OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tai Ji Quan (TJQ) training on strength and function of lower limbs in the aged.

METHODSSixty senile subjects were recruited and assigned to the TJQ group and the control group (imparting health knowledge)by random digit table. Patients in the TJQ group received 24-style TJQ training for 18 months (60 min each time, 5 times per week), while those in the control group were imparted with sarcopenia related causes, pathogeneses, prevention and control measures. The maximum isometric strength of bilateral iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior muscle, hamstrings; the time for 5 sitting-up tests and Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), one-leg standing time with closed eyes test; and the score of Berg balance scale were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, muscle strength increased in the TJQ group with an average increased capacity (rate) as follows, bilateral iliopsoas 5.5 kg (16.9%), quadriceps femoris 5.5 kg (26.2%), and tibialis anterior muscle 8.5 kg (36.2%) (all P < 0.05). The time for TUGT and 5 sitting-up tests was shortened by 1.3 s (16.7%) and 0.9 s (14.5%) respectively in the TJQ group. The time for one-leg standing time with closed eyes test was increased by 8.4 s (left) and 9.1 s (right) respectively. The score of Berg balance scale increased by 4.3% (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, bilateral quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscle strength increased significantly (P < 0.01); the time for TUGT and 5 sitting-up tests, the time for one-leg standing time with closed eyes test, scores of Berg balance scale were all improved in the TJQ group after intervention (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTJQ training could improve strength of iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior muscle in the aged, elevate their balance and locomotor activities, and possibly prevent and treat sarcopenia.

Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Postural Balance ; Tai Ji

Objective To study the therapeutic effect of cardura on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and ejectile dystunction(ED) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods One hundred and one cases with BPH and typical LUTS were investigated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5)before and after treatment. The patients were given cardura 4 mg, once a day for 8 weeks. The LUTS and ED were was analyzed after treatment. Results The IPSS was scores ( 14.3 ± 4.0) after treatment, and it was lower than before (mean scores: 19.9±6.5, t= 7.534, P＜0.001). The IIEF2-5 was(14.9±8.8)scores after treatment, and it was higher than before (mean scores: 9.5±8. 5, t = 5. 335, P＜ 0. 001 ), respectively. There was statistically significant correlation between IIEF2-5 and IPSS score (r= -0. 327, P＜0. 001 ). Various indexes were significantly improved after cardura treatment as compared with pretreatment (P＜0.001). Conclusions LUTS is dangerous factor for sexual dysdysfunction, and the severity of LUTS is closely related to the development of sexual dysfunction. Cardura can at once improve the sexual function and LUTS of BPH patients.

Purpose To investigate the expression of Dkk3 and Cyclin D1 protein in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and clinical significance.Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Dkk-3 and Cyclin D1 protein expression level in 80 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and corresponding para-cancer tissue.Results The expression of Dkk-3 in hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly lower than those in corresponding para-cancer tissue (P ＜ 0.05) and the expression of Cyclin D1 in hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than those in CoTesponding para-cancer tissue (P ＜ 0.05).The up-regulation of Cyclin D1 and the down-regulation of Dkk-3 proteins were correlated with pathologic differentiation degree (P ＜0.05).There was a significant inverse correlation between Dkk3 and Cyclin D1 expression (P =0.044,rs =-0.226).Conclusion The abnormal expression of Dkk-3 and Cyclin D1 gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma suggest that Dkk-3 and Cyclin D1 gene may play an important role in the development and progression of the cancer.The combination deteetion of the two biomarkers may provide valuable data for diagnosis and prognosis estimation of HCC.

Objective To observe the effect of midazolam plus propofol administered for colonoscopy on cognitive function in middle-aged and aged patients. Methods One hundred and thirty six patients, ASA I and II, aged 40~75 years and undergoing colonoscopy were randomized to propofol group (group P, n=68) and propofol plus midazolam group (group PM, n=68). Baseline cognitive function was measured using Mini mental state exami-nation (MMSE) before anesthesia and the cognitive testing was repeated 10 minutes after emerging from anesthesia. BP, HR, SpO2, analgesic effect and sedative drug doses in both groups were recorded. Procedure time, recovery time and Rasmay sedation score were both recorded. Results Recovery time was significantly longer in group PM than that in group P (P<0.05). The total dose of propofol was significantly smaller in group PM than that in group P (P<0.05). MMSE score of both groups decreased, but the incidence of cognitive decline and the level of cognition in group PM were more notable than those of group P (P<0.05). Conclusions Midazolam plus propofol and propo-fol alone administered for colonoscopy could both increase the incidence of cognitive decline, and the effect of the former is more notable, but midazolam added to propofol could reduce the dosage of propofol.

Objective To investigate the regularity and significance of serum interleukin-6(IL-6) levels in the patients with sepsis.Methods Forty sepsis patients with APACHEⅡ scores over 12 and 30 normal controls were involved in the study.The IL-6 levels in serum were detected with radio-immunity analysis assay and the correlations among the IL-6 levels,the prognosis and APACHEⅡ score were investigated.Results In the patients with sepsis,the average level of IL-6 in serum was(152.02?55.77) pg/ml,which was significantly higher than that of the control group [(85.79?30.96) pg/ml](P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Decoction (JYHD) on children bronchial asthma complicated with recurrent respiratory infection (RRI) that could not be effectively controlled by regular inhalation of corticosteroid (ICS).

METHODSFifty-eight patients were divided into 2 groups: both were treated with anti-infective and symptomatic therapy, but JYHD was given additionally to patients in the treated group. Changes in clinical symptoms of RRI and asthma as well as the serum contents of IgA, IgG and IgM were observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the frequency of respiratory infection occurred, duration of fever, cough and asthma sustained and time of antibiotics used were all lower significantly in the treated group (P < 0.05). The serum contents of IgA and IgG increased in the treated group after treatment, as compared with those before treatment and in the control group, all showed significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor children suffered from intractable bronchial asthma complicated RRI, application of JYHD in addition with the conventional treatment could prevent RRI effectively, so as th reduce the frequency of asthma attack and alleviate the severity of the disease.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; complications ; drug therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

The relationship of nutrients and microorganisms in soils with polyphenols and total flavonoids of Houttuynia cordata were investigated by measuring nutrients, enzyme activity, pH, concentrations of microbe phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) in soils, and determining concentrations of polyphenols and total flavonoids of H. cordata. The research is aimed to understand characteristics of the planting soils and improve the quality of cultivated H. cordata. The soils at different sample sites varied greatly in nutrients, enzyme activity, pH, microbic PLFAs and polyphenols and all flavonoids. The content of total PLFAs in sample sites was following: bacteria > fungi > actinomyces > nematode. The content of bacteria PLFAs was 37.5%-65.0% at different sample sites. Activities of polyphenol oxidease, concentrations of available P and content of PLFAs of bacteria, actinomyces and total microorganisms in soils were significantly and positively related to the concentrations of polyphenols and total flavonoids of H. cordata, respectively (P < 0.05) . The Content of fungi PLFAs in soils was significantly and negatively related to concentrations of polyphenols and total flavonoids of H. cordata, respectively (P < 0.05). This study provides evidence that effectiveness of the soil nutrient, which may be improved due to transformation of soil microorganisms and enzymes to N and P in the soils, was beneficial to adaptation of H. cordata adapted to different soil conditions, and significantly affects metabolic accumulation of polyphenols and flavonoids of H. cordata.
Bacteria ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; metabolism ; Fungi ; metabolism ; Houttuynia ; chemistry ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Phospholipids ; metabolism ; Polyphenols ; analysis ; metabolism ; Soil ; chemistry ; Soil Microbiology

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of RNA interference (RNAi) on the expression of multidrug resistance (MDR1) gene and analyze the altered sensitivities of human renal carcinoma cell line to cisplatin.Methods:Three small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences targeted MDR1 gene were synthesized and transfected into renal carcinoma A498 cells. The expression level of MDRl mRNA was measured by RT-PCR to identify the most effective siRNA sequence. The recombinant plasmid was packed by lentivirus and transfected into A498 cells. RT-PCR was used to screen the A498 cells with the optimal silencing efficacy. The MDR1 protein expression level in the cloned cells was verified by Western blotting. The inhibitory effect of cisplatin on the proliferation of A498 cells was assessed by MTT assay and the IC_(50) value was calculated. Results:The 3 siRNA sequences suppressed MDR1 gene expression at different degrees. The siRNA 1 sequence silenced MDR1 gene more effectively with a significant reduction of 67%. The MDR1 protein expression greatly decreased in screened A498 cells compared with non-transfected cells (P<0.01), and the IC_(50) value of cisplatin on screened A498 cells was significantly decreased by 83.37% (P<0.01). Conclusion: The RNAi could effectively inhibit the expression of MDR1 gene and increase the sensibility to cisplatin in human renal carcinoma A498 cell line, which make it possible to reverse the resistance of renal carcinoma to chemotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the effects of oxymatrine(OM)on the apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells and its possible mechanisms.Methods:HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of OM.The proliferation inhibition was measured by MTT assay and the apoptosis of HepG2 cells were examined by Hochest staining method.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate.The expression of caspase-3,Bcl-2,Bcl-x_L and Bax proteins was assayed by Western blotting assay.Results:OM inhibited HepG2 cells growth in a time-and dose-dependent manner.After treatment with OM for 24 hours,some cells appeared typical apoptotic characteristics and the apoptosis rate was increased. Treatment with OM also increased caspase-3 activity and Bax expression in HepG2 cells,and decreased the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x_L.Conclusion:OM can induce HepG2 cell apoptosis,which may be related to the down-regulation of PI3K/Akt signal pathway,suppression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x_L activity,and activation of caspase-3.

Objective To correlate the chemokine score with disease activity,organ damages and clinical features in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods Peripheral blood cells obtained from 60 SLE patients,20 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 23 healthy donors (HDs) were subjected to real-time PCR to measure the transcriptional levels of seven chemokines (RANTES,MCP-1,CCL19,MIG,IP-10,CXCL11,and IL-8).Chemokine scores were calculated and were compared between various groups of SLE patients as well as between patients and controls.Results Chemokine scores were significantly elevated in SLE patients compared with RA patients and HDs (P=0.0112 and P=0.0019,respectively).Chemokine scores were correlated positively with SLEDAI (P=0.0061) and negatively with C3 levels (P=0.003).Compared to patients without lupus nephritis (LN),chemokine scores were elevated in SLE patients with active LN,especially when their daily prednisone dosage was less than 30 mg (P=0.0418 and P=0.002,respectively).Chemokine scores were also associated with cumulative organ damage (SLICC damage index [SDI]＞0) and positive anti-Sm and anti-RNP autoantibodies.Conclusion The chemokine score may serve as a new biomarker for disease activity and organ damage in SLE patients.