC therapy can improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute and recurrent cerebral infarctions. Its mechanism of action may be associated with the secretion of VEGF and BDNF.

Objective To determine the anti-tumor effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid (13eRA) combined with interferonα-2b (IFNα-2b)in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) animal model.Methods The animal model of MCL was established by introducing Jeko-1 cell line into severe combined immunodeficiency disease mice.The successfully tumor-developed mice were assigned to different groups treated with negative control group (solvents),13cRA (high dose:200mg/kg;middle dose:100mg/kg;low dose:50 mg/kg)alone,IFNα-2b alone or combination of different dose of 13cRA with IFNα-2b,and positive control group (bortezomib,rituximab,cyclophosphamide),respectively.Variations of tumor volume were observed regularly.The relative tumor proliferation rate and tumor inhibition rate were calculated.Immunohistochemistry stain was used to detect the Ki-67 expression and TUNEL was applied to measure the apoptosis of tumor cells.Furthermore,the levels of Cyclin D1,caspase 9 and Rb protein were measured by Western-blot method.Results ① The relative tumor proliferation rates (T/C％)were 30％,37％,32％ and 33％ in middle dose,high dose groups of 13cRA as well as their combination with IFN α-2b,respectively.② Comparing with the negative control,both 13cRA at different doses and its combination with IFNα-2b remarkably inhibited the tumor growth (P＜0.05),while no statistic significance existed in different dose group of 13cRA.IFN-α 2b alone didn't demonstrate the tumor-inhibition effects (P＞0.05).Middle dose of 13cRA and its combination with IFN-α-2b demonstrated relatively high tumorinhibition effects (59.2％ and 62.6％ respectively),which were similar to the effects in positive control (69.4％).③ There was no statistic difference of Ki-67 in each experimental group.④ Comparing with negative control group,all doses of 13cRA and their combinations with IFNα-2b remarkably increased the apoptosis (P＜0.05),similar to the positive control group (P＞0.05).However,IFNα-2b alone didn' t promote the apoptosis of tumor tissue (P=0.098).⑤ Comparing with negative control group,IFNα-2b combined with each dose of 13cRA significantly decreased the levels of cycling D1 and procaspase-9,while increased the level of cleaved caspase-9 (P＜0.05),which were similar to the positive control group (P＞0.05).Nevertheless,13cRA alone didn't demonstrate such effects.Conclusion In the MCL animal model,IFNα-2b alone showed no effects,but combined with IFNα-2b,13cRA displayed anti-tumor effects at different doses.The anti-tumor mechanism of 13cRA combined with IFNα-2b was probably downregulation of the cyclin D1 expression,inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis by activating caspase-9.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture-induced reduction of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and microglial nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway in aged mice.Methods:Sixty SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 18 months, weighing 27-30 g, were allocated into 4 groups ( n=15 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), operation group (O group), operation plus sham electroacupuncture group (O+ SE group) and operation plus electroacupuncture group (O+ Egroup). In O+ E group, the mice received electrical stimulation at the Baihui and Shenting acupoints for a duration of 30 min. The electroacupuncture entailed the utilization of a continuous wave with a frequency of 10 Hz, an intensity of 1 mA, and a daily application for 5 consecutive days. The mice in Y group underwent the same procedure as O+ E group, except that no electrical stimulation was administered. Laparotomy was performed on the mice following a 3% isoflurane anesthesia in O, O+ SE, and O+ E groups. The open field test was conducted in the morning of 6th day after surgery to assess the spontaneous activity and anxiety-like behavior. The novel object recognition test was subsequently performed in the afternoon of 6th day after surgery. The fear conditioning test was performed on 7th day postoperatively. The mice were sacrificed under deep anesthesia at the end of behavioral testing, and the hippocampal tissue was extracted for determination of the expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), NLRP3, postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and synaptic vesicle protein (SYN) (by Western blot) and the co-staining area of NLRP3 and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1, a specific marker for microglia) (by immunofluorescence staining) and for measurement of the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region (using Golgi staining). Results:No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of movement speed, distance traveled, and time of center stay during the open field test among the four groups ( P>0.05). Compared to C group, the percentage of novel object exploration and discrimination index were significantly decreased, the freezing time was prolonged, the expression of p-NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 in the hippocampal tissue was up-regulated, the co-staining area of NLRP3 and Iba1 was increased, the expression of PSD-95 and SYN was down-regulated, and the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons were decreased in O, O+ SE and O+ E groups ( P<0.05). Compared to O group, the percentage of novel object exploration and discrimination index were significantly increased, the freezing time was shortened, the expression of p-NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 in the hippocampal tissue was down-regulated, the co-staining area of NLRP3 and Iba1 was decreased, the expression of PSD-95 and SYN was up-regulated, and the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons were increased in O+ E group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in each parameter in O+ SE group ( P>0.05). Compared to O+ SE group, the percentage of novel object exploration and discrimination index were significantly increased, the freezing time was shortened, the expression of p-NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 in the hippocampal tissue was down-regulated, the co-staining area of NLRP3 and Iba1 was decreased, the expression of PSD-95 and SYN was up-regulated, and the dendritic length and dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons were increased in O+ E group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which electroacupuncture attenuates postoperative cognitive dysfunction is associated with inhibition of activation of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in microglial cells and improvement in synaptic plasticity in aged mice.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of multimodal ultrasound (MMU) for upper urinary tract damage (UUTD) in children with neurogenic bladder (NB).Methods:This was a case-series study.From January 2022 to December 2023, 87 children with NB admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were examined by MMU.During the filling of bladder, vesical volume (VV), bladder wall thickness (BWT), shear wave velocity (SWV) of the anterior wall, resistance index (RI), and vascularization index (VI) were measured.After the emptying of bladder, VV and anterior wall SWV were measured, and ultrasound bladder compliance (△C) was calculated.The anterior posterior diameter (APD) of the renal pelvis and ureteral diameter (UD) were also measured.According to the upper/lower urinary tract dysfunction classification criteria, NB children were divided into a UUTD group and a non-UUTD (NUUTD) group.The differences in clinical data and related examinations between the 2 groups were analyzed to screen out independent risk factors, and an early warning model was established based on these factors.The prediction efficiency of the model and the urodynamic study (UDS) for UUTD was compared.Results:(1) There were 47 children in the UUTD group and 40 children in the NUUTD group.There was no significant difference in gender, age and body mass index between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).(2) In the UUTD group, the total glomerular filtration rate (tGFR) was (70.45±16.17) mL/min, the incidence of hydronephrosis was 38.30%, and the incidence of ureteral dilatation was 23.40%.No morphological changes were found in the imaging examination of the urinary system in the NUUTD group, and its tGFR was (100.55±16.27) mL/min.There was a significant difference in tGFR between the 2 groups ( P<0.05).(3) The filling VV, emptying VV, mean BWT, filling SWV, emptying SWV, VI, mean RI, △C, maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure during filling (Pdet.max), bladder compliance (BC), and detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) in the NUUTD group were (218.43±87.53) mL, (14.62±6.14) mL, (3.08±0.65) mm, (2.64±0.54) m/s, (1.88±0.41) m/s, (6.20±1.04)%, 0.68±0.04, (147.58±49.18) mm 2·s, (309.50±66.54) mL, (59.83±19.79) cmH 2O(1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa), (25.80±10.34) mL/cmH 2O, and (34.00±6.16) cmH 2O, respectively.Compared with the NUUTD group, the UUTD group showed decreased filling VV [(167.21±85.63) mL], △C [(78.49±31.86) mm 2·s], VI [(5.01±0.81) %], MCC [(255.32±75.10) mL], and BC [(12.57±6.44) mL/cmH 2O], and increased emptying VV [(19.50±7.65) mL], mean BWT [(4.02±0.82) mm], filling SWV [(3.99±1.07) m/s], emptying SWV [(2.15±0.35) m/s], mean RI (0.70±0.08), Pdet.max [(75.94±26.23) cmH 2O], and DLPP [(48.13±12.61) cmH 2O] (all P<0.05).(4) The decreased BC ( OR=0.841, 95% CI: 0.562-1.256, P=0.045), △C ( OR=0.427, 95% CI: 0.202-0.904, P=0.026) and VI ( OR=0.461, 95% CI: 0.091-2.325, P=0.010) and the increased DLPP ( OR=1.139, 95% CI: 0.894-1.451, P=0.040), filling SWV ( OR=1.895, 95% CI: 1.082-3.321, P=0.007) and mean BWT ( OR=1.191, 95% CI: 0.850-1.669, P=0.025) were independent risk factors for UUTD.Among MMU parameters, filling SWV had the highest prediction efficiency for UUTD, with a threshold of 3.33 m/s, sensitivity of 72.34% and specificity of 92.50%. Conclusions:MMU can well predict the occurrence of UUTD in children with NB, and filling SWV has the highest prediction efficiency.

Objective To study the application of strain ratio in differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules through analyzing the influencing factors of the elastic strain ratio (SR) of thyroid nodules.Methods There were 468 patients with 476 thyroid nodules in present study, who came from the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2012 to February 2014. SR characteristics of thyroid nodules were retrospectively analyzed, and the critical values were found by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Then the size, echo, calcification, blood flow and the correlation between SR and pathology were analyzed by Pearson bivariate correlation analysis.Results The ROC curve showed that SR=0.5 was the best threshold value of SR in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curve were 84.8％, 85.9％, and 0.894, respectively. SR was negatively correlated with echo and calcification, while positively correlated with nodule size and blood flow (r=0.158,P=0.001;r=-0.209,P=0.000;r=-0.218,P=0.000;r=0.189,P=0.000;r=-0.519,P=0.000). The pathology of thyroid nodules had no correlation with nodule size and blood flow (r=-0.025,P=0.582;r=-0.070,P=0.126). The pathology was positively correlated with echo and calcification, while negatively correlated with age (r=0.265,P=0.000;r=0.185,P=0.000;r=-0.207,P=0.000;r=-0.519,P=0.000). Conclusion To improve the accuracy of diagnosis, the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules should be based on two-dimensional ultrasound combined with SR and fine needle aspiration.