Quality of life and related factors in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the quality of life of patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), to compare the difference between IC/BPS and overactive bladder (OAB) pain syndrome, and to explore the related factors affecting the quality of life of IC/BPS patients.@*METHODS@#The demographic data of female outpatients with IC/BPS in Beijing Hospital and other medical centers in China were collected. The quality of life of the patients was investigated by multi-angle questionnaires and compared with the data of OAB patients. According to the influence degree of quality of life, the patients with IC/BPS were divided into mild-moderate group and severe group.@*RESULTS@#In this study, 109 patients with IC/BPS were included. The average age was (46.4±14.3) years and the average course of disease was (39.4±51.6) months. Compared with the OAB patients, the patients in IC/BPS group had a longer average course of disease (P=0.008), a lower proportion of the patients of first visit for the disease (P < 0.001), a higher score of the American Urological Association symptom index (AUA-SI) (P < 0.001), a lower body mass index (BMI) ratio (P=0.016), and a lower incidence of constipation (P=0.006). IC/BPS had the greatest impact on family life, followed by social activity. The score of IC/BPS related symptoms on family life was significantly higher than that of the OAB group (P=0.003). The top three symptoms of the IC/BPS patients were pain (45%), frequency (28%) and urgency (17%). The score of quality of life in the IC/BPS patients was significantly higher than that in the OAB patients (P < 0.001). Caffeine intake (P=0.034) and constipation (P=0.003) might be the factors influencing the quality of life of the patients with IC/BPS.@*CONCLUSION@#IC/BPS has a great influence on the quality of life of patients. Caffeine intake and constipation may be related factors affecting the quality of life of patients with IC/BPS. Urologists should recommend changes in diet and lifestyle to reduce symptoms and improve the patients' quality of life.

Age-Related Changes of Material Mechanics and Bone Material Parameters of Rat Skulls / 法医学杂志

Objective To study the relationship between material mechanics and bone material parameters of rat skulls and their correlation with age by examination of the parameters. Methods Forty-eight healthy male SD rats were divided into 2, 4, 6, 8, 17, 26, 52 and 104 week groups according to their age. Each group had six rats. The right cranium was compressed by KD Ⅱ-0.2 microcomputer controlled electronic universal testing machine, and material mechanics parameters （ultimate load, compression strength and compression modulus） were measured, then the skull slices were cut off and scanned by Micro-CT system to detect bone material parameters （skull thickness, bone mineral density, bone volume, and trabecular thickness）. Results The differences in ultimate load, compression strength and compression modulus among all groups had statistical significance （P<0.05）, and were positively correlated with age within 26 weeks （P<0.05）. The differences in skull thickness, bone mineral density, bone volume and trabecular thickness among all groups had statistical significance （P<0.05）, and were positively correlated with age within 52 weeks （P<0.05）. All material mechanics parameters were positively correlated with bone material parameters （P<0.05）. Conclusion There is a positive correlation between bone material parameters （skull thickness, bone mineral density, bone volume, trabecular thickness）, material mechanics parameter （skull ultimate load, compression strength, compression modulus） and age in a certain range, which can be used to infer age.

The sphingosine-1-phosphate/RhoA/Rho associated kinases/myosin light chain pathway in detrusor of female rats is down-regulated in response to ovariectomy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Dysuria is one of the main symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause, which causes serious disruption to the normal life of peri-menopausal women. Studies have shown that it is related to decrease of detrusor contractile function, but the exact mechanism is still poorly understood. Previous results have suggested that the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) pathway can regulate detrusor contraction, and this pathway is affected by estrogen in various tissues. However, how estrogen affects this pathway in the detrusor has not been investigated. In this study, we detected changes of the S1P/RhoA/Rho associated kinases (ROCK)/myosin light chain (MLC) pathway in the detrusor of ovariectomized rats in order to explore the underlying mechanism of dysuria during peri-menopause.@*METHODS@#Thirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into SHAM (sham operation), OVX (ovariectomy), and E groups (ovariectomy + estrogen), with 12 rats in each group. We obtained bladder detrusor tissues from each group and examined the mRNA and protein levels of the major components of the S1P/RhoA/ROCK/MLC pathway using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. We also quantified the content of S1P in the detrusor using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we compared results between the groups with one-way analysis of variance.@*RESULTS@#The components of the S1P pathway and the RhoA/ROCK/MLC pathway of the OVX group were significantly decreased, as compared with SHAM group. The percent decreases of the components in the S1P pathway were as follows: sphingosine kinase 1 (mRNA: 39%, protein: 45%) (both P  0.05). The percent decreases of the components in the RhoA/ROCK/MLC pathway were as follows: ROCK2 (protein: 41%, mRNA: 36%) (both P  0.05). In addition, all of the above-mentioned decreases could be reversed after estrogen supplementation (E group vs. SHAM group) (all P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, we confirmed that ovariectomy is closely associated with the down-regulation of the S1P/RhoA/ROCK/MLC pathway in the rat detrusor, which may be one mechanism of dysuria caused by decreased contractile function of the female detrusor during peri-menopause.

Analysis of Influencing Factors of Single Camera Photogrammetry in Forensic Three-Dimensional Reconstruction / 法医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the influence of factors such as the selection of equipment, focal length and the selection of reconstruction quality in the reconstruction software on the reconstruction results of single camera photogrammetry and provide reference for the forensic application of single camera photogrammetry. Methods The 19 skulls were measured by traditional measurement method and single camera photogrammetry. The differences between the two measurement methods and within the group with same equipment but different focal length were analyzed. One skull and one corpse were selected as the research objects. According to the reconstruction quality selection conditions in the photogrammetric software, the experimental group was divided into five grades. The model reconstructed by optical scanner was defined as reference model, while the model reconstructed by single camera photogrammetry was defined as test model. The test model was aligned with the reference model, 3D deviation analysis was carried out and the mean error and root mean square （RMS） values were calculated. Results The differences between EOS 7D zoom group and traditional measurement, and within the group with same equipment had statistical significance （P<0.05）. The mean error value and minimum RMS value of the skull reconstructed by single camera photogrammetry and the three-dimensional model of the corpse existed in the medium quality group, and the trend was basically the same. Conclusion The equipment and focal length has no obvious influence on the results of single camera photogrammetry. Lower reconstruction quality can easily cause distortion, while higher reconstruction quality can easily generate noise, so medium quality is preferred.

Application of Sequential Changes of Dural Thickness and Biomechanical Parameters in Postmortem Interval Estimation / 法医学杂志

Objective To study the relations of the dural thickness and the biomechanical parameters with postmortem interval （PMI） of human cadavers, and to explore the feasibility of the two indexes used for PMI estimation. Methods Dural samples were collected at different postmortem intervals of 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, 24 h, 30 h, 36 h, 48 h, 60 h, 72 h, 84 h and 96 h, then fabricated into 4.0 cm×1.0 cm A and B test specimens. The thickness of the A test specimen was measured, and the biomechanical parameters, such as ultimate load, maximum force deformation, tensile strength, elastic modulus and fracture force, were measured. The regression equations of thickness, biomechanical parameters and PMI were fitted respectively, and the difference between the predicted value and actual measured value of PMI was verified by the verification group. The B test specimen was fixed with 10% neutral formaldehyde solution, then tissue sections were prepared to observe its morphological changes. Results From 6 h to 96 h after death, the dural thickness decreased gradually, the collagen fibers gradually changed from clear arrangement to mutual fusion, and the number of nuclei decreased gradually. The dural thickness, ultimate load, tensile strength, elastic modulus and fracture force decreased sequentially, among which the dural thickness, ultimate load, elastic modulus and fracture force had a correlation with PMI （P<0.05）. In the return test, the difference between the predicted value and actual measured value of PMI in the verification group had no statistical significance （P>0.05）. Conclusion The dural thickness, ultimate load, elastic modulus and fracture force change sequentially from 6 h to 96 h after death. The regression equation established by the relationship between the changes and PMI can be used for PMI estimation.

Improved effects of saponins from Panax japonicus on decline of cognitive function in natural aging rats via NLRP3 inflammasome pathway / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of total saponins from Panax japonicus( SPJ) on cognitive decline of natural aging rats and its mechanism. Thirty male SD rats of eighteen month old were randomly divided into three groups: aged group,10 mg·kg~(-1) SPJ-treated group and 30 mg·kg~(-1) SPJ-treated group. The SPJ-treated groups were given SPJ at the dosages of 10 mg·kg~(-1) and 30 mg·kg~(-1),respectively,from the age of 18 to 24 months. Aged group were lavaged the same amount of saline,10 six-month-old rats were used as control group,with 10 rats in each group. The open field test,novel object recognition and Morris water maze were performed to detect the changes of cognitive function in each group. The changes of synaptic transmission of long-term potentiation( LTP) in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by field potential recording. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 and the changes of Glu A1,Glu A2,CAMKⅡ,CREB and phosphorylation of CAMKⅡ,CREB in each group.The results showed that SPJ could improve the decline of cognitive function in aging rats,reduce the damage of LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region of aged rats,and decrease the expression of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 in aging rats. At the same time,SPJ could enhance the membrane expression of AMPA receptor( Glu A1 and Glu A2),and increase the expression of p-CAMKⅡand p-CREB in aging rats.SPJ could improve cognitive decline of natural aging rats,and its mechanism may be related to regulating NLRP3 inflammasome,thus regulating the membrane expression of AMPA receptor,and enhancing the expression phosphorylation of CAMKⅡ and CREB.

Research Progress on Biomechanics of Craniocerebral Injury in Children / 法医学杂志

In the researches of biomechanics for child craniocerebral injury, the research progress of performance parameter detection for brain, skull, cranial suture and dura mater, and the finite element model construction for child's head were reviewed. Meanwhile, the shortcomings of the established finite element model construction of child's head were analyzed. Thus, it is necessary to strengthen the material properties parameter detection of child's head, and establish the relevant database, so as to lay the foundation for establishing an accurate finite element model of child's head.

Ribozyme riboswitch based gene expression regulation systems for gene therapy applications: progress and challenges / 药学学报

Robust and efficient control of therapeutic gene expression is needed for timing and dosing of gene therapy drugs in clinical applications. Ribozyme riboswitch provides a promising building block for ligand-controlled gene-regulatory system, based on its property that exhibits tunable gene regulation, design modularity, and target specificity. Ribozyme riboswitch can be used in various gene delivery vectors. In recent years, there have been breakthroughs in extending ribozyme riboswitch's application from gene-expression control to cellular function and fate control. High throughput screening platforms were established, that allow not only rapid optimization of ribozyme riboswitch in a microbial host, but also straightforward transfer of selected devices exhibiting desired activities to mammalian cell lines in a predictable manner. Mathematical models were employed successfully to explore the performance of ribozyme riboswitch quantitively and its rational design predictably. However, to progress toward gene therapy relevant applications, both precision rational design of regulatory circuits and the biocompatibility of regulatory ligand are still of crucial importance.

Changes of biomechanical properties of soft tissues in underwater corpse for postmortem interval estimation / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the postmortem changes of biomechanical properties of underwater corpses and value for estimating postmortem interval.@*METHODS@#SD rats were sacrificed by cervical vertebra dislocation and stored in the water at constant temperature. The vessel wall, skin, muscle, small intestine and colon were sampled at different postmortem time points (0h, 6h, 12h, 18h, 24h, 30h, 36h, 42h, 48h, 60h, 72h, 96h, 120h, 144h, 168h, 192h). The biomechanics properties of different soft tissues including ultimate load, strain, maximum stress were measured by electronic universal material testing machine.@*RESULTS@#Except for the vessel wall, the biomechanics properties of skin, muscle, small intestine and colon showed linear decrease gradually after death. Each tissue displayed its obvious "window period" for PMI estimation.@*CONCLUSION@#The time-sequential changes of biomechanical property parameters of soft tissue in underwater corpses are significantly correlated with PMI and it could be a simple and quantitive new technology for estimating PMI. The specific heat capacity of the heat-eliminating medium around the corpses probably is one of the physical factors to influence algor mortis, autolysis, putrefaction and biomechanics properties.

Advances in research of diagnosis of drowning in forensic medicine / 法医学杂志

The current macroscopical and microscopical signs in the fresh drowning victim are non-specific. Moreover, putrefaction will vanish these autopsy findings quite rapidly. The study of additional detecting methods to diagnose drowning has become one of the hottest topics in forensic medicine. This article reviewed several methods commonly used in the determination of drowning in forensic practice. The advantages and disadvantages of various methods were also discussed.

Unifying the scaling method of the loss degree of joint motion / 法医学杂志

The scaling method of the loss degree of joint motion is very common in clinical forensic medicine. However, there is no uniform criterion until now. Therefore, this had made a negative effect to ensure the impartiality and justice in law and the identification. The advantages and disadvantages of the four methods recorded in literatures by practical case, which include major and minor methods, additional methods, directive average methods, axial directive average methods, were discussed and compared. Now three basic critics about how to choosing the applicable technique in forensic medicine were supposed according to the impartiality and justice principle, scientific and objective principle, simple and easy principle. It was hoped that we can reach a consensus in our legal-medical circumscription that all of us can choose the Axial Directive Average Methods as our standard for the loss degree of joint motion, to avoid the disadvantages of this aspect.

The recent development on age estimation / 法医学杂志

The main methods of age estimation at present mostly rely on characteristic physical and chemical changes of skeleton, soft tissue, cells, biomacromolecules and the other substances. Because physiological changes of tissues and organs during growth are extremely complicated, all methods have their limitations. In practical, it is necessary to combine several methods together in order to improve the accuracy of age estimation. This article reviewed recent development on age estimation domestically and abroad and discussed advantage and disadvantage of different methods.