Pathological Changes and Cause of Death Associated with the Global Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) / 法医学杂志

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a global epidemic for more than three years, causing more than 6.9 million deaths. COVID-19 has the clinical characteristics of strong infectivity and long incubation period, and can cause multi-system damage, mainly lung damage, clinical symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and systemic multiple organ damage. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still constantly mutating. At present, there is no global consensus on the pathological changes of COVID-19 associated deaths and even no consensus on the criteria for determining the cause of death. The investigation of the basic pathological changes and progression of the disease is helpful to guide the clinical treatment and the development of therapeutic drugs. This paper reviews the autopsy reports and related literature published worldwide from February 2020 to June 2023, with a clear number of autopsy cases and corresponding pathological changes of vital organs as the inclusion criteria. A total of 1 111 autopsy cases from 65 papers in 18 countries are included. Pathological manifestations and causes of death are classified and statistically analyzed, common pathological changes of COVID-19 are summarized, and analytical conclusions are drawn, suggesting that COVID-19 infection can cause life-threatening pathological changes in vital organs. On the basis of different health levels of infected groups, the direct cause of death is mainly severe lung damage and secondary systemic multiple organ failure.

Metabonomics Analysis of Brain Stem Tissue in Rats with Primary Brain Stem Injury Caused Death / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of primary brain stem injury (PBSI) by using metabonomics method to observe the changes of metabolites in rats with PBSI caused death.@*METHODS@#PBSI, non-brain stem brain injury and decapitation rat models were established, and metabolic maps of brain stem were obtained by LC-MS metabonomics method and annotated to the HMDB database. Partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and random forest methods were used to screen potential biomarkers associated with PBSI diagnosis.@*RESULTS@#Eighty-six potential metabolic markers associated with PBSI were screened by PLS-DA. They were modeled and predicted by random forest algorithm with an accuracy rate of 83.3%. The 818 metabolic markers annotated to HMDB database were used for random forest modeling and prediction, and the accuracy rate was 88.9%. According to the importance in the identification of cause of death, the most important metabolic markers that were significantly up-regulated in PBSI group were HMDB0038126 (genipinic acid, GA), HMDB0013272 (N-lauroylglycine), HMDB0005199 [(R)-salsolinol] and HMDB0013645 (N,N-dimethylsphingosine).@*CONCLUSIONS@#GA, N-lauroylglycine, (R)-salsolinol and N,N-dimethylsphingosine are expected to be important metabolite indicators in the diagnosis of PBSI caused death, thus providing clues for forensic medicine practice.

Transcriptomic Changes of Astrocytes in the Brain of Rats with Subacute METH Exposure / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the transcriptomic changes of astrocytes in the brain of rats exposed to methamphetamine (METH) and its possible mechanism in neurotoxicity.@*METHODS@#The rats were intraperitoneally injected with METH (15 mg/kg) every 12 h for 8 times in total to establish the subacute rat model of METH. After the model was successfully established, the striatum was extracted, and astrocytes were separated by the magnetic bead method. Transcriptome sequencing was performed on selected astrocytes, and the differentially expressed genes were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis.@*RESULTS@#A total of 876 differentially expressed genes were obtained by transcriptome sequencing, including 321 up-regulated genes and 555 down-regulated genes. GO analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly concentrated in cell structure, biological process regulation, extracellular matrix and organelle functions. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that steroids biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR), adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and other signaling pathways were significantly changed.@*CONCLUSIONS@#METH can cause structural changes of astrocytes through multiple targets, among which cellular structure, steroids biosynthesis and fatty acid biosynthesis may play an important role in nerve injury, providing a new idea for forensic identification of METH related death.

Retrospective Analysis of 61 Cases of Children Died of Viral Pneumonia / 法医学杂志

Objective To retrospectively analyze the forensic pathological postmortem examination and clinical data of children who died of viral pneumonia in identification of cause of death cases and to discuss the clinical characteristics and pathological features of viral pneumonia in children, in order to provide reference to pathological diagnosis of viral pneumonia in children caused by 2019 novel coronavirus （2019-nCoV） infection. Methods Postmortem examination data from 61 cases of children whose causes of death were identified as viral pneumonia in recent years were collected from the Center of Forensic Identification, Southern Medical University. The gender, age, clinical symptoms and pathological features were comparatively analyzed. Results Among the 61 cases of children who died of viral pneumonia, most were within 2 years old （83.61%）, and a large proportion died within 2 weeks after the onset of the disease （91.80%）. Gross changes in postmortem examination included respiratory mucosal hyperemia, pleural effusion, pulmonary swelling, variegated pulmonary pleura and serosa, as well as focal pulmonary hemorrhage and pulmonary edema. A large proportion of sick children had enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes （83.61%） and thymic dysplasia （21.31%）. Histopathological changes included edema of alveoli and interstitial substance, pneumorrhagia，shedding of alveolar epithelial cells, serous and （or） fibrous exudation in the alveoli, formation of viral inclusions, formation of transparent membranes, infiltration of inflammatory cells that mainly consisted of macrophages and lymphocytes in interstitial substance and alveoli. Viral infections often affected the heart and gastrointestinal tract. Conclusion The clinical symptoms of children with viral pneumonia are difficult to notice, and because the immune systems of children are not fully developed and they have poor immunity, they can easily become severely ill and even die. Analyzing the forensic autopsies and the histopathological characteristics could provide reference for pathological diagnosis of viral pneumonia.

Retrospective Analysis of 291 Cases of Medical Malpractice Involving Death / 法医学杂志

Objective To study the medical malpractice cases involving death, and discuss the identification ideas and methods of medical malpractice cases. Methods A total of 291 medical malpractice cases involving death accepted and settled from January 2012 to December 2017 at the Judicial Appraisal Center of Southern Medical University were collected. Based on the age, gender, hospital level, clinical department, whether or not autopsy was performed, cause of death, cause of medical mistakes, causality and causative potency of the appraised person, statistical analysis was made. Results There were more males than females in medical malpractice cases involving death. Mostly young adults or children were involved in these cases. The number of cases involving tertiary hospitals was the highest; among the clinical departments, the internal medicine department had the largest number of cases, followed by surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, etc. Autopsy rate has a trend of increasing year by year. Most patients die from the natural outcomes of their disease or ineffective treatment. Most hospitals have certain medical mistakes, and have an indirect correlation with the patient's death, mainly slight factors. Conclusion Judicial appraisal of medical malpractice should follow the principle of "one-effect and multi-cause", and comprehensively consider various factors such as, the diseases and constitution of the patient, natural outcomes of the diseases, the current medical technology and the level of diagnosis and treatment of the hospital, etc.

Event-related potentials of working memory impairment in children with primary nocturnal enuresis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the cognitive neural mechanism of working memory impairment in children with primary nocturnal enuresis using event-related potential (ERP).@*METHODS@#A total of 14 children with primary nocturnal enuresis were enrolled as enuresis group, and 14 normal children were enrolled as control group. The learning-recognition task test was applied, and the ERP components (P2, N2, and P3) at Fz lead while identifying old pictures (learned) and new ones (unlearned) were measured and compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#While identifying the old pictures, the enuresis group had a lower amplitude of P2 and N2 than the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the latency of P2, N2, and P3 and the amplitude of P3. While identifying the new pictures, the enuresis group had a longer latency of P2 and a significantly lower amplitude of N2 than the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the amplitude of P2 and P3 and the latency of N2 and P3.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Compared with normal children, the children with primary nocturnal enuresis have reduced abilities of classified information extraction, a prolonged reaction time, and reductions in memory capacity, memory consolidation, and conflict monitoring, which causes working memory impairment.

Effect of chemotherapy on nutritional status and quality of life in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To observe the effects of chemotherapy on nutritional status and quality of life in elderly patients aged 60 years and over with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ non-small-cell lung cancer,who were unable to undergo molecular-targeted drug therapy according to genetic testing.Methods A total of 100 elderly patients with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer were randomized into an observation group(n=50)and a control group(n=50).Patients in the observation group were treated with GP regimen(gemcitabine+ cisplatin),while patients in the control group were treated with TP regimen(paclitaxel+cisplatin).The scores of nutritionally relevant indicators and quality of life were compared between the two groups.Results After chemotherapy,the body weight,body mass index,plasma total protein,plasma albumin,and triglyceride concentrations were significantly lower in the GP regimen group than in the TP regimen group(P＜0.0001,P =0.0027,P =0.0305,P＜0.0001,P＜ 0.0001,respectively).The overall health status score,physical function,role function,and emotional function scores were higher in the GP group than in the TP group(P =0.0017,0.0044,0.0064,0.006,respectively) after chemotherapy.The scores of shortness of breath,insomnia,loss of appetite,constipation,and diarrhea were significantly lower in the GP group than in the TP group(P =0.0067,P ＜0.0001,P =0.0026,P =0.0066,P =0.0023).The clinical effective rate was significantly higher in GP regimen than in TP regimen(56.0％ vs 30.0％,x2 =6.90,P=0.009).The incidence of grade Ⅰ adverse reactions was higher in the observation group (54.0％,27/50 cases),and the incidences of grade Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ adverse reactions were higher in the control group(36.0％,18/50 cases;24.0％,12/50 cases;and 24.0％,12/50 cases,respectively) (x2 =16.40,P =0.001).Conclusions The TP chemotherapy is more beneficial to patients' nutrition,while the GP chemotherapy can achieve both higher clinical efficacy and better quality of life.

Feasibility study on monitoring blood pressure of the superficial temporal artery in neonates / 中华护理杂志

Objective To explore the feasibility of monitoring blood pressure via superficial temporal artery catheterization in neonates,which may provide more ways to monitor arterial blood pressure of neonates.Methods By lottery method,64 neonates from NICU who met inclusion criteria and needed arterial blood pressure monitoring were randomly divided into two groups.Thirty-two cases in the experimental group were treated with superficial temporal artery catheterization,while 32 cases in the control group were treated with radial artery catheterization.The success rate of one-time catheterization,indwelling time of catheter,blood pressure and the rate of complications were compared between two groups.Results There were no significant differences between two groups in the success rate of one-time catheterization,indwelling time of catheter,systolic blood pressure and the rate of complications (P＞0.05).Results showed there was significant difference in diastolic blood pressure between two groups(P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Compared with radial artery blood catheterization,neonatal superficial temporal artery catheterization showed equivalent effect,which made it more convenient for observing condition of neonates.

Feasibility study on monitoring blood pressure of the superficial temporal artery in neonates / 中华护理杂志

Objective To explore the feasibility of monitoring blood pressure via superficial temporal artery catheterization in neonates,which may provide more ways to monitor arterial blood pressure of neonates.Methods By lottery method,64 neonates from NICU who met inclusion criteria and needed arterial blood pressure monitoring were randomly divided into two groups.Thirty-two cases in the experimental group were treated with superficial temporal artery catheterization,while 32 cases in the control group were treated with radial artery catheterization.The success rate of one-time catheterization,indwelling time of catheter,blood pressure and the rate of complications were compared between two groups.Results There were no significant differences between two groups in the success rate of one-time catheterization,indwelling time of catheter,systolic blood pressure and the rate of complications (P＞0.05).Results showed there was significant difference in diastolic blood pressure between two groups(P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Compared with radial artery blood catheterization,neonatal superficial temporal artery catheterization showed equivalent effect,which made it more convenient for observing condition of neonates.

Image quality evaluation of low-dose CT perfusion examination combined with IMR in the brain / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the feasibility of low-dose CT perfusion imaging(CTPI)examination combined with iterative model reconstruction (IMR) in the brain.Methods 80 patients with clinical suspicion of acute cerebral infarction underwent the cerebral CTPI were enrolled in this study.30 normal hemispheres on group A [35 cases,80 kV,150 mAs, filtered back projection(FBP)] and group B(45 cases,80 kV,30 mAs, IMR) were selected to evaluate respectively.The pictures' subjective scores, effective radiation dose (ED),CT value,SD,signal to noise ratio(SNR), contrast to noise ratio(CNR) and the perfusion parameters of the grey matter (GM) and white matter(WM) in each hemisphere of the middle cerebral artery(MCA) territory were respectively compared at ASPECTS level 2 for the two groups.Results The ED were 2.52,0.50 mSv for group A,B.There were no statistical significances in the perfusion parameters,CT value, SD, CNR of the ROIs of the GM and WM,the SNR of the ROIs of the GM and the pictures' subjective scores between group A, B (P>0.05).There was statistical significance in the SNR of the ROIs of the WM between group A,B (P<0.05).Conclusion IMR combined with 30 mAs of the CTPI can reduce the radiation dose apparently while maintain the stability of the image quality and perfusion parameters.

Application of the interactive reading mode of PBL combined with MDT in medical imaging post-graduate clinical teaching / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Medical imaging is an interdisciplinary subject closely related to clinical and pathological subject. Its clinical reading skills' training has become the focus of postgraduate teaching. In the process of clinical teaching, the interactive reading mode of problem-based learning (PBL) combined with multi-disci-plinary team (MDT) was introduced into clinical reading meeting. The tutors chose the reading cases proved by pathology; designed in-depth issues step by step for execution of PBL teaching; guided postgraduates to delineate imaging signs and propose the diagnostic results, evidences and differential diagnoses according to the step from localizing to qualitative and then to pathological diagnosis;then guided postgraduates to attend in-depth case analysis of MDT and analyze the correlation or inconsistency between the imaging diagnosis and clinical and pathological diagnosis; exercise document retrieval and verbalization, multimedia design, and writing level of the records of the reading cases and papers. The interactive reading mode of PBL com-bined with MDT has achieved significant effects, which is worthy of further exploration and promotion.

Feasibility study of iterative model reconstruction combined with low tube voltage and low iodine intaken of contrast media in head and neck CT angiography / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the feasibility of iterative model reconstruction (IMR) combined with low tube voltage and low iodine intaken of contrast media in head and neck CT angiography (CTA). Methods Eighty patients with clinical suspicion of head and neck vascular disease underwent head and neck CTA were enrolled in this prospective study. According to random number table, patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n=40) was scanned according to the protocol of 120 kV, 50 ml iopromide (370 mg/ml) and filtered back projection (FBP) reconstruction, and group B (n=40) was scanned with 80 kV, 30 ml iohexol (300 mg/ml) and IMR, while the other parameters kept consistent. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the enhanced CT value of arteries, image noise, signal noise ratio (SNR), contrast noise ratio (CNR), the score of image quality, effective radiation dose (ED) and iodine intaken of contrast media between two groups. Results The CT value at the origin level of common carotid artery were (316.9 ± 53.0) and (433.4 ± 101.8)HU in group A and B, image noise were (28.1 ± 6.8)and (12.1 ± 2.6)HU ,SNR were (11.9 ± 3.2) and (37.7 ± 13.3) ,and CNR were (10.2 ± 2.9) and (32.6 ± 13.3), respectively. There were showed significant differences in CT value, image noise, SNR and CNR between two groups (Z=-5.490,-7.592,-7.698,-7.660, P<0.05). The CT value at the origin level of internal carotid artery were (359.5 ± 54.3) and (443.5 ± 120.1) HU in group A and B, image noise were (18.8±6.2) and (6.8±1.7) HU ,SNR were 21.5±8.7 and 69.7±27.4 ,and CNR were 18.0±7.3 and 62.7± 26.4, respectively. The significant differences were acquired in CT value, image noise, SNR and CNR between two groups (Z=-3.022,-7.376,-7.496,-7.515, P<0.05). The CT value at M1 segment level of middle cerebral artery were (321.1±47.3) and (401.6±104.0) HU in group A and B, image noise were (32.3± 17.2) and (11.2 ± 2.7) HU,SNR were 12.4 ± 5.6 and 39.3 ± 18.4,and CNR were 10.7 ± 4.7 and 36.4 ± 17.7, respectively. There also showed significant differences in CT value, image noise, SNR and CNR between two groups (Z=-3.527,-7.487,-7.482,-7.535, P<0.05). The score of image quality of group A and B were 3.9 ± 0.7 and 4.5±0.6, which also showed significant difference between two two groups (Z=-3.517, P<0.05). The ED were (2.78 ± 0.13) and (0.84 ± 0.04) mSv for group A and B, which also showed significant difference between the two groups (Z=-7.706, P<0.05). The iodine intaken of contrast media were 1.85 g and 0.90 g in group A and B. Conclusion IMR combined with low tube voltage and low iodine intaken of contrast media can not only decrease effective radiation dose and iodine intaken of contrast media significantly, but also improve the imaging quality in head and neck CTA examination.

Event-related potential and behavioral characteristics in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder of different school entrance ages: a comparative study / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of school entrance age on cognition and behaviors in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using mathematical event-related potential (ERP), behavioral test, and Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-eight ADHD children aged 7-12 years were enrolled and classified into older age and younger age groups according to the school entrance age (n=29 each). The children in the older age group were admitted at an age of 6 years and 6 months to 6 years and 11 months, and those in the younger age group were admitted at an age of 6 years to 6 years and 5 months. The ERP with a mathematical task was used to detect the difference in brain electrical activity between the two groups, and the behavioral test results were compared. The children's parents were asked to complete the PSQ, and the scores on each subscale were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ERP detection showed that the older age group had a significantly higher P2 amplitude for wrong answers than the younger age group (10.9±5.0 μv vs 8.5±3.6 μv; P<0.05). The younger age group had a significantly shorter time of response to wrong answers than the older age group (619±340 ms vs 870±418 ms; P<0.05). The scores on the subscales of learning problems and impulse-hyperactivity of PSQ were significantly higher in the younger age group than in the older age group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>School entrance age can affect cognition and behaviors in children with ADHD, and the ADHD children with a younger school entrance age have an obvious defect in executive function, especially the function of error detection, which leads to the prominent problems in impulse-hyperactivity and learning.</p>

Correlation between event-related potential and behavioral problems in early school-age children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the cognitive characteristics in early school-age children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using event-related potential (ERP) and Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), as well as the correlation between ERP and behavioral problems.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 22 children aged 6-7 years with ADHD and 19 healthy children matched by age were enrolled. Continue Performance Test-AX (CPT-AX) was performed for ERP test. The amplitude and latency of N2 and P3 of Go and Nogo were compared. The CBCL was completed by the parents, and the correlation between behavioral factors and ERP was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ADHD group had a significantly higher number of ERP omissions than the normal control group (10±8 vs 5±4; P<0.05), while the reaction time and number of commission errors showed no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The ADHD group showed a significantly lower Go-N2 amplitude than the normal control group (-8±5 μV vs -10±4 μV; P<0.05). In the ADHD group, the detection rates of hyperactivity, attack, and discipline violation were 27%, 27% and 9% respectively. The scores on attack and discipline violation subscales were negatively correlated with the Go-N2 amplitude of ERP (r=-0.43 and -0.48 respectively; P<0.05), while the score on hyperactivity subscale was positively correlated with the latency of Go-P3 (r=0.50, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The early school-age children with ADHD show the tendency to the impairment of attention/executive function, but the inhibition function defect has not been noted. In early school-age children with ADHD, the behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, attack, and discipline violation are associated with ERP.</p>

Change of CMTM7 expression, a potential tumor suppressor, is associated with poor clinical outcome in human non-small cell lung cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing 7 (CMTM7) located at 3p22.3, is a frequent deletion site and a tumor suppressor gene (TSG) locus in many cancer, which suggests CMTM7 may be a potential TSG. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations of CMTM7 expression and survival rate in patients with non-smallcell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surgical specimens of 180 cases with pathologically confirmed NSCLC were grouped into 18 tissue microarray slides. CMTM7 expression in these specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry staining and representative cases were confirmed by Western blotting. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the association of CMTM7 expression with pathological features and survival of patients with NSCLC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 78.9% of the 180 patients had variations of CMTM7 protein expression, either up-regulated or down-regulated. Univariate analysis showed that the patients' survival rate after surgery was highly correlated with CMTM7 expression (P = 0.0091). In addition, prognostic factors were examined by multivariate Cox regression analysis, and results suggested that CMTM7 expression was a unique prognostic factor in NSCLC survival.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The CMTM7 expression may be related to survival of patients with NSCLC and a unique prognostic factor. CMTM7 may play an important role in NSCLC development.</p>

Infantile DiGeorge syndrome: autopsy diagnosis and clinicopathologic analysis in 5 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate clinicopathological features of DiGeorge syndrome (DGS).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The clinical features, histological and immunohistochemical findings were analyzed in 5 cases of DGS by autopsy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five cases of DGS in male infants aged 4 days, 1 month, 7 months, 10 months, and 13 months respectively. Gross and microscopic observations revealed that thymic cortex was depleted of lymphocytes or showed few, dispersed lymphocytes. The thymic medulla showed predominantly epithelial cells with calcified Hassall bodies as well as lymphocyte depletion. T lymphocytes were also scarce in the tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen, and mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue of ileum. In addition, 3 of the 5 patients also showed parathyroid aplasia or dysplasia, and congenital hypertrophy of the ventricular septum.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The pathological changes indicate that clinicians should be aware of defects of immune system if the infants suffer from severe infections. Pathologists should recognize the importance of abnormalities of lymphohematopoietic tissues in the diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency diseases such as DGS.</p>

Correlation between T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood lymphocytes and 2-year all-cause mortality in an apparently healthy elderly Chinese cohort / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Few data have been acquired on the predictive value of age-related T-lymphocyte subsets among older individuals. The present study has determined the distribution of T-cell phenotypes and their correlation to 2-year mortality in a cohort of Chinese male seniors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 101 asymptomatic elderly individuals with laboratory homeostasis were enrolled at baseline. Three age subgroups were categorized as young (65 - 74 years old), middle (75 - 84 years old), and old (≥ 85 years) for age-related comparison. T-cell subsets in peripheral blood were measured by multi-colored flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At baseline, there was a mild negative correlation by age for total lymphocytes and CD3(+) T-cells. The frequency of CD28 and CD95 demonstrated a "curved" rather than linear tendency by age. At 2-year follow-up, little change of T-cell distribution was found among those who remained alive (as survivors) comparing the data at baseline to the 2-year time point. Immune risk phenotypes were distinctly demonstrated between survivors and non-survivors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Since few studies have studied on the distribution of T-lymphocyte subsets in an elderly Chinese population, our results have not only provided reference values of T-subsets for aged Chinese men, but confirmed the immune risk phenotypes among elderly Chinese. The inappropriate age-dependent trajectory of CD28(-)/CD8(+) and CD95(-)/CD8(+) by age, which suggested 85 might be an inflexion point of age during T-cell ageing, warrants further exploration of the underlying mechanisms of T-cell ageing.</p>

The effects of hippophae juice on free radical metabolism of rat skeletal muscle and the content of Hb, Ck, T in blood / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of hippophae juice on free radical metabolism of rat skeletal muscle and partial biomarkers in blood.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Randomly dividing the 30 SD rats into 3 groups (n = 10): sedentary group, training group and hippophae training group. Measuring related indices of skeletal muscle and blood in rat after 6 week training and hippophae juice supplement.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with training group, hippophae training group showed obviously longer exhaustive time, significantly increased antioxidant enzyme in skeletal muscle, remarkably decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) content in skeletal muscle, obviously increased testosterone (T) and hemoglobin (Hb) content in blood, significantly decreased creatine kinase (CK).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hippophae juice can impove the antioxidant ability of rat skeletal muscle, the level of T and Hb in blood, delay fatigue, therefore effectively enhance the aerobic stamina of rat.</p>

The microglia activation characteristics of MA-induced neurotoxicity in the rats striatum / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the activation characteristics of microglia (MG) in the rats striatum with MA-induced neurotoxicity.@*METHODS@#Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into control group (n=24) and experimental group (n=24). The rats of experimental group were injected intraperitoneally with MA (15 mg/kg x 8 injections, at 12 hours interval). The rats of control group were administrated with saline. The tissues of striatum of two rat groups were harvested at 0.5 d, 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 4 d, 5 d, 6 d and 7 d post initial administrations of MA or saline. The structure changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy and CD-11b immunohistochemistry. The ratio of activated MG was calculated and statistically analyzed.@*RESULTS@#In the control group, the morphological characteristics of the MG showed that the cell bodies were small with slender processes, high electronic density nucleus, and fewer organelles known as the "fork-type". In contrast, the MG in the MA-induced neurotoxicity group displayed larger cell body, shorter cell processes or disappeared, lower electronic density nucleus and rich organelles, resembling "bush-like" or "amoeba-like". The ratio of activated MG in control group was below 0.15 at all timepoints, whereas in the experimental group, the ratio of activated MG increased significantly from day 1 to day 7 (P<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#The continuous MA stimulation of the CNS results in prominent MG activation.

Effect of methamphetamine on the microglial cells and activity of nitric oxide synthases in rat striatum / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in the microglial cells and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) in the striatum of rats with methamphetamine (METH) treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats were randomly divided into two groups for injections with METH or saline. Specific antibody against OX-42 was used to detect the changes in the morphology and the number of microglia, and the activities of NOS, iNOS and cNOS were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The microglial cells were activated and their number significantly increased in the striatum of rats with METH treatment as compared with those in the saline group. The activated microglial cells showed bushy and amoeboid morphologies in the METH group. METH also significantly enhanced the activities of NOS, iNOS and cNOS in the striatum (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Microglial activation and increased NOS activity may participate in METH-induced neurotoxicity in rat striatum.</p>