OBJECTIVEThis study was aimed to explore the physiological changes and the effect of heat acclimation training via a randomized control trial study.

METHODSForty healthy male volunteers were chosen and divided into experimental group and control group randomly. Those in experimental group received heat acclimation training including but not limited to meditation, unarmed run, yoga, and stepping in hot lab environment. And then, subjective feeling, rectal temperature, average skin temperature, and sweat electrolytes concentration were detected in order to describe their physiological changes. Before and after the training, both groups received some tests and their 3 000 m run-race time, nervous reaction time and subjective perception scores were recorded to evaluate the effect of acclimation training.

RESULTS(1) There was no difference in 3 000 m between the 2 groups in the same environment. Subjects' 3 000 m race time in experimental group was obviously shortened than that in control group in room temperature environment (t = 2.326, P < 0.05). And subjects' 3 000 m race time in experimental group was obviously shortened than that in control group in hot-humid environment (t = 4.518, P < 0.01). (2) Subjects' reaction time (RT) in experimental group was shortened than that in control group in room temperature environment (Z = 11.258, P < 0.05). And Subjects' RT in experimental group was sharply shortened than that in control group in hot-humid environment (Z = 6.519, P < 0.01). (3) No difference between the experimental and control groups was observed in subjective perception score (SPS) in room temperature environment. But subjects' SPS in experimental group was obviously lowered than that in control group and in hot-humid environment (t = 17.958, P < 0.01).(4) Anal temperature (AT) was lowered during training, while the change of mean skin temperature (MST) was not significant. Sweat sodium concentration (SSC) was lowered during training. SPS continued to decrease and entered plateau on the 13th day after training.(5) After acclimation training, the working capacity of the experimental group in hot-humid environment was over 85% of that in room temperature environment. While subjects' working capacity in control group in hot-humid environment was about 80% of that in room temperature environment.

CONCLUSIONHot-humid environment acclimation training improved the working capacity. After training, subjects' working capacity in hot-humid environment remained over 85% of that in room temperature environment, which was higher than that of those subjects who did not take part in training.

Acclimatization ; physiology ; Body Temperature ; Heart Rate ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Humidity ; Male ; Physical Conditioning, Human ; physiology ; Sweating

OBJECTIVETo master the distribution of male and female soldiers' body composition with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method in order to provide data for building up the standards in comparison with those of ordinary residents.

METHODSA cluster stratified sample of 5968 graduated soldiers among different armed services colleges was measured by BIA. Five percent-95% distributions with in the upper and lower limits were established on basis of the above result. The crosswise comparison was also performed.

RESULTS(1) Five percent-95% reference ranges of people in the graduating class of armed services colleges were body fat percentage (BF%): 10.30%-20.70% (male) and 19.20%-30.10% (female), body mass index (BMI): 19.30-25.70 (male) and 18.00-23.99 (female), lean body mass percentage (LBM%): 79.27%-86.69% (male) and 69.89%-80.69% (female), muscle percentage (M%): 74.24%-83.96% (male) and 65.23%-75.27% (female), bone percentage (B%): 5.01% 5.77% (male) and 4.65%-5.51% (female). (2) Soldiers in the graduating class of armed services colleges have less BF%, more B% and M% than those of ordinary residents in the same age and the same sex.

CONCLUSION(1) Soldiers in the graduating class of armed services colleges have better body composition than that of ordinary residents in the same age and the same sex; (2) Standard of body composition for soldiers in the graduating class of armed services colleges should be different from that of ordinary residents, a new standard should be built up.

Body Composition ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Young Adult

In this study, we explored the feasibility of biotin-mediated modified polymeric micelles for pancreatic cancer targeted photodynamic therapy. Poly (ethylene glycol)-distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (mPEG2000-DSPE) served as the drug-loaded material, biotin-poly(ethylene glycol)-distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (Biotin-PEG3400-DSPE) as the functional material and the polymeric micelles were prepared by a thin-film hydration method. The targeting capability of micelles was investigated by cell uptake assay in vitro and fluorescence imaging in vivo and the amounts of Biotin-PEG-DSPE were optimized accordingly. Hypocrellin B (HB), a novel photosensitizer was then encapsulated in biotinylated polymeric micelles and the anti-tumor efficacy was evaluated systemically in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that micelles with 5 mol % Biotin-PEG-DSPE demonstrated the best targeting capability than those with 20 mol % or 0.5 mol % of corresponding materials. This formulation has a small particle size [mean diameter of (36.74 ± 2.16) nm] with a homogeneous distribution and high encapsulation efficiency (80.06 ± 0.19) %. The following pharmacodynamics assays showed that the biotinylated micelles significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of HB against tumor cells in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo, suggesting a promising potential of this formulation for treatment of pancreatic cancer, especially those poorly permeable, or insensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; Biotin ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Humans ; Micelles ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Photochemotherapy

Objective To explore the mechanisms by which hydrogen sulfide (H2S) regulates collagen metabolism during hypoxic pulmonary vascular structural remodeling. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n=6), hypoxia group (n = 6) and hypoxia+NaHS group(n= 6) H2S content in plasma was measured with spectrophotometry. The expression of collagen I was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) mRNA was detected with situ hybridization Results Compared with hypoxia group, H2S content in plasma increased significantly and the expressions of collagen I and TIMP-1 mRNA in pulmonary arteries were down- regulated in hypoxia + NaHS group. The H2S content in plasma negatively correlated with TIMP-I mRNA expression. Conclusions H2S increases the degradation of collagen in small and media pulmonary arteries of rats under hypoxia by decreasing the synthesis of TIMP-1, and therefore, attenuats the collagen remodeling in pulmonary arteries of hypoxic rats.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

METHODSSixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively.

RESULTSThe markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEIncidence and severity of motion sickness (MS) in hot-humid environment are extremely high. We tried to know the effect of two-stage training for reducing incidence and severity of ms.

METHODSSixty male subjects were divided into experimental group and control group randomly. Subjects in experimental group received: (2) adaptation training including sitting, walking and running in hot lab. After adaptation confirmation based on subjective feeling, rectal temperature, heart rate, blood Pressure, sweat rates and sweat salt concentration, we tested both groups by Coriolis acceleration revolving chair test and recorded Graybiel's score and grading of severity to evaluate whether adaptation training was useful; (2) Anti-dizzy training 3m later of deacclimatization contained revolving chair training for 10 times. Then we did the same test as mentioned above to evaluate effect of anti-dizzy training. RESULST: Graybiel' s score and grading of severity had no difference between two groups through acclimatization training (P > 0.05). While they had difference through anti-dizzy training (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAdaptation training seems useless for reducing incidence and severity of MS in hot-humid environment, but anti-dizzy training is useful.

Acclimatization ; physiology ; Adolescent ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Male ; Motion Sickness ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the condition of early (≤ 30 d) postoperative pulmonary infection in children after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

METHODThe clinical data of 36 cases undergoing LDLT in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were analyzed retrospectively from June 2006 to December 2009.

RESULTOf 36 cases without preoperative respiratory disease, 17 were boys, 19 were girls. Their age ranged from 2 months to 14 years. Pulmonary infection developed in 24 patients, of whom 4 cases died (17%) and 3 deaths were related to pulmonary infection. Pulmonary infection occurred in 17 of 20 infants (85%) and 10 of 11 cases (91%) with liver function of Child-Pugh grade C. Twenty cases (83%) developed pulmonary infection within first 2 weeks after LDLT. Totally 65 pathogenic strains of microorganisms were isolated, in which Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi were 46 strains, 5 strains, 14 strains respectively. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14 strains), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8 strains) and Acinetobacter baumannii (8 strains). Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a resistance rate of almost 100% to cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, the first, the second and some of the third generation cephalosporins. Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase had a resistance rate of almost 100% to beta-lactams except carbapenems. Acinetobacter baumannii was exquisitely susceptible to carbapenems, but showed a high resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins. Candida albicans, which was the most common fungus, showed a susceptibility rate of 100% to amphotericin B. In the LDLT recipients of pulmonary infection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections occurred in 2 patients and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of early postoperative pulmonary infection was high in children undergoing LDLT, especially in infants. And the mortality should not be ignored. The high risk period for infection was within the first 2 weeks after operation. The pathogens were mainly Gram-negative bacteria, which showed high and multidrug resistance.

Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bacterial Infections ; drug therapy ; etiology ; microbiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Lung Diseases ; drug therapy ; etiology ; microbiology ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

In our previous work, we found that trivalent dimethylarsinous acid (DMA(III)) have high affinity binding to cysteine residue 13 of rat hemoglobin. However, it is still unknown why arsenic intermediate metabolite DMA(III) has high binding affinity for Cysl3 but not for other cysteine residues 93, 140, 111 and 125. In order to better understand the molecular mechanism of DMA(III) with rat hemoglobin, we have done current study. So, SD rats were divided into control and arsenic-treated groups randomly. Arsenic species in lysate of red blood cells were analyzed by HPLC-ICP-MS, and then determined by a hybrid quadrupole TOF MS. In addition, trivalent DMA(III) binds to different cysteine residues in rat hemoglobin alpha and beta chains were also simulated by Molecular Docking. Only Cys13 in alpha chain is able to bind to DMA(III) from the experiment results. Cys13 of alpha chain in rat hemoglobin is a specific binding site for DMA(III), and we found that amino acids compose pockets structure and surround Cys13 (but not other cysteine residues), make DMA(III) much easy to bind cysteine 13. Taken together, the DMA(III) specific binding to Cys13 is related to spatial structure of Cys13.
Animals ; Arsenic ; metabolism ; Binding Sites ; Cacodylic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cysteine ; metabolism ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Mass Spectrometry ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (VSD) in children following transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

METHODSFrom September 2002 to December 2005, eighty-nine children (47 males and 42 females) with perimembranous (VSD) underwent an attempt of transcatheter interventional occlusion. Among the 89 children, one of them was diagnosed with patent ductus arterious (PDA) and six with VSD leakage after the surgical repair (three with leakage after the surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot and three with leakage after the surgical repair of VSD). The mean age of patients was (6.4 +/- 3.9) years (ranged from 1 to 18 years). The mean body weight of patients was (22 +/- 11 )kg (ranged from 9 to 78 kg). The mean diameter of VSD measured by TTE was (4.3 +/- 1.5) mm(ranged from 2 to 8.5mm). The path of artery to vein was established following X-rays and TTE. Occluder was released through the right heart system. All patients were followed up in 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after procedure of TTE, X-ray and electrocardiography.

RESULTThe devices were deployed successfully in 85 patients, the rate of success was 95.5%. No death occurred during and after the procedure. There was trivial residual shunt in 12 patients immediately after the closure by TTE and angiography. Twenty-four hours later, only 3 patients had trivial residual and no shunt existed after 6 months follow-up. Convulsion occurred in 1 case due to serious cardiac arrhythmias. Hemolysis was found in 2 cases. Other complications included 2 cases of complete left bundle branch block, 1 cases of left anterior fascicular block and 3 cases of incomplete right bundle branch block. They recovered after 3 to 7 days of corticosteroid treatment. After 1 to 36 months (mean 9 months) follow-up, none of occluders displacement occurred and no valve was involved.

CONCLUSIONTranscatheter closure of membranous VSD using occluder would be safe and effective for children, and the results of short-term was satisfied. Transcatheter closure of VSD following TTE is a feasible method. TTE has the potential benefit of avoiding general anesthesia and esophageal intubation in children.

Adolescent ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVETo develop a virulent heat-evil-induced thrombosis animal model, and provide a rational animal model for pathogeny and pathogenesis research of thrombosis-related diseases, anti-thrombosis activity screening and pre-clinical studies of CAHT formula.

METHODSD rats were pretreated with carrageenin (Ca) intraperitoneal injection, followed by intravenous injection of endotoxin (LPS from E. coli O111:B4) 50 microg x kg(-1) 16 h later. Thrombosis in rat tails were observed during 12-24 h after injection of LPS. The inflammatory mechanism of this model were investigated by analyzing serum level of TNF-alpha, IL-6, TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF 1alpha, CD11b/CD18 expression of white blood cells (WBC) and P-selectin expression of vessel walls.

RESULTIn LPS/Ca model group, thrombosis can be clearly observed in the distal part of rat tails after 12-24 h of LPS/Ca treatment. High level of TNF-alpha and IL-6 can be measured in serum. The expression of CD11b/CD18 in WBC and P-selectin in vessel endothelium significantly increased and the number of WBC in peripheral blood markedly decreased shortly after LPS/Ca treatment. The adherence of white blood cells to vessel endothelium which can be seen by microscope mainly contributed to the decrease of WBC. The results indicated that there was obvious inflammation after treatment with LPS/Ca, suggesting that inflammation was the key mechanism for this model.

CONCLUSIONThis model was developed through treatment of LPS in combination with Ca, of which LPS is considered to be an exotic virulent heat-evil in TCM, while the inflammatory molecules produced in this model, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, CD11b/CD18 and P-selectin belong to internal virulent heat-evils, so this animal model consists of pathogeny and pathogenesis of virulent heat-evils. virulent heat-evil.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha ; blood ; Animals ; CD11b Antigen ; metabolism ; CD18 Antigens ; metabolism ; Carrageenan ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endotoxins ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Leukocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thrombosis ; blood ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood