Ambient but not local lactate underlies neuronal tolerance to prolonged glucose deprivation

Neurons require a nearly constant supply of ATP. Glucose is the predominant source of brain ATP, but the direct effects of prolonged glucose deprivation on neuronal viability and function remain unclear. In sparse rat hippocampal microcultures, neurons were surprisingly resilient to 16 h glucose removal in the absence of secondary excitotoxicity. Neuronal survival and synaptic transmission were unaffected by prolonged removal of exogenous glucose. Inhibition of lactate transport decreased microculture neuronal survival during concurrent glucose deprivation, suggesting that endogenously released lactate is important for tolerance to glucose deprivation. Tandem depolarization and glucose deprivation also reduced neuronal survival, and trace glucose concentrations afforded neuroprotection. Mass cultures, in contrast to microcultures, were insensitive to depolarizing glucose deprivation, a difference attributable to increased extracellular lactate levels. Removal of local astrocyte support did not reduce survival in response to glucose deprivation or alter evoked excitatory transmission, suggesting that on-demand, local lactate shuttling is not necessary for neuronal tolerance to prolonged glucose removal. Taken together, these data suggest that endogenously produced lactate available globally in the extracellular milieu sustains neurons in the absence of glucose. A better understanding of resilience mechanisms in reduced preparations could lead to therapeutic strategies aimed to bolster these mechanisms in vulnerable neuronal populations

A new Agkistrodon halys venom-purified protein C activator prevents myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats

Aim To assess the effects of protein C activator (PCA) from Agkistrodon halys snake venom on cardiac fibrosis in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat model, and investigate the mechanisms of its action. Methods PCA was identified by one-dimensional reversed phase liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (120-140 g) were randomly assigned to negative control (NC) and diabetic group. Diabetes was induced by STZ in high-fat diet fed rats. Diabetic group was subdivided into three groups: diabetic group (DM), diabetic group treated with PCA (0.5, 2, and 8 mg/kg), and diabetic group treated with metformin (5 mg/kg, positive control). NC and DM groups received the same volume of distilled water. Left ventricular mass index (LVWI) and collagen volume fraction were measured by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The diabetic rat model was successfully established by STZ induction and high-fat diet. Glucose level, LVWI, TGF-β1 and IL-1β level, and collagen volume fraction were significantly reduced in diabetic rats treated by PCA in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.050), especially in the high dose (8 mg/kg) group (P < 0.010), compared to diabetes group. The high dose PCA had the same effect as metformin positive control in reducing the level of fasting blood glucose. PCA decreased the expression of MMP-2 and reduced that of TIMP-2. Conclusion Our results indicate that PCA has anti-fibrotic effects and that it may be used to treat myocardial fibrosis

硫酸氢氯吡格雷联合西洛他唑治疗糖尿病四肢并发症的临床疗效观察

Objective: To observe efficacy and safety of domestic clopidogrel cilostazol in treatment of diabetic limbs complications. Methods: 120 cases of diabetic patients with limb complications were randomly selected, including 60 cases of lower extremity arterial disease (PAD) and 60 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients. According to the random number list, they were randomly divided into treatment group of 60 patients, DPN and PAD were given mecobalamin 0. 5mg / times , lipoic acid 500mg / d, alprostadil 10ug / d, DPN patients while giving epalrestat 50mg / times. The control group while giving cilostazol 0.1g, 2 times / d, plus clopidogrel treatment groups 150mg / d in the control group, based on continuous treatment for 8 weeks. Clinical evaluation of the two groups was made and conduction velocity of MNCV and SNCV was compared. Results: Analysis of DPN subgroup showed that the treatment group was efficient (73.4% vs 46.7%, P = 0.035), total efficiency (93.3% vs 73.3%, P = 0.038) were significantly higher, PAD subgroup analysis showed the efficiency of the treatment group was (70% vs 43.3%, P = 0.035), total efficiency (93.3% vs 73.3%, P = 0.038) were significantly higher. MNCV CKS nerve (54.3 ± 4.8 vs 50.5 ± 5.1) and the peroneal nerve (34.7 ± 3.2 vs 30.9 ± 3.4) conduction velocity improved more significantly. SNCV CKS nerve (43.4 ± 4.9 vs 38.2 ± 3.8) and the peroneal nerve (35.1 ± 5.6 vs 32.9 ± 5.4) conduction velocity, the treatment group improved significantly than the control group. PAD subgroup analysis, ABI degree of improvement (0.9 ± 0.3 vs 0.8 ± 0.3), dorsal blood flow (35.2±3.6 vs31.5±4.2), popliteal artery blood flow (64.2±5.6 vs 58.4±7.4) were better than the control group. Compared with clopidogrel, cilostazol did not increase in adverse events during treatment process. Conclusion: Clopidogrel cilostazol treatment of diabetic limb complications becomes safe and effective treatment of DPN and PAD, which can be used as a combination therapy.目的  观察国产氯吡格雷联合西洛他唑治疗糖尿病四肢并发症的有效性及安全性。方法  随机入选120例糖尿病四肢并发症患者，其中糖尿病周围神经病变（DPN）患者60例，下肢动脉病变（PAD）60例。按照随机数列表，随机分为治疗组60例，DPN及PAD均给予甲钴胺0. 5mg /次，硫辛酸500mg/d，前列地尔10ug/d，DPN患者同时给予依帕司他50mg /次。对照组同时给予西洛他唑0.1g，2次/d，治疗组在对照组基础上加上氯吡格雷首次600mg，后150mg/d连续7d，后改为75mg/d连续8周。评价两组的临床疗效及MNCV和SNCV传导速度。结果  DPN亚组分析显示，治疗组显效率（73.4% vs 46.7%, P=0.035）、总有效率（93.3% vs 73.3%，P=0.038）显著高于对照组，PAD亚组分析显示，治疗组显效率（70% vs 43.3%, P=0.035）、总有效率（93.3% vs 73.3%，P=0.038）显著高于对照组。MNCV中正中神经（54.3±4.8 vs 50.5±5.1）及腓总神经（34.7±3.2 vs 30.9±3.4）传导速度改善更为明显。SNCV中正中神经（43.4±4.9 vs 38.2±3.8）及腓总神经(35.1±5.6 vs 32.9±5.4)传导速度，治疗组改善亦较对照组更明显。PAD亚组分析显示，ABI改善程度（0.9±0.3 vs 0.8±0.3）、足背动脉血流速度（35.2±3.6 vs31.5±4.2），腘动脉血流量（64.2±5.6 vs 58.4±7.4）改善均优于对照组。治疗过程中氯吡格雷相比于西洛他唑并不增加不良事件。结论  氯吡格雷联合西洛他唑治疗糖尿病四肢并发症变安全、有效，可作为治疗DPN及PAD的联合治疗方案

Searches for the technicolor signatures via gg --> W^{\pm}\pi_t^{\mp} at the Large Hadron Collider

In this paper we calculate the production of a charged top pion in association with a W boson via gg fusion at the CERN Large Hadron Collider in the context of the topcolor assisted technicolor model. We find that, the total cross section of pp --> gg --> W^{\pm}\pi_t^{\mp}, is several dozen femtobarns with reasonable values of the parameters, and the total cross section of pp --> W^{\pm}\pi_t^{\mp} can reach a few hundred femtobarns when we consider the sum of the contributions of these two parton subprocesses gg --> W^{\pm}\pi_t^{\mp} and b\bar{b} --> W^{\pm}\pi_t^{\mp}.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1007.028

Research progress of computer analysis method of SPECT-CT and PET-CT

多模态成像设备的发展是影像学发展的里程碑，继PET-CT后，美国通用电气公司推出了Discovery NM/CT 670，将CT与SPECT有机整合在一起，形成的SPECT/CT新型分子医学影像设备，随着SPECT-CT和PET-CT日益广泛地受到关注和应用，许多关于SPECT-CT和PET-CT图像分析的计算机方法应运而生，越来越受到临床和影像学科的重视。本文就SPECT-CT和PET-CT的计算机分析方法进行了详细的描述。The development of multi-modality imaging devices marks a milestone of medical imaging. Discovery NM/CT 670 was recently launched by Ge Corp in the United States after the development of PET-CT and it integrated CT and SPECT. The newly formed type of molecular imaging equipment of SPECT/CT is getting wide attention along with the application of SPECT-CT and PET-CT so that computer analysis of SPECT-CT and PET-CT image came into being, which was much valued by clinical and imaging studies. The paper described detailed information of SPECT-CT and PET-CT computer analysis

SPECT-CT和PET-CT计算机分析方法的探索研究

The development of multimodal imaging equipment is milestone in the development of imaging, after the PET-CT, American GE company launched a Discovery 670 NM/CT, CT and SPECT, the organic integration of the formation of SPECT-CT new molecular medical imaging equipment, with SPECT, CT and PET-CT is getting more and more widely attention and application, many of SPECT-CT and PET-CT image analysis computer method arises at the historic moment, getting increasing attention of the clinical and imaging science. The paper carried on the detailed description of the SPECT-CT and PET-CT computer analysis method.多模态成像设备的发展是影像学发展的里程碑，继PET-CT后，美国通用电气公司推出了Discovery NM/CT 670，将CT与SPECT有机整合在一起，形成的SPECT-CT新型分子医学影像设备，随着SPECT-CT和PET-CT日益广泛地受到关注和应用，许多关于SPECT-CT和PET-CT图像分析的计算机方法应运而生，越来越受到临床和影像学科的重视。本文就SPECT/CT和PET-CT的计算机分析方法进行了详细的描述

Interaction between Granulation and Small-Scale Magnetic Flux Observed by Hinode

We study the relationship between granular development and magnetic field evolution in the quiet Sun. 6 typical cases are displayed to exhibit interaction between granules and magnetic elements, and we have obtained the following results. (1) A granule develops centrosymmetrically when no magnetic flux emerges within the granular cell. (2) A granule develops and splits noncentrosymmetrically while flux emerges at an outer part of the granular cell. (3) Magnetic flux emergence as a cluster of mixed polarities is detected at the position of a granule as soon as the granule breaks up. (4) A dipole emerges accompanying with the development of a granule, and the two elements of the dipole root in the adjacent intergranular lanes and face each other across the granule. Advected by the horizontal granular motion, the positive element of the dipole then cancels with pre-existing negative flux. (5) Flux cancellation also takes place between a positive element, which is advected by granular flow, and its surrounding negative flux. (6) While magnetic flux cancellation takes place at a granular cell, the granule shrinks and then disappears. (7) Horizontal magnetic fields enhance at the places where dipoles emerge and where opposite polarities cancel with each other, but only the horizontal fields between the dipolar elements point orderly from the positive element to the negative one. Our results reveal that granules and small-scale magnetic flux influence each other. Granular flow advects magnetic flux, and magnetic flux evolution suppresses granular development. There exist extremely large Doppler blue-shifts at the site of one cancelling magnetic element. This phenomenon may be caused by the upward flow produced by magnetic reconnection below the photosphere.Comment: 8 figures, 13 pages. RAA, in pres

Measurement of professional identity in Chinese nursing students

AbstractObjectivesChinese nurses continue to display low professional identity. It is becoming an emergent issue in China how to help nurse students develop their positive professional identity. This paper is to develop the Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students (PISNS).MethodsLiterature review, and interviews with students and experts were adopted to develop initial item. Reliability and validity of the scale were respectively examined by computing internal consistency coefficient alpha and split-half Spearman Brown for equal length, and Exploratory Principle Component Factor Analysis.ResultsFive factors with 17-item were obtained explaining 58.9% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha, and split-half reliability was 0.83 and 0.84 respectively.ConclusionsGiven its high reliability and validity, PISNS could be used as a measurement tool for educators to evaluate the developing level of professional identity in nursing students and assess the effectiveness of corresponding interventions and strategies