Objective: To investigate the effects of selenium enriched probiotics on antioxidative activities and immune functions in weanling piglets. Methods: Twenty-four healthy weanling piglets (Duroc?Landrace?Yorkshire ) were divided into 3 groups. One served as control group (C) and two were supplemented different selenium (Se) sources namely selenium enriched probiotics (T1) and Na selenite (T2) as test groups respectively . The experiment lasted for 60 days. The blood GSH-Px activity, blood Se concentration, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, serum malonaldehyde (MDA) level, serum antibody level of swine fever, and the tissue content of selenium were determined. Results: Blood GSH-Px , Se concentration and serum SOD activity of T1, T2 groups were higher than those of control group after 60 d Se supplementation, and serum MDA content was markedly lower than control group. At the same time, the serum antibody level of swine fever, the tissue content of selenium in T1, T2 group were much higher than control group, and T1 group was higher than T2 group. Conclusion: Organic Se supplementation could significantly enhance immune function and antioxidative activities of weanling piglets.

Objective: To investigate the effects of selenium-enriched probiotics on immunity and antioxidation function in mice. Method: One hundred healthy KM mice, female and male in half, were randomly divided into control, sodium selenite, selenium-enriched yeast (Se yeast), selenium-enriched probiotics (Se probiotics) and probiotics groups. One milliliter of water, sodium selenite (2 ?g Se/ml), Se yeast (2 ?g Se/ml), Se probiotics (2 ?g Se/ml) or probiotics were respectively supplemented to five groups in oral (ig) every day. Whole experiment lasted for 28 d. During the experiment, immunity and antioxidation functions were measured respectively. Results: The activation of peritoneal macrophage and thymus index in Se probiotics group were significantly higher than those of other four groups. The spleen index of Se probiotics group was higher than that of control, sodium selenite and probiotics group. The spleen lymphocyte transformation rate in Se probiotics group was significantly or very significantly higher than that in control or probiotics group. In addition, blood GSH-Px and plasma SOD activity in Se probiotics group were significantly higher than those in control and sodium selenite group. Plasma MDA concentration in Se probiotics group was very significantly lower than that in control and sodium selenite group. Conclusion: Selenium-enriched probiotics supplementation could significantly enhance immunity and antioxidation function in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of conventional acupuncture combined with row-like puncture at sternocleidomastoid on peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Acupuncture was applied at affected Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Sibai (ST 2), Quanliao (SI 18), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, row-like puncture was applied at sternocleidomastoid (1 needle was punctured at muscle origin and insertion respectively, 3 to 4 needles were row-like punctured at the connection line of muscle origin and insertion). The treatment was given once a day, 5 times were as one course, with 2-day interval, totally 4 courses were required in the both groups. The house-brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grade, facial nerve function rating system-dynamic view rating scale score and facial disability index (FDI) scale score [including scores of FDI physical function (FDIp) and FDI social life function (FDIs)] before and after treatment were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the H-B facial nerve function grades were improved compared before treatment in the both groups ( CONCLUSION Compared with conventional acupuncture, combination therapy with row-like puncture at sternocleidomastoid can improve the therapeutic effect of peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Humans ; Needles ; Punctures ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDThe emergency department (ED) has a pivotal influence on the management of acute heart failure (AHF), but data concerning current ED management are scarce. This Beijing AHF Registry Study investigated the characteristics, ED management, and short- and long-term clinical outcomes of AHF.

METHODSThis prospective, multicenter, observational study consecutively enrolled 3335 AHF patients who visited 14 EDs in Beijing from January 1, 2011, to September 23, 2012. Baseline data on characteristics and management were collected in the EDs. Follow-up data on death and readmissions were collected until November 31, 2013, with a response rate of 92.80%. The data were reported as median (interquartile range) for the continuous variables, or as number (percentage) for the categorical variables.

RESULTSThe median age of the enrolled patients was 71 (58-79) years, and 46.84% were women. In patients with AHF, coronary heart disease (43.27%) was the most common etiology, and myocardium ischemia (30.22%) was the main precipitant. Most of the patients in the ED received intravenous treatments, including diuretics (79.28%) and vasodilators (74.90%). Fewer patients in the ED received neurohormonal antagonists, and 25.94%, 31.12%, and 33.73% of patients received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, and spironolactone, respectively. The proportions of patients who were admitted, discharged, left against medical advice, and died were 55.53%, 33.58%, 7.08%, and 3.81%, respectively. All-cause mortalities at 30 days and 1 year were 15.30% and 32.27%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSSubstantial details on characteristics and ED management of AHF were investigated. The clinical outcomes of AHF patients were dismal. Thus, further investigations of ED-based therapeutic approaches for AHF are needed.