Athletes ; Humans ; Physical Conditioning, Human ; physiology ; Running ; physiology

Hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) refers to exposure of organisms, systems, organs, tissues or cells to moderate hypoxia/ischemia that is able to result in a resistance to subsequent severe hypoxia/ischemia in tissues and cells. The effects exerted by HPC are well documented. The original local in situ (LiHPC) is now broadened to remote ectopic organs-tissues (ReHPC) and extended crossly to cross pluripotential HPC(CpHPC) induced by a variety of stresses other than hypoxia/ischemia, including cancer, for example. We developed a unique animal model of repetitive autohypoxia in adult mice, and studied systematically on the effects and mechanisms of HPC on the model in our laboratory since the early 1960s. The tolerances to hypoxia and protection from injury increased significantly in this model. The adult mice behave like hypoxia-intolerant mammalian newborns and hypoxia-tolerant adult animals during their exposure to repetitive autohypoxia. The overall energy supply and demand decreased, the microorganization of the brain maintained and the spacial learning and memory ability improved but not impaired, the detrimental neurochemicals such as free radicals down-regulated and the beneficial neurochemicals such as adenosine(ADO) and antihypoxic gene(s)/factor(s) (AHGs/AHFs) up-regulated. Accordingly, we hypothesize that mechanisms for the tolerance/protective effects of HPC are fundamentally depending on energy saving and brain plasticity in particular. It is thought that these two major mechanisms are triggered by exposure to hypoxia/ischemia via oxygen sensing-transduction pathways and HIF-1 initiation cascades. We suggest that HPC is an intrinsic mechanism developed in biological evolution and is a novel potential strategy for fighting against hypoxia-ischemia and other stresses. Motivation of endogenous antihypoxic potential, activation of oxygen sensing--signal transduction systems and supplement of exogenous antihypoxic substances as well as development of HPC appliances and HPC medicines such as AHFs are encouraged based on our basic research on HPC. HPC may result in therapeutic augmentation of the endogenous cytoprotection in hypoxic-ischemic or suffering from other diseases' patients. Evolutionary consideration of HPC and clinical implications of HPC are both discussed to guide future research. The product of AHF is expected to be one of the most effective first aid medicines to rescue patients in critical condition. HPC is beginning to be used in surgery and is expected to be developed into a feasible adaptive medicine in the near future.
Animals ; Brain ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoxia, Brain ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Mice ; Signal Transduction

Objective: To validate the clinical value of CT-guided curve-needle percutaneous ethanol injection (CNPEI) for celiac plexus block analgesia. Methods: Thirty-two patients with end-stage cancer, including 13 complicated with extensive retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement and fusion, were enrolled in this study. All patients complained of refractory upper abdominal pain and had received narcotic analgesics and radiotherapy, but the analgesic effect was not good. CT-guided CNPEI was therefore prescribed. Results: The effective rates of CT-guided CNPEI were 100%, 100%, 96.9%, 90.6%, 87.5%, and 84.4% immediately, and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks after treatment, respectively. All enlarged lymph nodes had obvious necrosis and became shrunk. Conclusion: Combined application of bilateral anterior and posterior diaphragmatic crura block and trans-lymph node block can produce good analgesic effects, and curve-needle puncture make the above technique simpler.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of occupational therapy (OT) on the function of upper limbs and complications in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods99 stroke patients were randomly divided into the OT group (52 cases treated with OT and routine rehabilitation) and control group (47 cases treated without OT). Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and evaluation of hand function were performed before and two months after treatment. The complications of patients in two groups were also compared.ResultsAfter treatment, the functions of upper limbs and hand of patients in the OT group were superior to those in the control group ( P<0.05). The numbers of cases with complications in the OT group were significantly less than that in the control group ( P <0.01).ConclusionOT can improve the functions of upper limbs and hand and abate complications in stroke patients.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) treatment on post-stoke depression (PSD) and neurological functional rehabilitation.Methods60 patients with PSD were randomly divided into two groups, treatment group and control group. Patients in the treatment group were given HBO treatment in addition to the regular treatment. Changes of scores of Hamilton depression (HAMD), Chinese stroke scale (CSS), and activity of daily living (ADL) before and after treatment in two groups were observed and evaluated.ResultsAfter 1 month treatment scores of HAMD, CSS, and ADL in the treatment group got obviously better results than before treatment (P<0.01). While scores in the control group had no significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusions It is suggested that HBO may improve the depressive symptom and neurological functional rehabilitation in PSD patients.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the excretive level of urinary albumin(ELUA) and the diabetic retinopathy(DR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) pedigree.Methods Sixty-five type 2 diabetes mellitus families including 476 persons were enrolled in the present study.All of them were divided into normal glucose tolerance group(NGT,140 persons),impaired glucose regulation group(IGR,93 persons),diabetes mellitus group(DM,164 cases) and diabetic retinopathy group(DR,79 cases).The cases in DR group were further divided into background group(BDR,66 cases) and proliferation group(PDR,13 cases) according to the findings of oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT),fundus fluorescence angiography and fundus examination.The levels of blood pressure(BP),fasting blood glucose(FBG),postprandial blood sugar(PPBS),lipid,serum creatinine(Cr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and ELUA were determined.The correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed between the ELUA and other parameters.Results There was an increasing trend of ELUA in the NGT,IGR,DM and DR groups,and there existed significant differences in ELUA among the four groups(P0.05).A positive correlation was found by Spearman rank correlation analysis between ELUA and diastolic blood pressure(DBP) in DR group(P

Objective To evaluate the effect of different types of tube feeding on swallowing function of stroke patients. Methods 60 patients with dysphagia post stroke were divided into observation group and control group with 30 cases in each group. The control group received indwelling nasogastric tube feeding, and the observation group received intermittent nasogastric tube feeding. They were assessed with Kubota Water Swallow Test (WST) and VGF on the 1st day and 30th day after admission. Results The scores of drinking test and VGF were better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05) on the 30th day. Conclusion Long-term nasogatric tube feeding is effective on dysphagia in stroke patients.

Animals ; Arteritis ; complications ; immunology ; Coronary Artery Disease ; etiology ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Models, Animal ; Rabbits

BACKGROUND: It is generally thought that the pathogenesis of the chronic blocking pulmonary disease (COPD) is characteristics in chronic inflammations of air passage, lung essence and the lung blood vessels. As the classic Chinese medicine, Maxing Shigan decoction has the pharmaco logical effects on fever alleviation, anti-inflammation, anti-virus, cough relieving and phlegm resolving, which is suitable for the treatment of phlegm heat cumber lung COPD, and is remarkable in the curative effect.OBJECTIVE: To probe into the mechanism of Maxing Shigan decoction ini the treatment of COPD by studying the changes in interleukin-8 (IL-8),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4)and the ratio between IFN-γ and IL-4 in rats with COPD.DESIGN: Randomized control animal experiment.SETTING: Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.MATERIALS: Seventy-two healthy male Wistar rats of SPF level with the body mass of (200±20) g were selected. Maxing Shigan decoction, composed of 5 g of ephedra, 9 g of almond, 6 g of liquorices, 18 g of gypsum.The water-decocted enrichment was 0.475 g/mL, and the medical herb pieces were supplied by the TCM Dispensary of Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Medical University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.METHODS: The experiment was conducted in the Central Laboratory,Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April to October 2005. ① 72 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: blank control group (n=24), retention of phlegm-heat modeling group (modeling group, n=24) and retention of phlegm-heat treatment group (treatment group, n=24). Improved smoking and trachea dropping lipopolysaccharide was adopted to copy COPD model, and model of phlegm heat cumber lung was remodeled for copy.② Rats in the treatment group were lavaged with 2 mL of Maxing Shigan decoction per day (the medicine composition: Chinese ephedra 5 g, almond 9 g, licorice 6 g, gypsum 18 g, the water fries the concentration for the density 475 g/L concentrated solution) from the 30th day, while rats in the modeling group were lavaged with 2 mL of normal saline each day.Rats in the blank control group received no interventions, which ate and drank freely under the same environment. ③ The contents of IL-8, IL-4 and TNF-α in the homogenate of lung tissues were tested by radio-immune method. ④ The content of IFN-γ in the homogenate of lung tissues was detected by the enzyme immunoassay method. ⑤ The ratio of IFN-γ and IL-4 was calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The contents of IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ,IL-4 as well as the ratio between IFN-γ and IL-4 in the homogenate of lung tissues in rats of each group.RESULTS: ① The level of IL-8 in the modeling group was markedly higher than that in the blank control group [(581.41±74.72), (318.63±40.01 ) ng/L,P ＜ 0.01], which was significantly decreased after the treatment [(533.95±68.67) ng/L,P ＜ 0.01], while there was difference in comparison with the blank control group (P ＜ 0.05). ② The level of TNF-α in the modeling group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group [(160.78±20.90), (100.29±24.2) ng/L, P ＜ 0.01], which was remarkably decreased after the treatment [(147.08±19.43) ng/L,P ＜ 0.05],whereas it was different in comparison with that in the blank control group(P ＜ 0.01). ③ Compared with the blank control group, the level of IFN-γ in the modeling group was markedly decreased [(230.32±72.33), (328.08±50.57) ng/L ,P＜ 0.01], which was obviously increased after the treatment [(267.24±55.14) ng/L ,P ＜ 0.05], and there were differences between the two groups (P ＜ 0.01). ④ The level of IL-4 was significantly increased in the modeling group than that in the blank control group[(135.08±29.17), (82.41±14.66) ng/L,P ＜ 0.01], which was significantly decreased after the treatment [(107.99±23.76) ng/L,P ＜ 0.01], and there was difference between the two groups (P ＜ 0.01 ). ⑤ The ratio between IFN-γ and IL-4 declined markedly in the modeling group than that in the blank control group (1.77±0.73,4.09±0.91 ,P ＜ 0.01), and the ratio increased markedly after the treatment(2.59±0.79, P ＜ 0.01 ). There was difference between the two groups(P ＜ 0.01 ).CONCLUSION: Maxing Shigan decoction can regulate the changes in level of multiple cytokines in rats with COPD, which has the effects of anti-inflammation and enhancing the immunity of organism immunization with clear curative effect on COPD (syndrome of retention of phlegmheat).

Objective To evaluate the effect of insulin pumps in diabetic patients. Methods Perioporative 37 diabetic patients in our hospital were randomly divided into two groups;19 patients were given continuous insulin pump subcutaneously(CS Ⅱ), 18 multiple subcutaneous injection(MS Ⅱ), comparing the level of blood sugar control, pre-operative time, control of blood sugar levels, wound healing, and so on, postoperative enteral nutrition. Results Two groups of blood glucose levels before treatment had no significant difference (P > 0.5), after treatment the de-creased level of blood sugar and blood sugar level of stability in the CS Ⅱ group better than the MS Ⅱ group, the differ-ence was signifieant(P <0.01). CS Ⅱ significantly shortened the pre-operative preparation time,before and after op-eration and postoperative enteral nutrition ,control of blood sugar stable ,the wound healed well and shortened hospital stay. Conclusion Insulin pump is an effective manner in the perioperative treatment of diabetes for smoothing opera-tion, reducing the burden on patients and complications.