A novel high-energy-density lithium-free anode dual-ion battery and in situ revealing the interface structure evolution.

Lithium-free anode dual-ion batteries have attracted extensive studies due to their simple configuration, reduced cost, high safety and enhanced energy density. For the first time, a novel Li-free DIB based on a carbon paper anode (Li-free CGDIB) is reported in this paper. Carbon paper anodes usually have limited application in DIBs due to their poor electrochemical performance. Herein, by using a lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI)-containing electrolyte, the battery shows outstanding electrochemical performance with a capacity retention of 96% after 300 cycles at 2C with a stable 98% coulombic efficiency and 89% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 5C with a stable coulombic efficiency of 98.5%. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of the CGDIB were investigated with a variety of in situ characterization techniques, such as in situ EIS, XRD and online differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (OEMS). The multifunctional effect of the LiFSI additive on the electrochemical properties of the Li-free CGDIB was also systematically analyzed, including generating a LiF-rich interfacial film, prohibiting Li dendrite growth effectively and forming a defective structure of graphite layers. This design strategy and fundamental analysis show great potential and lay a theoretical foundation for facilitating the further development of DIBs with high energy density.

Intraorbital wooden foreign bodies: case series and literature review.

Intraorbital wooden foreign bodies (IOWFBs) constitute a relatively rare ocular trauma, which occupy a special type of intraorbital foreign bodies (IOFBs). Data regarding IOWFBs must be obtained from case reports or small case series due to their rarity. Here, we reported 5 cases of IOWFBs and reviewed the related literatures, which could provide comprehensive information regarding the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of IOWFBs. Combined with the published literature, a total of 51 independent cases were counted after we added 5 cases. Among them, the number of male and female patients was 35 and 16 respectively; the mean age was 27.3±18.2 (range 1-66)y. Obviously, the disorder seemed to occur mainly in young and middle-aged people. Because of the diversity in the clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics of IOWFBs, misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis often occur during the initial visit. Delayed diagnosis may lead to a high risk of orbital infection caused by IOWFBs. Surgery is the treatment of choice for most patients; however, the missed diagnosis and residue of foreign bodies after previous surgery cannot be ignored. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is governed by the detailed trauma history, careful ocular examination, close observation of clinical manifestations, correct imaging diagnosis [e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT)], and timely and completely elimination of IOWFBs.

The effects of sodium chloride on proteins aggregation, conformation and gel properties of pork myofibrillar protein Running Head: Relationship aggregation, conformation and gel properties.

The objective of this study was to evaluate relationship with aggregation, secondary structures and gel properties of pork myofibrillar protein with different sodium chloride (1%, 2% and 3%). When the sodium chloride increased from 1 to 3%, the active sulfhydryl, surface hydrophobicity, hardness and cooking yield of myofibrillar protein were increased significantly (p < 0.05), the particle size, total sulfhydryl and Zeta potential were decreased significantly (p < 0.05), these meant the aggregations of pork myofibrillar protein were decreased. The changes of proteins aggregation induced the strongest intensity band of Amide I shifted up from 1660 cm-1 to 1661 cm-1, meanwhile, the ß-sheet structure content was increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the sodium chloride increased. From the above, the lower proteins aggregation and higher ß-sheet structure content could improve the water holding capacity and texture of pork myofibrillar protein gel.

Physicochemical Properties and Protein Denaturation of Pork Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Subjected to Six Microwave-Based Thawing Methods.

Physicochemical changes and protein denaturation were evaluated for pork longissimus dorsi muscle subjected to different thawing methods. Fresh pork longissimus dorsi muscle served as a control. Microwave (MT), microwave combined with ultrasonic (MUT), microwave combined with 35 °C water immersion (MIT), microwave combined with 4 °C refrigeration (MRT), microwave combined with air convection (MAT), and microwave combined with running water (MWT) were applied. All microwave-based methods excepted for MT avoided localized overheating. The changes in the water holding capacity (WHC), color, TBARS, and protein solubility were lowest with MAT. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic rheological property measurements indicated, that the MAT samples changed only slightly and presented with complete peaks and high G' values compared with the other treatments. Thus, MAT may reduce protein denaturation associated with meat thawing. The results of this study indicated that MAT effectively shortens thawing time, preserves meat quality and uniformity, and could benefit the meat industry and those who consume its products.

Quantitative assessment of the effect of pre-gestational diabetes and risk of adverse maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

Pregnancies complicated by pre-gestational diabetes (PGD) are associated with a higher rate of adverse outcomes, including an increased rage of preterm delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, caesarean section, perinatal mortality, stillbirth, shoulder dystocia, macrosomia, small for gestational age, large for gestational age, low birth weight, neonatal hypoglycemia, neonatal death, low Apgar score, NICU admission, jaundice and respiratory distress. In the past two decades, numerous reports have been published regarding associations between PGD and risk of adverse outcomes. However, study results are inconsistent. To provide a synopsis of the current understanding of PGD for risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, a random-effects meta-analysis over 40 million subjects from 100 studies was performed to calculate the pooled ORs. Potential sources of heterogeneity were systematically explored by multiple strata analyses and meta-regression. Overall, PGD were significantly associated with increased risk of preterm delivery (OR=3.48), LGA (OR=3.90), perinatal mortality (OR=3.39), stillbirth (OR=3.52), pre-eclampsia (OR=3.48), caesarean section (OR=3.52), NICU admission (OR=3.92), and neonatal hypoglycemia (OR=26.62). Significant results were also observed for 7 adverse outcomes with OR range from 1.54 to 2.82, while no association was found for SGA and respiratory distress after Bonferroni correction. We found that women with T1DM had higher risks for most of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared with women with T2DM. When stratified by study design, sample size, type of diabetes, geographic region, and study quality, significant associations remains. Our findings demonstrated that PGD is a strong risk-conferring factor for adverse maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

[Differential Expression of Six wnt Gene Family Members in Echinococcus granulosus Protoscoleces and Adult Worms].

Objective: To investigate the differential mRNA expression and tissue distribution of wnt [wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) integration site family, wnt] gene members wnt1, wnt2, wnt4, wnt5, wnt11A and wnt11B in protoscoleces and adult worms of Echinococcus granulosus. Methods: The mRNA expression of wnt1, wnt2, wnt4, wnt5, wnt11A and wnt11B was determined by qRT-PCR. Tissue distribution of wnt1, wnt2, wnt4, wnt5, wnt11A and wnt11B in Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces was determined by the whole-mount in situ hybridization. Results: The qRT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression levels of wnt1 and wnt2 in the adult worms were 1.49 （P>0.05） and 2.53 folds（P<0.05） of those in the protoscoleces, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of wnt4, wnt5, wnt11A and wnt11B in the protoscoleces were 25.00（P<0.01）, 33.33（P<0.01）, 14.29（P<0.01） and 1.03 folds（P>0.05） of those in the adult worms, respectively. In brief, there was no significant difference of mRNA expression in wnt2 and wnt11B between protoscoleces and adult, but there was a significant difference of mRNA expression in wnt1, wnt4, wnt5 and wnt11A between protoscoleces and adults. Results of the whole-mount in situ hybridization showed that in protoscoleces wnt1 was mainly localized in the epidermal tissue, wnt2 in suckers, wnt4 in suckers and rostellum, wnt5 and wnt11B in suckers and epidermal tissue, and wnt11A in rostellum and hooks. Conclusion: The mRNA expression of wnt2 in adult E. granulosus was higher than that in protoscoleces, and the mRNA expression ofwnt4, wnt5, wnt11A and wnt11B in protoscoleces was higher than that in the adult worms. The six wnt gene family members were all distributed in the forward region of protoscoleces.

[mRNA Expression Analysis of 10 Reproduction-related Genes in Different Developmental Proglottids of Moniezia expansa].

According to the results of transcriptome sequencing in Moniezia expansa, 10 functional genes which represent different expression patterns in different developmental proglottids were selected, including KIFC1, Kif17, tgf-beta, SmadD, tgf-beta receptor, HSD5, aminopeptidase puromycin, Methionine aminopeptidase 2, transcription factor fork head and Sox transcription factor. A real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay was developed for detection of mRNA expression level of these taget genes with its beta-tubulin as an internal control. The results showed that compared to scolex-neck proglottids, the mRNA levels of 2 genes (KIFC1, Kif17) in immature proglottides, 4 genes (KIFC1, Kif17, tgf-beta receptor, and amniopeptidase puromycin) in mature proglottides, and 3 genes (HSD5, tgf-beta receptor, and Methionine aminopeptidase 2) in gravid proglottides were up-regulated (P < 0.01).

The polymorphism of CLOCK gene 3111T/C C>T is associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer disease in Chinese population.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, it was examined whether polymorphism of circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (CLOCK) gene 3111T/C was associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer disease (AD). METHODS: This study was conducted using a case-control method. Genotypes of apolipoprotein E (APOE e4) and CLOCK gene 3111T/C were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism method and TaqMan assay method, respectively. RESULTS: In this study, we gathered 296 unrelated AD patients and 423 control subjects. Both in the whole sample and APOE e4 noncarriers, prevalence of C carriers in CLOCK gene 3111T/C in AD patients was significantly higher than that in control subjects (in the whole sample: χ = 37.615, P < 0.0001; in APOE e4 noncarriers: χ = 46.809, P < 0.0001). However, among APOE e4 carriers, prevalence of C carriers in CLOCK gene 3111T/C between patients and control subjects presents nonsignificant difference (χ = 0.812, P = 0.451). CONCLUSIONS: Among APOE e4 noncarriers, C carriers in CLOCK gene 3111T/C were associated with a high susceptibility of AD, but among APOE e4 carriers, the functional polymorphism of CLOCK gene 3111T/C was not associated with the susceptibility of AD.

Polymorphism of CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C > G is associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The association of polymorphism of circadian locomotor output cycle kaput (CLOCK) gene rs 4580704 C/G with susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was examined in the present study. METHODS: This was a case/control study and investigated the association of polymorphism of CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C/G with susceptibility of AD. Genotypes of apolipoprotein E (APOE) and CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C/G were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) detection method. RESULTS: This study was comprised of 296 unrelated AD patients and 423 controls. We performed an analysis the association of polymorphism of CLOCK gene rs 4580704 C/G with susceptibility of AD. In the whole sample or APOEε4 noncarriers, prevalence of C carriers in CLOCK gene rs 4580704 in AD patients was significantly higher than in controls (in the whole sample: χ(2) = 13.773, p <0.0001; in APOEε4 noncarriers: χ(2) = 51.588, p <0.0001). However, among APOEε4 carriers, prevalence of C carriers in CLOCK gene rs 4580704 between patients and controls was not statistically significant (χ(2) = 0.753, p = 0.386). CONCLUSIONS: Among APOEε4 noncarriers, C carriers in CLOCK gene rs 4580704 were associated with a high susceptibility of AD; however, among APOEε4 carriers the functional polymorphism of clock gene rs 4580704 C/G was not associated with AD susceptibility.

The circadian rhythm of arterial blood pressure in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients without hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: The circadian rhythm (CR) of arterial blood pressure (ABP) in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients was examined in a case-control clinical study. METHODS: This study was constructed using the case-control method and investigates non-hypertensive AD patients, compared with normotensive controls from a primary care setting. Twenty-four-hour ABP was measured with an automatic oscillometric device and recorded every 30 min throughout the day and night. Extreme dipper, dipper, non-dipper and reverse-dipper patterns were defined as those individuals with > 20%, 10-20%, < 10% and no fall in nocturnal ABP relative to daytime values. RESULTS: There were significant differences in ABP dipper status between cases and controls (cases - 16.15%, 60.00%, 17.70% and 6.15% vs controls - 3.19%, 31.9 2%, 42.02% and 22.88% for reverse dipper, non-dipper, dipper and extreme dipper, respectively, df = 3, χ(2) = 56.76, p < 0.001). Compared with normal controls, AD patients had significantly higher 24-h mean blood pressure, 24-h mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), night mean SBP, night mean pulse pressure (PP) and 24-h mean PP. There were no significant differences in 24-h mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP), daytime mean DBP or night-time mean DBP, and no significant differences in daytime mean SBP. CONCLUSIONS: The circadian rhythm of ABP in AD patents differed from normal controls, perhaps from higher night SBP in AD patents.

[Effect of Toxoplasma gondii prugniaud strain infection in pregnant mice on the learning ability of the F1 generation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Toxoplasma gondii prugniaud strain infection on female reproductive toxicity in mice and learning ability of their F1 generation. METHODS: Thirteen ICR mice were each infected intragastrically with 10 T. gondii cysts on the 15th day of pregnancy (late stage pregnancy). 12 mice were treated with physiological saline as control. The time from conception to birth and the number of offspring were recorded. Three mice from each group were sacrificed when pregnant 20 d, placentas from the sacrificed and output stillbirth mice were examined by using histopathology and immunohistochemistry. DNA extraction was performed from placenta tissue, and then T. gondii B1 gene was amplified by PCR. The F1 generation mice from experiment group and control group were tested by Morris water maze test. Statistical analysis on learning and memory ability was made by SPSS 13.0 software. RESULTS: The time from conception to birth in experiment group [(19.2 +/- 1.751)d] was shorter than that in control group [(21.0 +/- 1.732)d] (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the number of offspring between experiment group (70) and control group (85) (P > 0.05). Microscopic examination with HE staining showed multiple T. gondii among placental villi, the increase of the number of Hofbauer cells, blood sinus expansion and hyperemia, and visible nucleated erythrocytes. Immunohistochemically, T. gondii antigen was detected in placenta tissue. T. gondii B1 gene was detected in placenta tissue (194 bp). On the third and fourth day of the Morris water maze test, the latency of experiment group [(29.92 +/- 4.28) s, (27.69 +/- 6.23) s] was longer than that of the control [(24.07 +/- 5.32) s, (22.25 +/- 7.94) s] (P < 0.05). In the spatial probe test, the distance across the platform quadrant of experiment group [(384.66 +/- 41.33) cm] was shorter than that of the control [(426.12 +/- 46.48) cm] (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: T. gondii Prugniaud strain infection in late stage pregnancy of mice may induce reproductive toxicity and affect the learning and memory capability of the F1 generation.

Effects of calcium and magnesium on acute and chronic neurotoxicity caused by oxaliplatin: A meta-analysis.

The primary toxicity of oxaliplatin is neurotoxicity. Calcium and magnesium (Ca/Mg) are reported to be beneficial in protecting against this adverse effect. However, the results obtained from clinical trials are not definitive. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Ca/Mg alleviates the neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin by performing a meta-analysis of the literature involving available randomized controlled trials. Systematic searches for trials were undertaken from the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, CBMdisc and CNKI databases without language limitations. The primary outcome was severe chronic neurotoxicity and the secondary outcome was acute neurotoxicity. Four randomized double-blind trials met the search criteria. The odds ratio (OR) comparing Ca/Mg treatment with placebo was 0.44 (0.23-0.85, P=0.01) for severe chronic neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin (grade ≥2) and 0.41 (0.11-1.49, P=0.18) for acute neurotoxicity. In conclusion, Ca/Mg treatment does not reduce the incidence of acute neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin, but does reduce the incidence of severe chronic neurotoxicity (grade ≥2). No differences were observed in the outcomes of chemotherapy. Thus, Ca/Mg treatment is recommended for use as an adjunct with oxaliplatin.

[mRNA transcription of translation elongation factor and primase in different segments of Moniezia expansa].

A SYBR green real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay was developed for detection of Moniezia expansa mRNA with its beta-tubulin as an internal control. The results showed a good linear relationship (>0.99) between the Ct value and the concentration of positive plasmid for each gene from scolex and various proglottids. Real-time PCR showed that the expression abundance of translation elongation factor and primase was different. In conclusion, the transcription level of translation elongation factor and primase was high in both scolex and immature segment, suggesting that they may play a role in the development of scolex and immature segment.

Age and risk for depression among the elderly: a meta-analysis of the published literature.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between age and risk for depression among the old and the oldest old. Method MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database were used to identify potential studies. The studies were divided into cross-sectional and longitudinal subsets. For each study, the numbers of the total participants, cases (for cross-sectional study), or incident cases (for longitudinal study) of depression in each age group were extracted and entered into Review Manager 4.2 software. Qualitative meta-analyses of cross-sectional studies and of longitudinal studies were performed. For prevalence and incidence rates of depression, odds risk (OR) and relative risk (RR) were calculated, respectively. RESULTS: The qualitative meta-analyses showed that, compared with younger participants (above vs. below 65 years, above vs. below 70 years, above vs. below 75 years, and above vs. below 80 years), older age groups had a significantly higher risk for depression. (All of the ORs and RRs were significant.) Compared with participants aged 55-89, those aged above 90 years had no higher risk for depression. (Neither the OR nor the RR was significant.) CONCLUSIONS: Despite the methodological limitations of this meta-analysis, older age appears to be an important risk factor for depression in the general elderly population (aged below 80 years), but not in the oldest population (aged above 85 years).

Characteristics of circadian rhythm in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage before death.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate characteristics of circadian rhythm in intracerebral hemorrhage before death. METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out from September 2002 to February 2009. One hundred and twenty-two dead cases with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) were collected. The study was carried out in the Department of Neurosurgery in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded every half-hour during the 72 hours before death. Data of BP and HR before deaths were divided into 3 time periods, namely, period A (72-48 hours to death), period B (48-24 hours to death), and period C (24 hours to death). Data from the 3 periods were analyzed using the Cosinor method to determine whether circadian rhythm was present or absent. The cases were divided into a present and absent group after Cosinor analysis. Prognostic factors in the 2 groups were analyzed by Student`s t-test and Pearson`s chi-squared test. RESULTS: Significant differences in prognostic factors between the 2 groups were not found. When circadian midline-estimating statistic of rhythms over the 3 periods were compared, there were no significant differences. However, when circadian amplitudes over the 3 periods were compared, the amplitudes during period C were significantly lower than period A or B (p<0.001). The percentage of cases in the absent and present groups was significantly different (p<0.001) over the 3 periods. CONCLUSION: As an independent factor, circadian variation could predict death in patients with ICH.

No association between hypertension and risk for Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

This study examined the association between hypertension and AD by using a quantitative meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for articles published up to February 2011. All studies that examined the association of hypertension or antihypertensive medication use with the onset of AD were included. Pooled relative risks (RR) were calculated using fixed and random effects models. Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. All subjects were without dementia at baseline. Among them, 9 studies compared the incidence of AD between subjects with (7,270) and without (8,022) hypertension. The quantitative meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in incidence of AD (RR: 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91-1.14) between subjects with and without hypertension. Seven studies compared the incidence of AD between subjects with (8,703) and without (13,041) antihypertensive medication use. The quantitative meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in incidence of AD (RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.79-1.03) between subjects with and without antihypertensive medication use. The quantitative meta-analysis showed that neither hypertension nor antihypertensive medication use was associated with risk for incident AD.

Cognitive function and risk for depression in old age: a meta-analysis of published literature.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the relationship between cognitive impairment (including mild cognitive impairment with no signs of dementia, and dementia) and risk for depression in old age (60 years and older). METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library database were used to identify potential studies. All of the clinical studies that produced data on the association between cognitive function and risk of depression among individuals aged 55 years or older were identified and included in this review. The studies were classified into cross-sectional and longitudinal subsets. The quantitative meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were performed. For prevalence and incidence rates of depression, odds risk (OR) and relative risk (RR) were calculated, respectively. RESULTS: Since all but two studies found in the search were for individuals aged 60 years or over, we assessed and reported on results for this larger group only. In this review we included 13 cross-sectional and four prospective longitudinal studies. The quantitative meta-analysis showed that, in old age, individuals with non-dementia cognitive impairment had neither significant higher prevalence nor incidence rates of depression than those without (odds risk (OR): 1.48, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 0.87-2.52; relative risk (RR): 1.12, 95% CI: 0.62-2.01). In old age, individuals with dementia had both significant higher prevalence and incidence rates of depression than those without (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.15-2.89; RR: 3.92, 95% CI: 1.93-7.99). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the methodological limitations of this meta-analysis, we found that in old age, there was no association between depression and cognitive impairment with no dementia; however, there was a definite association between depression and dementia and thus dementia might be a risk for depression.

Inhibition of Period1 gene attenuates the morphine-induced ERK-CREB activation in frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies demonstrated that the Period1 gene (Per1) is involved in behavioral alterations induced by addictive drugs. We explored the effects of inhibiting expression in brain of Per1 on morphine conditioned place preference (CPP) and morphine-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) in mice. METHODS: During the first three sessions of conditioning, the male mice were intracerebroventricularlly (i.c.v.) injected with vehicle or deoxyribozyme 164 (DRz164) which cleaves per1 mRNA before subcutaneous (s.c.) injection morphine. The control group was given i.c.v. injection vehicle and s.c. injection saline instead of morphine. After testing CPP, mice were sacrificed and phosphorylated ERK and CREB in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mice pretreated with DRz164 did not acquire morphine CPP. Pretreatment with DRz164 significant attenuated the morphine-induced activation of ERK and CREB in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that per1 plays an important role in morphine reward, and ERK-CREB pathway was involved in the effects of per1. We suggested that per1 gene may be a potential treatment target for drug addition.

[Influence of heart rate's circadian rhythm in postoperation of intracerebral hemorrhage with different surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of different surgery on heart rate's circadian rhythm in postoperation of intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: One hundren cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage at basal ganglia had been collected. According to methods of operation, cases were divided into two groups. Forty-three cases and 57 cases were treated respectively by standard craniotomy (Craniotomy group) and microinvasion of puncturation (Microinvasion group) to remove hematoma. Value of heart rate (HR) was recorded by monitor every 1 hour for 9 days. Circadian rhythm of every day was analyzed by single cosinor and population mean-cosinor. RESULTS: Circadian rhythm of postoperative HR appeared (P < 0.001) in microinvasion group after operation. Circadian rhythm of postoperative HR had not been appearing (P < 0.001) in craniotomy group until to the 8th day. All amplitudes in microinvasion group are higher than that in craniotomy group. Both of amplitudes in two groups begin to be low during 4-7 d after operation and recover the level till the 8th day. CONCLUSION: Influence of circadian rhythm in craniotomy was more severe than microinvasion puncturation. There would be a intimate relationship between encephaledema and recovery of circadian rhythm after neurosurgery.

[Effects of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction on activation of nuclear factor-kappaB in pancreas of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction (CQCQD) in treatment of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated (SO) group, ANP group and CQCQD-treated group. ANP was induced by retro-pumping 3.5% sodium cholate to common bile duct. Blood sample was collected from abdominal vein for examination and the pancreatic tissue samples were taken for making pathology section 6 hours later. The pancreatic tissue (HE staining) was observed by light microscope. The content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was detected with the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in pancreas was detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Compared with the SO group, there was dramatic increase in the white blood cell (WBC) counts and AMY level in the ANP group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the ANP group, the WBC counts and AMY level in CQCQD-treated group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The edema, inflammatory infiltration, haemorrhage and necrosis scores and total pathological score in the ANP group were obviously higher than those in the SO group (P<0.01). The edema, haemorrhage and inflammatory infiltration scores and the total pathological score in CQCQD-treated group were decreased (P<0.05). The integral optical density of NF-kappaB p65 positive cells of pancreas in CQCQD-treated group was lower than that in the ANP group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CQCQD can reduce the content of serum TNF-alpha and IL-6, depress the activation of NF-kappaB, and lessen the pancreatic lesions.