Quantifying the impact of equity, diversity, and inclusion in electrophysiology: Training the first female electrophysiologists from Jamaica and Saint Lucia.

Background: Delivery of electrophysiology (EP) care in developing nations and underserviced populations faces many hurdles, including the lack of local expertise and knowledge creation. The West Indies has experienced a paucity of local EP expertise. The University of Toronto has undertaken a unique collaborative educational effort with the University of the West Indies. Objective: We describe the effects of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in EP training at Toronto General Hospital in Canada by quantifying the impact of training the first female electrophysiologists to practice in Jamaica and Saint Lucia. Methods: Data from the ministries of health in Jamaica and Saint Lucia were reviewed. The number of arrhythmia clinic patients seen, EP studies and ablations performed, pacemaker clinic patients seen, and implantable devices, permanent pacemakers (PPMs), and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) implanted were assessed. Results: One hundred one arrhythmia consults were seen by the new electrophysiologist in Jamaica after her return from training in 2020. She has since performed 19 EP studies/catheter ablations at a newly established ablation laboratory. Three cases of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction due to tachy-cardiomyopathy were treated successfully with catheter ablation with immense improvement in LV ejection fraction. Thirteen PPMs, 1 ICD, and 3 LV leads were implanted, after which no early complications were identified. In Saint Lucia, where there is no dedicated electrophysiology laboratory, 2 patients who required catheter ablation for tachycardia-mediated LV dysfunction were identified by the electrophysiologist since her return to the island in 2018. The patients were appropriately referred, resulting in restoration of normal LV function. Six PPMs also were implanted in Saint Lucia. Knowledge translation has been limited by the lack of accessibility to the required devices, catheters, and specialized equipment and accessories, mainly because of their costs. Conclusion: Training the first female electrophysiologists from Jamaica and Saint Lucia led to a quantifiable impact on EP care in both of these Caribbean countries. EDI strategies in EP training programs provide much needed benefits to developing nations, but more support is needed to allow new electrophysiologists to fully utilize their EP training to care for underserviced populations.

Effect of Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) on T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect and possible mechanism of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), and provide experimental and theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of T-ALL.@*METHODS@#Jurkat cells were treated with different concentrations of DMF for 24 hours, and then the proportion and absolute count of Ki67-positive Jurkat cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the protein levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and E3 ubiquitin ligase HACE1 in Jurkat cells treated with DMF for 24 hours were evaluated by Western blot. Nrf2 proteins were co-immunoprecipitated in Jurkat cells, and then HACE1 protein was assessed by Western blot. Plasmids of Flag-Nrf2 and different gradients of Flag-HACE1 were transfected into HEK293T cells, and the levels of Flag-Nrf2 were detected by Western blot after 48 hours.@*RESULTS@#DMF could significantly inhibit the proportion and absolute count of Ki67-positive Jurkat cells, and DMF inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner (r=0.9595, r=0.9054). DMF could significantly up-regulate the protein levels of Nrf2 and E3 ubiquitin ligase HACE1 in Jurkat cells (P<0.01, P<0.01). HACE1 physically interacted with Nrf2 in Jurkat cells. Overexpression of Flag-HACE1 significantly increased the protein level of Flag-Nrf2 in a dose-dependent manner (r=0.9771).@*CONCLUSION@#DMF inhibits the proliferation of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell. The mechanism may be that, DMF significantly up-regulates the protein levels of Nrf2 and E3 ubiquitin ligase HACE1, and HACE1 interacts with Nrf2 and positively regulates Nrf2 protein level.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine massage on the rehabilitation of spinal function in scoliosis patients undergoing 3D printing orthopedic surgery / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of Chinese massage on the rehabilitation of scoliosis patients undergoing 3D printing orthopedics.@*METHODS@#A retrospective selection of 262 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS) who underwent 3D printing technology orthopedics admitted to the Department of Orthopedics in our hospital from January 2013 to January 2019 were selected for clinical research. According to the rehabilitation treatment methods adopted by the patients after the operation, the patients were divided into control group and observation group, there were 131 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with traditional Chinese acupuncture and massage after operation, and the control group was treated with conventional rehabilitation. The torso rotation angle and the maximum Cobb angle before and after intervention were measured and compared between two groups, Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) was used for functional evaluation, and the visual analogue scale(VAS) was used to evaluate the changes in pain before and after rehabilitation intervention.@*RESULTS@#After the intervention, the trunk rotation angle and maximum Cobb angle of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group, the VAS score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group, ODI in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#After scoliosis patients undergo preoperative 3D printing correction, the scientific and reasonable implementation of TCM acupuncture and massage can effectively improve the patient's vertebral rotation angle, maximum Cobb angle, and improve the patient's spinal function.

A review of deep learning methods for the detection and classification of pulmonary nodules / 生物医学工程学杂志

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among all malignant tumors. The key to reducing lung cancer mortality is the accurate diagnosis of pulmonary nodules in early-stage lung cancer. Computer-aided diagnostic techniques are considered to have potential beyond human experts for accurate diagnosis of early pulmonary nodules. The detection and classification of pulmonary nodules based on deep learning technology can continuously improve the accuracy of diagnosis through self-learning, and is an important means to achieve computer-aided diagnosis. First, we systematically introduced the application of two dimension convolutional neural network (2D-CNN), three dimension convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) and faster regions convolutional neural network (Faster R-CNN) techniques in the detection of pulmonary nodules. Then we introduced the application of 2D-CNN, 3D-CNN, multi-stream multi-scale convolutional neural network (MMCNN), deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (DCGAN) and transfer learning technology in classification of pulmonary nodules. Finally, we conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis of different deep learning methods in the detection and classification of pulmonary nodules.

Role of mature liver cells and oval cells in liver regeneration after liver injury / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Retrorsine (RS) is a chemical agent for the long-term inhibition of mature liver cell division and proliferation. OBJECTIVE: To establish a rat model of liver injury by combined use of RS and 1/3 partial hepatectomy, to observe the proliferation of liver cells and oval cells in rats after liver injury, and to discuss the relationship between liver regeneration and mature liver cells and oval cells after liver injury. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawely rats were randomized into two groups (n=15 per group): RS group and control group. Rats in the RS group were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of RS, 30 mg/kg, twice in total, with 2 weeks in between; and rats in the control group were injected physiological saline instead of RS. Four weeks after the last injection, the 1/3 partial hepatectomy was performed in two groups of rats. Liver pathological and morphological changes as well as cell proliferation were observed, and CK19 and C-kit immunohistochemical detections of the rat liver in the two groups were conducted at different time points after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 20 days after operation, the body mass of the RS group rats was still lower than the baseline, and the liver increase was obviously less than that in the control group; there was cell body swelling shown by hematoxylin-eosin staining, loose cytoplasm, extensive vacuoles degeneration of liver cells, and clustered or scattered oval cells around the portal area of small bile duct and in the hepatic lobule. However, in the control group, the body mass was close to the baseline, liver damage was lighter than that in the RS group, a large number of mature liver cells proliferated under BrdU Immunofluorescence at 20 days after operation; liver oval cells proliferated and distributed in the liver cell line at 14 days after operation, with morphology and immunohistochemical markers consistent with oval cells in the RS group. These findings indicate that the rat model of acute liver injury is successfully established by combining retrorsine with 1/3 partial hepatectomy, liver poisoning and the proliferation of liver stem cells and mature liver cells after poisoning can be seen in the experiment, which firmly confirm that liver cell renewal and regeneration after injury is accredited to the combined action of liver stem cells in liver basin and mature liver cells.

Research Progress of the Correlation between Caveolin and Unexpected Sudden Cardiac Death / 法医学杂志

Due to the negative autopsy and without cardiac structural abnormalities, unexpected sudden cardiac death （USCD） is always a tough issue for forensic pathological expertise. USCD may be associated with parts of fatal arrhythmic diseases. These arrhythmic diseases may be caused by disorders of cardiac ion channels or channel-related proteins. Caveolin can combine with multiple myocardial ion channel proteins through its scaffolding regions and plays an important role in maintaining the depolarization and repolarization of cardiac action potential. When the structure and function of caveolin are affected by gene mutations or abnormal protein expression, the functions of the regulated ion channels are correspondingly impaired, which leads to the occurrence of multiple channelopathies, arrhythmia or even sudden cardiac death. It is important to study the effects of caveolin on the functions of ion channels for exploring the mechanisms of malignant arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.

Correlation between Genetic Variants and Polymorphism of Caveolin and Sudden Unexplained Death / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the genetic variation sites of caveolin （CAV） and their correlation with sudden unexplained death （SUD）.@*METHODS@#The blood samples were collected from SUD group （71 cases）, coronary artery disease （CAD） group （62 cases） and control group （60 cases）, respectively. The genome DNA were extracted and sequencing was performed directly by amplifying gene coding region and exon-intron splicing region of CAV1 and CAV3 using PCR. The type of heritable variation of CVA was confirmed and statistical analysis was performed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 4 variation sites that maybe significative were identified in SUD group, and two were newfound which were CAV1： c.45C>T （T15T） and CAV1：c.512G>A （R171H）, and two were SNP loci which were CAV1：c.246C>T （rs35242077） and CAV3：c.99C>T （rs1008642） and had significant difference （P<0.05） in allele and genotype frequencies between SUD and control groups. Forementioned variation sites were not found in CAD group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The variants of CAV1 and CAV3 may be correlated with a part of SUD group.

Research hotspots of DRGs based on co-word cluster analysis / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective To reveal the research hotspots and development trend of DRGs based on literature, and to provide a basis for domestic scholars and hospitals .Methods Literature review was made in database CNKI and Wanfang database , using DRGs and its co-words ( both Chinese and English ) to retrieve literatures published before April 2017 , and describing such distribution as paper publication year , journal, and first author.Co-word cluster analysis was then performed on the co-occurrence matrix of high frequency keywords to reveal the research hotspots and development trends in line with the subject strategic diagram.Results 2594paperswereretrievedand1303ofthemwereretainedwiththoseredundantand irrelevant bibliographies excluded .Observation of the distribution of the year , journal and first author revealed that papers in DRGs field were in rapid growth , while the journals and first authors were distributed evenly.These literature focused on eight research hotspots , namely medical insurance payment system , medical quality and efficiency, hospital management, DRGs payment, case-mix, coding uniformity, medical records management , and evaluation system .In the subject strategic diagram , medical insurance payment system, medical quality and efficiency were placed in the fourth quadrant , the DRGs payment , case-mix, coding uniformity in the first quadrant , hotspot coding uniformity in the second , and the last two hotspots were in the third .Conclusions DRGs has attracted attention of many scholars and institutions in China , as evidenced by numerous articles published in various journals .These articles covered a wide range of topics , and were in different development stages .Researchers should keep an eye on progress of mature themes , and promote practical exploration of immature topics .

Rapid 3D Patterning of Poly(acrylic acid) Ionic Hydrogel for Miniature pH Sensors.

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), as a highly ionic conductive hydrogel, can reversibly swell/deswell according to the surrounding pH conditions. An optical maskless -stereolithography technology is presented to rapidly 3D pattern PAA for device fabrication. A highly sensitive miniature pH sensor is demonstrated by in situ printing of periodic PAA micropads on a tapered optical microfiber.

Expression of EV71-VP1, PSGL-1 and SCARB2 in Tissues of Infants with Brain Stem Encephalitis / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To understand the correlation of enterovirus 71 (EV71), P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), and scavenger receptor B2 (SCARB2) and to explore the possible pathway and mechanism of EV71 infection by observing the expression of EV71, PSGL-1 and SCARB2 in tissues of infants with brain stem encephalitis.@*METHODS@#The organs and tissues of infants with EV71-VP1 positivity in their brain stems were chosen. Expression and distribution of EV71-VP1, PSGL-1, and SCARB2 were detected and compared by immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#Strong staining of EV71 -VP1 was observed in the neuron, glial cells, the inflammatory cells of perivascular cuffing, parietal cells of the gastric fundus gland while alveolar macrophages, intestinal gland epithelium cells, mucosa lymphoid nodule and lymphocyte of palatine tonsil showed moderate staining and weak staining were displayed in mesenteric lymph nodes and lymphocyte of spleen. PSGL-1 expression was detected in parietal cells of the gastric fundus gland, tonsillar crypt squamous epithelium, alveolar macrophages and leukocytes in each tissue. SCARB2 expression was observed in all the above tissues except the intestines and spleen.@*CONCLUSION@#The distribution of EV71 correlates with SCARB2 expression. SCARB2 plays an important role in virus infection and replication. Stomach may be an important site for EV71 replication.

Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Bushen Shuji Granule in Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: a Clinical Study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of Bushen Shuji Granule (BSG) in treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in 62 active stage AS patients with Shen deficiency Du-channel cold syndrome (SDDCS), who were randomly assigned to the BSG group (treated with BSG) and the control group (treated with Celecoxib Capsule). Twelve weeks consisted of one therapeutic course. Therapeutic effects were evaluated by ASAS20 and ASAS40 (set by Assessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis working group) , BASDA150, Chinese medical (CM) syndrome efficacy evaluation standards. BASDAI, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI), scores for spine pain, scores for pain at night, patient global assessment (PGA) , erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) , and C reactive protein (CRP) were observed before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After three-month treatment by BSG, ASAS20 standard rate was 63. 33% (19/30 cases) in the BSG group and 66.67% (20/30 cases) in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (χ2 = 0.073, P > 0.05). The efficacy for CM syndromes was 70.00% (21/30 cases) in the BSG group, higher than that in the control group [40.00% (12/30 cases), χ2 = 5.455, P < 0.05]. Scores for CM syndromes, BASDAI, night pain index, spinal pain index, PGA, CRP were improved in the BSG group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The incidence of adverse events in the BSG group was lower than that of the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BSG based on Shen supplementing, Du-channel strengthening, blood activating, and channels dredging method had good short-term clinical efficacy and safety in treating AS.</p>

Superlattice Microstructured Optical Fiber.

A generic three-stage stack-and-draw method is demonstrated for the fabrication of complex-microstructured optical fibers. We report the fabrication and characterization of a silica superlattice microstructured fiber with more than 800 rhomboidally arranged air-holes. A polarization-maintaining fiber with a birefringence of 8.5 × 10-4 is demonstrated. The birefringent property of the fiber is found to be highly insensitive to external environmental effects, such as pressure.

Brief introduction of acupuncture needling and teaching keypoint / 中国针灸

We summarized our accumulated clinical and teaching experiences and explored the regularity of acupuncture needling and teaching. It is of great importance in pressing hand during inserting needle. Stroking and pressing are two crucial parts which deserve more attention, and seldom useage of pressing hand should be abolished. Operating hand needs practice before inserting needle, while it should fully relaxed during inserting. Blending "touching", "stretch" "gathering" "erupting" and "advancing" in single moment, applying appropriate dynamic mode of inserting needle such as "join 3 forces as one" "3 points in a line" expertly and naturally. In addition, enough attention should be paid on "altering direction" and "shifting point". Inserting deftly and powerfully, no/slight sensation, deqi when inserting needle are the highest reflection as an acupuncturist.

The study of OmniView technology with three-dimensional ultrasound in displaying the fetal palate / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To evaluate the application of “OmniView”, a new three-dimensional ultrasound technology, in displaying the fetal palate. Methods The three-dimensional volume data was acquired from 100 normal fetuses, analysed by OmniView technology with the facial midsagittal plane as the starting plane. The imaging of fetal palate was obtained in axial plane (through maxilla, oral cleft), coronal plane, oblique coronal plane (through piriform aperture, oral cleft, submental triangle), and the palate′s curved plane tiled imaging by drawing the anatomical lines on referenced sagittal plane (facial midsagittal plane). The volumes of ifve fetuses with cleft lip and palate were obtained and analysed by the same technology. Results The volume dataset of 91 (91.0%, 91/100) normal fetuses were acquired successfully, and analyzed by OmniView technology, the results of 91 normal fetal palate in different plane were: (1) In axial plane through maxilla, the visualization of alveolar process bow was 91 (100%, 91/91). It was shown as“C”shaped arcuate structure, the anechoic structure of alveolar socket could be seen on the bow, and the ifrst 6 alveolar sockets were displayed clearly. The visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91), it was shown as hyperechoic lfake between two sides of alveolar bones. In axial plane through oral cleft, the visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91), it was shown as a strip of soft tissue echo band. (2) In coronal plane, the visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91), it was shown as a strip of hyperechoic band and separated the oral and nasal cavity. (3) In oblique coronal plane through piriform aperture, the visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91), it was shown as a short strip of hyperechoic band. In oblique coronal plane through oral cleft, the visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91). In oblique coronal plane through submental triangle, the visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91). In the above two planes, the hard palate was shown as a strip of hyperechoic band, due to acoustic shadow behind the hard palate, the nasal cavity and nasal septum above the hard palate couldn’t be displayed. (4) In oblique coronal plane through piriform aperture, the visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91). The visualization number of uvula was 25 (27.5%, 25/91). The soft palate was shown as a lfake of soft tissue echo behind the hard palate, and the uvula was shown as papillary protrusions on the edge of the soft palate in the midline. In oblique coronal plane through oral cleft, the visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91). In oblique coronal plane through submental triangle, the visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91). In the above two planes, the soft palate was shown as a strip of soft tissue echo band, the soft tissue echo of fetal tongue was in the lower front of soft palate, and the anechoic region of nasopharynx was superior behind the soft palate. (5) In the curved plane tiled imaging of palate, the visualization number of alveolar process bow (primary palate) was 91 (100%, 91/91). The visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91). The visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91). the visualization number of uvula was 25 (27.5%, 25/91), the planar panorama of alveolar process bow, hard palate and soft palate could be visualized intuitively, the alveolar arch and hard palate were shown as bone-like hyperecho, and the soft palate was shown as soft tissue hypoecho. In iffteen cases′volume involved cleft lip and palate, all five cases of malformations were detected through three-dimensional data analysis, the position and range of the cleft palate could also be conifrm. Abnormal fetuses were all veriifed after induction of labor. Conclusions By three-dimensional ultrasound technology-“OmniView”, the axial and coronal plane of fetal palate could be obtained easily which was dififcult by two-dimensional ultrasound, and the special oblique coronal plane of secondary palate could be displayed easily. The panorama of the palate could be visualized intuitively though curved plane tiled imaging by drawing a line tracking the structure of the palate. This technology could simplify the ultrasound examination procedure of the fetal palate, reduce the operators′skill-dependence, and quickly evaluated the integrity of the fetal primary palate and secondary palate. For the cleft lip fetus, this technology can determine whether the cleft palate exist or not, together with their position and range.

Effects of electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) on myocardial apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the protective mechanism of acupuncture on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, a Jiaji group , a Neiguan group and a Yanglingquan group, 10 rats in each group. The model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was duplicated by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) in the later four groups, and the LADCA was not ligated in the sham-operation group. The rats in the treatment groups were treated with electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2), "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Yanglingquan" (GB 34) on both sides, respectively, once a day for 7 days. No interventions were produced in the sham-operation group and model group. Myocardial apoptosis were examined by the TUNEL method. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were measured by immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Apoptosis index(AI) was significantly lower in the Jiaji group, Neiguan group and sham-operation group compared with model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, AI were significantly increased in other groups (all P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in AI between Jiaji and Neiguan group (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased and Bax protein was significantly decreased in Jiaji group and Neiguan group (both P < 0.01). The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were significantly increased in other groups compared with the sham-operation group (all P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins between Jiaji and Neiguan group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Electroacupuncture at both Jiaji (EX-B 2) and Neiguan (PC 6) has protective effects on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the mechanism is closely related to inhibiting myocardial apoptosis by adjusting the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax.</p>

Distribution of human enterovirus 71 in brainstem of infants with brain stem encephalitis and infection mechanism / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanism that how human enterovirus 71 (EV71) invades the brainstem and how intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) participates by analyzing the expression and distribution of human EV71, and ICAM-1 in brainstem of infants with brain stem encephalitis.@*METHODS@#Twenty-two brainstem of infants with brain stem encephalitis were collected as the experimental group and 10 brainstems of fatal congenital heart disease were selected as the control group. The sections with perivascular cuffings were selected to observe EV71-VP1 expression by immunohistochemistry method and ICAM-1 expression was detected for the sections with EV71-VP1 positive expression. The staining image analysis and statistics analysis were performed. The experiment and control groups were compared.@*RESULTS@#(1) EV71-VP1 positive cells in the experimental group were mainly astrocytes in brainstem with [dark]-brown particles, and the control group was negative. (2) ICAM-1 positive cells showed [dark]-brown. The expression in inflammatory cells (around blood vessels of brain stem and in glial nodules) and gliocytes increased. The results showed statistical difference comparing with control group (P &lt; 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The brainstem encephalitis can be used to diagnose fatal EV71 infection in infants. EV71 can invade the brainstem via hematogenous route. ICAM-1 may play an important role in the pathogenic process.

Changes of left ventricular myocardial collagen fibers and osteopontin expression in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the changes of collagen fibers and the expression of osteopontin in the left ventricle in cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), along with the significance of their potential forensic application.@*METHODS@#Fifteen cases of HCM, 15 cases of coronary heart disease with cardiac hypertrophy and 20 cases of traffic accidents were selected as HCM group, coronary heart disease group and control group, respectively. Collagen volume fraction and osteopontin expression were observed and compared by HE staining, Masson trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry methods. Imaging and statistical methods were used for quantitative analysis.@*RESULTS@#Collagen volume fraction in left ventricle of HCM and coronary heart disease were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), which was not significantly different between the HCM group and the coronary heart disease group. The integral light density value of osteopontin in left ventricular cardiomyocytes of the HCM group and the coronary heart disease group were significantly higher than that of the control group (P< 0.05), and the value of the HCM group was also significantly higher than that of coronary heart disease group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The increased contents of collagen fibers and the overexpression of osteopontin may play an important role in myocardial fibrosis, and they can be used as markers in aid of diagnosing sudden death due to HCM.

High-altitude hypoxia induces disorders of the brain-endocrine-immune network through activation of corticotropin-releasing factor and its type-1 receptors / 中国应用生理学杂志

High-altitude hypoxia can induce physiological dysfunction and mountain sickness, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF type-i receptors (CRFR1) are members of the CRF family and the essential controllers of the physiological activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and modulators of endocrine and behavioral activity in response to various stressors. We have previously found that high-altitude hypoxia induces disorders of the brain-endocrine-immune network through activation of CRF and CRFR1 in the brain and periphery that include activation of the HPA axis in a time- and dose-dependent manner, impaired or improved learning and memory, and anxiety-like behavioral change. Meanwhile, hypoxia induces dysfunctions of the hypothalamo-pituitary-endocrine and immune systems, including suppression of growth and development, as well as inhibition of reproductive, metabolic and immune functions. In contrast, the small mammals that live on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau alpine meadow display low responsiveness to extreme high-altitude-hypoxia challenge, suggesting well-acclimatized genes and a physiological strategy that developed during evolution through interactions between the genes and environment. All the findings provide evidence for understanding the neuroendocrine mechanisms of hypoxia-induced physiological dysfunction. This review extends these findings.

Molecular and epidemiological study on among children under 5 years old in Nanjing / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the infected information, clinical symptom and molecular epidemiological characteristics of HuCV infection among children under 5 years old in Nanjing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In Nanjing Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2010 to June 2011, we collected 428 stool specimens from children with diarrhea and 428 asymptomatic controls. Human Calicivirus were tested by using RT-PCR. Then we sequenced the nucleic acid of PCR amplifications and identified the genotype and gene group of prevalent strains.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>63 (14.72%) out of 428 stool samples were detected as HuCV. 58 were norovirus and 5 were sapovirus, while GII-4 2006b was the predominant strain of NoV. In the 428 control samples, 19 samples were positive for calicivirus, there were 8 NoV and 13 SaV (Including 3 co-infection cases).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Human caliciviruses with different genotypes circulated among children in Nanjing,and GII. 2006b is the dominant genotype.</p>