ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of swimming in cold water on the functioning and structure of the peripheral nerves of diabetic rats,and to compare the effects of seawater and fresh water. Methods Forty SD rats weighing ( 250 ± 20) g were randomly divided into a normal control group (A),a diabetic model group ( B ),a seawater swimming group (C) and a fresh water swimming group (D) with 10 rats in each group.The swimming training was carried on 5 times a week for 8 weeks.At the end of the 4th and 8th week of training,caudal nerve conduction velocity (CNCV) was measured.The nerve structure of the caudal nerves was observed at the end of the 8th week. Results By the 4th week,CNCV had slowed significantly in group B compared with group A,but not in groups C and group D.Compared with group B,CNCV had increased significantly in group C.There was no significant difference in CNCV between groups C and D.At the 8th week,compared with group A,CNCV had slowed in groups B and C.Compared with group B,CNCV was significantly faster in groups C and D.However,there was no significant difference between group C and group D with regard to CNCV.At the end of the 8th week demyelination was observed in the caudal nerves under a light microscope and an electron microscope in groups B,C and D,but the demyelination was milder in groups D and C. Conclusion Swimming in cold water can prevent or delay diabetic neuropathy in diabetic rats.There was no significant difference between seawater and fresh water swimming in terms of its effect on CNCV.
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Objective To analyze the changes in peripheral blood monocyte subpopulations in patients with primary, secondary and latent syphilis. Methods Flow cytometry was used to detect CD14highCD16- and CD14+CD16+ monocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood from 58 patients with untreated syphilis, including 36 cases of latent syphilis,8 cases of primary syphilis and 14 cases of secondary syphilis, as well as from 65 normal human controls. Restflts Compared with the normal controls, the proportion of CD14+CD16+ monocytes among total monocytes was significantly elevated (12.0% ± 5.0% vs 6.0% ± 3.3%, t = 7.25, P < 0.01), while that of CD14highCD16- monocytes was down-regulated (88.0% ± 5.1% vs 94.0% ± 3.5%, t = -7.20, P < 0.01). No statistical difference was observed in the proportion of CD14+CD16+ or CD14hhighCD16- monocytes among the patients with primary syphilis, secondary syphilis and those with latent syphilis (all P > 0.05). Conclusions The changes in peripheral blood monocyte subpopulation in patients with untreated syphilis may be associated with the permanent infection of Treponema pallidum, but have no obvious correlation with clinical stage of syphilis.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effects of oxygen-glucose deprivation on cultured rat hippocampal neurons.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The hippocampal neurons cultured for 12 d were exposed to combined oxygen-glucose deprivation for 0.5 - 4 h and then cultured with original medium in normoxia for 28 h. Necrotic neurons were identified by 0.4% trypan blue staining and apoptotic neurons were detected by a TUNEL technique. Meanwhile, the area, perimeter and circle diameter of cell bodies were measured respectively by a photography analysis system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The percentage of necrotic cells in cultured hippocampal neurons increased significantly during oxygen-glucose deprivation, but the percentage of apoptotic cells increased significantly after 28 h oxygen-glucose recovery. Photography analysis showed that area, perimeter and circle diameter of the necrotic cell bodies were larger than those of the apoptotic ones.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oxygen-glucose deprivation can lead to severe damage of cultured hippocampal neurons. The necrosis is major during acute oxygen-glucose deprivation, while the apoptosis is major 28 h after oxygen-glucose recovery.</p>