Objective To investigate the effects of varying durations of overwork on cardiomyocyte pyroptosis in mice.Methods A total of 24 SPF KM mice were randomly divided into four groups(n=6)using a random number table:control group,2-week overwork(W2)group,4-week overwork(W4)group,and 6-week overwork(W6)group.Mice in control group were normally raised,while those in W2,W4,and W6 groups were forced to stand in water for 8 h and then restrained for 3 h daily for 2,4,6 weeks,respectively.The general condition and weekly weight changes of the mice were observed.After modeling,blood samples were collected,and hearts were excised.Myocardial histopathological changes were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.The localization of gasdermin D(GSDMD)protein in myocardial tissue was detected through immunohistochemical staining,and the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins[NOD-like protein receptor 3(NLRP3),Caspase-1,GSDMD]in myocardial tissue were analyzed using Western blotting.The contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-18(IL-18)in serum and myocardial tissues were measured using ELISA.Results(1)The weight of control group mice increased steadily within 2 weeks.In W2 group,there was no significant weight change within 2 weeks,while in W4 and W6 groups,the body weights were higher than their initial values from the 2nd to 6th week.Compared with control group,the body weights of W2,W4,and W6 groups were lower than those of control group in the 1st and 2nd week,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The activity levels of the mice in W2,W4,and W6 groups initially increased and then decreased,with their fur becoming dull and falling out,and their mental state deteriorating.(2)In control group,cardiomyocytes were neatly arranged,and the nuclear morphology was normal.Compared with control group,in W2 group,cardiomyocyte arrangement was less regular,and capillary congestion was increased.In W4 group,the vascular congestion in the myocardium was significantly increased,the interstitial tissue was hyperplastic,and vacuolization appeared around the nuclei.In W6 group,the myocardial interstitium was loose,fat infiltration was increased,vacuolization around the nuclei was increased,and myocardial fibers were swollen,and the arrangement was disordered.(3)GSDMD was mainly located in the cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes.Compared with control group,the expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,and GSDMD proteins in W2,W4,and W6 groups were significantly increased,and the expression levels were in the order of W6 group>W4 group>W2 group,with significant differences(P<0.05).(4)Compared to control group,the levels of IL-1β in serum and myocardial tissues of W2,W4,and W6 groups were significantly increased.In serum,the level of IL-1β in W6 group was higher than those in W2 and W4 groups,and in myocardial tissue,the levels in W4 and W6 groups were higher than those in the W2 group,with significant differences(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in IL-1β levels in serum among W2 and W4 groups,nor were there significant differences in myocardial tissue between W4 and W6 groups(P>0.05).Compared with control group,the levels of IL-18 in serum and myocardial tissue of W4 and W6 groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).In serum,the levels of IL-18 in W4 and W6 groups were higher than that in W2 group,and in myocardial tissue,the level in W6 group was higher than those in W2 and W4 groups,with the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusions Overwork can cause structural damage to mouse myocardial tissue,increase the expression of pyroptosis proteins NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,and aggravate myocardial inflammatory responses in overworked mice.Cardiomyocyte pyroptosis may be one of the factors contributing to sudden cardiac death induced by overwork.

Adult ; Aged ; Aqueous Humor ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunocompetence ; immunology ; Inflammation ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics, drug sensitivity of isolated strains, and risk factors of drug resistance in children with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). METHODS: The clinical characteristics and drug sensitivity of the isolated strains of 246 hospitalized children with IPD in nine grade A tertiary children's hospitals from January 2016 to June 2018 were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 246 children with IPD, there were 122 males and 124 females. Their ages ranged from 1 day to 14 years, and among them, 68 (27.6%) patients were less than 1 year old, 54 (22.0%) patients were 1 to 2 years old, 97 (39.4%) patients were 2 to 5 years old, and 27 (11.0%) patients were 5 to 14 years old. Pneumonia with sepsis was the most common infection type (58.5%, 144/246), followed by bloodstream infection without focus (19.9%, 49/246) and meningitis (15.0%, 37/246). Forty-nine (19.9%) patients had underlying diseases, and 160 (65.0%) had various risk factors for drug resistance. The isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were 100% sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin, 90% sensitive to ertapenem, ofloxacin, and ceftriaxone, but had a low sensitivity to erythromycin (4.2%), clindamycin (7.9%), and tetracycline (6.3%). CONCLUSIONS IPD is more common in children under 5 years old, especially in those under 2 years old. Some children with IPD have underlying diseases, and most of the patients have various risk factors for drug resistance. Pneumonia with sepsis is the most common infection type. The isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains are highly sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, ertapenem, and ceftriaxone in children with IPD.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ceftriaxone ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pneumococcal Infections ; Streptococcus pneumoniae

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term clinical efficacy and adverse effects of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injection in the treatment of gastrocnemius spasticity in children aged 9-36 months with cerebral palsy.

METHODSEighty children aged 9-36 months with cerebral palsy and gastrocnemius spasticity were selected and randomly divided into a BTX-A injection group and a conventional treatment group (n=40 each). The children in the BTX-A injection group received injections of BTX-A guided by color Doppler ultrasound and 4 courses of rehabilitation training after injection. Those in the conventional treatment group received 4 courses of the same rehabilitation training alone. Before treatment and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after treatment, the modified Tardieu scale (MTS) was applied to assess the degree of gastrocnemius spasticity, the values in the passive state measured by surface electromyography (sEMG) were applied to evaluate muscle tension, and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was used to evaluate gross motor function.

RESULTSCompared with the conventional treatment group, the BTX-A injection group had significantly greater reductions in MTS score and the values in the passive state measured by sEMG (P<0.05), as well as significantly greater increases in joint angles R1 and R2 in MTS and gross motor score in GMFM (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions related to BTX-A injection were found.

CONCLUSIONSBTX-A injection is effective and safe in the treatment of gastrocnemius spasticity in children aged 9-36 months with cerebral palsy.

Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; administration & dosage ; Cerebral Palsy ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Muscle Spasticity ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Muscle, Skeletal ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVESTo compare the sensitivity of mammogram and breast dedicated MRI in detecting ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvaion (DCIS-MI) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions, and to further investigate the independent predictive factors of mammogram and MRI sensitivity.

METHODSFrom August 2009 to November 2011, 122 consecutive confirmed breast cancer patients who had received operations were recruited for this clinical research. These patients were divided into two groups including DCIS (72 cases) and DCIS-MI (50 cases) based on pathologic reports. All the patients were female, with mean ages of 52.6 years and 54.4 years. Preoperative bilateral breast mammogram, breast dedicated MRI depictions and reports as well as histopathological reports were collected.

RESULTSSensitivity of MRI outstood mammogram in each subgroups: 84.7% vs. 42.4% in DCIS (χ(2) = 27.028, P = 0.000), 94.0% vs. 80.0% in DCIS-MI group (χ(2) = 4.540, P = 0.040). And further analysis showed that MRI was more sensitive to high nuclear grade DCIS and DCIS-MI lesions than low nuclear grade ones (OR = 3.471, P = 0.031).

RESULTSof logistic regression analysis proved microcalcification was an independent predictive factor of mammogram sensitivity (OR = 11.287, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSSensitivity of breast dedicated MRI is superior to mammogram in detecting DCIS and DCIS-MI groups. Lesions with microcalcifiation is an independent predictive marker which meant that mammogram would achieve high detection rate in cancers presented calcification on mammogram image when compared with non-calcification. Diagnostic performance of breast MRI is less affected by clinical and pathological characteristics of the early stage breast cancer patients but further increased detection rate is observed in DCIS and DCIS-MI with high nuclear grade lesions which indicated that MRI could detect more early stage cancers with relative more aggression biological behaviour and provide these patients with early surgical interventions before possible progression to invasive breast cancers.

Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Calcinosis ; diagnosis ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnosis ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUNDAccurate evaluation of response following chemotherapy treatment is essential for surgical decision making in patients with breast cancer. Modalities that have been used to monitor response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) include physical examination (PE), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PE, US, and MRI in predicting the response to NAC in patients with breast cancer.

METHODSAccording to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors guidelines, the largest unidimensional measurement of the tumor diameter evaluated by PE, US, and MRI before and after NAC was classified into four grades, including clinical complete response, clinical partial response, clinical progressive disease, clinical stable disease, and compared with the final histopathological examination.

RESULTSOf the 64 patients who received NAC, the pathologic complete response (pCR) was shown in 13 of 64 patients (20%). The sensitivity of PE, US, and MRI in predicting the major pathologic response was 73%, 75%, and 80%, respectively, and the specificity was 45%, 50%, and 50% respectively. For predicting a pCR, the sensitivity of PE, US, and MRI was 46%, 46%, and 39%, respectively, and the specificity was 65%, 98%, and 92% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with final pathologic findings, all these three clinical and imaging modalities tended to obviously underestimate the pCR rate. A more appropriate, universal, and practical standard by clinical and imaging modalities in predicting the response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in vivo is essential.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Ultrasonography

Background Accurate evaluation of response following chemotherapy treatment is essential for surgical decision making in patients with breast cancer.Modalities that have been used to monitor response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) include physical examination (PE),ultrasound (US),and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PE,US,and MRI in predicting the response to NAC in patients with breast cancer.Methods According to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors guidelines,the largest unidimensional measurement of the tumor diameter evaluated by PE,US,and MRI before and after NAC was classified into four grades,including clinical complete response,clinical partial response,clinical progressive disease,clinical stable disease,and compared with the final histopathological examination.Results Of the 64 patients who received NAC,the pathologic complete response (pCR) was shown in 13 of 64 patients (20％).The sensitivity of PE,US,and MRI in predicting the major pathologic response was 73％,75％,and 80％,respectively,and the specificity was 45％,50％,and 50％ respectively.For predicting a pCR,the sensitivity of PE,US,and MRI was 46％,46％,and 39％,respectively,and the specificity was 65％,98％,and 92％ respectively.Conclusions Compared with final pathologic findings,all these three clinical and imaging modalities tended to obviously underestimate the pCR rate.A more appropriate,universal,and practical standard by clinical and imaging modalities in predicting the response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in vivo is essential.

Objective To investigate the difference of + Gz tolerance between male and female student pilots by testing the forces developed by respiratory and leg muscles,and to verify the G tolerance test by means of anti-G training apparatus. Methods Thirty-two female and thirty male student pilots volunteered for this study.The vertical heart-to-eye distance,maximum expiration pressure,maximum inspiration pressure and forces developed by leg muscles,systolic blood pressure when performing HP and PHP maneuver were measured.The + Gz tolerance was reckoned by an empirical formula when volunteers riding on anti-G training apparatus with the performance of straining maneuver and anti-G suit. Results The vertical heart-to-eye distance,maximum expiration pressure,maximum inspiration pressure and forces developed by leg muscles of male student pilots were significantly greater than those of the females (t=4.852～6.762,P＜0.01).The G tolerance of male students in performing PHP maneuver was greater than that of the females (t=2.226,P=0.034).There was no significant difference in G tolerance when performing HP maneuver between female and male student pilots (P =0.185). Conclusion ① The respiratory and leg muscles of female student pilots are not as strong as male student pilots'.② Female student pilots may beneficially gain G tolerance due to their shorter heart-to-eye distance,but they could reach relative lower systolic blood pressure when performing HP maneuver.Such resulted effects maybe the important reason of causing female' s inapparent G tolerance improvement comparing to the male' s.Because of their weaker respiratory muscles,the female students do not accommodate themselves to PBG (positive pressure breathing for G) and show poorer G tolerance as they performing PHP maneuver with PBG.③ The blood pressure measurement when performing AGSM (anti-G straining maneuver) need to be improved for getting better success rate and accurateness.

Objective To investigate the difference of + Gz tolerance between male and female student pilots by testing the forces developed by respiratory and leg muscles,and to verify the G tolerance test by means of anti-G training apparatus. Methods Thirty-two female and thirty male student pilots volunteered for this study.The vertical heart-to-eye distance,maximum expiration pressure,maximum inspiration pressure and forces developed by leg muscles,systolic blood pressure when performing HP and PHP maneuver were measured.The + Gz tolerance was reckoned by an empirical formula when volunteers riding on anti-G training apparatus with the performance of straining maneuver and anti-G suit. Results The vertical heart-to-eye distance,maximum expiration pressure,maximum inspiration pressure and forces developed by leg muscles of male student pilots were significantly greater than those of the females (t=4.852～6.762,P＜0.01).The G tolerance of male students in performing PHP maneuver was greater than that of the females (t=2.226,P=0.034).There was no significant difference in G tolerance when performing HP maneuver between female and male student pilots (P =0.185). Conclusion ① The respiratory and leg muscles of female student pilots are not as strong as male student pilots'.② Female student pilots may beneficially gain G tolerance due to their shorter heart-to-eye distance,but they could reach relative lower systolic blood pressure when performing HP maneuver.Such resulted effects maybe the important reason of causing female' s inapparent G tolerance improvement comparing to the male' s.Because of their weaker respiratory muscles,the female students do not accommodate themselves to PBG (positive pressure breathing for G) and show poorer G tolerance as they performing PHP maneuver with PBG.③ The blood pressure measurement when performing AGSM (anti-G straining maneuver) need to be improved for getting better success rate and accurateness.

Stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine because of their ability to self-renew and to differentiate into various cell types. Although embryonic stem cells (BSC) have greater differentiation potential than adult stem cells, the former is lagging in reaching clinical applications because of ethical concerns and governmental restrictions. Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) are the best-studied adult stem cells (ASC) and have the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and male infertility. More recently discovered adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) are virtually identical to bone marrow stem cells in differentiation and therapeutic potential, but are easier and safer to obtain, can be harvested in larger quantities, and have the associated benefit of reducing obesity. Therefore, ADSC appear to be a better choice for future clinical applications. We have previously shown that ESC could restore the erectile function of neurogenic ED in rats, and we now have evidence that ADSC could do so as well. We are also investigating whether ADSC can differentiate into Leydig, Sertoli and male germ cells. The eventual goal is to use ADSC to treat male infertility and testosterone deficiency.
Adult Stem Cells ; Animals ; Cell Transplantation ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Erectile Dysfunction ; therapy ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Research