ObjectiveTo elucidate the effects of autonomic neuromodulators [calcium chloride (CaCl₂)-acetylcholine (ACh)] on atrial electrical remodeling and histopathological changes in rats, thereby providing evidence for further investigation into the pathological mechanisms by which autonomic imbalance induces atrial fibrillation (AF). MethodsTen 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups, with 5 rats in each group. The experimental group received daily tail vein injections of a CaCl₂-ACh mixed solution for 28 days, while the control group received an equal volume of saline. Surface electrocardiograms were recorded before and after daily administration. On day 28 of administration, under isoflurane inhalation anesthesia, echocardiography was performed, and then the rats were euthanized by exsanguination under isoflurane anesthesia for tissue collection. Body weight and heart weight of rats were measured, and electrophysiological parameters including AF inducibility, conduction velocity, and conduction dispersion in isolated rat hearts were monitored using the MappingLab multichannel electrophysiological mapping system. HE staining was performed to evaluate atrial tissue architecture and inflammatory cell infiltration. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were analyzed by Western blotting. Masson staining was used to quantitatively analyze the proportional distribution of collagen fibers and myocardial fibers, and to calculate the area of collagen deposition, thereby evaluating the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to evaluate morphological changes of cardiomyocytes. Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was used to detect the level of oxidative stress in atrial myocytes. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect atrial cell apoptosis. ResultsCompared with the control group, the experimental group showed obvious arrhythmias on electrocardiograms. Echocardiography after 28 days of administration revealed significant structural remodeling in the experimental group, with a marked increase in left atrial anteroposterior diameter (P < 0.05), and also showed cardiac dysfunction, with significant decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed a significantly increased heart weight-to-body weight ratio (P < 0.05), a markedly higher AF inducibility (P < 0.001), a significantly slowed atrial conduction velocity (P < 0.05), an uneven isochronal map with irregular directions, and a significantly increased conduction dispersion (P < 0.01). HE staining showed that atrial myocytes in the experimental group were disorganized, with slight inflammatory cell infiltration. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of MMP-9 and IL-1β in the atrial tissue of the experimental group were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). Masson staining showed a significant increase in collagen deposition and a significant increase in fibrosis area in the atrial tissue of the experimental group (P < 0.001). WGA staining showed that cardiomyocytes in the experimental group were significantly hypertrophied compared with the control group (P < 0.05). DHE staining and TUNEL staining revealed that the level of oxidative stress in atrial myocytes (P < 0.001) and the apoptotic rate (P < 0.01) were both significantly increased. Conclusion Daily tail vein injections of the autonomic neuromodulator CaCl₂-ACh mixed solution for 28 days can successfully induce AF in rats, accompanied by significant atrial structural remodeling, electrical remodeling, and oxidative stress.

Objective To observe the effects of chemotherapy on nutritional status and quality of life in elderly patients aged 60 years and over with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ non-small-cell lung cancer,who were unable to undergo molecular-targeted drug therapy according to genetic testing.Methods A total of 100 elderly patients with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer were randomized into an observation group(n=50)and a control group(n=50).Patients in the observation group were treated with GP regimen(gemcitabine+ cisplatin),while patients in the control group were treated with TP regimen(paclitaxel+cisplatin).The scores of nutritionally relevant indicators and quality of life were compared between the two groups.Results After chemotherapy,the body weight,body mass index,plasma total protein,plasma albumin,and triglyceride concentrations were significantly lower in the GP regimen group than in the TP regimen group(P＜0.0001,P =0.0027,P =0.0305,P＜0.0001,P＜ 0.0001,respectively).The overall health status score,physical function,role function,and emotional function scores were higher in the GP group than in the TP group(P =0.0017,0.0044,0.0064,0.006,respectively) after chemotherapy.The scores of shortness of breath,insomnia,loss of appetite,constipation,and diarrhea were significantly lower in the GP group than in the TP group(P =0.0067,P ＜0.0001,P =0.0026,P =0.0066,P =0.0023).The clinical effective rate was significantly higher in GP regimen than in TP regimen(56.0％ vs 30.0％,x2 =6.90,P=0.009).The incidence of grade Ⅰ adverse reactions was higher in the observation group (54.0％,27/50 cases),and the incidences of grade Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ adverse reactions were higher in the control group(36.0％,18/50 cases;24.0％,12/50 cases;and 24.0％,12/50 cases,respectively) (x2 =16.40,P =0.001).Conclusions The TP chemotherapy is more beneficial to patients' nutrition,while the GP chemotherapy can achieve both higher clinical efficacy and better quality of life.

Objective To establish an animal model of high-iodine and low-protein in Wistar rats,and to observe the effect of combined excess-iodine and low-protein diet on growth,metabolism and morphological changes in thyroid.Methods According to body weight[(110 ± 10)g] and sex(half male and half female),one hundred and ninety-two Wistar rats,1 month after weaning,were randomly divided into ① normal iodine control group (NI),② 10-fold excess-iodine group (10HI),③ 50-fold excess-iodine group (50HI),④ 100-fold excess-iodine group (100HI),⑤ low-protein control group (LC),⑥ low-protein and l 0-fold excess-iodine group (L10HI),⑦low-protein and 50-fold excess-iodine group (L50HI),⑧ low-protein and 100-fold excess-iodine group(L100HI).Twenty-four rats were in each group,with the experimental period of 6 months.The iodine content of NI and LC groups was 4.65 μg/d; 10HI,50HI and 100HI groups were 46.50,232.50 and 465.00 μg/d,respectively.The animal's body weight,water and feed consumption were recorded weekly.At the end of 60,120,180 days,urine and blood samples were collected from eight rats in each group.Urinary iodine was tested by arseni cerium catalytic spectrophotometry; serum iodine was tested by the method of chloric acid.Histological change of the thyroid gland was observed by transmission electron microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining at the end of 6 months; apoptosis of thyroid was tested by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method.Results At the end of 4,8,16,18,22 and 24 weeks,the differences of body mass of rats among groups were statistically significant(F =4.26,3.75,4.98,4.09,3.28,3.95,all P ＜ 0.05).At the end of 60,120,180 days,the differences of iodine concentration in urine and blood among groups were statistically significantly (H =5.37,6.03,all P ＜ 0.05).Light microscopy showed that thyroid follicular epithelial cells became flattened,and follicles became distended with colloid following increasing of iodine concentration.Electron microscopy showed increased glial vesicles,condensation of nuclear chromatin,karyopyknosis,and karyolysis with increasing of iodine concentration.The differences of apoptotic indexes among groups were statistically significant (F =4.59,P ＜ 0.01).The apoptotic indexes of L50HI and L100HI groups [(21.50 ± 5.20)‰,(26.70 ± 6.40)‰] were higher than those of 50HI and 100HI groups [(11.20 ± 4.30)‰,(19.40 ± 4.80)‰,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05].Conclusion Excessiodine and low-protein can cause growth retardation,abnormal iodine metabolism,and thyroid follicular epithelium damage in Wistar rats.

Objective To understand the schedule and effectiveness of water-improving defluoridation projects comprehensively of control of fluorosis in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Shandong Province,and to provide a scientific basis for making strategies for prevention and control of the disease.Methods In accordance with the requirements of Shandong Provincial Survey Scheme for Implementation of Prevention and Control Measures of Endemic Fluorosis,the progress of water-improving defluoridation projects was investigated in Shandong Province.The types of water source,scale and operating conditions for water-improving defluoridation projects in 17 cities of the province were investigated.Water fluoride contents of the normal operating projects were detected by F-ion selective electrode.Results ① By the end of 2012,a total of 3 539 water-improving defluoridation projects were built that covered 9 856 fluorosis villages,113 counties,17 cities in the province,and the water-improving rate was 91.01％ (9 856/10 830).The type of water source of water-improving project was mainly groundwater,accounted for 93.78％ (3 319/3 539) of the total projects.As for the scale of the water-improving projects,small centralized water supply projects were the main projects,accounted for 92.96％(3 290/3 539) of the total projects.\)Of all the water-improving defluoridation projects,normal operating projects accounted for 89.12％(3 154/3 539),intermittent and scrapped projects accounted for 3.25％(115/3 539) and 7.63％ (270/3 539),respectively.③Among normal operating projects,the number of projects with water fluoride content ≤ 1.20 mg/L was 1 925,accounted for 72.40％(1 925/2 659).The number of projects with water fluoride content ＞ 1.20 mg/L was 734,accounted for 27.60％ (734/2 659); among them water fluoride contents between 2.01-4.00 mg/L and ＞ 4.00 mg/L were 233 and 65,respectively,and the highest water fluoride value was 9.71 mg/L.Conclusions The progress of water-improving projects in some cities (counties) of Shandong Province is still slow.Some of the water-improving projects can not be operated normally or have been scrapped,and water fluoride content has exceeded the standard seriously.So the prevention and control measures need to be further strengthened,funding should be increased,and the operating conditions and water quality of the water-improving defluoridation projects in Shandong need to be further improved.