Objective To compare the effects of nasogastric tube and spiral nasointestinal tube on patients with severe brain injury. Methods Pa?tients receiving enteral nutrition with spiral nasointestinal tube or nasogastric tube were collected and investigated to evaluate the two schemes of en?teral nutrition from aspects of coma score,nutrition improvement,and catheter complications and so on. Results Detection of levels of total protein and prealbumin were conducted for all patients at 7 and 15 days after intubation. Each index was higher in the spiral nasointestinal tube group than in the nasogastric tube group. The reflux and aspiration rate was lower in the spiral nasointestinal tube group than in the nasogastric tube group. The dif?ferences were significant(P<0.05). Conclusion Using spiral nasointestinal tube to give enteral nutrition in patients with severe brain injury can improve the nutritional status,reduce complications,which is more contributory to the recovery.

To investigate the anticancer effects of ring C in 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a series of GA derivatives featured with 9(11)-ene moiety in ring C were designed and synthesized. The structures were confirmed by IR, LC-MS and 1H NMR. Their inhibitory effects towards human prostate cancer PC-3 and leukemia HL-60 cell lines were determined. Most of the derivatives displayed stronger antiproliferative activities than GA. Particularly, compound 14 showed promising anticancer activity with the GI50 values of 4.48 µmol · L(-1) and 1.2 µmol · L(-1) against PC-3 and HL-60 cells respectively, which is worth further study.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Design ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; HL-60 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus electroacupuncture (EA) for treating peripheral facial paralysis and its influence on patients' facial nerve functions, facial disability index and clinical symptoms and signs. Methods: A total of 96 peripheral facial paralysis patients were allocated into an observation group, a medicine group and an EA group by simple randomization, with 32 cases in each group. Patients in the medicine group were treated with oral mecobalamine and prednisone acetate; patients in the EA group were treated with EA on the basis of the medicine treatment; while patients in the observation group were treated with acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus EA. After 4-week treatment, the clinical efficacy, the adverse events, and the scores of House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grading scale, visual analog scale (VAS), clinical symptoms and signs, and facial disability index (FDI) were compared. Results: After 4-week treatment, the total effective rate was 96.9％ in the observation group, higher than 68.7％ in the medicine group and 75.0％ in the EA group (both P<0.05). After 4-week treatment, the scores of H-B grading scale, VAS and clinical symptoms and signs in the three groups dropped significantly compared with those before treatment, and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the medicine group and EA group (all P<0.05). After 4-week treatment, the facial disability index-physical function (FDIP) in the FDI in the three groups increased significantly, with a higher value in the observation group compared with that in the medicine group and EA group (both P<0.05). The facial disability index-social function (FDIS) in the FDI dropped significantly, with a lower score in the observation group compared with that in the medicine group and EA group (both P<0.05). However, the comparisons of the items above between the medicine group and the EA group showed no statistical significance (all P>0.05). The between-group comparison of the adverse event across the three groups showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusion: Acupoint sticking therapy with Mian Tan Gao (facial paralysis paste) plus EA can decrease H-B grade, reduce pain severity and improve clinical symptoms and signs as well as the facial disability condition in peripheral facial paralysis patients. This method produced more significant efficacy compared with oral medicine and medicine plus EA.

The purpose of our present work was to study the discharge of bursting-firing neurons (BFNs) in ipsilateral or contralateral hippocampus (HPC), and its relations to the reestablishment of local epileptic networks. The experiments were performed on 140 Sprague Dawley male rats (150-250 g). Acute tetanization (60 Hz, 2 s, 0.4 -0.6 mA) of the right posterior dorsal hippocampus (ATPDH) was administered to establish rat epilepsy model. The single unit discharges and the depth electrographs were simultaneously recorded from ipsilateral or contralateral HPC. In other experimental rats, acute tetanization of the right anterior dorsal HPC (ATADH) was used. Extracellular unit discharges in the CA1 region were simultaneously recorded from bilateral anterior dorsal hippocampi. Analysis of hippocampal BFN firing patterns before or after administration of the tetanization was focused on according to their location in the HPC epileptic networks in vivo. Single unit discharges of 138 hippocampal neurons were recorded from ipsilateral and/or contralateral anterior dorsal HPC. Of the 138 neurons recorded, 19 were BFNs. 13 BFNs were tetanus-evoked and the remaining 6 were spontaneous ones. The evoked reactions of the single hippocampal neuron induced by the tetanization mainly included: (1) the firing patterns of the BFNs in ipsilateral anterior dorsal HPC were obviously modulated by the ATPDH from tonic firing into rhythmic bursting. The bursting interspike intervals (BISI) decreased. (2) There were mild modulations of the firing patterns of the BFNs in contralateral anterior dorsal HPC following post-inhibition of the firing rate of single neuron induced by the ATPDH. The interspike intervals (ISI) increased obviously. (3) Post-facilitation of rhythmic bursting-firing of the BFNs in contralateral anterior dorsal HPC was induced by ATADH; both the ISI and the IBI increased. (4) Synchronous or asynchronous rhythmic bursting-firing of the BFNs and the network epileptiform events ipsilateral or contralateral anterior dorsal HPC were elicited by the ATPDH. The results obtained suggest that bursting-firing of single BFNs is produced by the ATPDH in the anterior dorsal HPC along the longitudinal axis of the ipsilateral HPC or across the hemisphere to the opposite HPC. Rhythmic activities of the BFN may be implicated in the epileptic network reestablishment of the HPC. On the other hand, synaptic modulation of the BFN temporal series might be responsible for pathophysiological information transmission in the HPC-epileptic network.
Animals ; Electric Stimulation ; Electrophysiology ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; physiopathology ; Evoked Potentials ; Hippocampus ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nerve Net ; physiopathology ; Neurons ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synaptic Transmission

Objective To investigate the characteristics of gut microbiota dysbosis in septic and non-septic patients in ICU.Methods A prospective observational research was conducted.Ten septic patients(septic group),ten patients without sepsis(non-septic group) were admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from February 2017 to June 2017 were enrolled.And ten healthy persons was enrolled as control group.Stool samples were collected from septic and non-septic patients within two days following admission to the intensive care unit (ICU);healthy persons' was random.High throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology was used to detect fecal bacterium of three groups.Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score,Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of patients were recorded on the first day after admission to ICU.Results Compared with the control group,the α diversity of gut microbiota in non-septic and septic groups showed a downward trend,the [3 diversity showed that the structure of gut microbiota in non-septic and the septic groups was significant different,and the individual differences were more obvious.At the level of phylum,compared with the control group,the proportion of Firmicutes+Bacteroidetes in non-septic and septic groups decreased significantly(P=0.013,0.028),and the proportion of Proteobacteria increased(P=0.017,0.026),while the proportion of Fusobacteria just increased in the non-septic group(P ＜ 0.01).At the level of genus,compared with the control group,the proportion of beneficial symbiotic genus in non-septic and septic groups can be seen decreased,such as Ruminococcus(P=0.045,0.026),Pseudobutyrivibrio(P=0.009,＜ 0.01),Anaerostipes(P=0.011,0.003),Coprococcus(P=0.045,0.011),Phascolarctobacterium(P=0.008,0.022),Subdoligranulum(P=0.006,0.026).The proportion of Lactobacillus,Dorea,Faecalibacterium,Roseburia and Blautia showed downward trend in non-septic and septic groups,but only the decline of Lactobacillus in non-septic group had statistical difference(P=0.005),and the decline of Dorea,Faecalibacterium,Roseburia and Blautia in septic group had statistical differences(P=0.037,0.038,0.002 and 0.017,respectively).The proportion of conditional pathogenic Fusobacterium,Actinomyces,Peptstreptococcus,Streptococcus increased in non-septic group(P=0.001,0.019,0.011 and 0.014,respectively),the proportion of pathogenic Staphylococcus(P=0.035,0.006),Enterococcus(P=0.001,0.001),Anaerococcus(P=0.006,0.006) and Bacillus(both P ＜ 0.01) increased in non-septic and septic groups.Conclusions Gut microbiota dysbiosis occured in septic and non-septic patients in the ICU,and showed that diversity decreased,structure of intestinal flora changed,obligate anaerobic bacteria decreased,facultative anaerobic bacteria increased,benefical symbiotic bacteria decreased,pathogenic bacteria increased and can be the dominate genus.

OBJECTIVETo screen the protein interacting with retinoic acid receptor variant protein (RAR alpha-V) via the yeast two-hybrid technique (YTHT) and to find out the targets protein and study its biological function.

METHODSThe bait vector of pGBKT7-RAR alpha-V was constructed for screening proteins interacting with RAR alpha-V in K562 cell cDNA expression library via YTHT. The protein-protein interaction was confirmed with re-transformation in yeast and GST pull-down in vitro.

RESULTSThe bait vector was successfully constructed without toxicity, leakage and self-activation. Sixteen proteins were screened by YTHT and eight positive clones were identified by re-transformation in yeast. The interaction between RAR alpha-V and JTV-1 was confirmed by GST pull-down in vitro.

CONCLUSIONSThere are some kinds of proteins interacting with RAR alpha-V in cell. The biological dysfunction caused by certain protein-protein interaction may be involved in the pathogenesis of leukemia.

Gene Library ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Protein Interaction Mapping ; Receptors, Retinoic Acid ; metabolism ; Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of recombinant adenovirus encoding human apM1 gene on proliferation and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODSProtein expression of apM1 in cell culture supernatant of HUVECs transfected with human Ad-apM1 was detected by double antibody sandwich ELISA. The effect of human adiponectin on cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. The total NOS and iNOS expressions were measured by chromatometre.

RESULTSHuman adiponectin protein level and total NOS and eNOS expressions were significant increased and iNOS expression significantly reduced in culture supernatant of HUVECs infected with Ad-apM1 compared to that in control HUVECs. The recombinant adenovirus had no influence on HUVECs growth as determined by MTT assay.

CONCLUSIONSHuman Ad-apM1 can be effectively expressed in HUVECs and do not influence HUVECs growth. Increased total NOS and eNOS expressions and decreased iNOS expression in HUVECs transfected with Ad-apM1 gene suggest a potential role of Ad-apM1 gene transfer for the prevention and treatment of arteriosclerosis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Adiponectin ; genetics ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Gene Expression ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate safety and efficacy of preoperative administration of enteral nutrition support in gastric cancer patients at risk of malnutrition.

METHODSA single center randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in 60 gastric cancer patients in West China Hospital from May to October 2012. Thirty patients were given enteral nutrition support(Ensure(R)) manufactured by Abbott Laboratories for ten consecutive days before surgical operation in the treatment group, and 30 patients were given an isocaloric and isonitrogenous homogenized diet in the control group for 10 days as well. The laboratory parameters of nutritional status and hepatorenal function were observed and compared between the two groups on admission, preoperative day 1 and postoperative day 3, respectively. Clinical observations, such as nausea and vomiting, were carried out until patients were discharged.

RESULTSBefore the intervention, there were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. The levels of serum albumin [(33.9±5.6) g/L vs. (31.0±5.3) g/L, P<0.05], and hemoglobin[(103.4±7.7) g/L vs.(96.6±10.5) g/L, P<0.01] were significantly improved in the treatment group on postoperative day 3. However, the levels of body mass index, lymphocyte count, liver and renal function, serum glucose, sodium, and potassium were not significantly different between the two groups(all P>0.05). Moreover, two patients with nausea and one with vomiting in each group were found. In clinical observation period, no severe treatment-related adverse event were observed.

CONCLUSIONThe enteral supplement with Ensure(R) in gastric cancer patients at risk of malnutrition during preoperative period is effective and safe, which is superior to homogenized diet and an appropriate choice for gastric cancer patients with nutritional risk.

Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrectomy ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Malnutrition ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Nutritional Status ; Postoperative Period ; Preoperative Care ; methods ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

Objective To study the effects of fluorocitrate (FC),astrocytic metabolic inhibitor,on early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)in rats so as to explore the mechanism of early brain injury mediated by astrocyte after SAH.Methods Thirty six SD male rats were randomly divided into sham group,SAH 3 d group and SAH 3 d+FC group,with 12 rats in each group.The model of SAH was established by an endovascular perforation technique. FC was injected into the lateral ventricle. Three days after SAH, the expressions of GFAP,Iba-1 and TNF-α were detected using immunohistochemistry in all rats.The expression and phosphorylation of NF-κB in the nucleus were detected by Western blot.The expressions of TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6 were detected by ELISA.Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL.Results Neuronal swelling,nuclear anomalies, disorganization of micrangium,abnormality of endothelial cells appeared in SAH 3 d group,but not in sham group. The expressions of NSE,GFAP and Iba-1 were significantly increased in SAH 3 d group compared with those in sham group (all P＜0.05).The number of apoptotic cells was increased.The expression and phosphorylation of NF-κB were significantly increased.The expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly increased.However, neuronal injuries were alleviated by injecting FC.The expressions of NSE,GFAP and Iba-1 in SAH 3 d+FC group were inhibited.The number of apoptotic cells in SAH 3 d+FC group was decreased compared with that in SAH 3 d group.The expression and phosphorylation of NF-κB were decreased by FC.The expressions of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly decreased by FC (P＜0.05).Conclusion Astrocytes may play an important role in early brain injury after SAH,underlying the mechanism that they released TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-6 and activate microglia by activating NF-κB signal.The inhibition of excess activation of astrocytes may plays a protective role in early brain injury after SAH.

Objective To study the distribution of sleep duration in mid－pregnancy women and examine its association with prehypertension ( PHT) ． Methods In the baseline survey of a prospective cohort study，943 women in mid－pregnancy were recruited in Guangzhou，China in 2017－2018． A standardized questionnaire was used to assess demographic characteristics，sleep duration and other lifestyles． We obtained maternal blood pressure values，weights，heights，and medical histories from medical records． Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between sleep duration and PHT． Ｒesults The average daily sleep duration of women in mid －pregnancy was ( 10. 41 ± 1. 67 ) hours，and it was negatively related to age and educational level． Overall，98. 33% of pregnant women had a daily sleep duration ≥ 7 h and the distribution was related to passive smoking． The average night time sleep duration was ( 9. 48±1. 21 ) hours，and it was negatively related to age and educational level． The daytime sleep duration was ( 0. 93 ± 0. 69 ) hours，and it was positively associated with physical activity． The average bedtime was( 22 ∶ 42 ± 1．24) ，and it was positively associated with passive smoking． The prevalence of PHT was 9. 61%． We did not observe any significant association between sleep duration and PHT． Conclusions The mid－pregnancy women in Guangzhou had relatively long sleep duration， and it differed by maternal age，educational level，physical activity，and passive smoking． There was no significant association between sleep duration and PHT．