Xylazole inhibits NO-cGMP pathway in fetal rat nerve cells

Background@#Xylazole (Xyl) is a veterinary anesthetic that is structurally and functionally similar to xylazine. However, the effects of Xyl in vitro remain unknown. @*Objectives@#This study aimed to investigate the anesthetic mechanism of Xyl using fetal rat nerve cells treated with Xyl. @*Methods@#Fetal rat nerve cells cultured for seven days were treated with 10, 20, 30, and 40 μg/ mL Xyl for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. Variations of amino acid neurotransmitters (AANTs), Nitric oxide-Cyclic GMP (NO-cGMP) signaling pathway, and ATPase were evaluated. @*Results@#Xyl decreased the levels of cGMP and NO in nerve cells. Furthermore, Xyl affected the AANT content and Na+ -K+ -ATPase and Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase activity in nerve cells. These findings suggested that Xyl inhibited the NO-cGMP signaling pathway in nerve cells in vitro. @*Conclusions@#This study provided new evidence that the anesthetic and analgesic effects of Xyl are related to the inhibition of the NO-cGMP signaling pathway.

Metformin inhibits collagen production in rat biliary fibroblasts: the molecular signaling mechanism / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To clarify the molecular signaling mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of metformin on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated collagen I production in rat biliary fibroblasts.@*METHODS@#Primary biliary fibroblasts were isolated under aseptic condition from 50 Sprague-Dawley rats (half male and half female), and microscopic observation identified no obvious difference in the morphology or viability of the cells from rats with different sexes or body weight. The cells were treated with TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL), Smad3 siRNA+TGF-β1, CTGF siRNA+TGF-β1, metformin (10 mmol/L)+ TGF-β1, or Compound C (10 μmol/L)+metformin+TGF-β1. The expressions of CTGF and collagen I in the treated cells were determined using ELISA kit or Western blotting; the phorsphorylated and total Smad3 and AMPK expressions were detected using immunoblotting.@*RESULTS@#TGF-β1 time- and dose-dependently induced collagen I production in rat biliary fibroblasts. The activated AMPK by metformin dose-dependently inhibited TGF-β1-induced collagen I production. Pre-incubation of cells with the AMPK inhibitor Compound C restored the inhibitory effect of AMPK on TGF-β1-induced collagen I secretion ( < 0.01). Activation of AMPK by metformin significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced collagen I production by suppressing Smad3-driven CTGF expression ( < 0.01), and the application of Compound C reversed such changes in the fibroblasts ( < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Metformin inhibits TGF-β1-stimulated collagen I production by activating AMPK and inhibiting Smad3- driven CTGF expression in rat biliary fibroblasts.

Study on gamma oscillation in depression / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Depression is a kind of mental disease which is characterized by significant and lasting low mood.As for the diagnosis and treatment feedback, it mainly relies on symptomatological indicators at present.It is of great significance to find sensitive and reliable biomarkers to improve the level of clinical diagnosis and treatment.In recent years, the new findings of gamma oscillation in patients with depression can be summarized as follows: (1) The generation and regulation of gamma oscillation depend on the interaction between excitatory glutamatergic neurons and inhibitory GABAergic interneurons.(2) Under some conditions, for example, with the help of cognitive tasks, auditory steady state response and new methods of data analysis, gamma oscillation can be used to distinguish the patients with depression from healthy subjects, distinguish the patients with depression from that with bipolar disorder and identify the individuals who have suicidal thoughts or attempts in patients with depression.(3) Various methods of drug or not for depression both can cause the change of gamma oscillation.However, it should be noted that there are still many problems to be solved in using gamma oscillation as a biomarker of depression.

Effect of single prolonged stress in different pregnant time on the emotion and cognitive function of adult offspring rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of prenatal stress (PS) at different pregnant time on emotion and cognition of adult offspring rats.Methods Twelve healthy female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group(CON,n=4),the early pregnancy group(PS1,the 1～ 7 days of pregnancy,n=4) and the late pregnancy group(PS3,the 15 ～ 21 days of pregnancy,n=4).The pregnant rats were exposed to single-prolonged stress(SPS) on gestational day 7 or 15 respectively,except control group.The offspring were measured every weekend from 1-7 week after birth.At the eighth weekend,the sucrose intake (anhedonia) and Morris water maze (MWM) were performed to assess depression-like behavior and spatial learning and memory.Results The body weight of the first to seventh weeks after birth showed that there was a statistically significant difference among the three groups (F=28.207,P＜0.01),and there was a significant difference in time effect (F=1 041.546,P＜0.01).The body weight of two PS groups was significantly lower than those of control group(P＜0.05).The body weight of PS3 was lower than that of PS1 significantly(P＜0.05).Sucrose preference:PS3((27.70± 19.31) ％) were reductive on sucrose consumption than CON significantly((66.93±19.67) ％)(P＜0.05)while PS1 ((89.80±6.79) ％) increased in sucrose consumption compared with the CON significantly(P＜0.05).MWM:in training stage the difference of average avoid latency was existed in the three groups of the first 5 days(F=11.121,P＜0.01).Similarly,there was a significant difference in measure time(F=91.327,P＜0.01),the escape latency of the PS3 was decreased,while PS1 was significantly increased compared with CON;in testing stage,PS3 ((54.50±4.64) s,(53.21±4.45)) showed a significant increase in the duration in target site and numbers of times across the target site compared with CON((32.24±.4.17) s,(31.68±4.00)) (P＜0.05).Conclusion The acceptance of stress in the late pregnancy may lead to depression like behavior in the adult offspring and also enhance the learning and memory ability.And acceptance of stress in early pregnancy can cause impairment of learning and memory ability in adult offspring rats.

Influence of methylprednisolone in respiratory mechanics parameters in elderly patients with general anesthesia and its clinical significance / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To observe the influence of methylprednisolone in the respiratory mechanical parameters in the elderly patients undergoing major surgeries with general anesthesia intubation after mechanical ventilation,and to investigate whether methylprednisolone can improve the respiratory system degenerative diseases and benefit the mechanical ventilation. Methods:Sixty patients undergoing elective line laparotomy were divided into experimental group and conrol group (n=30) according to their wishes.The patients in experimental group receieved intravenous injection of methylprednisolone 1 mL (40 mg) after endotracheal intubation,and the patients in control group receieved 1 mL intravenous saline water injection.The airway peak pressure (Ppeak), airway platform (Pplat), lung compliance (Compl), and airway resistance (Raw) of the patients in two groups were recorded at the time of immediately before administration and 10,20,30,40 min after administration.The arterial blood oxygen partial pressure(PaO2),arterial blood CO2 partial pressure(PaCO2),CO2 partial pressure at the end of breathe out(PetCO2) of the patients were detected at the time of immediately before administration and 20 min after administration.Results:Compared with before administration, the respiratory mechanics parameters of the patients in control group 10,20,30,40 min after administration had no statistically significant differences (P>0.05);the Comple of the patients in experimental group was singnificantly increased (P0.05);the PaCO2 and PetCO2 of the patients in experimental group 20 min after administration were decreased(P<0.05),and the PaO2 was increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the PaCO2 and PetCO2 of the patients in experimental group 20 min after administration were decreased(P<0.05),and the PaO2 was increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Methylprednisolone can obviously reduce PaCO2,Peak, and Pplat and increase PaO2 and Compl;methylprednisolone has possibility in improving the adverse effects of degenerative disease of respiratory system on general anesthesia in the elderly patients.

Analysis on the Application of Grief Counseling for Relieving Donor Family′s Grief / 中国医学伦理学

Objective:To explore the effect of grief counseling for relieving donor family′s grief. Methods:From September 2012 to February 2015, 180 families of potential organ donors, who met the class III standard of China, were invited to participate in this study. The grief score was evaluated using questionnaire before and after grief counseling. Results:All of 180 potential organ donor′s families had different level of sadness. The grief was significantly reduced after grief counseling and the score was significantly lower than before ( P<0 . 05 ) . Sixty-five cases agreed to donate organ and 60 cases succeed. Conclusion:Grief counseling for potential organ donor′s families could relieve their grief effectively. This method is beneficial for communication of organ donation and pro-moting donation career of China.

Analysis of depression rates among elderly hypertensive patients and healthy residents and its risk factors in Fuzhou / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the rates of depression and its risk factors in elderly hypertensive patients and healthy residents in Fuzhou.Methods 882 elderly primary hypertensive patients aged 60 years and over and 1230 healthy elderly residents were assessed by the geriatric depression scale (GDS) and a self-made general information questionnaire, and SPSS 16.0 was used to analyze data.Results The average score of depression and the incidence of depression were higher in elderly hypertensive patients than in healthy elderly residents [(12.43±5.01) vs.(11.53±5.13), 64.4％ vs.55.3％, t=-3.849, x2=16.386, P＜0.01].Compared with healthy controls, scores of depression were higher for all age groups in elderly married male patients, with low levels of education (junior middle school or below), a monthly income less than 2000 yuan, and partial or no medical insurance coverage (P＜ 0.05 for all).Scores of depression were higher in elderly hypertensive patients who had smoking or drinking habits, social activity, hobby, or physical exercise than in healthy controls, (P＜0.05 for all).Scores of depression were also higher in elderly hypertensive patients who had family support, barely enough or adequate family expenses or family support than in healthy controls, regardless of living conditions (P＜0.05 for all).Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that risk factors for depression in elderly hypertensive patients were family support, age, medical insurance coverage, family expenses, living conditions, hobbies, and gender, while risk factors for depression in healthy elderly residents were family support, interests, medical insurance coverage, and age.Conclusions The incidence of depression is higher in elderly hypertensive patients than in health elderly people in communityin Fuzhou.Family support, hobbies, medical insurance coverage and age are the common risk factors for depression in both elderly hypertensive patients and healthy residents.Family expenses, living conditions and gender are important risk factors for depression in elderly hypertensive patients.

Analysis of the quality of life in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home and its influencing factors / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the quality of life (QOL) in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home and its influencing factors.Methods 1856 elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home were selected by random cluster sampling from two communities.All patients were investigated by SF-36 questionnaire and self-made questionnaire.Results The average QOL scores were (63.8±15.1) in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home.Scores of SF-36's eight dimensions were respectively (67.8± 22.6) in physiological function,(47.3± 39.4) in role physical,(90.2±14.3) in bodily pain,(52.3±11.9) in general health,(64.1 ± 17.1) in vitality,(74.0 ± 20.9) in social function,(49.7 ± 39.5) in emotional function,(65.0 ± 16.9) in mental health.Scores of SF-36 in each dimension were lower in patients aged 75 years and above than in patients aged 60-74 years (all P＜0.05).Scores of SF-36's dimensions including physical function,bodily pain,vitality,social function and mental health in patients aged 75 years and above were lower in males than females (all P＜0.05).Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the major influencing factors for the QOL in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home were movement,hobbies,age,caregivcr,family support,number of chronic diseases,education status,and alcohol consumption (all P＜0.05).Conclusions The major influencing factors for quality of life in elderly patients with chronic diseases living at home are included demographic,behavior and family factors,etc.Comprehensive community interventions should be taken to improve the quality of life in this elderly population.

The relationship of the parental rearing behaviors between the psychological status and post-traumatic stress disorder in the injured deliberately / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the relationship of the parental rearing behaviors between the psychological status and post-traumatic stress disorder in the injured deliberately.Methods 161 injured people were treated in five hospitals of the Urumqi and evaluated the self-reporting questionnaire-20 (SRQ20),7-items screening scale for PTSD( PTSD7 ),impact of event scale (IES) and symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) in the third and the fourth week injured,including 113 injured people aged at 14 ～50 years old completed the Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU).Two months after the injury,113 injured people were interviewed,including 106 injured people diagnosed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-Ⅳ-TR Axis Ⅰ Disorders/Patients (SCID-I/P) and 7 injured people were lost.ResultsFather's preferences correlated with the total score of IES ( r =- 0.234,P ＜ 0.05 ) and avoid factor( r=-0.309,P＜ 0.01 ) positively,Mother's emotional warmth and understand correlated with the flashback factor of IES ( r =0.194,P ＜ 0.05 ) negatively.The injured people were divided into three groups by diagnosis:the illness-free group,the PTSD group,and other group.Parental preferences correlated with Mental symptoms negatively.Father's punish severely,interference too much,refuse or deny and Mother's interference too much,over protection and punish severely correlated mental symptoms positively.The six subscales of father's rearing behaviors and the five subscales of mother's rearing behaviors had no significant difference.ConclusionsParental preferences in childhood can internalizes inside support to protect the psychological trauma in future.Father's punish severely,interference too much,refuse or deny and mother's interference too much,over protection and punish severely can damage mental health and aggravate symptoms after traumatic event.But the influence of parental rearing behaviors is limited to decide whether the injured people suffering from PTSD or other mental disorders.

Depression status of the elderly and its relationship with quality of life in community of Fuzhou city / 中华老年医学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the status of depression and its relationship with quality of life in Fuzhou city community Methods With stratified random sampling method,3285 elderly people (age≥ 60 years) in 12 communities of Fuzhou city were investigated by SF-36 health survey questionnaire and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)Results The number of the elderly with depression was 1981 ( 60.3％).The incidence of depression in the female elderly was statistically higher than male(x2 =7.561,P＜0.01).The incidence of depression increased with age(P＜0.01),and declined with higher education ( P ＜ 0.01 ) and income ( P ＜ 0.05).The higher incidence of depression appeared in the elderly with no spouse,paying for medical expenses themselves,living alone(all P＜0.01).The scores of physiological functions (PF),physiological role (RP),body pain (BP),general health (GH),vigor (VT),social function (SF),emotional role (RE),mental health (MH) and quality of life in the elderly without depression (78.0± 19.2,62.7 ± 39.7,94.1 ± 12.3,57.9± 12.0,74.3 ± 14.9,83.0 ± 20.1,64.3 ± 39.1,73.8 ± 14.8,and 73.5 ± 13.6,respectively) were higher than in the elderly with depression (65.9±22.6,45.3±37.8,89.5±15.2,50.8±11.4,59.8 ± 15.9,70.5± 20.9,44.7 ± 37.8,60.6 ± 15.6 and 60.9 ± 14.0,respectively) (P＜0.01 ).All scores had significant differences among different levels of depression (P＜ 0.01 )and the dimension scores decreasedwithserious depression.Depression was negatively correlated with various dimensions of quality of life and total score(P＜0.01).ConclusionsThe incidence of depression of the elderly in Fuzhou city is high.There are negative correlations of depression with quality of life scores and total score of various dimensions.The community nursing service should emphasize on the elderly who are female,advanced age,no spouse,poor-education,low-income,no medical insurance and live alone,then take appropriate measures to reduce depression and improve quality of life of the elderly.

Study on health status and community health care requirement of elderly people in urban Fuzhou / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To find out the health status and community health care requirement of the elderly in urban Fuzhou and to provide suggestions on how to develop and consummate the community health care for elderly. Methods With the method of stratified random sampling, 3285 elderly people aged 60 years and over were surveyed by a questionnaire. Results The average quality of life of elderly people in urban Fuzhou was above the moderate level. But education level of the elderly was low. And the prevalence rate of chronic diseases was high. There were 2134 elderly people (65.0%) who had more than one chronic disease. The older the people, the higher proportion the coincidence of multiple diseases (P＜0.01). The first five chronic diseases in the elderly were hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, arthropathy and stroke. The incidence rate of depression was high up to 60%. The requirement rate of community health care was 75.2%, and the older the people, the more items they needed(P＜0.05). The requirement of community health care at the first 5 rank position were regular physical examination, health education, regular home visiting, health direction and diet direction. Conclusions Elderly people have many health problems and requirements of community health care.We should provide more and more community health care, in order to improve the quality of life of elderly people.

Clinical observation on treatment of 43 women with polycystic ovary syndrome based on syndrome differentiation / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of treatment based on syndrome differentiation and its influence on the serum levels of testosterone and insulin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Forty-three women, diagnosed with PCOS as well as syndrome of kidney yin deficiency or syndrome of spleen qi deficiency, were enrolled in the study. Twenty-five PCOS women with syndrome of kidney yin deficiency were treated with traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing yin to reduce fire (nourishing yin group), and 18 PCOS women with syndrome of spleen qi deficiency were treated with herbs for invigorating spleen and replenishing qi (replenishing qi group). Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), and the serum levels of insulin and testosterone before and after treatment were detected. RESULTS: Among the 43 cases, 20 cases had high serum testosterone level, in which 13 cases with syndrome of kidney yin deficiency, 7 cases with syndrome of spleen qi deficiency, but the difference had no statistic significance; 17 cases had high serum insulin level, in which 11 cases with syndrome of spleen qi deficiency, 6 cases with syndrome of kidney yin deficiency, the difference had statistic significance (P<0.05). In nourishing yin group, the serum levels of insulin and testosterone declined after treatment (P<0.05), and BMI, WHR and WC showed no significant changes. In replenishing qi group, the serum level of insulin declined after treatment (P<0.01), and BMI, WHR, WC and the serum level of testosterone showed no significant changes. CONCLUSION: Traditional Chinese herbs for nourishing yin to reduce fire can significantly reduce the serum levels of testosterone and insulin in PCOS women with syndrome of kidney yin deficiency, and herbs for invigorating spleen and replenishing qi can significantly reduce the serum level of insulin in PCOS women with syndrome of spleen qi deficiency.