Objective:To study the effects of arsenic exposure on neurological function including voluntary motor ability, anxiety, and short-term memory ability of rats, as well as its impact on the expression levels of synaptic function related genes such as neuropeptide 1 (NLGN1), glutamate receptor 2A (NR2A), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95).Methods:Forty 3-week-old male specific pathogen free (SPF) grade Wistar rats [weighing (453.97 ± 35.68) g] were selected and divided into four groups using a random number table: 0 (control group) and 2, 10, and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups, with 10 rats in each group. They were given deionized water and 2, 10, and 50 mg/L sodium arsenite solutions for 12 weeks, respectively. The open field experiment and Y-maze experiment were used to test the voluntary motor ability, anxiety, and short-term memory ability of rats. Nissl staining was used to observe the pathological damage of the hippocampus in the brain. Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95 in the hippocampus, respectively.Results:The results of the open field experiment revealed that the horizontal movement distances of rats in the 2 and 10 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were reduced compared to the control group, the movement distances in the central area in the 2, 10, and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were reduced compared to the control group, and the residence time in the central area in the 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups was reduced compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). The results of Y-maze experiment showed that the retention time of new arms in rats of the 2 and 10 mg/L arsenic exposure groups was shorter than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). The pathological examination results of Nissl staining showed that the control group had abundant Nissl bodies in hippocampal tissues of the cytoplasm with intact neuronal structures, tightly arranged cells, appearing blue purple in color and clear visible nuclei. However, the number of Nissl bodies decreased, intercellular gaps increased, disordered arrangement increased, cytoplasmic staining was lighter, and nuclear shrinkage phenomenon increased in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 2, 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95 in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups ( F = 13.85, 44.94, 4.63, P < 0.05). The results of Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression levels of NLGN1 and NR2A in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were lower than those in the control group (0.65 ± 0.07, 0.69 ± 0.03 vs 1.00 ± 0.04, 0.51 ± 0.11, 0.51 ± 0.13 vs 1.00 ± 0.07, P < 0.05), and the expression level of PSD95 in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 50 mg/L arsenic exposure group was lower than that in the control group (0.51 ± 0.09 vs 1.00 ± 0.05, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Arsenic may affect synaptic function and cause neurological dysfunction in rats by adjusting the expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95.

Objective:To study the effects of arsenic exposure on neurological function including voluntary motor ability, anxiety, and short-term memory ability of rats, as well as its impact on the expression levels of synaptic function related genes such as neuropeptide 1 (NLGN1), glutamate receptor 2A (NR2A), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95).Methods:Forty 3-week-old male specific pathogen free (SPF) grade Wistar rats [weighing (453.97 ± 35.68) g] were selected and divided into four groups using a random number table: 0 (control group) and 2, 10, and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups, with 10 rats in each group. They were given deionized water and 2, 10, and 50 mg/L sodium arsenite solutions for 12 weeks, respectively. The open field experiment and Y-maze experiment were used to test the voluntary motor ability, anxiety, and short-term memory ability of rats. Nissl staining was used to observe the pathological damage of the hippocampus in the brain. Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95 in the hippocampus, respectively.Results:The results of the open field experiment revealed that the horizontal movement distances of rats in the 2 and 10 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were reduced compared to the control group, the movement distances in the central area in the 2, 10, and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were reduced compared to the control group, and the residence time in the central area in the 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups was reduced compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). The results of Y-maze experiment showed that the retention time of new arms in rats of the 2 and 10 mg/L arsenic exposure groups was shorter than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). The pathological examination results of Nissl staining showed that the control group had abundant Nissl bodies in hippocampal tissues of the cytoplasm with intact neuronal structures, tightly arranged cells, appearing blue purple in color and clear visible nuclei. However, the number of Nissl bodies decreased, intercellular gaps increased, disordered arrangement increased, cytoplasmic staining was lighter, and nuclear shrinkage phenomenon increased in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 2, 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95 in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups ( F = 13.85, 44.94, 4.63, P < 0.05). The results of Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression levels of NLGN1 and NR2A in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were lower than those in the control group (0.65 ± 0.07, 0.69 ± 0.03 vs 1.00 ± 0.04, 0.51 ± 0.11, 0.51 ± 0.13 vs 1.00 ± 0.07, P < 0.05), and the expression level of PSD95 in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 50 mg/L arsenic exposure group was lower than that in the control group (0.51 ± 0.09 vs 1.00 ± 0.05, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Arsenic may affect synaptic function and cause neurological dysfunction in rats by adjusting the expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95.

ObjectiveTo determine the epidemic characteristics of anthrax in Chengde City， Hebei Province from 2005 to 2021， and to provide evidence for formulating prevention and control measures of anthrax and reducing incidence rate. MethodsThis study collected the data of anthrax epidemic in Chengde City and conducted descriptive analysis. ResultsFrom 2005 to 2021， a total of 11 anthrax cases were reported in Chengde City with no death. The average incidence rate was 0.08/10⁵， which remained low. Furthermore， 10 cases were cutaneous anthrax and 1 case was pulmonary anthrax. The cases were mainly reported in Weichang County， accounting for 90.91% of the total reported cases， followed by Pingquan City. In addition， the cases were mainly reported from July to August and mainly between 30 and 59 years old with a gender ratio of 2.67∶1. ConclusionThe anthrax epidemic in Chengde City is likely to increase. It mainly occurs in summer， rural areas， and male young and middle-aged farmers. It is necessary to improve epidemic monitoring， health education， disease prevention capacity， early identification of the epidemic， and active response.

AIM To investigate the effects of safflower yellow on myocardial injury in patients with severe sepsis.METHODS Using prospective research methods,ninety-two patients with severe sepsis treated in our hospital from Jan.2013 to Mar.2016 were divided equally into two groups:control group (routine treatment) and observation group (routine treatment + safflower yellow).In addition,6 and 72 hours after the treatment,heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP),creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) of patients were detected,and the changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were observed;length of ICU stay,cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and 28-day survival also were recorded at the same time.RESULTS In admission,there were no differences in the levels of H-FABP,CK,CK-MB and LVEF,SOFA scores between the two groups.After 6 hours treatment,the levels of H-FABP,CK,CK-MB and SOFA score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group;the two groups had higher levels of H-FABP,CK and CK-MB than those before the treatment,SOFA score was lower than that before the treatment;After 72 hours treatment,H-FABP,CK,CK-MB and SOFA score were lower than those after 6 hours treatment;SOFA score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group;there were no differences in H-FABP,CK and CK-MB between the two groups.The observation group had a lower cumulative incidence of MACE than the control group.There was no statistical difference in LVEF and length of ICU stay after the treatment between the two groups.The observation group had a higher 28-day survival than the control group,the difference was statistically significant (76.08％,35/46 vs 54.35％,25/46;x2 =4.529,P =0.033).The level of serum H-FABP in severe sepsis patients was negatively correlated with LVEF (r =-0.270,P =0.009).CONCLUSION Therapeutic effects of safflower yellow on myocardial injury in patients with severe sepsis is superior to routine treatment with the improvement of the prognosis of patients to a certain extent.