Objective To study the effect of the products of entermorpha (EP), chlorella growth factor (CGF) and entermorpha dietary fiber (EPDF) on defecation and blood lipid regulation. Method Based on the composition of EP products, the male ICR mice were intervened with EP, EPDF and CGF with three doses. Using the constipation model induced by compound diphenoxylate, the effect of EP products on enterocinesia function of mice was determined by measuring defecation and the percentage of ink-pushing in small intestine. High-lipid rat model was established by feading high fat diet and the intervention effect with three doses of EPDF and CGF for 6 w was observed. Results As compared to the model group,all doses of EP,both middle and high doses of EPDF,and high dose of CGF could shorten the time of first defecation and increase the percentage of ink-pushing in small intestine of costive mice (P

Humans ; Ischemic Postconditioning ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury

Objective To study the protective effects of aqueous extract and alcohol-soluble extract of Isodon lophanthoides var.gerardianus (Benth.)Hara (ILVG) on immunity hepatic injury induced by concanavalin A (Con A) in mice.Methods One hundred and eight NIH mice were allocated into normal control group,model group,ILVG groups of aqueous extract and alcohol-soluble extract (low-,middle-and high-dosage),and bifendate group randomly.In the experimental groups,mice received either ILVG aqueous extract or alcohol-soluble extract (18.20 g?kg-1,9.10 g?kg-1,4.55 g?kg-1 respectively) or Bifendate (45 mg?kg-1) by gastric perfusion daily for consecutive 5 days.In the 5th day,Con A (20 mg?kg-1) was injected into mice via the tail vein 4h after administration.And then the blood was obtained by picking out the eyeball and the serum was separated after 8-hour fasting.The serum levels of ALT and AST were analyzed,the body weight as well as the weight of liver,spleen and thymus were measured,and pathological features of hepatic tissue were observed.Results ILVG can decrease the ALT and AST,restrain the enlargement of liver and the shrinkage of thymus and reduce the necrosis of hepatic tissue.Conclusion Aqueous extract and alcohol-soluble extract of ILVG possess the effects of protecting liver from immunity injury induced by Con A in NIH mice.

Objective To analyze the relationship between needs of assistive devices and the three other factors (age, disability categories, severity levels of disability) in order to scientifically formulate subsidy policy on assistive devices.MethodsThe assessment of rehabilitation needs for 928 Shenzhen citizens with new disability certificates in its six districts was performed by professionals, and the data was recorded into ACCESS database and analyzed.ResultsThe sequence of demand rates on assistive devices among disability categories was vision disability (78%), hearing disability (76%) and physical disability (74%); but speech, mental retardation and psychological disabilities had a low demand. The demand rates of assistive devices were dissimilar among four age groups for persons with vision, hearing and physical disabilities; for severity levels of three disability categories of vision, hearing and physical disabilities: the milder the vision disability was, the greater demand rates of assistive devices were; the demand rate of those with the second level of hearing disability was the highest; the demand rates of persons with the first and second levels of physical disability were relatively higher.ConclusionWhen drawing up subsidy policy on assistive devices for persons with disability, the disability categories, ages of persons with disability and severity levels of disability should be considered; the different types of assistive devices should be supplied according to rehabilitation goals at different age group; and necessary assistive devices should be provided according to severity levels of disability.

The viable but noncuturable (VBNC) state is a survival strategy when bacteria are exposed to en- vironment stress. The VBNC state is part of the life cycle of non-differentiating bacteria, and it has a far-reaching impact on traditional bacteriology. Cells in the VBNC state fail to grow on the routine bacterio- logical media, here its significance in human health and environment science are detailed. Cells entering the VBNC state exhibit dwarfing and a number of metabolic changes in respiration rates and macromolecular synthesis. This paper summarized the variations in DNA and protein comparing to the culturable cells. We also discussed the ability of cells to resuscitate from the VBNC state and return to an actively metabolizing and culturable form. Some new methods for monitoring the VBNC state were listed. Finally the future was suggested.

AIM:To explore the effects of galectin-3 (GAL-3) on the viability, migration and inflammation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the mechanisms.METHODS:The HUVECs were cultured in vitro and treated with GAL-3 recombinant protein at 2 mg/L or GAL-3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA).The HUVECs were divided into normal group, recombinant GAL-3 group, shControl group and GAL-3-shRNA group.The mRNA expression of GAL-3, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and cyclin D1 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR,and the protein expression of GAL-3, IL-6 and MCP-1 was detected by Western blot.The secretion levels of MCP-1 and IL-6 in the culture medium were measured by ELISA.The viability and the ability of migration of the HUVECs were examined by CCK-8 assay and wound healing assay.The protein levels of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, JNK and p-JNK were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The expression of GAL-3, MCP-1 and IL-6 at mRNA and protein levels, the mRNA expression of MMP-9 and cyclin D1, and the secretion levels of MCP-1 and IL-6 in the culture medium were significantly higher than those in normal group (P<0.05) after the HUVECs were treated with GAL-3 recombinant protein.However, these molecules mentioned above in GAL-3-shRNA group were significantly lower than those in normal group and negative control group (P<0.05).Compared with normal group, the viability and migration ability of the HUVECs in recombinant GAL-3 group were significantly increased, but the viability and migration ability of the HUVECs in GAL-3-shRNA group were lower than those in normal group and shControl group (P<0.05).In addition, the protein levels of p-ERK1/2 and HSP90 in recombinant GAL-3 group were higher than those in normal group (P<0.05), but those in GAL-3-shRNA group were lower than those in normal group and shControl group (P<0.05).The protein level of p-JNK was not oviously changed among the 4 groups.CONCLUSION:GAL-3 is involved in regulating the cell growth, migration and the release of inflammatory cytokines in vascular endothelial cells, which may be mediated by HSP90-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

The clinical data of 13 patients diagnosed as Takayasu's arteritis with cardiomyopathy in Peking Union Hospital were reviewed.Echocardiography showed cardiomegaly (left chambers mainly),diffuse weakened myocardial wall movement and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.Dilated cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in two patients.Glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide were the essential medication for treatment.One patient died,1 patient was aggravated and the disease condition in remaining 11 patients was stable or improved.Takayasu's arteritis with cardiomyopathy is a rare disease and it attacks younger people.It is difficult to identify at onset,and the disease deteriorates rapidly.Echocardiography should be performed earlier to evaluate the heart function for early diagnosis and treatment.Administration of large dose of glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide at early stage may improve the prognosis.

Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effects of neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) on patients with swallowing disorders after stroke and to assess the value of surface electromyography (sEMG).Methods Forty stroke survivors with swallowing disorders were divided into a treatment group (20 cases) and a control group (20 cases) using a random number table.All of the patients were given routine medication and conventional swallowing training lasting 2 weeks,on the basis of which the patients in the treatment group were also given electrical stimulation.The seriousness of their swallowing disorders was evaluated and surface electromyographs were recorded for both groups before and after the 2 weeks of treatment.Results After treatment,the average dysphagia rating in the treatment group was significantly higher than before treatment,and significantly higher than that of the control group.sEMG of the suprahyoid muscles showed that the swallowing duration of both groups had significantly improved,but the values of the treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusions NMES plus conventional swallowing training can significantly improve swallowing function for patients with swallowing disorders after stroke.sEMG can be regarded as an effective method for assessing swallowing disorders.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM: To explore whether autophagy is involved in the excessive death of renal tubular epithelial cells in subtotal nephrectomy ( SNx) rats and the relationship between autophagy and necroptosis in the kidney of SNx rats. METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group ( n=6 ) and SNx group ( n=42 ) .The rats in SNx group were subjected to SNx.Sham surgery was performed in the rats in control group.The rats in SNx group were divided into subgroups at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks ( n=6) and the other rats in SNx group were divided into SNx+vehi-cle group, SNx+necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) group and SNx+3-methyladenine (3-MA) group.The expression of RIP1, RIP3, LC3 and beclin-1 at mRNA and protein levels was measured at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The effects of Nec-1 or 3-MA on the protein expression of LC3-I, LC3-II and beclin-1, and production of reactive oxygen species ( ROS) in the rat kidney were determined by Western blot and DCFH-DA staining.The death of renal tubular epi-thelial cells in the SNx rats was observed by TUNEL staining and electron microscopy.Finally, the effects of Nec-1 and 3-MA on blood urea nitrogen ( BUN) , serum creatinine ( SCr) and the pathological changes of the renal tissues were ana-lyzed.RESULTS:The highest mRNA and protein levels of RIP1, RIP3, LC3 and beclin-1 appeared at the 8th week after SNx (P<0.01).Compared with the rats in SNx+vehicle group, the protein over-expression of LC3-II/I and beclin-1, re-nal tubular epithelial cells with typical morphological features of necroptotic cell death and TUNEL-positive renal tubular
cells were decreased in the SNx rats treated with Nec-1 and 3-MA (P<0.01), but 3-MA did not reduce the increased con-centration of ROS.In addition, treatment with Nec-1 and 3-MA obviously reduced BUN, SCr (P<0.05), glomeruloscle-rosis index and tubulointerstitial injury score (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Autophagy participates in the excessive death of renal tubular epithelial cells in SNx rats.Inhibition of autograph prevents necroptotic cell death of renal tubular cells, and alleviates chronic renal injury in SNx rats.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of sternoclavicular hook plate in treatment of the anterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation. Methods A new device named sternoclavicular hook plate was devised by our team. Between May 2002 and Octorber 2009, 66 patients with sternoclavicular joint anterior dislocation were treated with the new device, among whom there were 47 males and 19 females,aged 21-68 years old (average, 32.6 years old). Twenty-one cases were caused by crush injury, 5 cases by falling and 40 cases by traffic accident. Anterior fracture-dislocation was found in 41 cases. According to the Allman system, there were 35 cases of type Ⅱ and 31 cases of type Ⅲ. Patients were evaluated with serial clinical and radiographic examinations. Rockwood score were used after the operation to assess the curative effect. Results The average operative time was 33 min (range, 20-48 min). The mean blood loss was 60 ml (range, 20-90 ml). There were no vascular or peripheral nerve injuries in the patients. All incisions healed smoothly. The X-ray and CT showed that the reduction of sternoclavicular joint and the location of internal fixation were satisfactory. All the 66 patients were followed up for 12-37 months (average, 17 months). There was no internal fixation failure, redislocation or other complications. The sternoclavicular hook plate was removed 12 months after operation. The mean Rockwood's score was 13.2 (8 to 15). There were excellent in 50cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 1 case. Conclusion The sternoclavicular hook plate is a new, safe and liable technique for sternoclavicular fracture-dislocation. This new technique is helpful for early functional exercises.