As one of the major geriatric syndromes,frailty exerts adverse effects on life expectancy and quality of life of the elderly.Because of its importance,a number of methods and tools have been introduced for the assessment of frailty.Malnutrition,as an independent risk factor,interacts with frailty and is involved in its progression.This article reviews recent studies on frailty and malnutrition.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease by Pulsatilla Decoction.

METHODSForty Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups( n = 8)control group, model group, model + positive control group (mesalazine), Pulsatilla Decoction treatment group, in addition, the Pulsatilla Decoction treatment group was divided into middle and high dose group. Intragastric administration was used in the positive control group and Pulsatilla Decoction treatment group. The expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected by real time PCR after extraction of RNA from colons.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, positive medicine and Pulsatilla Decoction group, especially high-dose group, could effectively inhibit the expression of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha.

CONCLUSIONPulsatilla Decoction could exert its effect in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease by inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Pulsatilla ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

The complex level of constructing biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica CMMBCS) was the study of traditional Chinese compound, on the premise of insisting that the multicomponent simultaneous determination, when carrying out the study of intestinal permeability, the primary task was to define the source of the components that was absorbed through the intestinal wall, namely, which medicinal material the components belonged to in traditional Chinese compound. The technology of chemical fingerprint and in vitro everted gut sac model were used in this research to make multicomponent an intuitive source attribution which permeated the intestine in the classic formula Gegen Qinlian decoction, and to lay the foundation for the further qualitative and quantitative research of intestinal permeability.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Male ; Permeability ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To explore the mutation and evolution of Yersiniapestis(Y. pestis) from the point of codon and 16S-ribosome. Methods Codon preference and 16S-ribosome of Y. pestis were analyzed by bioinformatics. Results Similar codon preference was found among 4 PCD1 Y. pestis, of the 3 old Y. pestis the codon preference between PMT1 and PCD1 was similar. There were some differences between PCD1, PCP1 and Yunnan 6 kb plasmid. Through the analysis of 16S-ribosome, the sequences were found similar in 11 strains of Y. pestis,Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was very close to Y. pestis, with only one nucleotide difference, mutated G-T, and corresponding amino acid methionine (M)-isoleucine (I). There were some differences in sequences of 16S-ribosome in Y. pestis, Escherichia coli and Pulex irritans. Conclusions The time for Y. pestis to obtain PCP1 is later than PMT1 does, in other words, the affinity of Y. pestis with PMT1 was closer than PCP1 with 6 kb plasmid;alteration of 16S-ribosomal nucleotide sites may cause changes in function and structure of 16S rRNA. The lower similarity between 16S-ribosomal sequences of Y. pestis and Pulex irritans indicates the time for co-evolution is very short,and the late emergence of Y. pestis.

Objective To study the cell vitality and ultra-structure of in vitro cultured fetus chondrocytes exposed to different doses of fluoride.Methods Primary chondrocytes were obtained from articular cartilage of the 24-27 weeks,aborted and dead fetuses.The third generation of primary cultured chondmcytes were exposed to concentrations of 0,10-2,5 × 10-3,10-3,10-4,10-5,10-6,10-7 and 10-8 mol/L fluoride for 24,48 and 72 h.Cell vitality was detected with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and ultra-structure of chondrocytes was observed by transmission electron microscope.Results The cell vitalities of chondrocytes exposed to doses of fluoride (10-2,5 ×10-3,10-3,10-4,10-5,10-6,10-7 and 10-8 moL/L) for 24,48 and 72 h were(15.04 ± 0.55)％,(62.53 ± 1.03)％,(100.34 ± 5.19)％,(111.40 ± 3.69)％,(121.47 + 6.09)％,(129.95 ± 4.96)％,(121.81 ± 4.97)％,(111.00 ± 1.63)％;(10.35 ± 0.64)％,(35.23 ± 2.41)％,(110.30 ± 2.07)％,(113.66 ± 6.98)％,(120.36 ± 6.23)％,(133.40 ± 5.80)％,(126.06 ± 5.40)％,(115.62 ± 7.33)％; (6.19 ± 0.16)％,(18.44 ± 0.21)％,(120.83 ± 4.93)％,(123.77 ± 4.82)％,(129.09 ± 5.21)％,(140.44 + 4.18)％,(131.99 ± 7.00)％,(124.10 ± 3.68)％,respectively.The cell vitalities of 10-2,5 × 10-3 mol/L fluoride groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).The cell vitality of 10-2 mol/L group was significantly lower than that of the 5 × 10-3 mol/L group (P ＜ 0.05).Doses of fluoride (10-2,5 × 10-3 mol/L) could inhibit the cell vitality and promote the apoptosis of chondrocytes in vitro with increasing doses and prolonged time.The cell vitalities of 10-3,10-4,10-5,10-6,10-7,10-8 mol/L of fluoride groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (except the 24 h 10-3 mol/L,P ＜ 0.05).Between 10-4 and 10-3 mol/L groups(the vitalities of 48 h and 72 h were higher,but not significantly); 10-5 and 10-4 mol/L groups (the vitality of 72 h was higher,but not significantly); 10-6 and 10-5 mol/L groups,the cell vitalities were significantly higher than that of the control group(all P ＜ 0.05).Between 10-7 and 10-6 mol/L groups,10-8 and 10-7 mol/L groups (the vitality of 72 h was lower,but not significantly),the cell vitalities were significantly lower than that of the control group(all P ＜ 0.05).Doses of fluoride(10-3-10-8 mol/L) could promote the cell vitality of chondrocytes in vitro with prolonged time.The optimal concentration for the promotion was 10-6 mol/L.The cells of the control group were characterized as regular morphology,the abnormal surface microvillis,abundant cytoplasm and mitochondrial,abundant and slightly expanded rough endoplasmic reticulums and low electron-dense materials.The cells of 10-6 mol/L fluoride group had the following changes,increased and swell mitochondrial,hypertrophy and expanded rough endoplasmic reticulums.The cells of 5 × 10-3 mol/L fluoride group had the following changes,decreased microvillis,invaginated cell membrane,pyknosis and apoptotic body.Conclusion Doses of fluoride (10-3-10-8 mol/L) can promote the proliferation of human chondrocytes cultured in vitro.Doses of fluoride (10-2,5 × 10-3 mol/L) can promote the apoptosis of human chondrocytes cultured in vitro.

Objective To investigate the effect of ropiyacaine combined with intra-spinal epidural anesthesia by using the same volume but different injection speed on anaesthetic level.Methods 80 cases of patients of ASA～Ⅱdegree suitable to use intra-spinal epidural combined anesthesia for gynecologic operation were selected and ran- domly divided into three groups,0.75 % ropivacaine 2mg(15mg)administered,group A the speed of injection was 10 seconds,group B injection speed was 20 seconds,group C injection speed was 30 seconds,the anaesthetic level reached T_(10).The time of highest level in spinal anesthesia,30 minutes after spinal anesthesia MAP,and number of cases need to add epidural drug were all recorded.Results The best effect of anesthesia was found in group B,the block level of anesthesia was satisfactory,blood dynamic was stable,and there was no need to add epidural drug.Conclusion The speed of 0.75 % ropivacaine 2ml spinal epidural combined with anesthesia was suitable at the speed of 20 seconds.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of suberselective uterine arterial embolization for uterine fibroids.Methods Uterine arterial embolization with golyvimylalcohol(PVA) particles or Iodized oil and Gelfoam or Pingyangmycin lipiodol and Gelfoam was performed in 182 patients with uterine fibroids.Results Bilateral and unilateral superselective uterine arterial embolization were performed in 173 cases and 9 cases respectively. 6～28 months (mean 11 months) after the procedure, complete disappearance of tumor(16 cases), an average shinkage of 67% in tumor volume(152 cases) and a mean 42% reduction of uterine volume were obtained in 168 followed-up cases. The clinical symptoms were relieved significantly.The main side effets were hypogastic pain(135/182).Conclusion Superselection uterine arterial embolization is an effective and microinvasive method in treating uterine fibroids.

Objective To explore the relationship between wild rodent plague and human in wild rodent plague foci of the northwestern area in Yunnan to probe the possible transmission mechanism of wild rodent plague to human. Methods Data of component ratio of rodents and fleas was collected in different areas from 1985 - 1995. Activities and habits of residents regarding the way they keep cats and dogs and parasitic fleas and free fleas indoor were investigated, the dog serum was collected for detecting F1 antibody. Results Eothenomys miletus were main rodents in farmland and shrub, accounting for 48.00% (4753/9902) and 54.50% (4282/7857), Apodemus chevrieri were main rodents in garden, being 50.47% (1332/2639). The component ratio of Neopsylla specialis specialis was 13.31%(229/1720), 12.31%(1678/13 739) and 10.87%(957/8802) respectively in garden, farmland and shrub, higher than in indoor. The component ratio of Frantcpsylla spodix was 39.88% (686/1720), the highest in garden. Thirty-two per cent (32/100) of residents kept cats,in which 63% (20/32) with cat fleas, 68% (68/100) of villages kept dogs, in which 76%(52/68) with fleas. Eighteen parasitic fleas were caught from 43 dogs with a flea index of 0.119 and a rate for fleas of 11.63%, 7 pulex were collected from 17 indoor. Forty-three blood serum samples were obtained from dogs, among which 3 were positive blood serum. Conclusions Residents touch affected animals or media in different situations. The possibility of transmission for wild rodent plague to human exists in loci in a chain of wild rodent plague → fleas or predation → homebred animal plague (cats or dogs) →touching or respiratory → human.

As a neuropeptide, neurotensin (NTS) is widely expressed in central and peripheral nervous system, which is mainly mediated byneurotensin receptor1 (NTSR1) to activate the related downstream signaling pathways. After summarized the function and mechanism of NTS/NTSR1 in various malignant tumors, we found that NTS/NTSR1 played essential roles during tumor initiation and development. NTS/NTSR1 regulates tumor initiation, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and differentiation mainly through three pathways, including IP3/Ca2+ /PKC/MAPKs pathway, MMPs/EGFR/MAPKs (PI3K/Akt) pathway, or Rho-GTPsaes and non-receptor tyrosine kinase pathway. Besides, NTS/NTSR1 is also regulated by some upstream pathways and some traditional Chinese medicine preparations and traditional Chinese medicine therapies. In this article, we summarized the function of NTS/NTSR1 and its mechanisms, and discussed the prospective in its application to clinical diagnosis and drugs targeting.
Animals ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasms ; etiology ; Neurotensin ; chemistry ; physiology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; physiology ; Receptors, Neurotensin ; chemistry ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors and the main TCM syndrome types associated with the diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) patients complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver (FL).

METHODSAdopted controlled trial method, the age, stature, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) of 180 DM2 patients were compared with those complicated with or without FL. And some related laboratory indexes, including the age, stature, body weight, BMI, fasting blood glucose (FBG), C-peptide (CP), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C), and 2 h post-prandial CP (2 h CP), were compared as well. Moreover, patients' TCM syndrome types were classified.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found between DM2 patients complicated with or without FL in aspects of FBG, HbA1c, TC, LDL-C and age, stature (P > 0.05), but significant difference did show between them in aspects of CP (4.09 +/- 2.40 microg/L vs 2.47 +/- 1.74 microg/L), 2h CP (6.38 +/- 5.46 microg/L vs 4.35 +/- 2.92 microg/L), TG (2.81 +/- 2.33 mmol/L vs 1.93 +/- 1.92 mmol/L), HDL-C (1.07 +/- 0.06 mmol/L vs 1.19 +/- 0.32 mmol/L) as well as in body weight (73.4 +/- 11.7 kg vs 61.4 +/- 10.1 kg) and BMI (26.0 +/- 3.67 vs 22.8 +/- 3.23), respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, phlegm-dampness type was more liable to appear in DM2 patients complicated FL.

CONCLUSIONSObesity, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism disorder are the chief risk factors in DM2 patients complicated with FL and phlegm-dampness is the chief pathogenesis.

Adult ; Aged ; C-Peptide ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood