Relationship between depression-like behavior and expression of aquaporin 4 in brain of urea transporter B null mice / 解剖学报

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the ultrastructural changes of hippocampus in urea transporter B (UT-B) null mice and the alterations of distribution and expression level of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in brain, and to discuss the relationship between AQP4 expression changes and depression-like behaviors in UT-B null mice. Methods Behavior differences of wild-type and UT-B null mice(10 in each group) were detected with sucrose preference and forced swimming test. The ultrastructural changes of hippocampus were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed to detect the distribution and expression level of AQP4 in both genotypes. Results The sucrose preference index of wild-type mice and UT-B null mice were (84. 67 ± 1. 62)% and (65. 67±2. 66)%, respectively (P<0. 001). The immobility time of forced swimming was (209. 1±7. 00) seconds and (128. 6±3. 75) seconds respectively (P<0. 001). The two behavioral test results showed that UT-B null mice exhibited depression-like behavior. TEM results displayed the abnormal neurons with swelling of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers and degenerative changes, and perivascular astrocyte end-feet swelling. Immunohistochemistry results showed AQP4-immunoreactive (IR) cells were significantly reduced in cortex, hippocampus and thalamus. AQP4-IR cells were distributed in the pia matter, ependymal and cerebrovascular, but the perivascular immunostaining decreased. Western blotting analysis showed that the expression level of AQP4 in hippocampus was down-regulated by 27. 1% (P< 0. 05). Conclusion Reduced expression of AQP4 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of UT-B null mice might induce depressive behaviors by inference neurogenesis and cerebral metabolism.

Study on intention to quit smoking and influencing factors among current smokers aged 15 to 69 years in Gansu Province / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To understand the intention to quit smoking and its influencing factors among current smokers in Gansu Province, so as to provide scientific basis for tobacco control. Methods A multi-stage sampling method was used to extract current smokers aged 15-69 years, and a face-to-face survey was conducted using the questionnaire on smoking among residents in China. Intention to quit smoking between current smokers with different characteristics was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to explore influencing factors of intention to quit smoking. Results The intention of current smokers to quit smoking in Gansu Province was 16.4% (95% CI:15.5%-17.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that current smokers who were in rural areas (OR=1.199, 95% CI:1.022-1.408, P=0.026); family smoking prohibited (OR=1.767, 95% CI: 1.273-2.454, P=0.001), medical staff discouraged smoking within 12 months (OR=1.599, 95% CI:1.359-1.842, P<0.001), visited smoking clinics (OR=3.089, 95% CI:2.031-4.698, P＜001), higher educational level of junior high school, senior high school and college or above (OR=1.383, 95% CI:1.101-1.736; OR=1.627, 95% CI:1.252-2.116; OR=1.374, 95% CI:1.009-1.873, all P<0.05), tobacco hazards knowledge with higher scores of 1-, 3- and 5-6 (OR=1.248, 95% CI:1.030-1.514; OR=1.574, 95% CI:1.289-1.922; OR=2.288, 95% CI:1.879-2.786, all P<0.05) were more likely to quit smoking; furthermore, smokers aged 20-, 30- years or smoking 20-, 30- years had a lower chance of quit smoking (all P<0.05). Conclusions The intention of current smokers to quit smoking in Gansu province is generally not high. In the future, knowledge of tobacco hazards should be further promoted, medical staff should provide more smoking cessation services during the treatment process, and more smoking cessation clinics should be established.

Outcomes of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in decompensated liver cirrhosis.

AIM: To determine the long-term efficacy of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) transplantation in terms of improving liver function and reducing complications in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: A total of 47 inpatients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled in this trial, including 32 patients undergoing a single BM-MNCs transplantation plus routine medical treatment, and 15 patients receiving medical treatment only as controls. Forty-three of 47 patients were infected with hepatitis B virus. Bone marrow of 80-100 mL was obtained from each patient and the BM-MNCs suspension was transfused into the liver via the hepatic artery. The efficacy of BM-MNCs transplantation was monitored during a 24-mo follow-up period. RESULTS: Liver function parameters in the two groups were observed at 1 mo after BM-MNCs transfusion. Prealbumin level was 118.3 ± 25.3 mg/L vs 101.4 ± 28.7 mg/L (P = 0.047); albumin level was 33.5 ± 3.6 g/L vs 30.3 ± 2.2 g/L (P = 0.002); total bilirubin 36.9 ± 9.7 mmol/L vs 45.6 ± 19.9 mmol/L (P = 0.048); prothrombin time 14.4 ± 2.3 s vs 15.9 ± 2.8 s (P = 0.046); prothrombin activity 84.3% ± 14.3% vs 74.4% ± 17.8% (P = 0.046); fibrinogen 2.28 ± 0.53 g/L vs 1.89 ± 0.44 g/L (P = 0.017); and platelet count 74.5 ± 15.7 × 10(9)/L vs 63.3 ± 15.7 × 10(9)/L (P = 0.027) in the treatment group and control group, respectively. Differences were statistically significant. The efficacy of BM-MNCs transplantation lasted 3-12 mo as compared with the control group. Serious complications such as hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were also significantly reduced in BM-MNCs transfused patients compared with the controls. However, these improvements disappeared 24 mo after transplantation. CONCLUSION: BM-MNCs transplantation is safe and effective in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. It also decreases the incidence of serious complications.

An observation on clinical results in 31 patients with epidural hematomas treated by burr-hole and hemolysis with urokinase / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To explore the clinical effect of burr-hole and hemolysis with urokinase on patents with epidural hematomas. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 31patients with epidural hematomas,admitted to our hospital from June 2005 to September 2011 and treated by burr-hole and hemolysis with urokinase; and the characteristics and indications of this operation,prevention of its complications were summarized. Results All the 31 patients got satisfied results;their mean GOS scores were 5,and no clinical mortality and mobility was noted.Most of hematoms were discharged within 3 days in 24 patients; the rests of the hematomas were removed in 4-5 days in another 7patients. Conclusion Burr-hole and hemolysis with urokinase is a simple,effective and minimally invasive operation in the treatment of epidural hematomas, but the operative indications should be carefully selected.

Prevalence and correlation factors of carotid atherosclerosis among the middle and old aged workers in an Iron and Steel corporation, Chongqing / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and correlation factors of carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) among workers of Chongqing Iron and Steel Corporation, and to offer information for the development of prevention program for cerebro-vascular disease. Methods 512 asymptomatic individuals (mean age 56.8 years, ranged from 45 to 80) from the subsidiary workshop of Chongqing Iron and Steel Corporation were recruited. Demographic data and serum were collected and the internal-media thickness (IMT) of the CAS and the extent of plaque formation were evaluated by B-mode ultrasound. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the correlation factors of CAS. Results (1) The overall prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis among the iron and steel workers was 37.6%. IMT was found as 10.2% , with the prevalence rates of nonstenotic plaque and stenotic plaque were 25.0% and 2.4% respectively. (2)It was shown by logistic regression analysis that age (0R=1.289, 95%CI: 1.014-1.568, P<0.001 ), smoking (0R=1.420, 95%C1: 0.802-3.872, P<0.001 ), hypertension (0R=4.530, 95%CI: 3.952-6.753, P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (0R=2.285, 95%C1: 1.008-5.057, P<0.001 ), HsCRP(0R= 1.273, 95%C1: 0.479-2.889, P=0.037), TC (0R= 1.032,95%C1: 0.320-1.882,P=0.047) and LDL-C (0R=2.313, 95% CI:1.237-4.331, P=0.008) were significantly associated with the severity of CAS. (3)Prevalence of the CAS increased with the increasing number of correlation factors. Conclusion The prevalence of CAS among the iron and steel workers was higher than those in ordinary people of the same age. Age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, HsCRP, TC and LDL-C were independent risk factors related to CAS. The prevalence of CAS was increasing parallel to the number of correlation factors.