Research progress on ultrasound assessment of sarcopenia / 中华临床营养杂志

Sarcopenia is an age-related syndrome with progressive, generalized loss of muscle mass, strength, and physiological function. Low muscle mass is an important diagnostic criterion for sarcopenia. Ultrasound is safe, convenient and cost-effective, with extensive availability. It's a promising diagnostic tool for muscle mass assessment and sarcopenia screening in the elderly population. This review focuses on the specific methods and latest research progress on ultrasound assessment of sarcopenia.

LPS regulates macrophage autophagy through PI3 K/Akt/mTOR path-way / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To detect the activation of macrophage autophagy caused by lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) and the possible related signaling pathways .METHODS:The macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cultured in vitro was divided into 5 groups according to the culture environment , including normal culture group , starvation-activated sautophagy group , LPS group, LPS+PI3K inhibitor (hVps34) group and LPS+mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) group.Fluorescent expression vector pcDNA3.1-GFP-LC3 constructed in previous work was transfected into the macrophages .The fluorescence microscopy was used to detect the formation of autophagosome .The mRNA expression of autophagy-associated genes Atg5, Atg7, LC3-II and Bnip3 in the macrophages was detected by qRT-PCR.The protein levels of LC3-II, p-Akt and p-mTOR were deter-mined by Western blotting , so as to evaluate the molecular pathways of autophagy in LPS-activated macrophages .RE-SULTS:The macrophages stably expressing GFP-LC3 were successfully established , which were used to observe the auto-phagy under fluorescence microscope .Compared with normal culture group , the autophagy in starvation group , LPS +hVps34 group and LPS+rapamycin group was significantly increased .The mRNA expression levels of Atg5, LC3-II and Bnip3 were significantly increased in starvation group , LPS+hVps34 group and LPS +rapamycin group , while in LPS group, those decreased slightly .The protein level of p-Akt in starvation group , LPS group and LPS+rapamycin group was significantly increased , while p-mTOR in starvation group , LPS+hVps34 group and LPS+rapamycin group significantly declined .LC3-II expression level in starvation group , LPS+hVps34 group and LPS+rapamycin group was higher than that in control group and LPS group .CONCLUSION: LPS regulates macrophage autophagy , and its possible pathway is the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, but there are some other effective regulatory pathways .

Modulation of low molecular weight heparin and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor on biological functions of human first trimester trophoblast / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To evaluate the effects of low molecular weight heparin(LMWH)and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor(HB-EGF)on the biological function of human trophoblast in first trimester.Methods From Feb.2011 to Nov.2011,the trophoblast isolated from human first trimester chorionic villi was cultured in vitro.Based on variation of LMWH concentration,the trophoblast was classified into 0.025 U/ml group,0.25 U/ml group,2.5 U/ml group,25 U/ml group and 250 U/ml group.In the mean time,based on treatment of heparin,the trophoblast was classified into LMWH group (0.25 U/ml),HB-EGF group(10 μg/L),combination group(LMWH at 0.25 U/ml + HB-EGF at 10 μg/L)and add with DMEM as control group.Cell prolferation was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTY)test,which was showed with the mean absorbance as A value.Cell invasion was measured by transwell,which counted the number of cells migrated to the superficies inferia of filter membrane.Cell differentiation was assessed by the concentration of hCG secretion.Results Compared with control group,the trophoblast proliferation and invasion treated by LMWH at 0.025 U/ml did not show significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).When treated by LWMH at 0.25 U/ml and 2.5 U/ml,trophoblast proliferation and invasion was increased significantly(P ＜ 0.05).When LMWH at 25 U/ml and 250 U/ml,it could inhibit trophoblast proliferation and invasion(P ＜ 0.05).When compared with A value of 0.44 ± 0.04 in control group,the increased A value were 0.51 ± 0.05 in LMWH group,0.56 ± 0.04 in HB-EGF group and 0.69 ± 0.06 in combination group(P ＜ 0.05).In the transwell test,the cell number were 511 ± 78 in LMWH group,669 ± 67 in HB-EGF group and 872±64 in combination group,which were significantly higher than 405 ± 67 in control group(P ＜ 0.05),respectively.And the hCG concentration were(7143 ± 649)U/L in LMWH group,(11 762 ± 1059)U/L in HB-EGF group and(11 015 ± 1084)U/L in combination group,which showed statistical difference with(8182 ± 666)U/L in control group(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion LMWH could modulate trophoblast proliferation,invasion,and differentiation.HB-EGF is one of important factors involved in effects of LMWH on trophoblast function.

Screening reported mania symptoms by two self-rating questionnaires from outpatients with depressive disorders in a general hospital / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the prevalence of self reposed mania/hypomania symptoms of depressive disorders and the difference between the two self-rating symptoms questionnaires in setting of psychiatric clinic of a general hospital.Methods 102 outpatients who were diagnosed with depressive disorders by ICD-10 in department of psychiatry of Tongji Hospital of Tongji University were continuously investigated and fulfilled the Chinese Version mood disorder questionnaire(CV-MDQ)and the Chinese Version 32 items hypomania check list(CVHCL-32).The positive mania symptoms were elevated with at least seven positive mania items reported by the CVMDQ.The positive hypomania symptoms were elevated with at least fourteen positive hypomania items reported by the CV-HCL-32.Results The internal consistency(Cronbach alpha)of the CV-MDQ was 0.808(95% CI=0.767～0.845,P<0.01).The internal consistency(Cmnbach alpha) of the CV-HCL-32 was 0.916(95% CI=0.898～0.930,P<0.01).11 patients(10.8%) reported positive mania symptoms by the CV-MDQ.14 patients (13.7%)had been reported positive hypomania symptoms through the CV-HCL-32.The ability of discriminating mania or hypomania between the two scales was significantly different(Kappa=0.227,P<0.05).Compared to the patients who were reported negative hypomania symptoms by the CV-HCL-32.the 11 patients with positive hypomania symptoms by the CV-HCL-32 had much earlier age in first episode(35.0 vs 50.5,z=-2.065,P<0.05),much longer months in total disease course(60.0 vs 22.0,z=-2.102,P<0.05)and present episode (12.0 vs 6.0,z=-2.180,P<0.05),and much higher frequency of relapse(2.5 vs 1.0,z=-2.168,P<0.05),but no significant differences at age,gender and education.No significant differences appeared between CV-MDQ positive and negative group.Conclusion Mania or hypomania symptoms may be screened by CV-MDQ and CV-HCL-32 from the outpatients with depressive disorders who are diagnosed by ICD-10 in general hospital.whether CV-HCL-32 is superior to CV-MDQ when screening bipolar Ⅱ disorder is worthly further study.

Application of misoprostol combined with fentanyl and propofol in visualization of artificial abortion / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the feasibility and security about misoprostol combined with fentanyl and propofol applied in visualization of artificial abortion.Methods 1270 cases of pregnant women who requested termination of pregnancy and voluntarily accepted abortion were selected.In the observe group,634 cases of pregnant women received oral misoprostol about 600 mg 90 minutes before surgery.After anesthetized by fentanyl and propofol,painless artificial abortion using visual abortion instrument was carried out.In the control group,636 cases of pregnant women anesthetized by fentanyl and propofol via the venous were carried out artificial abortion.The degree of cervical relaxation,loss of blood,total dose of propofol,surgical time,recovery time,the incidence of abortion complications and so on were observed.Results In the observation group and the control group,the average dosage of propofol are( 14.15 ± 2.37) ml and (16.90 ± 4.52) ml respectively;The average time required for surgery are ( 146.1 ± 38.2) s and ( 199.7 ± 37.3 ) s respectively;the average time required for awakening are ( 6.01 ± 1.90 ) min and ( 8.81 ± 2.02 )in;In the observation group,there are 405 ( 63.9% ) cases of cervical laxity markedly,in the control group,including 145 ( 22.8% ) cases of cervical laxity markedly,there is statistical significance ( P ＜ 0.05 ) between the observation group and the control group.There are no abortion syndrome in both groups.Conclusion Misoprostol combined with fentanyl and propofol was the first choice for painless artificial abortion using ultrasound visualization.