Potential rat model of anxiety-like gastric hypersensitivity induced by sequential stress

AIM To establish a rat model of anxiety-like gastric hyper-sensitivity(GHS) of functional dyspepsia(FD) induced by novel sequential stress.METHODS Animal pups were divided into two groups from postnatal day 2: controls and the sequential-stress-treated. The sequential-stress-treated group received maternal separation and acute gastric irritation early in life and restraint stress in adulthood; controls were reared undisturbed with their mothers. Rats in both groups were followed to adulthood(8 wk) at which point the anxietylike behaviors and visceromotor responses to gastric distention(20-100 mm Hg) and gastric emptying were tested. Meanwhile, alterations in several anxiety-related brain-stomach modulators including 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and nesfatin-1 in the rat hippocampus, plasma and gastric fundus and the 5-HT1 A receptor(5-HT1 AR) in the hippocampal CA1 subfield and the mucosa of the gastric fundus were examined.RESULTS Sequential-stress-treated rats simultaneously demonstrated anxiety-like behaviors and GHS in dose-dependent manner compared with the control group. Although rats in both groups consumed similar amount of solid food, the rate of gastric emptying was lower in the sequentialstress-treated rats than in the control group. Sequential stress significantly decreased the levels of 5-HT(51.91 ± 1.88 vs 104.21 ± 2.88, P < 0.01), GABA(2.38 ± 0.16 vs 5.01 ± 0.13, P < 0.01) and BDNF(304.40 ± 10.16 vs 698.17 ± 27.91, P < 0.01) in the hippocampus but increased the content of nesfatin-1(1961.38 ± 56.89 vs 1007.50 ± 33.05, P < 0.01) in the same site; significantly decreased the levels of 5-HT(47.82 ± 2.29 vs 89.45 ± 2.61, P < 0.01) and BDNF(257.05 ± 12.89 vs 536.71 ± 20.73, P < 0.01) in the plasma but increased the content of nesfatin-1 in it(1391.75 ± 42.77 vs 737.88 ± 33.15, P < 0.01); significantly decreased the levels of 5-HT(41.15 ± 1.81 vs 89.17 ± 2.31, P < 0.01) and BDNF(226.49 ± 12.10 vs 551.36 ± 16.47, P < 0.01) in the gastric fundus but increased the content of nesfatin-1 in the same site(1534.75 ± 38.52 vs 819.63 ± 38.04, P < 0.01). The expressions of 5-HT1 AR in the hippocampal CA1 subfield and the mucosa of the gastric fundus were down-regulated measured by IHC(Optical Density value: Hippocampus 15253.50 ± 760.35 vs 21149.75 ± 834.13; gastric fundus 15865.25 ± 521.24 vs 23865.75 ± 1868.60; P < 0.05, respectively) and WB(0.38 ± 0.01 vs 0.57 ± 0.03, P < 0.01)(n = 8 in each group). CONCLUSION Sequential stress could induce a potential rat model of anxiety-like GHS of FD, which could be used to research the mechanisms of this intractable disease.

Mechanical properties and supporting effect of CRLD bolts under static pull test conditions

A device for supporting soft rock masses combined with a constant resistance structure characterized by constant resistance and large deformation at the end of a steel bar, known as the constant resistance and large deformation（CRLD） bolt, has recently been developed to counteract soft rock swelling that often occurs during deep mining. In order to further study the mechanical properties of the CRLD bolt, we investigated its mechanical properties by comparison with the conventional strength bolt（rebar） using static pull tests on many aspects, including supporting capacity, elongation, radial deformation, and energy absorption. The tests verified that the mechanical defects of the rebar, which include the decrease of bolt diameter, reduction of supporting capacity, and emergence and evolution of fracture until failure during the whole pull process, were caused by the Poisson＇s ratio effect. Due to the special structure set on the CRLD bolt, the bolt presents a seemingly unusual phenomenon of the negative Poisson＇s ratio effect, i.e., the diameter of the constant resistance structure increases while under-pulling. It is the very effect that ensures the extraordinary mechanical properties, including high resistance, large elongation, and strong energy absorption. According to the comparison and analysis of numerical simulation and field test, we can conclude that the CRLD bolt works better than the rebar bolt.

AIDS-Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior Survey among the “Migrant” Population in China

Objective To realize AIDS related knowledge, attitude and behavior among floating people in China and discuss its influencial factors, and to provide the evidence for how to prevent AIDS in floating population. Methods The data were collected from the ＂Sex and Reproductive Health Baseline Survey among Floating People in China＂ conducted in March 2004. The standard questionnaires were used to interview altogether 4 900 floating people from 6 provinces. Results Nearly 95.4 % of them had heard about AIDS, but only 0.5% can judge all the transmitted ways and no-transmitted ways correctly, 45.9 % believed that we need to isolate the HIV positive people. Only 65.7% knew that using condom can preventive HIV infection, 43. 7% showed their understanding about the man who has long time no sexual life has sex with a sexual worker. About 13.6% floating people chose condom as FP method and among them only 34. 6% used condom every time. Conclusion Chinese floating people are lack of AIDS knowledge. Most of them do not practise Safe Sex Activity. We need to give more intervention to the floating population.

Characters of DNA Constitution in the Rye B Chromosome

We have used chromosome microdissection and microcloning to construct a DNA library of the entire B chromosome （B） of rye. New rye B-specific sequences have been screened from this pool, blasted with other sequences and analyzed to elucidate the characters of DNA constitution and the possible pathway of the origin of the rye B chromosome. We report the discovery of a new sequence that is specific to the rye B centromere.

A promising energy storage system:rechargeable Ni-Zn battery

The sharp depletion of fossil fuel resources and its associated increasingly deteriorated environmental pollution are vital challenging energy issues, which are one of the most crucial research hot spots in the twenty-first century.Rechargeable Ni–Zn batteries（RNZBs）, delivering high power density in aqueous electrolytes with stable cycle performance, are expected to be promising candidates to alleviate the current energy and environmental problems,and play an important role in green power sources. Many efforts have been focused on the investigations and improvements of RNZBs in recent decades, and it is necessary to summarize and review the achievements and challenges in this advancing field. In this paper, we review various batteries, compare and highlight the advantages of RNZBs, and introduce the recent advances in the development of electrode materials and electrolytes of RNZBs,especially the applications of novel nanostructured materials for the active electrodes. Some prospective investigation trends of RNZBs are also proposed and discussed.

An update review on recent skin fillers

Facial rejuvenation has changed over the last decade,evolving from the rhytidectomy to an approach that focuses on revolumization,due to a more complete understanding of the changes to bone and soft tissue that occur with the aging face.Soft tissue augmentation using various injectable filler agents has gained popularity due to their nonsurgical,non-invasive procedures,instant cosmetic outcomes and limited recovery time.The skin filler market is booming and the variety of available skin fillers is increasing,providing the plastic surgeons many choices.Nonpermenant,biodegradable,resorbable agents may induce little complications,but they will normally disappear soon after injection.Semipermenant,biodegradable,biostimulary,nonresorbable fillers may induce a bit more complications,but they will normally disappear spontaneously in a few months.Permanent,nonresorbable fillers usually give rise to severe complications or reactions which may not disappear spontaneous.They may appear several years after the injection,and treatment is often insufficient.Unfortunately,the ideal filler with lasting effect but without any complication has not been discovered yet.In this review,we give an update on currently available skin filler agents,and what is new in recent 5 years.

Preface

In summer of 2010, JCST invited me to organize a special issue on theoretical computer science （TCS）. The goal of this special issue is to provide a place for presenting the recent advances in TCS coinmunity, and promoting theoretical computer science research in China.

Materials to facilitate orbital reconstruction and soft tissue filling in posttraumatic orbital deformaties

Posttraumatic orbital reconstruction has been a challenging mission for decades in craniomaxillofacial surgery.Complications like enophthalmos,diplopia and gaze obstacles emerge when orbital trauma occurs,affecting people’s daily life as well as their appearance.Advances in technology and research gained through years of experience has provided us with a greater understanding of the changes following trauma,as well as providing us with a variety of filling materials that we can choose from to handle the deformities.However,the best type of material for repair of orbital deformities remains controversial.This paper reviewed approximately 60 articles discussing materials used in orbital reconstruction or soft tissue defect filling in the past years,with the aim of giving a comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of materials used in this field so as to help surgeons to make a better choice.