AIM:This study was performed to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of exogenous mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation on post-infarction ventricular remodeling and heart function in rats and compare the effects between adult rat MSCs and neonate rat MSCs transplantation.METHODS:1-2 hours after left coronary artery ligation,MSCs cultured in ex vivo,marked with BrdU,were injected directly into the border of infarcts in exogenous rats.6 weeks after transplantation,rat' heart function,ventricular remodeling and pathological results were measured.RESULTS:MSCs transplantation decreased LV end-diastolic diameter and end-systolic diameter,limited LV chamber dilatation and reduced collagen content significantly.The numbers of blood vessels and cardiomyocytes were increased.BrdU-labelled MSCs with oval nucleus were widely distributed.There were no significant difference between adult rat MSCs and neonate rat MSCs transplanted groups.CONCLUSION:MSCs can survive and home in exogenous host infarct hearts without addition of any immunosuppressant.MSCs transplantation has benificial effects on remodeling processes and contributes to improvement of cardiac function,which may be related with the reduction of the amount of the collagen,promotion of myogenesis and angiogenesis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of a breathing pattern intervention (RPI) on the oral feeding of pre-term infants with suck-swallow-breath (SSwB) coordination disorder.Methods:Sixty pre-term infants with SSwB coordination disorder were divided into an observation group ( n=30) and a control group ( n=30) using a random number table. Both groups were given routine feeding training, including oral exercise intervention, non-nutritive sucking training, and swallowing induction training during nursing, while the observation group was additionally provided with 15 minutes of breathing pattern training once a day, including breathing pattern observation, resistive breathing training prior to eating and passive breathing pattern intervention during eating. Before and after the 7-day intervention, the Pre-term Infant Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment (PIOFRA) was used to evaluate each subject′s oral feeding ability. Rate of transfer (RT), proficiency (PRO), minimum oxygen partial pressure (SaO 2) and SaO 2 fluctuations were also recorded during the feeding process. Results:After 1 week of the intervention, significant improvement was observed in both groups. In the observation group the average RT (2.76±0.36ml/min), PRO, minimum SaO 2, the number of SaO 2 fluctuations, and PIOFRA score (33.28±0.58) were all significantly better than the control group′s averages. Conclusion:Breathing pattern intervention based on routine feeding training can enhance breathing coordination during swallowing and ultimately improve the oral feeding of pre-term infants with SSwB coordination disorders in a relatively short period of time.