Objective To evaluate the effect of zinc deficiency factor on cognitive function after isoflurane anesthesia in mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods One hundred and forty-four APP/ PS1 transgenic mice with AD,weighing 22-28 g,aged 8-10 months,were divided into 6 groups (n=24 each) using a random number table:zinc adequate group (group ZA),zinc adequate plus isoflurane anesthesia group (group ZA+Iso),zinc deficiency group (group ZD),zinc deficiency plus isoflurane anesthesia group (group ZD+Iso),zinc treatment group (group ZT) and zinc treatment plus isoflurane anesthesia group (group ZT+Iso).The mice were fed a diet adequate in zinc and deionized water for 2 months in ZA and ZA+Iso groups.The mice were fed a diet low in zinc (0.01‰ zinc) and deionized water for 1 month in ZD and ZD+Iso groups.The mice were fed a diet adequate in zinc and 0.12‰ ZnSO4 · 7H2O water for 2 months in ZT and ZT+Iso groups.The mice underwent 2 h of anesthesia with 1.4％ isoflurane starting from the end of feeding in ZA+Iso,ZD+Iso and ZT+Iso groups.At 24 h after anesthesia,the mice were sacrificed and hippocampal tissues were obtained for determination of the contents of soluble amyloid beta protein 40 (Aβ40) and Aβ42 and insoluble Aβ40 and Aβ42 (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and expression of total Aβ,Aβ40,Aβ42,tau pSer396,tau pSer262 and tau pThr231 (by Western blot).Morris water maze test was performed at 24 h after anesthesia.Results There was no significant difference in each parameter between group ZA and group ZA+Iso and between group ZT and group ZT+Iso (P＞0.05).Compared with group ZD or group ZT+Iso,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the space exploration time was shortened,the expression of hippocampal Aβ42,tau pSer396,tau pSer262 and tau pThr231 was up-regulated,and the contents of soluble and insoluble Aβ42 were increased in group ZD+Iso (P＜0.05 or 0.01).Conclusion Zinc deficiency can aggravate the impairment of cognitive function after isoflurane anesthesia in mice with AD,and the mechanism is related to the promotion of hippocampal Aβ aggregation and tau protein phosphorylation.

OBJECTIVETo introduce the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3), to China, created ASQ-Chinese (ASQ-C) and carried out studies of its national norm and the psychometrical properties in the children aged 1-66 months in the mainland of China in collaboration with the author of the ASQ System and under the authorizations from its publisher on translation, researches, publication and distribution of the ASQ-3.

METHODThe ASQ-3 questionnaires were translated and adapted into a Simplified Chinese version, the ASQ-C, with six steps such as translation, back-translation and adaptation and so on to ensure consistency with the core of the original document and to have the cultural relevance in China.A stratified cluster sampling method was utilized to recruit children aged 1-66 months with respect to demographic characteristics such as the proportion of population in each administrative region and in urban and rural areas and so on that are representative of 2010 China census data.A sample size of over 200 was collected for each ASQ-C age interval.Children were excluded from the normative sample who (1) are from communities or villages at an elevation of 2 000 m or above and(or) where simplified Chinese is not the official language, or (2) had been diagnosed as having a developmental delay by any authoritative organizations.The national normative sample for the ASQ-C had a total sample size of 4 452, sample size within each age interval ranged from 218 to 227, including 2 230 male cases and 2 222 female cases, 2 236 urban cases and 2 216 rural cases.A convenience sample was recruited from the normative sample to examine inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability in all six administrative regions.Researchers completed the ASQ-C on the same child with their parents for 162 children for inter-rater reliability(the size of each ASQ-C age interval was 5-9); parents of 168 children completed another age-appropriate ASQ-C for test-retest reliability during 10-15 days after they completed the normative ASQ-C(The size of each ASQ-C age interval is 6-10). Another convenience sample was recruited from the follow-up of low birth weight infants for the concurrent validity of the ASQ-C in comparison with the Beijing Gesell.Parents of 198 children completed age-appropriate ASQ-C and professional administered to the children with the Beijing Gesell.In the ASQ-C norm and test-retest reliability, parents completed the age-appropriate ASQ-C, independently or with needed assistance. In inter-rater reliability, researchers completed the same ASQ-C after parents. In validity test, after parents completing age-appropriate ASQ-C, professional tested children with the Beijing Gesell.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0 software.The mean and standard deviation of the national normative sample were calculated, reliability and validity of the ASQ-C was examined.

RESULTThe demographic characteristics of this Chinese sample match the 2010 China census data on gender, urban or rural location, and family income.All 20 intervals of the ASQ-C were standardized on 21 national normative samples.Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole measure was 0.8.The Pearson correlation coefficient between the ASQ-C total scores of the two raters was 0.8.The Pearson correlation coefficient between the ASQ-C total scores of the two times was 0.8 (all P<0.000 1). The sensitivity of ASQ-C was 87.50% and the specificity of ASQ-C was 84.48%.The percentage of the agreement between the ASQ-C and the Beijing Gesell was 84.74%.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that the ASQ-C is a reliable and valid measure with a representative national sample aged 1-66 months.It can be used to screen and monitor the development of children in the mainland of China.

Beijing ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Language ; Male ; Parents ; Psychometrics ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To explore the normal range of serum uric acid in quails.Method The data were collect-ed from male and female quails of different strains in 11 experiments, and analyzed by the way of medical reference value. Result The mean value of serum uric acid of male Difake strain quails was (221.06 ±79.59)μmol/L,and the normal range was (87.32 to 382.34)μmol/L.The mean value of serum uric acid of female Difake strain quails was (189.85 ± 68.58)μmol/L, and the normal range was ( 72.72 to 369.73 )μmol/L.The mean value of serum uric acid of male Longcheng strain quails was (217.22 ±72.91)μmol/L,and the normal range was (82.92 to 360.24)μmol/L.The mean value of serum uric acid of female Longcheng strain quails was ( 197.27 ±66.84 )μmol/L, and the normal range was (95.36 to 348.73)μmol/L.The serum uric acid value of female quails was significantly lower than that of male quails. There was no significant difference in the value of serum uric acid between female and male quails from each day-age groups.Conclusions This study has established the normal ranges for serum uric acid in quails of different strains and genders.

Objective To determine the risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications and establish a preoperative risk scoring system.Methods Patients,aged ≥ 18 yr,scheduled for elective surgery or undergoing emergency operation under total intravenous anesthesia or field block anesthesia,were studied.The general data of patients,preoperative SpO2,and conditions of respiratory infection,anemia or cough tests within 1 month before surgery were recorded.The operative sites (thorax,upper abdomen,other sites),duration of operation,type of surgery (emergency operation/elective operation),and methods of anesthesia (general anesthesia/field block) were also recorded.According to the development of respiratory complications within 1-7 days after operation,the patients were divided into either postoperative respiratory complication group or non-postoperative respiratory complication group.The risk factors of which P values were less than 0.05 would enter the multivariate logistic regression analysis to pick out the risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications and to establish a preoperative risk scoring system.Results Two thousand and thirty-seven patients completed the study.A total of 493 patients developed postoperative pulmonary complications,and the incidence was 24.20％.Statistical analysis showed that the risk factors associated with postoperative respiratory complications included age ＞ 50 yr,preoperative SpO2 ≤90％,high ASA physical status,duration of smoking ＞ 1 yr,positive cough tests,respiratory infections at one month before operation,preoperative anemia,upper abdominal and intrathoracic operations,duration of operation ＞ 2 h.A preoperative risk scoring system was established for postoperative respiratory complications based on 6 independent risk factors:preoperative SpO2,anemia,respiratory infections,age,duration of operation and operative sites.The incidence of postoperative respiratory complications was 61.9 ％,52.8 ％ and 17.2 ％ in high-risk,medium-risk and low-risk groups,respectively,and there was significant difference between the three groups (P ＜ 0.01).Area under the ROC curve was 90％ for subsamples and 87％ for the validation subsamples.Conclusion Age ＞ 50 yr,high ASA physical status,duration of smoking ＞ 1 yr,positive cough tests,preoperative SpO2 ≤90％,anemia,respiratory infections at one month before operation,duration of operation ＞ 2 h,upper abdominal and intrathoracic operations are risk factors for postoperative respiratory complications.A preoperative risk scoring system is successfully established for postoperative respiratory complications based on preoperative SpO2,anemia,respiratory infections,age,duration of operation and operative sites.

Objective To investigate the effect of isoflurane on the levels of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) in hippocampus in rats. Methods Thirty-six 3-month-old male SD rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 12 each): group Ⅰ underwent the cognitive function test without being pretreated with isoflurane inhalation (group C); group Ⅱ and Ⅲ inhaled 1.2% isoflurane for 4 h and underwent the cognitive function test 2 days and 2 weeks later respectively (group Ⅰso1,Iso2). Morris water maze was used to assess the cognitive function and the escape latency was recorded. The animals were killed immediately after the test.The hippocampus was isolated for determination of the expression and activities of PKA and PKC.Results The escape latency was significantly longer in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅰ.The expression of PKA and PKC was significantly down-regulated and the activities of PKA and PKC were significantly decreased in group Ⅱand Ⅲ as compared with group Ⅰ . There was no significant difference in the expression and activities of PKA and PKC between group Ⅱ and Ⅲ . Conclusion Four hour 1.2% isoflurane inhalation can decrease cognitive function by inhibiting the levels of PKA and PKC in hippocampus.

Objective To evaluate the role of alpha4 beta2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the inhibition of synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) by isoflurane in the CA1 area of rat hippocampal slices.Methods Hippocampal slices (400 μm thick) were prepared from the brains of adult male SD rats, 2 months old, weighing 200-250 g, anesthetized with ether and decapitated. The slices were incubated in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) at room temperature for at least 2 h before use. Seventy slices were randomly divided into 10 groups ( n = 7 each): Ⅰ LTP group in which the slices were perfused with aCSF; Ⅱ , Ⅲ and Ⅳ group in which the slices were perfused with aCSF containing isoflurane 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/L respectively (group Ⅰ1-3 );Ⅴ and Ⅵ group in which the slices were perfused with aCSF containing epibatidine 0.1 and 1.0 μmol/L respectively (group E1.2 ); Ⅶ group epibatidine 0.1 μmol/L + isoflurane 0.25 mmol/L (group E1 + I2 ); Ⅷgroup epibatidine 1.0 μmol/L + isoflurane 0.25 mmol/L (group E2 + I2); Ⅸ group DHβE 0.1 μmol/L (group D); Ⅹ group DHβE 0.1 μmol/L + isoflurane 0.125 mmol/L (group D + I1 ). Population spikes (PS) were recorded for at least 30 min before LTP in each group. For LTP induction, high-frequency stimulation (HFS) was applied to the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway of hippocampus and maintained for 15 min using a stimulating electrode.The changes in PS amplitude were analyzed at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min after HFS in each group. Results Compared with group LTP, the PS amplitude was significantly decreased after HFS in group I1 ,I2, I3 , D, D + I1 and E1 + I2 ( P ＜ 0.05), while increased after HFS in group E1 .2 ( P ＜ 0.05 ), but no significant change was found after HFS in group E2 + I2 ( P ＞ 0.05). The PS amplitude was significantly decreased after HFS in group D + I1 compared with group I1 (P ＜ 0.05). The PS amplitude was significantly increased after HFS in group E1 + I2 and F2 + I2 compared with group I2 ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion Isoflurane inhibits LTP induction via inhibiting the activation of alpha4 beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in rat hippocampus.

Objective Increasing evidence suggest that aberrant activation of PI3K/Akt is involved in many human cancers, and that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway might be a promising strategy for cancer therapy. The study is to evaluate the effects of combined therapy of PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) and Ad-PTEN in athymic mice xenogeneic transplant model of human glioma and to reveal the possible mechanisms involved.Methods Twenty-four athymic mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (DMSO、Ad-vector plus DMSO、LY294002 alone and Ad-PTEN plus LY294002), and were treated, respectively. Athymic mice xenogeneic transplant model was established by inoculation (sc) with LN229 glioma cells. Body mass (BM) and diameter of tumor mass were measured. Furthermore, The protein expressions of PTEN、p-Akt、CyclinD1、Caspase-3、MMP-2、p-FAK in tumor tissues were analyzed with immunohistochemistry.Results The tumor-inhibiting rate of was significantly higher in Ad-PTEN plus LY294002 than in the LY294002 alone (92.46 vs 65.59%)( P <0.05).The protein expressions of PTEN and Caspase-3 were significantly higher, while PCNA、CyclinD1、bcl-2 and MMP-2、p-FAK was significantly lower in Ad-PTEN plus LY294002 group than in the other three groups ( P <0.05).Conclusions LY294002 plus Ad-PTEN achieve better outcome than either alone in treating glioma possibly through enhancement of the inhibitory action of PI3K/Akt pathway and Ad-PTEN pathway.

Objective To investigate the time-dependent changes in glutamate (Glu) and 7-aminobutyric acid ( GABA) release in the rostral ventromedial medulla in a rat model of incisional pain. Methods Healthy male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were used in this study. Twelve rats in which microdialysis cannulae were implanted in the right rostral ventromedial medulla without neurological deficits were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 6 each): group A control and group B incisional pain. In group B an 1 cm long incision was made in the plantar surface of right hindpaw under 1.2% isoflurane anesthesia which was maintained for 5 min. Samples of dialysate were collected before incision (T_0 baseline) and at 3 h, 1 d, 2 d and 3 d after incision was made (T_(1-4)) in both groups for determination of Clu and GABA concentrations (by HPLC). Results In group B Glu and GABA concentrations in the dialysate were significantly increased at 1 d (T_2) and 3 h-3 d (T_(1-4)) respectively as compared with the baseline value at T_0 and were significantly higher than those in group A (control group). Conclusion Incisional pain increases the release of Glu and GABA in the rostral ventromedial medulla which might influence the function of descending pain modulation pathway.

cells, the expression of PTEN was up-regulated while pAkt down-regulated. Conclusions AS-miR-221 and AS-miR-222 may enhance the radiosensitivity of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by up-regulating the expression of PTEN.