BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research has shown maternal betaine supplementation alleviates fetal-derived hepatic steatosis. Therefore, this study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine intake in offspring mice and its mechanism.MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice and their offspring were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the treatment received during gestation and lactation: control diet (CD), fatty liver disease (FLD), and fatty liver disease + 1% betaine (FLD-BET). The FLD group was given a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD + STZ), and the FLD-BET group was treated with HFD + STZ + 1% betaine. After weaning, the offspring mice were given a normal diet for 5 weeks and then dissected to measure the relevant indexes. RESULTS: Compared to the CD group, the offspring mice in the FLD group revealed obvious hepatic steatosis and increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; maternal betaine supplementation reversed these changes. The hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the FLD group than in the CD group. Maternal betaine supplementation reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Maternal betaine supplementation also reversed the increasing protein expressions of nitric oxide dioxygenase-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in offspring mice exposed to HFD + STZ. Maternal betaine supplementation decreased the homocysteine (Hcy) and s-adenosine homocysteine (SAH) levels significantly in the livers. Furthermore, the hepatic Hcy concentrations showed significant inverse relationships with the mRNA expression of TNF-α, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-18. The hepatic SAH concentration was inversely associated with the IL-1β mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS The lipotropic and anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine supplementation may be associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the livers of the offspring mice.

This article interpretsthe expert consensus on venous catheter maintenance, including flushing and locking tube, dressing replacement and catheter maintenance, infusion connectors, catheter removal, education and training, infection control, etc. It is hoped that the expert consensus can provide a reference for clinical nurses to standardize the operations of intravenous catheter maintenance, thereby benefiting patients.

Objective To investigate the influence of pure intercostal nerve block combined with hydromorphone hydrochlo-ride intravenous analgesia on the occurrence of postoperative cognitive function and analgesia in elder patients with thoracic surger-y.Methods Ninety-six ASA I?Ⅱ elder patients with elective thoracic operation were divided into intercostal nerve block group (A),intercostal nerve block combined with hydromorphone hydrochloride intravenous analgesia group (B)and hydromorphone hydrochloride intravenous analgesia group(C)according to the random number table method,32 cases in each group.The patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)with sufentanyl was postoperatively performed in all cases.When analgesia effect was poor, dezocine 0.1mg/kg was intravenously injected.The mean artery pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),respiratory rate(RR),visual ana-logue scale (VAS)score and mini mental state examination (MMSE)score were recorded at postoperative 2,6,24,48 h in 3 groups.Results The MMSE score in the group B was higher than that in the group A and C,the VAS score was lower than that in the group A and C,the difference was statistically significant(P <0.05).Postoperative MAP and HR in the group B were more sta-ble than those in the group A and C,the difference was statistically significant(P <0.05).RR in the group C was more fast and had smaller range than those in the group A and B,the difference was statistically significant(P <0.05).Conclusion Intercostal nerve block combined with hydromorphone hydrochloride intravenous analgesia can achieve better postoperative analgesic effect with sta-ble postoperative blood dynamics and low occurrence rate of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

Objective To observe and compare the clinical efficacies between electroacupuncture and warm needling in treating low back pain.Method Seventy-eight eligible low back pain patients were randomized into group A of 28 cases, group B of 26 cases, and group C of 24 cases. Group A was intervened by electroacupuncture, group B was by warm needling, and group C was by medication. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA), and Oswestry Disability Index were observed before and after treatment, and the therapeutic efficacies were compared.Result In group A, the McGill item scores [Sensory Pain Rating Index (S-PRI), Affective Pain Rating Index (A-PRI)] respectively after 1-week and 2-week treatment as well as in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up were significantly different from that before treatment (P<0.01,P<0.05). In group B and C, the McGill item scores after 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up were significantly different from that before treatment in the same group (P<0.01,P<0.05). The JOA and Oswestry scores were significantly changed respectively after 1-week and 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up in the three groups compared with that before treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01). After 1-week and 2-week treatment and in the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, the JOA and Oswestry scores in group A were significantly different from that in group C (P<0.05,P<0.01). In the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, the JOA scores in group B were significantly different from that in group C (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 85.7% in group A and 73.1% in group B, both significantly higher than 58.3% in group C (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture and warm needling both can produce a significant efficacy in treating low back pain, but warm needling acts comparatively slowly and is less safe.

Objective To investigate the influence of preemptive analgesia with Hydr- omorphone Hy-drochloride on postoperative cognitive function and inflammation cytokines in the elderly patients. Methods Ninety ASA I orⅡ elder patients were randomly divided in control group (C)and Hydromorphone Hydrochloride group(H) with 45 cases each. Hydromorphone Hydrochloride 2 mg was injected iv before induction of anesthesia in group H. Observed plasma concentrations of the CRP、 TNF-α and IL-6 at different time. Cognitive function was assessed by minimental state examination. Results Plasma the CRP、 TNF-a and IL-6 concentrations were lower and MMSE scales were higher in group H than in group C. Conclusion Preemptive analgesia with Hy-dromorphone Hydrochloride 2 mg can reduce the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in the elderly patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of preemptive analgesia with nalbuphine on inflammatory factors in elderly patients undergoing thoracotomy. Methods Eighty elderly patients with ASA I or Ⅱ undergoing thoracotomy were randomly allocated into control group (group C:n=40) and Nalbuphine group (group N:n=40). Each patient received 20 mg of Nalbuphine intravenously before induction of anesthesia in group N and same volume of normal saline in group C. Plasma levels of IL-10, TNF-α and IL-6 were measured at different time points. The VAS was recorded and the MAP, HR, SpO2 and PaCO2 were monitored. Results Compared with group C, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were lower, while IL-10 was higher at T2, T3, T4 in group N(P < 0.05). The VAS, MAP, HR and PaCO2 in group N were lower than those in group C at T2, T3 and T4 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Preemptive analgesia with Nalbuphine can improve the efficacy of postoperative analgesia and effectively reduce inflammatory reaction in the old patients undergoing thoracotomy.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for gastrointestinal polyps.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed.The patients who undergone gastrointestinal endoscopy and diagnosis gastric polyps were selected who hospitaled in the Navy General Hospital from January 2012 to January 2014 and divided into cases group(patients with gastric polyps and colonic polyps) and control group (patients with gastric polyps).The information was recorded.Results The case of over 60 years of age distribution in case group was significantly higher than the control group.Single factor analysis showed that the indices including age,HP infection,smoking,drinking,high cholesterol and hypertension were significantly different from that of control group (x2 =11.538,9.350,4.190,5.103,8.992,4.038;P ＜ 0.05) after adjusting the interactions of the factors.Multi factor Logistic analysis showed that the risk of gastrointestinal polyps was significantly related with sex,age over 60 years old,HP infection,diabetes,smoking,drinking and hyperlipoidemia(P＜0.05),and the OR value from small to large were age,HP infection,alcohol drinking,hyperlipidemia,smoking,diabetes and gender.Conclusion The female gastric polyp patients who were over 60 years old,HP infection positive,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,smoking,drinking are more likely to suffer from intestinal polyps,and they were suggested to perform colonoscopy.Among them,women with HP positive infection and the age over 60 are high risk population.If they complicated with hyperlipidemia,they should had a screening for colorectal carcinoma in situ.

Recent years, the development of medical devices kits is rapid. How to make the technical evaluation of medical devices kits more perfect bases on the two major principles of safe and effective, and to make kits in the market more normative and orderly, these issues for technical evaluation have to be considered. This article makes a study on current situation of production, classification of management and registration status, combined with existing regulations and related standards, and discusses technical evaluation related issues.
Equipment and Supplies ; standards