BACKGROUND: Studies confirmed that pueraria can not only prevent the reduced bone mineral density and bone mass in the ovadectomy-caused estrogen deficiency mice with osteoporosis model, also improve bone micro-structure, it can be used for osteoporosis prevention and treatment in women after menopause. Does it exhibit a similar effect fpr the treatment of male osteoporosis?OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of puerariae Radix (PR) crude drug on the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone micro-architecture in androgen-deficiency mice with osteoporosis model.METHODS: A total of 48 ddY male mice, aged 8 weeks and weighing 32-35 g, were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham group,orchidectomized group, PR with low, middle and high dose group, 17β-estradiol group. Each group contained 8 mice. In sham group, mice were sham operated to expose testis and epididymis, removing surrounding fat tissue; in other groups, mice were orchidectomized. After operation, sham group and model group were fed normal diet, while PR with low, middle and high dose groups were fed a diet containing 5%, 10% and 20% PR, and 17β-estradiol group was fed a normal diet with subcutaneous administration of 17β-estradiol 0.03μg/d. The diet dosage was all 4.0 g/d. Four weeks after experiment, the mice were anesthetized and killed, and the weight of the seminal vesicle was measured. Dual-energy X-ray was used to detect BMD in femurs, and micro-CT analysis for distal femur metaphysis sponge bone microstructura.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The whole femoral BMD was significantly decreased by 10.9% in the model group, and the decrease in BMD was completely prevented by intake of the diet with the low dose of PR. Intake of the diet with the middle dose of PR further increased BMD in the model group, but no significant differences were observed. Furthermore, the high dose of PR administration significantly increased BMD by 26.1% and 12.4% respectively compared with model group and sham operated group, and the potency was similar to that of 17β-estradiol. Intake of the diet with the low dose of PR completely prevented the decrease in trabecular bone volume and trabecular number, and restored the increase in trabecular separation in mice caused by androgen deficiency. Intake of the diet with the middle dose of PR could enhance the inhibition effect, but there was no significant difference; intake of the diet with the high dose of PR exhibited the strongest effect on the inhibition, it further significantly increased trabecular bone volume and trabecular number compared with sham operated group. The seminal vesicle was not affected by the administration of any doses of PR. Without influence on the seminal vesicle, the low and middle dose of PR can completely inhibit the decreasing BMD and bone mass caused by androgen deficiency in mice, as well as improve bone structure,high dose of PR exhibits a significant effect and similar to 17β-estradiol.

Atherosclerotic risk factors contribute to carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as assessed using a non-invasive high-resolution ultrasound, can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whereas the control of CVD is crucial for the Mongolian people, the studies on carotid atherosclerosis are lacking. The present population-based survey was a cross-sectional investigation of the determinants of carotid IMT in the general Mongolian population. A total of 344 Mongolian volunteers, aged 18-69 years, without CVD and on no medication, were recruited from a health screening setting. The current smoking habits, body mass index, mean blood pressure (MBP), blood total cholesterol (TC), glucose, insulin and carotid IMT (maximum level) were measured. Mongolian males had a significantly higher prevalence of current smoking and a higher level of IMT than females (average=0.58 mm in males vs 0.46 in females). Both a single and multiple regression analysis adjusted for all the regression analysis adjusted for all the measures revealed that IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, male sex, MBP, TC and glucose among all of the participants. IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP, TC and glucose among males, while among females, IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP and TC. Age was the strongest determinant of carotid atherosclerosis, and the increases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also important measures in both sexes as well as glucose levels in males in particularly, thus suggesting a preventive strategy necessary for CVD in the general Mongolian population.

The difference in cardiopulmonary response between supine exercise and sitting exercise was assessed by the following protocols.
1) Cardiopulmonary exercise testing utilizing the ramp protocol with a bicycle ergometer (20 W/min) was performed by nine healthy Japanese men (mean age, 19.9 yr) in a sitting and a supine position. Oxygen uptake, heart rate and blood pressure were measured during the test. Blood was sampled in order to measure noradrenaline (NA) and angiotensin II (ANG II) in the resting control state and immediately after exercise.
2) Single-level exercise testing at 100 W was performed on another day. The cardiac index (CI) was computed from the cardiac output, which was measured using the dye-dilution method in the resting control state and during exercise.
The results were as follows:
1) Heart rate and blood pressure during exercise had a tendency to be lower in the supine position compared to the sitting position, although not significantly.
2) Anaerobic threshold (AT) was lower in the supine position than in the sitting position exercise, (18.3±2.6 ml/kg/min and 21.7±1.9 ml/kg/min, respectively) .
3) NA and ANG II in the supine position were slightly lower than in the sitting position.
4) At rest, the CI in the sitting position was significantly less than in the supine position; however, the CI during the 100 W exercises was the same in both the supine and sitting positions.
It is concluded that blood flow to active muscle during 100W exercise is lower in the supine than in the sitting position. This is thought to be due to changes in blood redistribution and lowered blood flow to active muscle in the supine position, creating a lower AT.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short-term immobilization on the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force. The first dorsal interosseus (FDI) of 10 healthy male adults was immobilized for 1 week using casting tape. Atrophy of the muscle was estimated from a cross sectional view of magnetic resonance images (MRI) . To clarify the factors of a peripheral neuromuscular system contributing to the change in the MVC force, twitch force at rest was measured. The contribution of central factors was estimated from a voluntary activation (VA) index, which was obtained by the twitch interpolation method.
The MRI showed no significant changes in the cross sectional area. The MVC force declined after immobilization (p<0.01), and recovered after 1 week from the termination of immobilization (p<0.01) . Both the twitch force at rest and the VA at MVC declined after immobilization (p<0.01), and recovered after 1 week (p<0.05) .
The results indicate that the temporary decline of the MVC force was not accompanied by atrophy of the muscle. Furthermore the decline of the MVC was caused both by the deterioration of peripheral and central functions in the neuromuscular system. Possible factors in the peripheral and central neuromuscular systems affected by the immobilization were discussed.

Case: A 40-year-old woman. Clinical diagnosis: Autistic disorder with mild mental retardation. Case report: The patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for the treatment of her pancreatic cancer. We held several conferences with individuals from different medical fields and examined the influence of the patient's autistic disorder on the perioperative conditions. The senior author, a clinical psychologist, conducted repeated individual, acceptive, and sympathetic interviews with the patient and her family and maintained supportive relationships with them as an honorary family member. Thus, the clinical psychologist helped reduce the patient's anxiety about the medical treatment. Conclusion: The participation of a clinical psychologist in the medical conferences enabled the medical staff to understand the complications involved and provide mental support to the patient and her family. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(2): 323-326

Objective: Anti-Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) activity of Kumazasa (Sasa senanensis Rehder) extract were investigated in the human embryonic lung (HEL) fibroblast cell.
Method: This study examined the effect of hot water extract from Sasa senanensis Rehder on HCMV replication, viral-specific major immediate early (IE) gene expression, and protein synthesis.
Results: Treatment of HCMV-infected HEL cells with that Sasa senanensis Rehder extract inhibited the cytopathic effect and viral production in a dose-dependent manner. Further, real-time RT-PCR assay and Western blotting analysis revealed that Sasa senanensis Rehder extract decreased expression of the HCMV IE gene in virus-infected HEL cell.
Conclusion: These results suggest that Sasa senanensis Rehder extract have anti-HCMV activity by inhibitting of IE gene expression.

Atherosclerotic risk factors contribute to carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as assessed using a non-invasive high-resolution ultrasound, can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whereas the control of CVD is crucial for the Mongolian people, the studies on carotid atherosclerosis are lacking. The present population-based survey was a cross-sectional investigation of the determinants of carotid IMT in the general Mongolian population.A total of 344 Mongolian volunteers, aged 18-69 years, without CVD and on no medication, were recruited from a health screening setting. The current smoking habits, body mass index, mean blood pressure (MBP), blood total cholesterol (TC), glucose, insulin and carotid IMT (maximum level) were measured.Mongolian males had a significantly higher prevalence of current smoking and a higher level of IMT than females (average=0.58 mm in males vs 0.46 in females). Both a single and multiple regression analysis adjusted for all the regression analysis adjusted for all the measures revealed that IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, male sex, MBP, TC and glucose among all of the participants. IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP, TC and glucose among males, while among females, IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP and TC.Age was the strongest determinant of carotid atherosclerosis, and the increases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also important measures in both sexes as well as glucose levels in males in particularly, thus suggesting a preventive strategy necessary for CVD in the general Mongolian population.

Objective: Anti-human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) activity of 5 compounds, especially tricin, isolated from Kumazasa extract were investigated in the human embryonic lung (HEL) fibroblast cell.
Method: This study examined the effect of tricin on HCMV replication, viral-specific major immediate early (IE) gene expression, and protein synthesis.
Results: Pretreatment of HEL cells before HCMV infection with tricin inhibited viral production in a dose-dependent manner, as well as posttreatment of HCMV-infected HEL cells with tricin. Real-time RT-PCR assay and Western blotting analysis indicated that tricin decreased expression of the HCMV IE gene in virus-infected HEL cell.
Conclusion: These date suggest that the primary mechanism of anti-HCMV activity for tricin, isolated from Kumazasa hot water extract, inhibit IE gene expression.

INTRODUCTIONOxidative stress, assessed using 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), can be associated with arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and/or hypertension (HT). We investigated the correlation between urinary 8-OHdG and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in hypertensive and non-hypertensive T2DM patients with fair glycaemic control to determine the clinical significance of HT as a comorbidity in the diabetic state.

METHODSClinical data, including traditional cardiovascular risk factors, diabetic complications, prescribed agents, urinary 8-OHdG level and brachial-ankle PWV, was collected from T2DM patients with and without HT.

RESULTSThere were 76 patients (45 men, 31 women; mean age 61 years; mean haemoglobin A1c level 6.5%) in the study cohort. T2DM patients with HT had significantly higher mean PWV than patients without HT (1,597 cm/s vs 1,442 cm/s; p < 0.05). Patients with HT showed no significant difference in 8-OHdG levels relative to those without HT (median 7.9 ng/mg creatinine vs 8.8 ng/mg creatinine; p > 0.05). Simple linear correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses revealed that 8-OHdG levels correlated independently, significantly and positively with PWV among T2DM patients with HT (r = 0.33, p < 0.05; β= 0.23, p < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between 8-OHdG levels and PWV among T2DM patients without HT.

CONCLUSIONIn the hypertensive state, oxidative stress can be responsible for the development of arterial stiffness, even in patients with fairly well controlled T2DM. Oxidative stress management may be necessary for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Cohort Studies ; Deoxyguanosine ; analogs & derivatives ; urine ; Diabetes Complications ; urine ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; urine ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxidative Stress ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Vascular Stiffness