Effects of Fucoxanthin on the Inhibition of Dexamethasone-Induced Skeletal Muscle Loss in Mice

Fucoxanthin (Fx) has preventive effect against muscle atrophy and myotube loss in vitro, but it has not yet been examined in vivo. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of Fx on dexamethasone (Dex)-induced muscle atrophy and fat mass in mice. ICR mice were fed with Fx diets from 2 weeks before Dex treatment to the end of the study. Muscle atrophy was induced in the mice by oral administration of Dex. Body weight was significantly lower by Dex treatment. Visceral fat mass in the Fx-treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The Dex-induced decrease in tibialis anterior muscle mass was ameliorated by Fx treatment. Fx treatment significantly attenuated muscle lipid peroxidation compared with the control and Dex-treated groups. The phosphorylation of AMPK was significantly higher in the Dex-treated group than in the control group. The expression of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) IV was significantly higher in the Fx-treated group than in the control group. These results suggest that Fx may be a beneficial material to prevent muscle atrophy in vivo, in addition to the effect of fat loss.     

Nutritional Controlled Preparation and Administration of Different Tomato Purées Indicate Increase of β-Carotene and Lycopene Isoforms,and of Antioxidant Potential in Human Blood Bioavailability: A Pilot Study

The isoforms of lycopene, carotenoids, and their derivatives including precursors of vitamin A are compounds relevant for preventing chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Tomatoes are a major source of these compounds. However, cooking and successive metabolic processes determine the bioavailability of tomatoes in human nutrition. To evaluate the effect of acute/chronic cooking procedures on the bioavailability of lycopene and carotene isoforms in human plasma, we measured the blood levels of these compounds and of the serum antioxidant potential in volunteers after a meal containing two different types of tomato sauce (rustic or strained). Using a randomized cross-over administration design, healthy volunteers were studied, and the above indicated compounds were determined by HPLC. The results indicate an increased bioavailability of the estimated compounds and of the serum antioxidant potential with both types of tomato purée and the subsequently derived sauces (the increase was greater with strained purée). This study sheds light on the content of nutrient precursors of vitamin A and other antioxidant compounds derived from tomatoes cooked with different strategies. Lastly, our study indicates that strained purée should be preferred over rustic purée.     

Dietary Interventions with Polyphenols in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review Directed from the Preclinical Data to Randomized Clinical Studies

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and a major cause of limited functionality and thus a decrease in the quality of life of the inflicted. Given the fact that the existing pharmacological treatments lack disease-modifying properties and their use entails significant side effects, nutraceuticals with bioactive compounds constitute an interesting field of research. Polyphenols are plant-derived molecules with established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have been extensively evaluated in clinical settings and preclinical models in OA. As more knowledge is gained in the research field, an interesting approach in the management of OA is the additive and/or synergistic effects that polyphenols may have in an optimized supplement. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the recent literature regarding the use of combined polyphenols in the management of OA. For that purpose, a PubMed literature survey was conducted with a focus on some preclinical osteoarthritis models and randomized clinical trials on patients with osteoarthritis from 2018 to 2021 which have evaluated the effect of combinations of polyphenol-rich extracts and purified polyphenol constituents. Data indicate that combined polyphenols may be promising for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future, but more clinical trials with novel approaches in the identification of the in-between relationship of such constituents are needed.     

Curcumin and Its Potential Impact on Microbiota

Curcumin is one of the most frequently researched herbal substances; however, it has been reported to have a poor bioavailability and fast metabolism, which has led to doubts about its effectiveness. Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and has demonstrated favorable health effects. Nevertheless, well-reported in vivo pharmacological activities of curcumin are limited by its poor solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic profile. The bidirectional interactions between curcumin and gut microbiota play key roles in understanding the ambiguity between the bioavailability and biological activity of curcumin, including its wider health impact.     

Nursing Home Residents’ Functional Trajectories and Mortality After a Transfer to the Emergency Department

ObjectiveTo describe nursing home residents’ (NHRs) functional trajectories and mortality after a transfer to the emergency department (ED).DesignCase-control observational multicenter study.Setting and ParticipantsIn total, 1037 NHRs presenting to 17 EDs in France over 4 nonconsecutive weeks in 2016.MethodsFinite mixture models were fitted to longitudinal data on activities of daily living (ADL) scores before transfer (time 1), during hospitalization (time 2), and within 1 week after discharge (time 3) to identify groups of NHRs following similar functional evolution. Factors associated with mortality were investigated by Cox regressions.ResultsTrajectory modeling identified 4 distinct trajectories of ADL. The first showed a high and stable (across time 1, time 2, and time 3) functional capacity around 5.2/6 ADL points, with breathlessness as the main condition leading to transfer. The second displayed an initial 37.8% decrease in baseline ADL performance (between time 1 and time 2), followed by a 12.5% recovery of baseline ADL performance (time 2?time 3), with fractures as the main condition. The third displayed a similar initial decrease, followed by a 6.7% recovery. The fourth displayed an initial 70.1% decrease, followed by an 8.5% recover, with more complex geriatric polypathology situations. Functional decline was more likely after being transferred for a cerebrovascular condition or for a fracture, after being discharged from ED to a surgery department, and with a heavier burden of distressing symptoms during transfer. Mortality after ED transfer was more likely in older NHRs, those in a more severe condition, those who were hospitalized more frequently in the past month, and those transferred for cerebrovascular conditions or breathlessness.Conclusions and ImplicationsIdentified trajectories and factors associated with functional decline and mortality should help clinicians decide whether to transfer NHRs to ED. NHRs with high functional ability seem to benefit from ED transfers whereas on-site alternatives should be sought for those with poor functional ability.     

射野孔径形状控制器对直肠癌快速容积旋转调强放射治疗计划质量、机器传输能力和准确性的影响研究

目的:研究Eclipse15.5治疗计划系统中射野孔径形状控制器(ASC)对直肠癌快速(RapidArc)容积旋转调强放射治疗(VMAT)计划质量、机器传输能力和剂量传输准确性的影响。方法:选取医院收治的20例直肠癌患者,对每个病例生成ASC"off"、ASC"verylow"、ASC"moderate"和ASC"veryhigh"共4组RapidArc对照计划。其中ASC调节等级分别设置为关闭(off)、非常低(verylow)、中等(moderate)和非常高(veryhigh),其他计划参数设置保持一致,使用射野剂量系统(PD)验证剂量传输的准确性。主要评价指标包括剂量体积直方图(DVH)、Paddick适形指数(PCI)、梯度指数(GI)、均质性指数(HI)、剂量率(DoseRate)、机架转速(GantrySpeed)、机器跳数(MUs)、每角度机器跳数(MU/deg)和Gamma通过率,采用单因素方差分析和Kruskal-Wallis秩和检验检测4组ASC计划之间各项统计指标的差异。结果:4组ASC计划间除计划靶区平均剂量(PTV D_med)差异有统计学意义(F=3.243,P=0.027)外,其他DVH、PCI、GI和HI指标差异均无统计学意义。机器传输能力中ASC为very low、moderate和very high的MUs较off分别下降14.4%、20.9%和29.6%。4组计划间DoseRate、MU/deg和MUs差异有统计学意义(x²=16.621,x²=16.007,x²=15.877;P=0.001)。剂量传输准确性中4组计划间3%/3 mm和2%/2 mm的Gamma通过率差异均无统计学意义。结论:计划设计过程中需考虑ASC对各项计划指标的影响,应根据计划的复杂性和临床需要调整ASC的等级。     

基于疾病诊断相关组的医院内专科评价指标探讨

目的通常疾病诊断相关组(DRGs)指标用于评价综合医院的能力,当用于医院内部评价时,因专科差异较大,现有指标不宜直接用于临床专科比较。本文拟探讨DRGs指标体系应用于医院内评价的问题,并提出专科能力指数及其计算方法。方法以某院2018年DRGs分组结果及该院所在省份DRGs数据,论证现有DRGs指标体系应用于医院内专科评价存在的问题,并提出新评价指标——专科能力指数以对临床科室进行比较与评价。结果新指标能有效地弥补DRGs指标体系在医院内评价临床科室时存在“不可比”的问题,能在一定程度上反映临床科室的专科能力。结论基于DRGs的专科能力指数不仅使得各临床科室具有可比性,且能在一定程度上反映临床科室的医疗服务综合能力。     

孤独症谱系障碍儿童感觉异常现况调查及相关临床特征的关联分析

目的 分析孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童感觉异常现状及其相关因素,为ASD的临床诊断和行为矫正提供理论依据。方法 收集2015年8月—2016年1月在中山大学附属第三医院确诊的121例ASD儿童的孤独症诊断会谈量表(ADI-R)分析感觉异常情况;孤独症教育心理评核(第三版)(PEP-3)评估各方面能力;中国韦氏幼儿智力测试(简称智测)或Gesell量表评估智力或发育商,孤独症儿童进食行为量表(BAMBI)评估喂养问题;并分析感觉异常的相关临床特征的关联分析。结果 无感觉异常组23例(19.0%),轻度感觉异常组(简称轻度组)64例(52.9%),重度感觉异常组(简称重度组)34例(28.1%)。轻度组和重度组感觉异常种类显著多于无感觉异常组(χ²=88.042,P＜0.01),重度组感觉异常种类显著多于轻度组(P＜0.01)。在ADI-R中,无语言能力儿童重度感觉异常组A部分(社会互动异常)(19.59±4.67)和B部分(沟通异常)(12.36±1.76)均高于无感觉异常组(15.79±1.94、9.86±3.34,F=3.032、5.190,P＜0.05),且重度组B部分(沟通异常)高于轻度组(10.79±2.32,P＜0.05)。在PEP-3中,轻度组和重度组个人自理百分比得分均低于无感觉异常组(χ²=8.641,P＜0.01)。三组间智力测试和Gesell量表评估结果比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。BAMBI评估显示,轻度组和重度组食物谱狭窄得分均高于无感觉异常组(χ²=6.806,P＜0.05)。无语言ASD儿童的感觉异常与ADI-R的A部分及B部分得分呈正相关(r_s=0.260、0.359,P＜0.01),ASD儿童的感觉异常与个人自理百分比呈负相关(r_s=-0.252,P=0.005),与食物谱狭窄得分呈正相关(r_s=0.224,P=0.013)。结论 81.0%的ASD儿童有感觉异常,重度组感觉异常的种类较多。感觉异常程度严重的ASD儿童,社交能力较弱,饮食问题更多。ASD儿童的感觉异常与智力测试和Gesell量表评估结果不相关。感觉异常可能是ASD儿童社交能力的预测因子。     

悬吊运动训练联合肌内效贴对不随意运动型脑瘫患儿下肢运动功能的疗效研究

目的 研究悬吊运动训练(SET)联合肌内效贴治疗不随意运动型脑瘫(DCP)患儿下肢运动功能的疗效,以期为该类型患儿治疗提供临床依据。方法 选取2018年3月—2019年12月在湘雅博爱康复医院儿童康复治疗部收治的59例DCP患儿为研究对象,基于数字表法随机分为3组(常规组20例,悬吊组20例,研究组19例),常规组行常规康复,悬吊组行常规康复和SET,研究组行常规康复+SET+肌内效贴,3组患儿均治疗4个月。比较三组患儿治疗前、治疗4个月的步行能力[10 m步行速度(10 mMWS)]、粗大运动功能[粗大运动功能评定量表88项(GMFM)]与平衡功能[Berg平衡量表(BBS)]评分变化。结果 治疗4个月后,常规组、悬吊组和研究组患儿在10 mMWS(t=3.249、4.042、7.761)、GMFM目标分(t=5.297、13.128、20.982)和BBS评分(t=4.025、7.289、6.394)上较治疗前均显著增高(P＜0.01);治疗后,研究组在10 mMWS、GMFM目标分和BBS评分指标改善幅度最佳,并显著优于常规组和悬吊组(F=7.071、4.787、4.093,P＜0.05)。结论 SET联合肌内效贴治疗DCP患儿可提高临床治疗疗效,有效改善患儿的平衡功能,粗大运动功能和步行能力。     

早期认知-行为干预对冠心病介入治疗患者心功能及自我管理能力的影响

目的 观察早期认知-行为干预对冠心病介入治疗患者心功能及自我管理能力的影响。方法 将2019年2月至2021年2月于我院接受介入治疗的100例冠心病患者随机分为观察组与对照组各50例。对照组予以常规护理,观察组在对照组基础上实施早期认知-行为干预。对比两组的心功能[左心室射血分数(LVEF)、左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)及左室后壁厚度(LVPWd)]、自我管理能力。结果 护理后,观察组的LVEF高于对照组, LVEDD、 LVPWd低于对照组(P<0.05)。护理后,观察组症状管理、角色功能、情绪控制、沟通能力评分均高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论 早期认知-行为干预可显著改善冠心病介入治疗患者心功能状态与自我管理能力,促进其病情恢复,值得临床推广应用。