A comparative study of the effects of magnetic stimulation and electric stimulation on peripheral nerve injury in rat

The influence of pulsed magnetic stimulation (MS) on the sciatic nerve injury was investigated. Thirty rats were divided into three groups equally: MS group (A), electric stimulation (ES) group (B) and the control group (C). The MS and ES were applied immediately after the first 10 min of the sciatic nerve crush. Sciatic function index (SFI), toe spreading reflex (TSR), muscular weight and volume were measured after the experiment. The TSR of in the groups A and B occurred at 4th day while in the control group it occurs at 10th day. There was statistically significant difference in SFI between groups A and B (P < 0.01). The weight and volume of the gastrocnemius muscle were statistically greater in the groups A and B than in the control group (P < 0.01). The effect of MS was similar to that of ES. It was suggested that the application of MS immediately after the nerve injury might have an important clinical value as it can accelerate functional recovery and prevent or minimize muscle atrophy. The technique is easily to operate, non-invasion, painless and permits tolerance of high intensity output to be used.

Role of miR-21 in rats with proliferative diabetic retinopathy via TGF-β signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of miR-21 on the rats with proliferative diabetic retinopathy by regulating the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal group (n=12), model group (n=12), and inhibitor group (TGF-β signaling inhibitor) (n=12). No treatment was performed in the normal group, the diabetic retinopathy model was established in the model group, and the model was established in the inhibitor group after the intraperitoneal injection of the inhibitor. Then, the materials were sampled for detection. In each group, the retinal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad3 were detected via immunohistochemistry, the relative protein expression levels of phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) and TGF-β were determined via Western blotting, the expression of miR-21 was detected via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), and the hemodynamic indicators of the ocular tissues were detected using the color Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTS

The HE staining results revealed that the rats in the model group had evident retinal damage, which could be effectively improved using the inhibitor. According to the immunohistochemistry detection results, the positive expression level of TGF-β1 was substantially raised in both model group and inhibitor group compared with that in the normal group (p<0.05), and it was notably lower in the inhibitor group than that in the model group (p<0.05). Moreover, the three groups did not differ in the positive expression level of Smad3 (p>0.05). The Western blotting results showed that the model and inhibitor groups had remarkably higher relative protein expression levels of p-Smad3 and TGF-β1 than the normal group (p<0.05), and they were markedly lowered in the inhibitor group compared with those in the model group (p<0.05). According to the qPCR results, the expression level of miR-21 was notably elevated in both model group and inhibitor group compared with that in the normal group (p<0.05), and there was no difference in the expression level of miR-21 between the former two groups (p>0.05). Finally, based on the color Doppler ultrasonography findings, the levels of the hemodynamic indicators substantially declined in both model group and inhibitor group compared with those in the normal group (p<0.05), and they were notably higher in the inhibitor group than those in the model group.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that miR-21 regulates the TGF-β signaling pathway to affect the hemodynamics in the rats with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

[Association of joint effect of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure with left ventricular hypertrophy in children]

Objective: To examine the association of joint effect of overweight (including obesity) and elevated blood pressure (BP) with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in children. Methods: A convenient cluster sampling method was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey from November 2017 to January 2018 in a primary school in Huantai County, Zibo City, Shandong Province. A total of 1 319 children aged 6-11 years old who had complete data on anthropometric indices and variables collected using a questionnaire were included in the study. LVH was defined as left ventricular mass index (LVMI) ≥90 th percentile for sex and age of this population. Based on weight status (yes vs. no) and elevated BP status (yes vs. no), all participants were divided into four subgroups (normal weight and normal BP, normal weight and elevated BP, overweight and normal BP, overweight and elevated BP). LVMI levels or prevalence of LVH across four subgroups were compared. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to examine the association of joint effect between overweight and elevated BP with LVH in children. Results: The age of children was (8.4±1.6) years, and boys accounted for 53.3% (n=703). There were significant differences in LVMI levels and prevalence of LVH across four subgroups (P<0.05); Children with both overweight and elevated BP (n=184) had the highest LVMI levels and prevalence of LVH [LVMI: (30.69±0.32) g/m(2.7); the prevalence of LVH: 24.46%]. After the adjustment for potential covariates, compared to children with both normal weight and normal BP (n=657), the risk of LVH in children with elevated BP alone (n=136) was not increased [OR (95%CI) was 0.89 (0.30-2.62)]. Children with overweight alone (n=342) [OR (95%CI) was 5.69(3.39-9.55)] and those with both overweight and elevated BP [OR (95%CI) was 9.45 (5.47-16.33)] were at higher risk of LVH. Conclusion: The joint effect between overweight and elevated BP could be highly correlated with LVH in children.

Activated protein C ratio, plasma tissue factor activity and activated factor VII in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVE

There is close relationship between abnormal coagulation system and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD), our purpose is to evaluate the contribution of hematologic factors and some other risk factors to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese population.

METHODS

56 patients with CHD at admission and 54 controls were enrolled. Plasma levels of protein C, free protein S, total protein S, thrombomodulin, activated factor VII (FVIIa), factor VII:Ag, P-selectin, tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, activity of tissue factor (aTF) by chromogenic activity assay, and activated protein C (APC) ratio, prothrombin time, aPTT, fibrinogen, D-dimmer and thrombin time by full-automated coagulation analyzer.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, plasma level of thrombomodulin, FVIIa, factor VII:Ag and aTF were raised in CHD group (p<0.05, 0.001, 0.05, and 0.05, respectively). The average APC ratio in CHD group was lower than that in controls (p<0.001). The result of binary logistic regression analysis showed that activated factor VII (OR2.680, 95%CI1.539-4.665) and tissue factor activity (OR1.019, 95%CI1.004-1.035) were risk factors and high density lipoprotein (OR0.008, 95%CI0-0.478) and activated protein C ratio (OR0.001, 95%CI0-0.011) were protective factors for CHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Low activated protein C ratio, elevated tissue factor activity and increased activated factor VII in plasma may contribute to development of coronary heart disease.

The UNOS OPTN waiting list from 1988 to 1993

Based on data from the OPTN Waiting List and the Scientific Registry between 1988 and 1992: 1. On October 31, 1993 the combined waiting list for a solid organ transplant contained 32,603 registrations. This represents more than a 100% increase since 1988. Specifically, registrations for a lung transplant grew by more than 1600% and registrations for a liver transplant increased by 356% during the period. The intestine waiting list contained 900 registrations on October 31, 1993. 2. The distribution of patient characteristics on the waiting list snapshot as of October 31, 1993 was not markedly different from that on previous snapshots. Slight increases in the percentage of older (65 years) kidney, liver, and heart registrants were apparent. A slight decrease in the percentage of highly sensitized (PRA > or = 80%) kidney registrants was observed. 3. In general, median waiting times to transplant have increased each year between 1988 and 1992. During this period, the most significant increases were observed for kidney-pancreas registrants (277% increase) and lung registrants (205% increase). 4. For all waiting lists except heart-lung, registrants with blood type O waited substantially longer for a transplant than registrants with blood type A. This was especially true for kidney registrants. Other notable differences in waiting times on the kidney waiting list occurred between Blacks and Whites and between adults and pediatric registrants. Males waited on the heart waiting list for a transplant over twice as long as females. 5. The overall percentage of registrants who died while waiting for a transplant in 1992 was 5.8%, compared with 5.5% in 1988. The highest death rates occurred for thoracic registrants (13.1%, 16.2%, and 12.7% for heart, heart-lung, and lung, respectively). The lowest death rates occurred for kidney (3.5%) and kidney-pancreas registrants (1.2%). The death rate for pancreas registrants (9.4%) was greater than the death rate for liver registrants (8.5%). The number who died while waiting increased each year between 1988 and 1992, but the rate of increase may be declining.

[Studies on pharmacognostic identification and quality control standards for hongqu]

OBJECTIVE

To develop effective methods for quality control of the traditional Chinese drug Hongqu.

METHOD

TLC and microscopic identification were performed. HPLC was used to determine the content of lovastatin.

RESULT

A lot of hyphae and spores in Hongqu were observed under microscope. The spot of lovastatin was found on the TLC chromatogram. The standard curve of lovastatin by HPLC was linera in the range of 5 micrograms/ml-100 micrograms/ml. The average recovery of lovastatin was 96.4%, RSD 3.68%, n = 5.

CONCLUSION

The methods are simple, sensitive and accurate. These studies provide the scientific basis for quality evaluation and quality control of Hongqu.

[Surface treatments for dental titanium castings]

Because pure titanium is highly reactive at high temperature, its casting surface is easily coated with a thick contaminated layer that affects its physical and chemical properties, and consequently a stable superficial oxide membrane develops in the presence of air or water even at room temperature, which makes the surface discolored. Therefore, surface treatments for pure titanium castings are more important than those for other dental alloy castings. This article reviews the methods of surface treatments for dental titanium castings in four aspects: physical finishing, chemical finishing, electro-chemical finishing and surface modification technology.

The assessment of the long-term effects of elective CRT-D of coronary heart disease after PCI

OBJECTIVE

The present study was planned to evaluate the long-term effects of elective cardiac resynchronization therapy devices (CRT-D) of coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We continuously selected 124 patients with chronic stable heart failure to undergo PCI, and were randomly divided into two groups viz. control group with 72 cases and observation group with 52 cases. The control group was given intensive drugs, while the observation group was treated with a combination of intensive drugs with CRT-D. Followed-up for three years and contrasted their effects.

RESULTS

The survival rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and its major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate was observed to be lower than that of the control group. During the follow-up of the control group, LVEDd, pro-BNP and NYHA increased but LVEF decreased. On the other hand, in the observation group, LVEDd, LVEF, NYHA showed no significant changes, but pro-BNP revealed a significant increase. The physical health, mental health, social health and total score of the observation group were significantly higher than that of the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic stable heart failure who have CRT-D implant testified after PCI could have significant improvement in long-term survival rate, better quality of life, improved cardiac function and reduction in the occurrence of MACE too.

[Preparation of huichun zhibao oral liquid (HZOL)]

The formulation, preparing method, quality standards, pharmacodynamic experinents and toxicological experiments of HZOL are described. The content of icariin, which is and effective component of epimedium herb as well as one of the main ingredients in HZOL, was successfully determined through HPLC, with an average recovery of 98.98% and RSD = 1.53%.

Simultaneous determination of diallyl trisulfide and diallyl disulfide in rat blood by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

A simple, rapid and sensitive method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and diallyl disulfide (DADS) in rat blood by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. The analytes were prevented from degradation by addition of acetonitrile and extraction with hexane before gas chromatographic separation. Two calibration curves for DATS were linear over the range of 10-500 ng/mL and 0.2-20 microg/mL, with typical r values of 0.9989 and 0.9993, respectively. Similarly, two calibration curves for DADS were linear in the concentration range of 50-5000 ng/mL and 1-30 microg/mL, with typical r values of 0.9989 and 0.9983, respectively. The limit of detection was less than 10 ng/mL for DATS and 50 ng/mL for DADS, and the assay was highly reproducible, considering the intra-, inter-day relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) below 12%. The developed procedure was successfully applied for the evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of garlic oil following iv administration at a single dose (10 mg) of garlic oil in rats. The results show that the developed method is suitable for pharmacokinetic and therapeutic purposes of DATS and DADS.

[The effect of the mold temperature on the mechanical properties and reaction layer structure of the titanium castings]

Titanium is very reactive at the high temperature, easily oxidized, and reacts with investment components. The mold temperature is an important factor on the quality of the titanium castings. The paper investigated the effect of the mold temperature on the mechanical properties and reaction layer structure of the titanium castings with the tensile test and modern surface analysis technique. The results indicated that the tensile strength and yield strength of titanium castings increased but elongation rate decreased, and the hardness layer become thicker when the mold temperature raised. The hardness layer of titanium castings was 50 microns for the room temperature mold, 125 microns for the 850 degrees C mold. SX-macro electric probe analysis indicated the spreading depth of Zr, Al elements on the surface of titanium castings was not increased when the mold temperature raised, but, the spreading depth of Si element became deeper on the surface of titanium casting, Si layer was about 30 microns for the room temperature mold, 40 microns for the 250 degrees C mold, 50 microns for the 450 degrees C mold, 70 microns for the 650 degrees C mold, 90 microns for the 850 degrees C mold. So, it is necessary to consider the effect of the mold temperature on the qualities of titanium castings when titanium castings for prosthodontics were made in clinic.

[The effects of the multiple structural layer of Ti-cast on bond of porcelain fused to titanium]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of the multiple structural layer of Ti-cast on the bond of porcelain fused to titanium.

METHODS

The interfacial state and bond strength of porcelain-titanium were observed by EPM analysis and a shear test.

RESULTS

The results showed cracks were observed in the interface of porcelain-titanium in R1 (the group of multiple structural layer of Ti-cast), but there were no cracks in the interface of porcelain-titanium in R2 (the group of removed multiple structural layer from Ti-cast) and R3 (the group of wrought titanium). The width of elemental diffusion layer of R1, R2 and R3 were 29.03 microns, 6.90 microns and 7.01 microns respectively. The shear bond srength of R1, R2 and R3 were 29.45 MPa, 52.75 MPa and 48.32 MPa respectively. There were significant difference in the width of elemental diffusion layer and shear bond strength between R1 and R2, R3 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This investigation indicates that the multiple structural layer of Ti-cast should be removed before firing of porcelain.

[Clinical features and treatment outcome of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the paranasal sinus]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and the clinical characteristics of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor(IMT) of paranasal sinus. Method: Five cases of IMT of paranasal sinus treated from 2011 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 5 patients, CT and MRI were performed before operation. All tumors originated from paranasal sinus, and orbital, pterygopalatine fossa and palate was involved with variable degrees. All patients had been given operation and recovered well. Two cases received additional glucocorticoid therapy(prednisone) postoperatively. Result: After a follow-up of 3-80 months, one case recurred 2 years postoperatively and received surgery again. No recurrence was found after operation in the other four patients. The finial diagnosis depended on pathological findings. Postoperative pathological examination showed that the tumor cells were mainly composed of spindle fibroblasts and chronic inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed positive expression of SMA protein. Conclusion: IMT of paranasal sinus is a rare clinical entity without specific clinical manifestations and the extent of the lesion can be assessed by imaging examinations. Pathological examination is required for final diagnosis. Radical resection should be taken for limited lesions. Besides surgery, corticosteroid administration and irradiation therapy is recommended in some circumstances. The overall prognosis is good.

Experimental Limits on Solar Reflected Dark Matter with a New Approach on Accelerated-Dark-Matter-Electron Analysis in Semiconductors

Recently a dark matter-electron (DM-electron) paradigm has drawn much attention. Models beyond the standard halo model describing DM accelerated by high energy celestial bodies are under intense examination as well. In this Letter, a velocity components analysis (VCA) method dedicated to swift analysis of accelerated DM-electron interactions via semiconductor detectors is proposed and the first HPGe detector-based accelerated DM-electron analysis is realized. Utilizing the method, the first germanium based constraint on sub-GeV solar reflected DM-electron interaction is presented with the 205.4  kg·day dataset from the CDEX-10 experiment. In the heavy mediator scenario, our result excels in the mass range of 5-15  keV/c^{2}, achieving a 3 orders of magnitude improvement comparing with previous semiconductor experiments. In the light mediator scenario, the strongest laboratory constraint for DM lighter than 0.1  MeV/c^{2} is presented. The result proves the feasibility and demonstrates the vast potential of the VCA technique in future accelerated DM-electron analyses with semiconductor detectors.