The endocrine system with the normal aging is characterized by a progressive loss of reserve capacity,resulting in a decreased ability to adapt to environmental demands.This loss of homeostatic regulation reflects important alterations in hormonal synthesis,metabolism,and action.However,these changes may have no significant clinical manifestations,especially under non-stress conditions.This review discusses the endocrine system in the elderly in general.

Adult ; Calcinosis ; Heart Aneurysm ; pathology ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Thrombosis ; pathology

Objective To investigate the effect of Glutamine (Gln) on heat stress-induced dysfunction of intestinal epithelial barrier. Methods Human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells were pre-incubated with Gln for 24h and then exposed to heat 43℃ for 1h. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the cellular proliferation with various concentrations of Gln and choose an optimum concentration for subsequent experiments. The barrier integrity was measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) permeability. Levels of tight junction protein occludin and ZO-1 were analyzed by Western blotting. Cytoskeleton using Coomassie blue staining was observed by microscopy. Results At 0.7mmol/L concentration, Gln showed the most effective cell proliferation compared with other concentration groups (P<0.05). Therefore, 0.7mmol/L Gln was used as effective concentration in following experiments. Gln attenuated the TEER decrease and impairment of intestinal permeability induced by heat exposure compared with 43℃ group (P<0.01). The expressions of occludin and ZO-1 were significantly elevated by pretreatment with Gln. The distortion of cytoskeleton was also effectively prevented. Conclusion 0.7mmol/L Gln is potentially beneficial for protecting against heat stress-induced permeability dysfunction and epithelial barrier damage.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pramipexole in treating restless legs syndrome (RLS).Methods A search for randomized,double-blind,and placebo-controlled clinical trials of pramipexole in treating moderate to severe RLS using CNKI,PubMed,Embase and Cochrane Library database was carried out. A meta-analysis of included clinical trials was performed with RevMan 5.0 software.The 2 outcomes that the weighted mean difference(WMD) of change from baseline in International RLS Study Group rating scale(IRLS) score and the relative risk (RR) of response based on the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale score were calculated for efficacy.Safety was assessed with RR of the adverse event (AE).Results A total of 5 clinical trials were included in this meta-analysis,of which 1776 patients were randomly assigned (945 on pramipexole,831 on placebo).The records of patients were pooled.Overall WMD were - 6.34 ( Z =12.76,P ＜ 0.01 ) for the change from baseline in IRLS score,and RR of response based on CGI-I were 1.65 (Z =10.39,P ＜0.01).The overall RR of pramipexole versus placebo were 1.14 ( Z =1.87,P =0.06 ) for AE.Conclusion To treat RLS,pramipexole is an effective and safe drug.

Objective To investigate the functional changes of dendritic cells (DC) in elderly patients with sepsis. Method Elderly patients (n = 20), ages 75 to 86 years, treated in the department of internal medicine for cadres and the medical intensive care unit (MICU), were selected to participate in the study. Patients with ma-ligoant tumors, hematological diseases, immune diseases, or a history of receiving drugs known to interfere with immune functions were excluded. Using the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) definition of sepsis, the patients were categorized into four groups: non-sepsis (group A) (n = 5) ; sepsis (group B) (n = 5) ; severe sepsis (group C) (n = 5) ; and septic shock (group D) (n = 5). The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of each patient were isolated and cultured with human re-combinant granuloceyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in vitro for 10 days. The cells were examined under an inverted microscope, scanning electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. The MTT colorimetric assay was used to observe the abilities of the dendritic cells to stimulale an allogeneic T lym-phocyte response in vitro. Paired t -test was used to compare changes in the surface markers among the different groups, Results The PBMCs in the four groups of patients differentiated into cells with typical dendritic configura-tions after in vitro cuhure with combined cytokines. The CD40, CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR expressions on the cell surfaces increased after culture,with (43.2±12.5)%/(27.3±9.3)%, (31.4 ± 10.1)%/(22.5 ± 8.7)%, (39.3±15.7)%/(21.9±7.7)%, and (75.4±25.6)%/(58.7±16.7)%, respectively. The stimulation index (the abilities of the dendritic cells to stimulale the allogeneic T lymphocyte response in vitro) in the four groups of patients after culture were (23.3±7.9) in group A, (18.9±8.3) in group B,(11.4±5.1) in Group C,and (5.5 ± 3.7) in Group D. Conclusions The immune functions of the dendritic cells of elderly patients with sepsis decrease in a linear manner with the severity of their septic state.

Objective To evaluate the value of MSCT in the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods The MSCT appearances of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma confirmed by pathology in 27 cases were analyzed retrospectively.Among them,20 patients underwent plain and four-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced CT scans including early arterial phase,late arterial phase,portal phase and delay phase,7 patients only underwent contrast-enhanced CT scans.Results 15 lesions were located in the hilar and 12 lesions were located in the common bile duct.CT features of cholangiocarcinomas in this group were varied with its position and growth pattern.Besides the direct sign such as delay enhancement,the indirect findings were also specific such as hepatic lobe atrophy,dilated bile duct,etc.Conclusion MSCT is of great value in diagnosis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective To observe the parameters and effect of endocardial pacing by steel wire electrode cardiac puncture on heart with normal beat in living animal, and evaluate its safety.Methods After anaesthesia and thoracotomy in 6 living dogs with normal heart beat, the pericardia were excised. Steel wire electrodes with annular or hook tips were used respectively at right ventricular 4 corresponding spots to perform cardiac puncture endocardiac pacing (each dog experienced 8 times of puncture); the time from puncture to effective pacing, pacing parameter and puncture complication (time and quantity of bleeding) of each electrode at each spot were recorded. Finally, the two types of electrode completed 24 times of manipulation respectively; the data collected of the two types were compared. Results The cardiac pacing successful rates in the two groups were 100%; the time taken from the beginning of heart puncture to effective pacing in annular tip group was less than that in hook tip group, but the time difference between the two groups showed no statistical significance (s: 18.4±2.3 vs. 19.6±4.1,P > 0.05). The parameters of pacing in the annular tip group, such as operation time (s: 18.4±2.3 vs. 19.6±4.1), the threshold value of pacing (V: 2.1±0.2 vs. 2.2±0.8), the amplitude of R wave sensed (mV: 11.3±3.2 vs. 12.6±4.1) and the impedance of electrode (Ω: 674.2±89.7 vs. 668.5±101.3) were not significantly different compared with those in the hook tip group (allP > 0.05). Either after puncture or after the electrodes were taken out, the time of bleeding [after puncture (minutes): 4.4±2.3 vs. 4.5±3.1, after the electrodes taken out (minutes): 4.1±2.2 vs. 4.8±2.5] and the volume of bleeding [after puncture (mL): 2.8±2.4 vs. 3.2±3.5, after the electrodes taken out (mL): 3.3±1.7 vs. 3.5±2.6] were not significantly different between the two groups (allP > 0.05).Conclusions In living dogs with normal heart beat, the manipulation and function of endocardiac pacing by cardiac puncture with either steel wire annular or hook tip electrode are well and effective, and the performance is simple and safe without any serious myocardial injury and complication. Thus, it is helpful to quickly establish efficient endocardiac pacing in emergency cases.

Recently, novel Psidium meroterpenoids were reported in the guava leaves. According to careful analysis of the spectral data of literatures, the spectroscopic characteristics and biosynthetic pathway of Psidium meroterpenoids were summarized in this paper. The results showed that Psidium meroterpenoids had distinct spectroscopic features and reasonable biosynthetic routines, however the number order of carbon atoms was not consistent in the reported literatures. It was concluded that Psidium meroterpenoids were the characteristic chemical constituents of Psidium guajava Linn.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Psidium ; chemistry ; Spectrum Analysis ; Terpenes ; chemistry

Objective To elucidate the effects of SP600125 at different concentrations on the proliferation and osteo-differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs).Methods The hASCs harvested were cocuhured with SP600125 at concentrations of 0 μmol/L,1 μmol/L,5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L in growth medium (OM group) and in osteogenesis medium (OM group),respectively.The DNA quantitative assay was carried out to evaluate proliferation of the hASCs;flow cytometry was used to determine the effect of SP600125 on the cell cycles of hASCs;Alkaline phosphatase level (ALP) and calcium deposition tests were conducted to observe the effects of SP600125 at different concentrations on osteogenic differentiation of the hASCs.Results The proliferation of hASCs was inhibited by 42.1％ when the cells were cocultured with SP600125 at the concentration of 10 μmol/L;the suppression decreased with decreased concentration of SP600125.The hASCs of phase G0/G1 in GM cocultured with SP600125 at the concentration of 10 μmol/L were more than those in GM cocultured with dimethylsulfoxide at the same concentration.ALP test revealed that after 10 days of culture in vitro the staining was more and more weakened and scattered and the ALP activity was more and more decreased with the increased concentration of SP600125.The extracellular calcium deposition of hASCs after 14 days of culture in vitro showed that the size and number of calcium nodules decreased with the increased concentration of SP600125.Conclusion SP600125 can suppress the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hASCs in vitro.

OBJECTIVETo review the research progress on Type IV secretion system (T4SS) in Helicobacter pylori.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were identified by searching of PUBMED (1995 - 2007) online resources using the key terms 'Type IV secretion system' and 'Helicobacter pylori'.

STUDY SELECTIONMainly original articles and critical reviews written by major pioneer investigators of this field were selected.

RESULTSThe research progress on T4SS in Helicobacter pylori was summarized. The structure and function was discussed.

CONCLUSIONST4SS is not only involved in toxin secretion and injection of virulence factors into eukaryotic host target cells, but also involved in horizontal DNA transfer to other bacteria and eukaryotic cells, through DNA uptake from or release into the extracellular milieu. It provides a new insight into the pathogenicity of Helicobacter pylori and a novel target for antimicrobials development. However, many challenges remain for us in understanding the biological role of T4SS in Helicobacter pylori.