Objective To ascertain the pressure ulcer prevalence among secondary and tertiary general hospitals in different areas of Guangdong Province, and describe pressure ulcer related nursing measures in hospitalized patients. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive design was used in the present study. 5 secondary and tertiary general hospitals including 25164 hospitalized patients from different regions in Guangdong Province were recruited. There were 267 pressure ulcer patients among them. Minimum Data Set (MDS) was used to measure prevention measures of hospitalized patients. Pressure ulcer patients′questionnaire was used to measure medical treatment of pressure ulcer patients. Results The overall prevalence rates of pressure ulcers in the 25 hospitals range from 0 to 3.49%, with an average of 1.26%. The prevalence rate in the secondary general hospitals was 1.8%(41/2266), which was significant higher than that of in the tertiary general hospitals(1.0%, 226/22998), χ2=13.48, P<0.01. For the hospitalized patients at risk, 42.0%(1408/3353) of patients didn′t use any systemic support surface, 45.8%(1537/3353) of patients didn′t use any local support surface. In the pressure ulcer patients, 35.2%(94/267) of patients didn′t use any systemic support surface, 14.2% (38/267)of patients didn′t use any local support surface, and 61.4%(164/267) of pressure ulcer patients didn′t use any skin care products. Conclusion The prevention measures of pressure ulcer in Guangdong province were not effective, further improvements are still required.

Objective To explore the clinical therapeutic effect of combined TUINA with Chinese herbs fumigating in patients with bony arthritis of knee joints.Methods A total of 73 patients with bony arthrithis of knee joints were divided into treatment group(37 cases)and control group(36 cases)randomly.The patients of treatment group were used the combined TUINA with Chinese herbs fumigating and patients in control group were used Chinese herbs fumigating alone.After three courses of treatment,therapeutic effect was compared the two groups patients.Results The results showed that the cure rate in treatment group was higher than control group markedly(P ＜0.01).The improvement rate between the two groups was not significently different.Conclusion The therapeutic effect that combined TUINA with Chinese herbs fumigating for patients with bony arthritis of knee joints is very effective treatment procedure.

AIMTo establish the RP-HPLC fingerprint analysis for the quality control of Radix Angelicae dahuricae.

METHODSHPLC fingerprint analysis method of Radix Angelicae dahuricae was developed. Kromasil C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm) was used, with mixture of acetonitrile and water as mobile phase in a gradient mode. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The wavelength of measurement was 254 nm. Twenty-one batches of Radix Angelicae dahuricae were determined.

RESULTSThe 21 samples were classified as 4 clusters by cluster analysis and the 11 superior in producing area samples were confirmed to establish the mutual model. The samples' quality was assessed by Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of TCM 2004.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be used to identify and evaluate the quality of Radix Angelicae dahuricae conveniently.

Angelica ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Cluster Analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; chemistry ; standards ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus (FN) and lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the role and mechanism of FN and LHA in EA at the Heart Meridian fighting against acute MIRI reaction. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA-Heart Meridian group and an EA-Lung Meridian group, with 14 rats in each group; an LHA lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group) and a FN lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (FN+EA-Heart Meridian group), with 7 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was ligated to establish acute MIRI rat models in the other 5 groups. In the three groups with EA-Heart Meridian treatment, Shenmen (HT 7) and Tongli (HT 5) were selected; Taiyuan (LU 9) and Lieque (LU 7) were selected in the EA-Lung Meridian group. All the EA groups received EA stimulation prior to modeling, with 1 mA in current intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 20 min each time, once a day for a total of 7 d. The sham operation group and the model group did not receive EA stimulation. The electrocardiogram was observed in the rats to analyze the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score. The expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in the FN and LHA increased significantly in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA decreased significantly in the EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05). Compared with the EA-Heart Meridian group, the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group, LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in FN increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in LHA increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the mechanism of EA at Heart Meridian to improve the acute MIRI reactions, and the cerebellum may participate in the improvement of cardiac function by EA through the cerebellum-hypothalamus projection.

OBJECTIVETo estimate the biological exposure limit (BEL) using benchmark dose (BMD) based on two sets of data from occupational epidemiology.

METHODSCadmium-exposed workers were selected from a cadmium smelting factory and a zinc product factory. Doctors, nurses or shop assistants living in the same area served as a control group. Urinary cadmium (UCd) was used as an exposure biomarker and urinary beta2-microgloburin (B2M), N-acetyl-13-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and albumin (ALB) as effect biomarkers. All urine parameters were adjusted by urinary creatinine. Software of BMDS (Version 1.3.2, EPA.U.S.A) was used to calculate BMD.

RESULTSThe cut-off point (abnormal values) was determined based on the upper limit of 95% of effect biomarkers in control group. There was a significant dose response relationship between the effect biomarkers (urinary B2M, NAG; and ALB) and exposure biomarker (UCd). BEL value was 5 microg/g creatinine for UB2M as an effect biomarker, consistent with the recommendation of WHO. BEL could be estimated by using the method of BMD. BEL value was 3 microg/g creatinine for UNAG as an effect biomarker. The more sensitive the used biomarker is, the more occupational population will be protected.

CONCLUSIONBMD can be used in estimating the biological exposure limit (BEL). UNAG is a sensitive biomarker for estimating BEL after cadmium exposure.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; urine ; Albuminuria ; urine ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; urine ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; urine

OBJECTIVEBased on two sets of data from occupational epidemiology, Benchmark dose (BMD) was applied to estimate biological exposure limit (BEL).

METHODSCadmium exposed workers were selected from a cadmium smelting and a zinc products factory and control group was selected from doctors or nurses and staff from shops living in the same area; Urinary cadmium (UCd) was used as exposure biomarker and urinary beta(2) microglobulin (UBM), NAG (UNAG) and albumin (UALB) were as effect biomarkers. All urine parameters were adjusted by urinary creatinine. Software of BMDS (Version 1.3.2, EPA.U.S) was used to calculate BMD.

RESULTSCalculated abnormal prevalence was based on the upper limit of 95% of effect biomarkers in control group; There are significant dose response relationship between the prevalence of effect biomarkers (UBM, UNAG and UALB) and exposure biomarker (UCd); BEL was 5 microg/g creatinine for UBM as effect biomarker, It consists with the recommendation of WHO; BEL was 3 microg/g creatinine for UNAG as effect biomarker; BEL can be estimated by using the method of BMD; the more sensitive biomarker would used, the more occupational people would protected.

CONCLUSIONThe application of BMD in estimating biological exposure limit (BEL) is proper. UNAG is suggested as most sensitive biomarker to be used to estimate BEL for cadmium exposure.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; urine ; Albuminuria ; urine ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Cadmium ; adverse effects ; urine ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Reference Values ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; urine

Based on the transcriptome database of Salvia miltiorrhiza, specific primers were designed to clone a full-length cDNA of ent-kaurene oxidase synthase (SmKOL) using the RACE strategy. ORF Finder was used to find the open reading frame of SmKOL cDNA, and ClustalW has been performed to analysis the multiple amino acid sequence alignment. Phylogenetic tree has been constructed using MEGA 5.1. The transcription level of SmKOL from the hairy roots induced by elicitor methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was qualifiedby real-time quantitative PCR. The full length of SmKOL cDNA was of 1 884 bp nucleotides encoding 519 amino acids. The molecular weight of the SmKOL protein was about 58.88 kDa with isoelectric point (pI) of 7.62. Results of real-time quantitative PCR analyses indicated that the level of SmKOL mRNA expression in hairy roots was increased by elicitor oMeJA, and reached maximum in 36 h. The full-length cDNA of SmKOL was cloned from S. miltiorrhiza hairy root, which provides a target gene for further studies of its function, gibberellin biosynthesis and regulation of secondary metabolites.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; chemistry ; genetics ; Models, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; enzymology

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Bushen Yijing Decoction for the treatment of xerophthalmia of kidney yang deficiency type and to observe its effect on serum Th1/Th17 cytokines.Methods From January 2021 to January 2023,a total of 96 patients with xerophthalmia of kidney yang deficiency type were selected as the study objects.According to the treatment methods,the patients were divided into observation group and control group,with 48 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops externally,and the observation group was given oral use of Bushen Yijing Decoction together with Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops externally.The course of treatment for the two groups covered 21 days.The changes of tear film break-up time(BUT),corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score,SchirmerⅠtest(SIT)value,serum Th1/Th17 cytokines,Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI)questionnaire scores,and 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire(NEI-VFQ-25)score in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 21 days of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 95.83%(46/48),and that of the control group was 70.83%(34/48).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the clinical efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the ocular surface function indicators of BUT and SIT values in the two groups were higher and the FL values were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The increase of BUT and SIT values and the decrease of FL values in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of serum cytokines of interleukin 17(IL-17),tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)and interferon gamma(IFN-γ)in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of serum IL-17,TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the questionnaire scores of OSDI in the two groups were lower and the NEI-VFQ-25 scores were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of OSDI scores and the increase of NEI-VFQ-25 scores in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 4.17%(2/48),and that in the control group was 8.33%(4/48).There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Bushen Yijing Decoction can enhance the clinical efficacy of xerophthalmia of kidney yang deficiency type,and the decoction is effective on alleviating the eye discomforts,improving the ocular surface function of patients,regulating the levels of Th1/Th17 cytokines,and relieving the inflammatory response without inducing severe adverse reactions while with high safety.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of naringin of Drynaria Rhizome, a Chinese medical component of Zhuanggu Jianxi Recipe (ZJR) containing serum on caveolin-p38MAPK signal factors (such as caveolin-1, p-p38, p-ATF-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in IL-1β induced rabbit degenerated chondrocytes, and further to explore its mechanism for protecting articular cartilages.

METHODSNaringin of Drynaria Rhizome was obtained and analyzed by HPLC-TOF/MS. Four weeks old New Zealand rabbits were killed and their bilateral knee joints were isolated aseptically. CDs were isolated and then cultured in vitro. The second generation of CDs were used for later experiment. The effect of naringin on CDs proliferation was detected by MTT assay. The effect of naringin on the expression of IL-1β-induced collagen II in CDs was detected by immunohistochemical method. The effect of naringin on caveolin-1, p-p38, and p-ATF-2 protein in IL-1β-induced CDs was detected by Western blot. The effect of naringin on mRNA expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in IL-1β-induced CDs was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe appearance time of naringin in flow graphs of naringin standard solution and ZJR containing serum was 23.5 min, and the molecular weight ranged between 581.0 and 581.5 m/z. Naringin could promote the proliferation of CDs, and inhibit the effect of IL-1β on collagen II in CDs. Compared with the model group, naringin could reduce the expression of caveolin-1, p-p38, p-ATF-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α in IL-1β induced CDs (P < 0.05), which was approximate to the level of the normal group.

CONCLUSIONSNaringin could not only promote the proliferation of CDs, but also protect IL-1β-induced CDs. Its mechanism might be associated with decreasing the expression of caveolin-1, p-p38, and p-ATF-2 proteins, inhibiting caveolin-p38MAPK signal pathway, and further reducing mRNA expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the downstream of caveolin-p38MAPK signal pathway.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cartilage, Articular ; Caveolins ; Chondrocytes ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavanones ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Polypodiaceae ; Rabbits ; Rhizome ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between gastrointestinal dysfunction and both severity and prognosis in patients with heatstroke (HS).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted. Clinical data from 39 patients with HS seeking for treatment in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to September 2014 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: gastrointestinal dysfunction group and non-gastrointestinal dysfunction group. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) score within 24 hours of admission and 28-day mortality were compared between two groups. In gastrointestinal dysfunction group, the gastrointestinal dysfunction score, the duration days of gastrointestinal dysfunction, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and the duration of mechanical ventilation were collected. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between gastrointestinal function and the severity of the ailment as well as the prognosis.Results Among 39 patients with HS, 32 of them showed gastrointestinal dysfunction with an incidence of 82.05%. In gastrointestinal dysfunction group, the gastrointestinal dysfunction score was 2.3±0.8, the duration of gastrointestinal dysfunction was (17.3±15.2) days, the length of ICU stay was (37.8±25.0) days, and the duration of mechanical ventilation was (27.8±14.0) days. APACHEⅡ score in gastrointestinal dysfunction group was significantly higher than that of the non-gastrointestinal dysfunction group (26.30±6.00 vs. 17.40±6.00, t = 3.555,P = 0.001). The 28-day mortality in gastrointestinal dysfunction group was slightly higher than that of the non-gastrointestinal dysfunction group without statistically significant difference [43.75% (14/32) vs. 14.29% (1/7),P = 0.216]. It was shown by Pearson analysis that gastrointestinal dysfunction score was positively correlated with APACHEⅡ score (r = 0.727,P = 0.000), and the duration of gastrointestinal dysfunction was positively correlated with the length of ICU stay (r = 0.797,P = 0.000) and the duration of mechanical ventilation (r = 0.634,P = 0.000). Conclusion The results suggest that gastrointestinal function in patients with HS reflects the severity and prognosis of the ailment.