Objective To explore the influence of thyroid status on serum level of leptin and expression of leptin mRNA in rats with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.Methods Fifty rats were artificially rendered hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism by L-thyroxine or methimazole and divided into 5 groups.The serum of T 3,T 4,TSH,leptin concentration and expression of leptin mRNA were measured in 5 groups.Results Serum leptin concentration was significantly correlated with weight of rats in 5 groups(P

Objective To investigate the effects of enteral nutrition support with different doses of glutamine on nutritional status and gastrointestinal function in elderly critically ill patients.Methods Totally 90 critically ill patients were randomly divided into three group:the control group without glutamine (group A),enteral nutrition with low glutamine [0.3 g/(kg· d)] (group B),and high glutamine [0.6 g/(kg· d)] groups (group C).Fasting blood samples were collected on days 1,7,and 14 after the initiation of study,and then the indicators including serum diamine oxidase,glutamine,transferin (TF),prealbumin (PA),hemoglobin (HGB),albunin,and nitrogen balance were determined.In addition,the gastrointestinal complications including bloating,diarrhea,and gastric retention were recorded.Results On the 7th and 14th days,the serum glutamine levels in groups B and C were (1 886.8 ±420.5),(2 228.6 ±440.2) μg/L;(1 889.6 ± 436.1),(2 174.3 ± 440.8) μg/L,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in group A [(1 612.0 ±493.5),(1 869.7 ±559.8) μg/L] (P =0.027,P =0.008).The serum diamine oxidase levels were also significantly lower in group B [(2 310 ± 1 271),(1 602.5 ± 1 137.9) U/L] and group C [(2 076.3 ±567),(1 586.3 ±530.9) U/L] than in group A [(3 250 ±923),(2 476 ±862) U/L] (P =0.000,P =0.000).The serum TF and PA levels were significantly increased on the 7th day (P =0.023,P =0.047),and the HGB was significantly higher on 14th day (P =0.003),The number of patients who had undergone successful implementation of enteral nutrition were 4 and 3 in groups B and C,and the number of patients who had achieved the target volume of enterral nutrition was 25 and 27 in groups B and C,which were significantly larger than those in group A (12 and 13,respectively) (P =0.008,P =0.000).The gastrointestinal complication was also significantly decreased after the administration of enterral nutrition with glutamine.Conclusions Enteral nutrition with glutamine can improve intestinal mueosa barrier and nutritional status in elderly critically ill patients.Thus,it helps to reduce gastrointestinal complications and transition time of total enteral nutrition.

Objective To investigate the effects of cognitive interventions (CIs) in the context of communi- ty based rehabilitation (CBR) on cognitive deficits (CDs) in stroke patients.Methods Ninety-two stoke patients with CDs were randomly divided into a CI group and a control group.All patients were treated with conventional CBR.In addition,the patients in the CI group were also treated with special intervention therapy.The patients in both groups were assessed with the neurological and cognitive status examination (NCSE) for cognitive functioning, the FCA for motor function and the BI for their ability in the activities of daily living.Results The NCSE,FCA and BI scores in the cognitive intervention group after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment and also significantly higher than those in the control group after treatment.Conclusion CIs can not only improve CDs,but also enhance recovery of motor function and ADL.

Objective To establish the reference ranges of the spatial angles among cardiac chambers and great vessels in second and third trimester fetuses measured by spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC).Methods Volume images of 352 normal fetuses from 20 to 38 weeks of gestation were recruited in the study.An off-line analysis of acquired volume datasets was carried out with multiplanar mode.Parameters measured included angles between:(1) the 4-chamber view and the left ventricular long axis view; (2) the left ventricular long axis view and main pulmonary artery; and (3) the ductal arch and aortic arch.The relationships between above-mentioned angles and gestational age were assessed by correlation and regression analysis.Results The angle between the 4-chamber view and the left ventricular long axis view (range:55.7° - 35.7°,mean:45.7° ± 5.12°) was uncorrelated with gestational age (r = 0.03,P = 0.51).In contrast,the angle between the left ventricular long axis view and main pulmonary artery,and the angle between the ductal arch and aortic arch were correlated with gestational age (P ＜ 0.001),and the correlation coefficient was - 0.53 and 0.57 respectively.The best-fit exponential curve regression equations of the angle between the left ventricular long axis view and main pulmonary artery was:Y = 154- 4.24X +0.05X2 ,and the angle between the ductal arch and aortic arch was:Y = - 20.8 + 2.65X - 0.37X2.Conclusions The angles among cardiac chambers and great arteries of fetuses from 20 to 38 weeks of gestation can be quantitatively measured by STIC.The reference ranges provide a reliable quantitative standard to estimate the spatial relationships of the cardiac large arteries of fetuses,which may be clinically useful in prenatal screening congenital heart disease.

Air ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Ethylene Oxide ; analysis ; Furans ; analysis ; Methylene Chloride ; analysis ; Workplace

Objective To investigate the growth and exocrine function of BM-MSC derived from PBC patients.Methods To compare the growth patterns and cytokines secretions between PBC patients and healthy controls by student's t test.Results ① There was no difference in growth profile and speed between PBC patients and healthy controls.② The level of TGF-β1 was much lower in the supernatant of BM-MS from OBC patients than health controls [(2.6±1.9)vs (8.2±6.7)ng/ml,t=-3.641,P=0.001].There were no other differences between two groups' BM-MSC.③ The super natant concentration of interlukin-10 of the third BM-MSC subculture from healthy controls was lower than that of the primary subculture [(18.5±5.0) vs (12.4±3.1) pg/ml,t=2.368,P=0.045],and that of hepatic growth factor from the second subcuhure was higher than the primary subculture [(0.21±0.07) vs (0.35±0.08) ng/ml,t=-2.874,P=0.021].There were seldom discrepancies in other cytokines between different generations of BM-MSC.Conclusion BM-MSC from PBC patients may have almost the similar characters in growth pattern and cytokines secretion as,except the TGF-β1,which was much lower than those from healthy controls.The second subculture of BM-MSC might be more suitable for the treatment to patients with PBC.

OBJECTIVETo investigates the mechanism of hypooglycemic effect of conduritol A of stems of Gymnema sylvestre.

METHODFourteen days later after administration, observation is taken on the change of these mice and rats weight, the FBG, TG, CHO, SOD, MDA, INS, TNF in serum were also detected with enzymology method and Radioimmuoassay method. Take the liver to determine the disposal of glucose. Take the pancreas to do the HE and immunohistochemistrial staining, and show pancreas islet beta-cell. Calulate thymus, pancreas, splenica index.

RESULTCompared with diabetic model mice, high and middosage of conduritol A could remarkably reduce fasted blood sugar in diabetic rats induced by alloxan (P < 0.01). Significantly increase the level of serum insulin (P < 0.05). Activity of SOD was obviously increased, and amount of MDA was obviously decreased (P < 0.05). The amount of conduritol A disposal of glucose was obviously increased (P < 0.05). Significantly increase thymus, pancreas, splencia index (P < 0.01 or 0.05); inhibited the atrophy of thymus, pancreas, splencias of the diabetic rats induced by alloxan. Compared with diabetic model group, cell structure and form of conduritol A had been some way improved. The immunohistochemistry results showed that beta-cells numbers of pancreas in each conduritol A group were more than those in the model group.

CONCLUSIONConduritol A could have an effect on regulating the metabolism of blood lipid, free-radical scavenging, enhancing the antioxidant ability, potentiating immune function. Promoting synthesis of hepatic to decrease fasted blood suger.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gymnema sylvestre ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Secondary metabolites are the result of that plant interaction with biological and non-biological factors in the long-term evolution process, and play an important role in plant growth, development and physiology. The effective components of medicinal plant are usually the secondary metabolites in plant cells, and the synthesis of them are affected by a variety of factors, such as environmental impact. Acquirement of the secondary metabolites via callus culture has the advantage of low cost and less environmental impact. The synthesis and accumulation of medicinal plant secondary metabolites are not only controlled by light, temperature and pH, but also infected by germplasm, plant growth regulator and elicitor. This article presents a review of the influencing factors, and provides a basis for further study and development.
Light ; Plant Growth Regulators ; metabolism ; Plant Physiological Phenomena ; radiation effects ; Plants ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Temperature

Objective To confirm the distribution of high arsenic drinking water and the situation of endemic arsenism in Hubei Province, to provide reference basis for prevention and control of endemic arsenic disease. Methods Using typical investigation and sample investigation in 2006 and 2007, the arsenic content of water was detected sampled from 19 counties(cities or communities). And those water samples which were close to or exceeded the stipulated standard were rechecked by the national standard method. Furthermore, the situation of endemic arsenism was investigated in the cities having high arsenic contents of water. Results In 2006,10 028 water samples of 446 villages in 6 counties (cities or communities) were tested, the wells of high arsenic (> 0.05 mg/L) were found in 5 counties (cities or communities) and the proportion of the well that exceeded stipulated standard was 5.29%(530/10 028); In 2007,19 086 water samples of 1282 villages in 17 counties(cities or communities) were tested, the wells of high arsenic were found in 11 counties(cities or communities), and the proportion of the well that exceeded stipulated standard was 1.74%(333/19 086). In these two years, 29 114 water samples were tested, in which 863 water samples were exceeding the stipulated standard. The 2.96% of total wells exceeded stipulated standard and mainly distributed in 179 villages of 12 counties(cities or communities). And the highest arsenic content of water sample was 2.012 mg/L. In the endemic arsenism area, 2 critical, 1 moderate and 1 mild arsenism patients had been found. Conclusions The water of high arsenic content are scattered in Hubei Province and the situation of endemic arsenism disease is mild. Improving water aiming at decreasing arsenic and establishing patient files should be carried out immediately.

Objective To investigate the effects of extracellular ATP on the expression of(Mi- crotubule associated proteins MAP-2)and the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury in rats. Methods Six rats were selected randomly from 66 adult healthy Wistar rats as the normal control group,the rest animals were divided into two groups after contusion injury was performed by drop weight method with Allen impactor:Group A(ATP group)and Group B(control group),each group contained thirty rats.At days 1,3,7,14,and 28 after injury,the rats were killed,the expression of MAP-2 was detected with immunohistochemistry.The expression of MAP-2 in the adjacent area was quantitatively an- alyzed with a computer image analysis system.The recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury was assessed with improved Tarlov scores.Results The expression of MAP-2 was higher in Group A than in Group B after spinal cord injury in rats.Significant difference was revealed by the expression of MAP- 2 between the two groups at days 14 and 28 after injury(P