Birth weight curves of singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks and their regional differences in 11 cities of China: an analysis of 93 720 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To develop the birth weight curve of singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks, and to investigate the regional differences of the birth weight curve.@*METHODS@#A total of 11 maternal and child health hospitals with more than 7 000 neonates delivered annually were selected in 11 cities of China (Haikou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Liuzhou, Guilin, Quanzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Changsha, Ningbo, and Lianyungang), and all live singleton neonates delivered in the 11 hospitals from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled for the development of birth weight curves.@*RESULTS@#A total of 93 720 singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks from the 11 cities were included in the study. The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of singleton neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities were established, and the birth weight percentile curves were drawn. The birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Shenzhen and Quanzhou was almost the same as the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Haikou, Guangzhou, Guilin, and Liuzhou was slightly lower than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Chongqing, Chengdu, and Changsha was slightly higher than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Ningbo and Lianyungang was higher than the average level of the 11 cities. The average birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in the 11 cities were very close to that of China Neonatal Cooperation Network in 2011-2014.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of singleton neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities are developed, which can be used as a reference for evaluating the intrauterine growth of singleton neonates in the region. The level of intrauterine growth of neonates in some cities is different from the national level.

A comparative study of artificial intelligence nasal polyp classification based on whole-slide imaging and JESREC diagnostic criteria / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To explore the types and clinical characteristics of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) based on artificial intelligence and whole-slide imaging (WSI), and to explore the consistency of the diagnostic criteria of the Japanese epidemiological survey of refractory eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (JESREC) in Chinese CRSwNP patients. Methods: The data of 136 patients with CRSwNP (101 males and 35 females, aging 14 to 70 years) who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery from 2018 to 2019 in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were analysed retrospectively. The preoperative clinical characteristics of patients were collected, such as visual analogue scale (VAS) of nasal symptoms, peripheral blood inflammatory cell count, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), Lund-Kennedy score and Lund-Mackay score. The proportion of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells and neutrophils were calculated on the WSI of each patient through artificial intelligence chronic rhinosinusitis evaluation platform 2.0 (AICEP 2.0), and the specific type of nasal polyps was then obtained as eosinophilic CRSwNP (eCRSwNP) or non-eosinophilic CRSwNP (non-eCRSwNP). In addition, the JESREC diagnostic criteria was used to classify the nasal polyps, and the classification results were compared with the current gold standard for nasal polyps diagnosis (pathological diagnosis based on WSI). The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic criteria of JESREC were evaluated. The data were expressed in M (Q1, Q3) and statistically analyzed by SPSS 17.0. Results: There was no significant difference between eCRSwNP and non-eCRSwNP in age distribution, gender, time of onset, total VAS score, Lund-Kennedy score or Lund-Mackay score. However, there was a significant difference in the ratio of nasal polyp inflammatory cells (eosinophils 40.5% (22.8%, 54.7%) vs 2.5% (1.0%, 5.3%), neutrophils 0.3% (0.1%, 0.7%) vs 1.3% (0.5%, 3.6%), lymphocytes 49.9% (39.3%, 65.9%) vs 82.0% (72.8%, 87.5%), plasma cells 5.1% (3.6%, 10.5%) vs 13.0% (7.4%, 16.3%), χ2 value was 9.91, 4.66, 8.28, 5.06, respectively, all P<0.05). In addition, eCRSwNP had a significantly higher level of proportion of allergic symptoms (nasal itching and sneezing), asthma, peripheral blood eosinophil and total IgE (all P<0.05). The overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the JESREC diagnostic criteria was 74.3%, 81.3% and 64.3%, respectively. Conclusions: The eCRSwNP based on artificial intelligence and WSI has significant high level of allergic symptoms, asthma, peripheral blood eosinophils and total IgE, and the percentages of inflammatory cells in nasal polyps are different from that of non-eCRSwNP. The JESREC diagnostic criteria has good consistency in our research.

Intermittent hypoxic preconditioning relieves fear and anxiety behavior in post-traumatic stress model mice / 生理学报

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) has preventive and therapeutic effects on hypertension, myocardial infarction, cerebral ischemia and depression, but its effect on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not been known. In this study, we used inescapable electric foot shock combined with context recapture to build PTSD mouse model. The levels of fear and anxiety were valued by the open field, the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the fear conditioning tests; the level of spatial memory was valued by Y maze test; the number of Fos positive neurons in hippocampus, amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex was valued by immunohistochemical staining; and the protein expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in these brain area were valued by Western blot. The results showed that IH and model (foot shock) had an interaction on percentage of entering open arms (OE%) in EPM and freezing time and the number of fecal pellets in fear conditioning test. IH increased OE% in EPM and reduced the freezing time and the number of fecal pellets in fear conditioning test in PTSD model mice. At the same time, IH reduced the number of Fos positive neurons in the hippocampus, amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex of PTSD model mice, and increased the protein expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and BDNF in these brain tissues. In conclusion, IH pretreatment can relieve fear and anxiety behavior in post-traumatic stress model mice, suggesting that IH may be an effective means of preventing PTSD.

Effects of CHL1 deficiency,a cell adhesion molecule,on the inflammatory bowel disease / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of deficiency of CHL1 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).@*METHODS@#Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model was used to study the effects of deficiency of CHL1 on the development of IBD. Ten CHL1(+/+) mice in C57/BL6 background were randomly divided into CHL1(+/+) group and DSS-induced CHL1(+/+) group. Ten CHL1(-/-) mice in C57/BL6 background were randomly divided into CHL1(-/-) group and DSS-induced CHL1(-/-) group. DSS-induced CHL1(+/+) group and DSS-induced CHL1(-/-)group were fed with 1.5% DSS for 7 days, and then drinking distilled water for 2 days. CHL1(+/+) group and CHL1(-/-) group as control group were fed with distilled water for 9 days. The changes of weight, survival, fecal blood and the change of colon length in this study were observed.@*RESULTS@#On the 7 day, the weight of DSS-induced CHL1(-/-) group were reduced significantly, and DSS-induced CHL1(-/-) group had extreme mortality on the 9th day. The fecal blood of DSS-induced CHL1(-/-) group also had higher score than that of DSS-induced CHL1(+/+) group. In the DSS-induced CHL1(-/-) group,the length of colon was shortened obviously.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The loss of CHL1 aggravates the development of IBD.

Expression of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma and their clinicopathological significance / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and their associations with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 proteins were examined with immunohistochemistry in 160 LSCC tissues and 80 normal lung tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positivity rates of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 proteins were 59.4% and 11.3% in LSCC tissues, respectively, which were significantly higher than the rates in normal lung tissues (57.5% and 8.8%, respectively; P<0.05). The expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 proteins were significantly correlated with the tumor grades, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stages (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between vasohibin-1 expression and MACC1 expressions (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that LSCC patients with a positive expression of vasohibin-1 had significantly shorter overall survival time than those negative for vasohibin-1; the overall survival time was also significantly shorter in patients positive for MACC1 than in those negative for MACC1 (both P<0.05). Multivariate COX regression analysis indicated that positive expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 protein and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors of LSCC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aberrant expressions of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 may participate in the development and promote invasion and metastasis of LSCC. The combined detection of vasohibin-1 and MACC1 expression may provide important evidence for predicting the progression and prognosis of LSCC.</p>

Expressions of Slug, ZEB1 and KISS-1 in gastric adenocarcinoma and their clinical significance / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify potential markers for predicting invasion, metastasis, and prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of Slug, ZEB1 and KISS-1 were detected immunohistochemically in 261 GAC tissues and 80 normal gastric tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positivity rates of Slug, ZEB1, and KISS-1 in gastric tissues were 2.5%, 1.3%, and 87.5%, respectively, significantly different from the rates of 62.1%, 28.4%, and 41.1% in GAC tissues (P<0.05). The expression level of Slug was significantly correlated with the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and pTNM stages; the positivity rates of both ZEB1 and KISS-1 were significantly correlated with the tumor grade, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and pTNM stages. Slug expression was positively correlated with ZEB1 expression, and KISS-1 expression was inversely correlated with Slug and ZEB1 expressions. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the overall survival time of patients with positive expressions of Slug and ZEB1 was significantly shorter than that of the negative patients, and the survival time of patients positive for KISS-1 was significantly longer than the negative patients. COX multivariate analysis showed that positive Slug, ZEB1 and KISS-1 protein expressions and pTNM stages were independent prognostic factors of GAC (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal expressions of Slug, ZEB1 and KISS-1 may contribute to the tumorigenesis of GAC and are related with lymph node metastasis, pTNM stages, and prognosis of GAC. The combined detection of Slug, ZEB1, and KISS-1 expression has an important value in predicting the progression and prognosis of GAC.</p>

Expressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 and their clinical implications in epithelial ovarian cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlations among OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 and their association with the clinicopathological features of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 207 specimens of EOC and 65 specimens of benign ovarian epithelial tumor tissues were examined for expressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 proteins using immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positivity rates of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 in EOC tissues were 60.0%, 61.8% and 60.9%, respectively, significantly higher than the rates in benign epithelial tumor tissues (9.2%, 6.2%, and 0, respectively; P<0.05). The expressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 in EOC were significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, FIGO stage, and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). DLL4 was positively correlated with OCT4 and Notch1 expressions (r=0.758 and 0.704, respectively, P<0.001), and the latter two were also positively correlated (r=0.645, P<0.001). Overexpressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 were associated with a poor prognosis, and the survival rate was significantly lower in patients positive for OCT4, Notch1, and DLL4 than in the negative patients (P<0.05). FIGO stage and expressions of OCT4 and DLL4 were independent prognostic factors of EOC (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expressions of OCT4, Notch1 and DLL4 are correlated with the differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage and prognosis of EOC. Combined detection of the 3 proteins has an important value in predicting the progression and prognosis of EOC.</p>

Promotion of apoptosis in leukemia K562 cells by natural plant-derived antimicrobial solution(PAMs) / 中国药科大学学报

@#In this study, the leukemia K562 cell line was used as a model to elucidate the anticancer effects and preliminary mechanisms of PAMs. MTT assay showed that PAMs could cause cytotoxicities in K562 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. AO-EB, Annexin-FITC/PI staining showed that the killing effects of PAMs in K562 cells were related to apoptosis, which was further confirmed by the following molecular and enzymatic assay. The mRNA levels of pro-apoptotic genes caspase-3, caspase-9 and bax were remarkably increased while the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 was significantly decreased determined by fluorescent quantitative PCR. Western blotting disclosed that PAMs could up-regulate caspase-3 and down-regulate anti-apoptotic survivin protein expression. The latter was also consistent with the results that PAMs could increase the enzymatic activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. All these results suggested that PAMs could effectively inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells and the mechanisms may be closely related to apoptosis induction. The work provides evidence basis for PAMs to be potentially developed as anti-cancer leukemia Chinese medicine.

Effect of high altitude hypoxia on cognitive flexibility / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of high altitude on cognitive flexibility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Simulated hypoxia at an altitude of 3 600 m was performed in a hypobaric chamber. Twenty-three volunteers without hypoxic experience were selected and the mean age was about 25.1 years. The physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation) were measured. Task switch paradigm was used to explore the cognitive flexibility in each phase, and the changing anxiety state was evaluated simultaneously.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Reaction time (RT) switch cost in hypoxia phase showed a significant increase compared with the baseline; anxiety level in hypoxia phase was higher than the adaptation phase; a remarkable negative correlation between anxiety level and RT switch cost was found in adaptation phase, whereas a positive correlation was found in landing phase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High altitude (3 600 m) affects cognitive flexibility and anxiety state. Anxiety before the hypoxia exposure improves the cognitive flexibility performance, while anxiety after the hypoxia exposure hampers the performance because of the post-hypoxia effect.</p>

The effects of autophagy on cell survival under different hypoxia / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the regulation of different hypoxia on cell survival and autophagy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC12 cells were treated with different hypoxia. The cell survival was measured by MTT assay, expressions of LC3 and p62 were marked for autophagy detected by Western Blot, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell viability was different under different hypoxia: moderate hypoxia promoted cell viability, and severe hypoxia caused a decrease in cell viability; autophagy marker molecules, p62 and LC3-II expressions were different: moderate hypoxia increased p62 and LC3-II expressions, in contrast, severe hypoxia led to the decrease of p62 and LC3-II expressions; compared to normoxia, moderate hypoxia did not change the levels of ROS, while severe hypoxia increased the levels; 3-MA, the inhibitor of autophagy, elevated the levels of ROS in the three oxygen concentrations, additionally, the increased amplitudes in the moderate and severe hypoxia groups were higher than that in the normoxia group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moderate hypoxia promotes cell survival, severe hypoxia causes the cell death, and the autophagy activity may mediate the effects of different hypoxia.</p>

Expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins in non-small cell lung cancer and their clinical significance / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of galectin 3 (Gal-3) and CD82/KAI1 proteins in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the correlation between their expression and clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry in 160 specimens of NSCLC and 20 specimens of normal lung tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rates of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins in the NSCLC were 63.8% and 37.5%, respectively, the positive rates of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins in the normal lung tissue were 25.0% and 95.0%, respectively, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). The expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 proteins was significantly correlated with the grade of tumor, lymph node metastasis, and pathological-TNM stages (all P < 0.05). Spearman analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between expressions of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 in NSCLC (r = -0.732, P < 0.01). Overexpression of Gal-3 and low expression of CD82/KAI1 were related to poor prognosis: the survival rate was significantly lower in the positive Gal-3 group (survival time: 23.0 ± 17.5 months) than that in the negative group (survival time: 71.6 ± 21.6 months) (P < 0.01). The survival rates of the CD82/KAI1-positive group (survival time: 72.5 ± 19.5 months) and CD82/KAI1-negative group (survival time: 21.6 ± 16.1 months) were significantly different (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that pTNM stage and positive expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 are independent prognostic factors of NSCLC (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 may be related to the initiation, development and metastasis of NSCLC. Combined detection of Gal-3 and CD82/KAI1 has an important role in predicting the progression and prognosis of NSCLC.</p>

Evaluation of the effect of chronic virus infection on laboratory tests results in patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of chronic virus infection on laboratory tests results in patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 121 patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis, who were hospitalized in Shenzhen Third People's Hospital during June 2008 to June 2012, were recruited for analysis. Clinical laboratory tests results were collected for comparison between patients with or without chronic co-infection with virus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 121 patients, thirty patients were co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), two were with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and one was co-infected with HBV, HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Compared to patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis without HBV/HCV/HIV infection, patients with chronic HBV/HCV/HIV virus infection had similar positive rate of laboratory tests including tissue smear acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining, tissue Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) culture, tissue Mtb DNA detection, serological test of antibodies against Mtb, and Mtb. antigen-specific interferon-gamma release assay. Similar results were also found for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reative protein level and liver function including Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chronic infection with HBV/HCV in patients with have no obvious effect on clinical laboratory tests related to tuberculosis.</p>

Correlation between bacterial L-form infection, expression of HIF-1α/MMP-9 and vasculogenic mimicry in epithelial ovarian cancer / 生理学报

The aim of the present study is to explore whether vasculogenic mimicry (VM) and bacterial L-form infection exist in human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) or not and to elucidate the correlation of L-form infection, expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)/MMP-9 and VM. In 87 specimens of EOC and 20 specimens of ovarian benign epithelial tumor tissues, L-form infection was detected by Gram's staining, expression of HIF-1α/MMP-9 and VM were detected by immunohistochemical and histochemical staining. The results showed that the positive rates of HIF-1α and MMP-9 protein in EOC were 52.9% and 66.7%, while in benign epithelial tumor tissues, the positive rates were 10.0% and 10.0% respectively, and there were significant differences between them (P < 0.05). In EOC and benign epithelial tumor tissues, L-form infections ratios were 24.1% and 0, respectively, and the difference was also significant (P < 0.01). Expression of VM, HIF-1α and MMP-9 in EOC was significantly related to differentiation, abdominal implantation and lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage (P < 0.01). L-form infection had relationship with abdominal implantation, lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage (P < 0.01 or 0.05). The expression of HIF-1α had positive relationship with expression of MMP-9 and VM (r = 0.505, 0.585, respectively, P < 0.01); there was also a positive relationship between MMP-9 expression and VM (r = 0.625, P < 0.01). Overexpression of VM, HIF-1α and MMP-9 were related to poor prognosis: the survival rates were significantly lower in positive patients than those in negative patients (P < 0.05). And the group with L-form infection also had poor prognosis: the survival rates were lower than those in group without infection (P < 0.05). FIGO stage, expression of VM, HIF-1α and MMP-9 were independent prognosis factors of EOC (P < 0.05). The results suggest that L-form infection, the expression of HIF-1α, MMP-9 and VM in EOC are related to differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage and prognosis. Combined detection of these indexes has an important role in predicting the progression and prognosis of EOC.

Binding mechanism of rhaponticin and human serum albumin / 药学学报

The interaction mechanism between rhaponticin (RT) and human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and absorbance spectra. The mediation effect that the metal ions took part in the interaction has also been discussed in this paper. Based on different theoretical models of fluorescence quenching, the binding constant (K) and binding sites (n) of the interaction were determined and analyzed comparatively. The quenching mechanism of the binding reaction has also been discussed. The binding distance (r) and energy-transfer efficiency (E) between RT/RT-Co(II)/RT-Ni(II) and HSA were also obtained by virtue of the Förster theory of non-radiation energy transfer. The effect of RT acting on the HSA's conformation was analyzed by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. The result showed that the result calculated by different theoretical models is generally equivalent and RT bound HSA strongly by forming stable complex, which indicates that HSA under physiological conditions can act as a carrier for RT to be transported to exert effects. The microconformation of HSA changed significantly due to hydrophobicity change in the chemical environment of some fluorescence chromophores in the subdomain IIA and IIB of HSA. Metal ions Co(II) and Ni(II) can mediate RT-HSA interaction, making the binding of the drug to protein stronger, which indicates that Co(II) and Ni(II) can enhance rhaponticin's medical efficacy under physiological conditions.

Influence of acute hypoxia on CHL1 expression in different tissues of mice / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of acute hypoxia on the cell adhesion molecule close homologue of L1 (CHL1) expression in different brain areas and main organs (heart, lung, kidney) of mice, and provide a basis for the role of CHL1 in hypoxia injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mice were randomly divided into two groups (n=10): normoxia group and hypoxia group. Hypoxia group were treated by acute hypoxia (8% O2, 8 h). Protein expression changes in different tissues were evaluated by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In central nervous system, CHL1 protein expressions were down-regulated in cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and brain stem by acute hypoxia and up-regulated in cerebellum. In heart and lung, CHL1 protein expression were down-regulated by acute hypoxia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CHL1 protein expressions were changed in different tissues after acute hypoxia, which suggested CHL1 might play an important role in hypoxia damage regulation.</p>

Effect on moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for uterine contraction pain in labor: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for uterine contraction pain in labor, and evaluate the safety of the parturient and newborn.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and seventy-four cases of singleton pregnancy and cephalic presentation primipara were single blinded and randomly divided into three groups: observation group (59 cases), placebo treated group (57 cases) and blank group (58 cases). The observation group was treated with moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for 30 min when the uterus cervix openning at 3 cm, the placebo treated group was treated with moxibustion at no acupoint for 30 min and the blank group was treated with routine labor nursing, the uterine contraction pain and the safety of the mother and infant were compared among three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) The uterine contraction pain was tested by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS): the scores of VAS in the observation group were obviously decreased after 15 min and 30 min of moxibustion (both P<0.05), there were no obvious changes of the VAS scores in placebo treated group and the blank group, the scores of VAS in observation group decreased much more obviously than those in the other two groups (all P<0.05); 2) Midwife rating of the uterine contraction pain: after 30 min of moxibustion, the effective rate of labor analgesia was 69.5% (41/59) in observation group, which was higher than that of 45.6% (26/57) in placebo treated group and 43.1% (25/58) in blank group, with significant differences between them (both P<0.05); 3) The postpartum hemorrhage amount of the observation group was obviously lower than those of placebo treated group and blank group (both P<0.05); 4) The Apgar score of newborn was higher in observation group and placebo treated group than that of blank group (both P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can relieve the uterine contraction pain, and has no side effect to mother and infant, it is one of the safe, effective and simple non-drug analgesia methods.</p>

Effect of low glucose and/or hypoxia on the proliferation and metabolism of neural stem cells / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Recent study demonstrated that hypoxia could regulate the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro. In the present study, effects of low glucose and/or hypoxia on the proliferation and metabolism of neural stem cells were investigated in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The neural stem cells were isolated from the rat embryonic mesencephalon (E13.5), and exposed to different oxygen concentrations (low oxygen: 3% O2 or normoxia: 20% O2) and different glucose concentrations (high glucose concentration: 4.5 g/L and low glucose concentration: 1.4 g/L) for 3 days. The proliferation of neural stem cells were examined by CCK-8 assay. Furthermore, the content of glucose, lactate, and pyruvic acid in the medium were measured after cultured in different condition for 1, 3, 5 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Low oxygen and low glucose could increase the proliferation of neural stem cells respectively; in addition, the number of neurospheres under both low oxygen and glucose was the most among the four groups. The content of glucose and pyruvic acid in the medium from low oxygen or low glucose condition decreased, while the lactate concentration increased compared with the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results indicate the neural stem cells prefer grow under the low glucose and low oxygen condition, and that is mainly under going glycolysis to maintain its self-renew ability. This study may provide us a useful clue for application of neural stem cells transplantation.</p>

Phenotypic transformation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in hypertensive rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To validate the hypothesis that the phenotypic transformation occurs in the smooth muscle cells in the corpus cavernosum of hypertensive rat and explore its impact on the erectile function of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen 16-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and 10 syngeneic normotensive rats (WKY) were used in this experiment. After measurement of systolic blood pressure of the caudal artery and examination of the erectile function with subcutaneous injection of apomorphine (APO), the rats were divided into 3 groups, namely hypertensive with erectile dysfunction (HBP-ED) group (n=6), hypertensive (HBP) group (n=12) and control group (n=10). Immunohistochemical staining and color image analysis system were used to observe expression of calponin 1 and osteopontin (OPN) in rat corpus cavernosum. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the expression of calponin 1 and OPN mRNAs in different groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of calponin 1 protein and mRNA were the highest in the control group and the lowest in HBP-ED group, while the expressions of OPN protein and mRNA were the highest in HBP-ED group and the lowest in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The smooth muscle cells may transform from the contractile phenotype into synthetic phenotype in the corpus cavernosum of the hypertensive rats, resulting ultimately in erectile dysfunction.</p>

Level of Understanding of Importance of Preventing and Treating Dermatophytoses in Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytoses tend to have a poorer outcome in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients. Therefore, diabetic patients need to pay a closer attention to the prevention and treatment of dermatophytoses. The aim of this study was to determine the level of understanding of the dermatophytoses in diabetic patients and to clarify the factors associated with the level of understanding. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was carried out from June to July, 2005, targeting 200 patients who had visited two hospitals in Seoul for the management of diabetes. There were 163 respondents (response rate 50.9%). The degree of understanding was calculated by giving 1 point to each question, with a maximum of 12 points. RESULTS: The average degree of understanding of dermatophytoses was 6.68 points (SD 1.79). Younger age (P= 0.0002), high education level (P=0.0035), and high income (P=0.0013) were the factors related to a better understanding of dermatophytoses. The patients who had obtained the information on dermatophytoses from the websites, broadcasts, newspapers, or magazines showed higher recognition points than others (P=0.0377). The body mass index, the duration of diabetes, the complications associated with diabetes did not affect the understanding of dermatophytoses. CONCLUSION: There are many diabetes patients who do not know enough about dermatophytoses. Diabetes itself is not related to the level of understanding of dermatophytoses. However, diabetic patients who are older, have a lower level of education, and a low income will need to be informed about prevention and treatment of dermatophytoses.

Level of Understanding of Importance of Preventing and Treating Dermatophytoses in Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytoses tend to have a poorer outcome in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients. Therefore, diabetic patients need to pay a closer attention to the prevention and treatment of dermatophytoses. The aim of this study was to determine the level of understanding of the dermatophytoses in diabetic patients and to clarify the factors associated with the level of understanding. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was carried out from June to July, 2005, targeting 200 patients who had visited two hospitals in Seoul for the management of diabetes. There were 163 respondents (response rate 50.9%). The degree of understanding was calculated by giving 1 point to each question, with a maximum of 12 points. RESULTS: The average degree of understanding of dermatophytoses was 6.68 points (SD 1.79). Younger age (P= 0.0002), high education level (P=0.0035), and high income (P=0.0013) were the factors related to a better understanding of dermatophytoses. The patients who had obtained the information on dermatophytoses from the websites, broadcasts, newspapers, or magazines showed higher recognition points than others (P=0.0377). The body mass index, the duration of diabetes, the complications associated with diabetes did not affect the understanding of dermatophytoses. CONCLUSION: There are many diabetes patients who do not know enough about dermatophytoses. Diabetes itself is not related to the level of understanding of dermatophytoses. However, diabetic patients who are older, have a lower level of education, and a low income will need to be informed about prevention and treatment of dermatophytoses.