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A standardized neurocognitive test battery is needed to study the effects of military isolated and confined environments on the cognitive functions of personnel. The cognitive tests currently in use have the following problems: inconsistency among different studies, no clear psychological processes, the presence of practice effect, absence of related normative data, and insufficiency in sensitivity, difficulty, and comprehensiveness. Therefore it is proposed that the neurocognitive tests for military isolated and confined environments should meet the following requirements: (1) easy to carry and easy to carry out the test; (2) the test time should be as short as possible (≤30 min); (3) suitable for repeated measuring, and the subjects can reach a stable level quickly; (4) preferably a complete set of test, the cognitive function should be comprehensively and should be closely related to specific tasks; (5) the test should be based on the norm of military isolated and confined environments and the changing curve with time, which can be used as controls; (6) the reliability and validity of the cognitive test should have been tested; (7) with high sensitivity and appropriate test difficulty; (8) the psychological process involved in the cognitive test is clear and simple, making it easy for result interpretation; and (9) the brain areas activated by cognitive test should be clear, which is convenient for further neuropsychological research. Cognition, American National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) neurocognitive test battery for spaceflight, almost perfectly fits the above nine requirements. In the future when our army develops the neurocognitive test tools based on NASA Cognition, we should emphasize the following four focuses: improving the portability of the cognitive test device, developing computerized adaptive cognitive tests, clarifying the inclusion criteria of cognitive tests, and developing parallel tests with consistent psychometrics characteristics.
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Select-in and select-out are two completely different strategies of military psychological selection. The two strategies vary from each other theoretically and practically. Select-in is a process of predicting job performance based on person-job fit theory and competency theory. Psychological selection of military officers in Germany is a typical selectin selection. Select-out is actually a kind of physiological and psychological screening. Select-out psychological selection aims at screening out retarded or mentally ill candidates. Psychological selection for Chinese recruits is a typical select-out selection. Select-in and select-out are different in test items and test administration. Three factors should be taken into account in the trade-off between select-in and select-out: Selection objects, number of candidates and admission ratio, and cost-benefit ratio. Select-in and select-out can be merged perfectly, which can be seen in Subscreen of US submarine. In practice, selection objects, number of candidates to admission ratio, and cost-benefit ratio suggest that the select-in strategy should be taken as priority. The combination of select-in and select-out can also be used in the large-scale personnel selection in the army.
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Objective:Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been used in the diagnosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) successfully, but there have been no multicenter prospective studies to verify its reliability or determine how to grade RDS with LUS findings.This study aimed to discuss the necessity and feasibility of using LUS findings to determine RDS grades through a multicenter prospective study.Methods:Every researcher participated in the National Neonatal Lung Ultrasound Training Course and receiving 3-6 months of lung ultrasound system training at the National Neonatal Lung Ultrasound Training Center.Patients between June 2018 and May 2020 who met the RDS ultrasound diagnostic criteria and had full available clinical data were included in this study.The LUS examination was completed immediately after the patients were admitted to the hospital.Some of them also underwent chest X-ray examination.Arterial blood gas analysis was completed immediately before or after the LUS ultrasound examination.RDS grading was performed according to the LUS findings and whether the patient had serious complications.Results:A total of 275 qualifying cases were included in this study, which included 220 premature infants and 55 full-term infants, and the primary RDS occurred in 117 cases (42.5%), and secondary RDS occurred in 158 cases (57.5%). LUS manifestations of RDS patients can be divided into three categories: (1)A ground-glass opacity sign: which could be found among 50 infants when they were admitted to the hospital (that was, at their first LUS examination). Twenty-eight of these infants were considered to have wet lungs and were not sent for special management on admission, but LUS showed typical snowflake-like lung consolidation within 0.5 to 4 hours.Twenty-two of them were given mechanical ventilation with exogenous pulmonary surfactant; Eighteen cases were controlled within 6-12 hours, but the lung lesions became more severe in the other 4 infants (due to severe intrauterine infection). (2)Snowflake-like lung consolidations: the first LUS on admission showed typical snowflake-like lung consolidation involving areas ranging from 1-2 intercostal spaces to 12 lung divisions in 204 cases.Thirty-eight infants among them the lung consolidation only had involvement of 1-2 intercostal spaces at the time of admission; Fifteen of them received invasive respiratory support and recovered within 4-12 hours.Twelve patients received noninvasive respiratory support; Seven of them recovered, while five cases developed severe lung illness.The remaining 11 patients who were not given any form of ventilator support developed severe conditions within 1-4 hours.Thirty of them showed snowflake signs involving 12 lung regions at admission.The remaining 136 patients had lung consolidation degree between the two degree above condition.(3)Snowflake-like sign with complications: Twenty-one patients had severe complications such as pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage or/and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn or large area atelectasis, etc, although snowflake lung consolidation did not involve all lung regions.Conclusion:(1) LUS is reliable and accurate for diagnosing RDS.RDS has the same characteristics on ultrasound for both preterm and full-term infants, both primary and secondary RDS.(2) To facilitate the management of RDS, it is necessary to classify RDS according to the ultrasound findings and the presence of severe complications.(3) Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that RDS can be divided into mild, moderate and severe degrees.The exact standards for grading are as follows: Mild RDS: the early stage of RDS, in which lung consolidation shows as a ground-glass opacity sign on ultrasound; Moderate RDS: lung consolidation shows a snowflake sign on ultrasound, not all of the lung fields are involved; Severe RDS meets one or more of the following criteria: lung consolidation shows as a snowflake sign on ultrasound and all lung regions are involved, or regardless of its degree and extent, lung consolidation has caused serious complications, such as pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumothorax, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, or/and a large area of pulmonary atelectasis.
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The United States Army has studied and measured military team performance for over 60 years, and has established a complete theoretical and practical system. However, PLA is still in its infancy in this area. In this review, we introduced the research results on team performance of United States Army from 4 aspects: definition, measurement content, methods of measurement, and requirements for measurement system design. Then we also retrospectively and prospectively reviewed the research and practice of PLA in the team performance measurement.
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Objective To explore the value of ultrasonic guidance-fine needle aspiration biopsy (UG-FNAB) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods The clinical data of 160 patients (186 nodules) with conventional ultrasound suspected malignant thyroid nodules from January to December 2016 in Central Hospital of Enshi Autonomous Prefecture were retrospectively analyzed. The pathological results were used as the diagnostic gold standard to compare the value of UG-FNAB and CEUS in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Results Malignant thyroid nodules were characterized by low enhancement, uneven enhancement, unclear boundary and slow enhancement. The incidences in malignant thyroid nodules were significantly higher than those in benign thyroid nodules, and there were statistical differences (P＜0.01); there was no statistical difference in recession speed between benign thyroid nodules and malignant thyroid nodules (P＞0.05). The sensitivity of CEUS in the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules was 75.56% (98/128), the specificity was 72.41% (42/58), the missed diagnosis rate was 23.44% (30/128), the misdiagnosis rate was 27.59% (16/58), the positive predictive value was 85.96% (98/114), and the negative predictive value was 58.33% (42/72); the sensitivity of UG-FNAB in the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules was 93.75% (120/128), the specificity was 93.10% (54/58), the missed diagnosis rate was 6.25% (8/128), the misdiagnosis rate was 6.90% (4/58), the positive predictive value was 96.77% (120/124), and the negative predictive value was 87.10% (54/62). The sensitivity and specificity of UG-FNAB in the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules were significantly higher than those in CEUS, and there were statistical differences (χ2=14.957 and 8.700, P<0.01). Conclusions Malignant thyroid nodules has unique CEUS characteristics. UG-FNAB has higher sensitivity and specificity in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, compared with CEUS.
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This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism and protective effect of total saponins of Panax japonicas (TSPJ) on HepG2 cells apoptosis induced by palmitic acid (PA).The HepG2 cells were cultured , and divided into five groups: the control group, the model group, the high-dose group (50 mg·L⁻¹), the middle-dose group (25 mg·L⁻¹) and the low-dose group (12.5 mg·L⁻¹).The cells of the five groups were cultured continuously for 24 hours. The cell viability was measured with MTT. HepG2 cells apoptosis was detected by Hoechest staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The protein expressions of BCL-2, CHOP and TLR4 were measured with western blotting and flow cytometry analysis. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, BCL-2, CHOP and GAPDH were measured with RT-PCR. The results suggested that compared with the control group, the number of HepG2 cells of the model group were reduced significantly (<0.01), while the number of apoptotic HepG2 cells were increased. Compared with the model group, the number of HepG2 cells of the high-dose group and the middle-dose group were increased significantly (<0.01), whereas the number of apoptotic HepG2 cells were reduced. Compared with the control group, TNF-α, IL-1β and CHOP mRNA expressions and CHOP and TLR4 protein expressions in the model group were significantly up-regulated (<0.01), while BCL-2 protein and mRNA expressions in the model group were significantly decreased (<0.01). Compared with the model group, TNF-α, IL-1β and CHOP mRNA expressions and CHOP and TLR4 protein expressions in the high-dose group were significantly decreased (<0.01), while BCL-2 protein and mRNA expressions in the high-dose group were significantly up-regulated (<0.01).In conclusion, TSPJ can reduce inflammation and apoptosis induced by palmitic acid, with a certain protective effect on liver cells.
Subject(s)
Humans , Apoptosis , Hep G2 Cells , Palmitic Acids , Panax , Chemistry , Phytochemicals , Pharmacology , Saponins , PharmacologyABSTRACT
Objective To research the effects of total saponins of Panax japonicas (TSPJ) improving lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells, and to predict and verify TPSJ possible targets based on computer aided drug design. Methods HepG2 cells fatty degeneration model was induced with palmitic-acid (PA). The HepG2 cells were divided into five groups: the control group, the model group, the high-dose group (50 mg/L), the middle-dose group (25 mg/L), and the low-dose group (12.5 mg/L). The cells of five groups were cultured continuously for 24 h. The intracellular lipid accumulation was qualitative and quantitative detected by Oil red and Nile red staining. The content of triglyceride (TG) was detected by detection kit. TPSJ possible targets were predicted by computer. The expressions of related proteins were detected by immunofluorescence. Results The lipid accumulation model of HepG2 cells was successfully established for 24 h with the 100 μmol/L concentration of PA. TSPJ can significantly improve the lipid accumulation (P < 0.01), and decrease the content of triglyceride (TG) of HepG2 cells. The possible target of TSPJ may be estrogen-related receptors based on computer aided drug design. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) protein in model group were decreased. Compared with the model group, the expression level of ERβ protein in high-, middle-, and low-dose group were upregulated. Conclusion TSPJ can significantly improve the lipid metabolism of HepG2 cells, and the target of TSPJ might be ERβ.
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Objective To study the drug dosage and time dependency characteristics of high-fructose-high-fat-feeding plus dexamethason for inducing the mouse acute fatty liver model and to optimize the condition of drug induced fatty liver model.Methods Male KM mice were divided into the normal control group and high-fructose-high-fat-feeding plus peritoneal injection of dexamethason group.The mice were killed at 3 different time points.The mouse body mass and liver mass were detected.The liver index was calculated.The serum and liver tissue homogenate TG and serum glucose(GLU) levels were detected.The liver tissue pathological change was observed by HE staining.Total RNA reverse expression related gene was extracted from the liver tissue.The total protein was extracted from the liver tissue and the related protein expression was detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the control group,blood and liver homogenate TG after 7 d in the dexamethason model group was increased,the liver index was increased,the pathological section displayed that the fatty liver was formed.RT-PCR showed that lipid metabolism related gene expression had obvious change.Western Blot showed that SIRT1 was significantly decreased.But with the dexamethason dosage decrease and time extending,the fatty liver related indexes were decreased,lipid metabolic gene PPAR,FOXO3 and FXR were gradually increased,while LXR was gradually decreased and protein SIRT1 was gradually increased.Conclusion High-fructose-high-fatfeeding plus peritoneal injection of dexamethason could establish the mouse acute fatty liver model,moreover the model maintenance has dependency on dexamethason dosage and medication time,which has a guidance significance for the drug interventional experiment.
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Objective To study the effects of extracted active components of Chaenomeles Speciosa (EACCS) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice; To discuss the possible molecular mechanism. Methods Forty male KM mice were randomized into four groups, namely normal group, model group, low-dose (50 mg/kg) EACCS group and high-dose (100 mg/kg) EACCS group. Except that the normal group was daily given routine diet, the other groups were given high-fat–high-fructose diet (HFFD). The mice were put to death 4 weeks later. Body weight, liver weight and serum TG were measured. HE and oil red O staining were used to observe liver tissue morphology. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of lipid metabolism related genes. Results Compared with the normal group, the liver size, liver index (P<0.01) and epididymal fat index (P<0.05) increased significantly;The ALT and GLU in serum increased (P<0.05), TG increased (P<0.05), and pathological findings showed significant steatosis; RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the expression levels of SIRT1 and FoxO1 mRNA decreased and the level of SERBP-1c increased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the hepatic lipid accumulation of EACCS groups was obviously improved, and the serum ALT, GLU, and TG levels significantly decreased, the expression levels of hepatic SIRT1 and FoxO1 mRNA increased. Conclusion EACCS has protective effects on NAFLD mice induced by HFFD, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of SIRT1-FoxO1 signaling pathway in the liver tissues.