OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Qiangxin decoction in the treatment of chronic heart failure （CHF） by regulating the inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB alpha/nuclear factor-κB p65 subunit （IκBα/NF-κB p65） signaling pathway-mediated M1 macrophage polarization. METHODS In animal experiments， mice were used as research subjects， and the CHF model was established via coronary artery ligation. Model mice were treated with Qiangxin decoction （21.69 g/kg） for 28 days. After intervention， pathological morphological changes of myocardial tissues and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were observed. Serum levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）， myocardial injury marker troponin I3 （TNNI3）， and macrophage-related markers F4/80 and cluster of differentiation 80 （CD80） were detected. In cell experiments， monocyte-macrophage leukemia RAW264.7 cells were induced to undergo M1 polarization by 10 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide combined with 10 ng/mL interferon-γ， followed by 48 h intervention with 10% drug-containing serum of Qiangxin decoction. After intervention， the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p50 was observed. The positive rate of CD80 in cells was measured. The mRNA expression of inflammatory factors including IL-1β， IL-6， IL-8， IL-18， TNF-α， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， cyclooxygenase-2 （COX2）， C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 isoform 2 （CCR7-2）， as well as the expression levels of proteins related to the IκBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway were detected. RESULTS Animal experimental results showed that Qiangxin decoction alleviated myocardial fibrosis in mice， and significantly reduced the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate， serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6， as well as the protein expression of TNNI3， F4/80 and CD80 in myocardial tissues （P＜0.05）. Cell experimental results indicated that Qiangxin decoction significantly suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p50 （P＜0.05）. It significantly decreased the CD80 positive rate， mRNA levels of IL-1β， IL-6， IL-8， IL-18， TNF-α， iNOS， COX2 and CCR7-2， total and nuclear expression of NF-κB p65， total， nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of phosphorylated NF-κB p65， total expression of phosphorylated IκBα （P＜0.05）. Meanwhile， it significantly elevated the total expression of IκBα and cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB p65 （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can inhibit the activity of the IκBα/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway， reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors， thereby restraining M1 macrophage polarization， mitigating myocardial fibrosis， and ultimately exerting therapeutic effects against CHF.

Olfactory dysfunction has a high prevalence in the elderly, which not only affects people′s quality of life and mental health but also is a clinical manifestation of neuropsychiatric diseases, especially of neurocognitive disorders (e.g., Alzheimer′s disease (AD)). AD is a common neurodegenerative disease which is mainly characterized by progressive dementia and cannot be cured.It could impose heavy burden on patients, families and society. Screening AD-related biomarkers can greatly benefit the early diagnosis and treatment of AD and further delay the progress of the disease. Olfactory impairment is closely related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Olfactory screening tests could help the early identification of these disorders. Therefore, this article aims to review the latest researches on the association between olfactory dysfunction and conventional diagnostic methods of MCI and AD, and further evaluate the research value of olfactory impairment in studies of common neurocognitive disorders.

Olfactory dysfunction has a high prevalence in the elderly, which not only affects people′s quality of life and mental health but also is a clinical manifestation of neuropsychiatric diseases, especially of neurocognitive disorders (e.g., Alzheimer′s disease (AD)). AD is a common neurodegenerative disease which is mainly characterized by progressive dementia and cannot be cured.It could impose heavy burden on patients, families and society. Screening AD-related biomarkers can greatly benefit the early diagnosis and treatment of AD and further delay the progress of the disease. Olfactory impairment is closely related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Olfactory screening tests could help the early identification of these disorders. Therefore, this article aims to review the latest researches on the association between olfactory dysfunction and conventional diagnostic methods of MCI and AD, and further evaluate the research value of olfactory impairment in studies of common neurocognitive disorders.

Objective To systematically review the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) versus modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on efficacy of treating depression.Methods Pubmed,Embase,Web of science,Cochrane library,CNKI,WanFang Data and CBM were searched since the database establishment till March in 2017 for randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that compared the efficacy of rTMS and ECT on depression mainly by assessment of response rate,and the mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score and remission rate. The dropout rate was also analyzed. The meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. Results Fourteen RCTs involving 671 patients were finally included. The results showed that there was no significant difference between two therapies on the response rate (OR=0.71,95% CI: 0.46-1.10, P=0.120), remission rate(OR=0.67,95%CI:0.39-1.15,P=0.140)and dropout rate(OR=0.48,95%CI:0.23-1.01,P=0.050).Subgroup analysis showed ECT was more effective on psychotic depression(OR=0.27,95% CI:0.12-0.60,P=0.001).Moreover, mean HDRS score after the ECT was significantly lower than rTMS treatment(MD=2.04,95%CI:0.58-3.50, P=0.006).Conclusion rTMS has the same efficacy and acceptability as ECT for depression treatment,and ECT seems to be advantageous on psychotic depression.

Objective To systematically review the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) versus modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on efficacy of treating depression.Methods Pubmed,Embase,Web of science,Cochrane library,CNKI,WanFang Data and CBM were searched since the database establishment till March in 2017 for randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that compared the efficacy of rTMS and ECT on depression mainly by assessment of response rate,and the mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score and remission rate. The dropout rate was also analyzed. The meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. Results Fourteen RCTs involving 671 patients were finally included. The results showed that there was no significant difference between two therapies on the response rate (OR=0.71,95% CI: 0.46-1.10, P=0.120), remission rate(OR=0.67,95%CI:0.39-1.15,P=0.140)and dropout rate(OR=0.48,95%CI:0.23-1.01,P=0.050).Subgroup analysis showed ECT was more effective on psychotic depression(OR=0.27,95% CI:0.12-0.60,P=0.001).Moreover, mean HDRS score after the ECT was significantly lower than rTMS treatment(MD=2.04,95%CI:0.58-3.50, P=0.006).Conclusion rTMS has the same efficacy and acceptability as ECT for depression treatment,and ECT seems to be advantageous on psychotic depression.

Aim To investigate the effects of 3 ,5 ,2 ’ , 4’-tetrahydroxychalcone (P40) on urate excretion, as well as mRNA and protein expressions of renal URAT1 and GLUT9 in hyperuricemic mice. Methods Sixty Kunming mice were randomly divided into six groups:normal control group, hyperuricemic group ( model group), P40 2. 0, 4. 0, 8. 0 mg·kg-1 groups and positive control group. All drugs were administered in-tragastrically to mice for 5 doses. Hyperuricemic mice were induced by intraperitoneal injection of uric acid (0. 15 g·kg-1 body weight) for 3 times. The urate levels were assayed with the phosphotungstic acid method. The mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT9 and URAT1 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results P40 at a dose of 4. 0 and 8. 0 mg · kg-1 significantly reduced the serum urate levels in a dose-dependent manner, when compared with untreat-ed hyperuricemic mice ( P<0. 05 or 0. 01 ) . The he-patic urate contents decreased in untreated-and treated-hyperuricemic mice as compared with normal mice ( P<0. 01 ) . Furthermore, P40 had no influence on the renal URAT1 mRNA and protein expression levels, while it could down-regulate renal GLUT9 protein ex-pression but not mRNA expression in hyperuricemic mice. Conclusion P40 possesses potent uricosuric effects associated with urate reabsorption by down-regu-lating the protein expression of GLUT9 in kidney.

BACKGROUND:Compared with conventional medications, drug micro-capsule system can control the release of drugs and have wel target properties and biocompatibility. The drugs can be concentrated at the focus and play an important role in clinic. OBJECTIVE:To prepare dacarbazine magnetic micro-capsules with different capsule materials and gelatin complex by coacervation, and to optimize capsule materials and preparation process. METHODS:Fe 3 O 4 RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The solution complex coacervation method was better than the emulsion coacervation method. As for the solution complex coacervation method, the optimal capsule material was gelatin-sodium alginate, with drug embedding rate 37.90%, the yield rate 72.31%, and the average magnetization intensity 8.53 emu/g. The second material was gelatin-chitosan. As a capsule material, the gelatin was better than chitosan with single coagulation method. Drug embedding rate was 51.58%, the yield rate was 64.50%, and the average magnetization was 6.93 emu/g. Single coagulation method was better than coacervation method. complex coacervation, we prepared the gelatin-Arabic gum magnetic micro-capsule, gelatin-sodium alginate magnetic micro-capsules, gelatin-sodium carboxymethyl cel ulose magnetic micro-capsules, and gelatin-chitosan magnetic micro-capsules. With the emulsion complex coacervation method, we further prepared the gelatin-Arabic gum magnetic micro-capsule, gelatin-sodium alginate magnetic micro-capsules, gelatin-sodium carboxymethyl cel ulose magnetic micro-capsules, and gelatin-chitosan magnetic micro-capsules. The magnetic gelatin micro-capsules and magnetic chitosan micro-capsules were prepared with single coagulation method. The micro-capsules were determined for the embedding rate, the magnetic susceptibility, the micro-capsule size and the release performance, to define the optimal preparation technology of dacarbazine magnetic micro-capsules.

Histopathological examination of testes is important in assessing spermatogenesis and testicular function. Modified Davidson's fluid (mDF) has been proposed as a superior substitute for Bouin's fluid (BF) for fixation of adult animal testes. Besides, 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) has been commonly used to fix testes with convenience. We compared the morphology of the rat testis fixed in 4% PFA, mDF, or BF using hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections. Fixation in 4% PFA resulted in obvious tissue shrinkage artifacts, especially between seminiferous epithelium cells. Shrinkage artifacts were also observed in the central area of the testes fixed in BF. Use of mDF did not cause shrinkage artifacts between seminiferous tubules, though a small amount can be observed in seminiferous tubules between germ cells. Clarity of nuclear detail in testes fixed in mDF and BF is better compared to 4% PFA. Our study demonstrated that fixation in mDF provided better morphologic details in the rat testis as compared with 4% PFA and BF.

Histopathological examination of testes is important in assessing spermatogenesis and testicular function.Modified Davidson's fluid (mDF) has been proposed as a superior substitute for Bouin's fluid (BF) for fixation of adult animal testes.Besides,4％ paraformaldehyde (PFA) has been commonly used to fix testes with convenience.We compared the morphology of the rat testis fixed in 4％ PFA,mDF,or BF using hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections.Fixation in 4％ PFA resulted in obvious tissue shrinkage artifacts,especially between seminiferous epithelium cells.Shrinkage artifacts were also observed in the central area of the testes fixed in BF.Use of mDF did not cause shrinkage artifacts between seminiferous tubules,though a small amount can be observed in seminiferous tubules between germ cells.Clarity of nuclear detail in testes fixed in mDF and BF is better compared to 4％ PFA.Our study demonstrated that fixation in mDF provided better morphologic details in the rat testis as compared with 4％ PFA and BF.

Objective To investigate the effects of the intervention,rehabilitation and speech development of children with severe hearing loss in some rural areas.Methods 61 children,including 35 males and 26 females,were diagnosed as severe hearing loss with ABR and 40 Hz-AERP from June 2004 to July 2008.All the children failed hearing screening or visited the hospital as outpatients.The ages ranged from 2 to 72 months with the average age of 17.59 months.During telephone follow-up,the questionnaire was used to gather the data regarding the usage of hearing aids,hearing and speech rehabilitation,speech development,and communication abilities.Results 33 (54.10%) children were fitted with hearing aids,and 2 (3.28%) received cochlear implants,while 26(42.62 %) neither had hearing aids nor cochlear implants.10 cases with hearing aids also had speech training,whereas 23 children with hearing aids did not receive the training.2 cases with cochlear implants and 2 cases with hearing aids were found to have good speech development and communication ability,while 31 cases with hearing aids had delayed speech development.26 cases without any devices had to rely on sign language for their commumication.Conclusion Children in rural area with severe hearing loss experience greater speech and communication difficulties because many of them have no access to intervention and speech training.The results suggest that it would be very important to increase public awareness and educate parents to have their children wear hearing aids and receive speech training.