Lactulose enhances neuroplasticity to improve cognitive function in early hepatic encephalopathy

Lactulose is known to improve cognitive function in patients with early hepatic encephalopathy; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the behavioral and neurochemical effects of lactulose in a rat model of early hepatic encephalopathy induced by carbon tetrachloride. Immunohistochemistry showed that lactulose treatment promoted neurogenesis and increased the number of neurons and astrocytes in the hippocampus. Moreover, lactulose-treated rats showed shorter escape latencies than model rats in the Morris water maze, indicating that lactulose improved the cognitive impairments caused by hepatic encephalopathy. The present findings suggest that lactulose effectively improves cognitive function by enhancing neuroplasticity in a rat model of early hepatic encephalopathy.     

BDNF–TrkB signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell of mice has key role in methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms

Depression is a core symptom of methamphetamine (METH) withdrawal during the first several weeks of abstinence. However, the precise mechanisms underlying METH withdrawal symptoms remain unknown. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its specific receptor, tropomyosin-related kinase (TrkB), have a role the in pathophysiology of depression. In this study, we examined the role of BDNF–TrkB signaling in different brain regions of male mice with METH withdrawal symptoms. Repeated METH (3 mg kg⁻¹ per day for 5 days) administration to mice caused a long-lasting depression-like behavior including anhedonia. Western blot analysis showed that BDNF levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of METH-treated mice were significantly higher than those of control mice whereas BDNF levels in other regions, including the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, were not altered. METH-induced depression-like behavior, behavioral sensitization and dendritic changes in the NAc shell were improved by subsequent subchronic administration of TrkB antagonist ANA-12 (0.5 mg kg⁻¹ per day for 14 days), but not TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (10 mg kg⁻¹ per day for 14 days). In vivo microdialysis showed that METH (1 mg kg⁻¹)-induced dopamine release in NAc shell of METH-treated mice was attenuated after subsequent subchronic ANA-12 administration. Interestingly, a single bilateral infusion of ANA-12 into the NAc shell, but not NAc core, showed a rapid and long-lasting therapeutic effect. However, ketamine and paroxetine had no effect. These findings suggest that increased BDNF–TrkB signaling in the NAc shell has an important role in the behavioral abnormalities after withdrawal from repeated METH administration, and that TrkB antagonists are potential therapeutic drugs for withdrawal symptoms in METH abusers.     

品管圈活动降低血液病患者PICC并发症

目的探讨品管圈活动在血液病患者PICC并发症管理中的应用效果。方法成立品管圈,确定降低血液病患者PICC并发症发生率为活动主题,按照品管圈活动步骤开展活动,分析导致PICC并发症发生的原因及PICC临床护理中存在的缺陷,针对原因拟定改进对策并实施,比较品管圈活动前后PICC临床护理缺陷及PICC并发症发生率。结果实施品管圈活动后,PICC临床护理缺陷发生率由32.03%降至9.38%,血液病患者PICC并发症发生率由38.78%降至7.84%,活动前后比较,差异有统计学意义(均P0.01)。结论开展品管圈活动可降低血液病患者PICC并发症发生率,提高PICC护理质量。     

口诀领练法在护理学基础实践教学的应用

目的探讨口诀领练法在《护理学基础》实践教学中的应用效果。方法对2012级护理专业2个班学生进行对照研究。对照组采用教师讲解、示教-学生分组练习-学生回示、教师点评的传统教学法进行实践教学;实验组应用口诀领练法实施实践教学,包括设计20项操作技能的口诀,展示口诀、解析口诀、口诀领练等步骤。结果实验组操作技能考核成绩及对教学效果评价显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论应用口诀领练法进行《护理学基础》实践教学,可有效提高学生的护理操作技能,且能提升学生对教学的满意度。     

新型彩头输液管用于多通道微量泵静脉输注的模拟实验研究

目的 探讨新型彩头输液管在多通道微量泵静脉输注时识别的准确性、效率,降低微量泵用药风险及提高抢救效率.方法 模拟微量泵静脉输注试验,设实验组和对照组,各组1个操作站,各有5台微量泵,2个操作站所用药物一致.对照组采用5根传统微量泵输液管连接注射器与三通,实验组采用新型彩头微量泵输液管连接注射器与三通.结果 对照组受试者完成所有药物与三通一一对应所用时间为(45.2±18.4)s,平均每种药物对应所需时间为(9.0±3.7)s,实验组用时分别为(15.7±3.1)s和(3.1±0.7)s;对照组91.95％受试者将药物与三通对应操作完全准确,实验组为99.66％,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.01).结论 新型彩头输液管能提高工作效率,保证微量泵用药的安全性和准确性,有助于降低医疗风险和提高抢救效率;且操作方便快捷.     

环孢素A对积水肾脏急性压力灌注损伤的保护

目的 在不同程度肾脏积水的前提下,观察线粒体渗透性转换孔(MPTP)抑制剂环孢素A(CsA)对于急性压力灌注所致损伤的保护作用.方法 健康新西兰大白兔20只,随机分为轻度积水组(M组,n=10)和重度积水组(S组,n=10),肾脏轻度积水及重度积水模型采用输尿管套扎法构建.M组及S组分为M1、M2、S1、S24个亚组,分别予以60、100、20、60 mmHg(1mmHg=0.133 kPa)压力灌注.灌注前M组及S组均给予CsA灌胃1周.灌注后48 h取标本,检测标本中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)及丙二醛(MDA)的含量,JC-1染色检测线粒体膜电位(MMP)的变化.结果 M1、M2、S1、S2各组SOD活力分别为(30.11±2.23)、(28.41 ±2.26)、(44.82±6.61)、(40.31±5.21) U/mg,M1与M2之间SOD活力差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),S1与S2之间SOD活力差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);MDA的含量分别为(0.61 ±0.17)、(0.60±0.15)、(0.95 ±0.26)、(0.80±0.32) nmol/mg,M1与M2之间MDA含量差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),S1与S2之间MDA含量差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).JC-1染色橙红色阳性细胞百分比分别为(67.16±9.47)％、(60.75±11.89)％、(41.08 ±4.50)％、(42.36 ±3.44)％.M1与M2比较,S1与S2比较,阳性细胞百分比差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 CsA对于积水肾脏因急性压力灌注所致的损伤有一定的保护作用.在经皮肾镜及输尿管镜治疗结石前给予MPTP抑制剂可有效减轻压力灌注所致损伤.     

大黄蔗虫丸对大鼠肝星状细胞活化及增殖的影响

目的观察大黄蔗虫丸对大鼠肝星状细胞活化及增殖的影响。方法用链酶蛋白酶和胶原酶原位灌注消化正常大鼠肝脏,Nycodenz密度梯度离心分离肝星状细胞(HSC),在制备大黄蔗虫丸大鼠药物血清的基础上,温育HSC。MTT比色法测定细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡及增殖周期情况。结果药物血清对体外培养的HSC有抑制作用,且存在浓度剂量依赖关系,但作用较弱,需在20%以上方见到显著性差异(P<0.05),对HSC凋亡及细胞增殖周期则无显著影响(P>0.05)。结论大黄蔗虫丸对HSC增殖有一定抑制作用,但可能不是其抗肝纤维化作用的主要途径,其抗肝纤维化作用与诱导细胞凋亡无关。     

Prevalence of the cardiovascular health status in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims

The American Heart Association has outlined seven cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics, including smoking, body mass index, physical activity, dietary pattern, total cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose, to define and monitor CVH status. Our study was to evaluate the global CVH in adults.

Characterization of the epidermal growth factor receptor in the gastric mucosa

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), a potent mitogen involved in mucosal protection, are mediated by specific cellular receptors. Here, we present the characteristics and binding properties of EGF receptors in the gastric mucosa. The studies were conducted using cell membranes isolated by subcellular fractionation of rat stomach mucosal scrapings. Specific binding of [125I]-EGF to the membrane preparations was assessed at room temperature for various periods of time and at different pHs. The results showed that the binding was proportional to the incubation time up to 1 h and was not affected by a pH change between 4.0 and 7.0. Scatchard analysis of the binding data infer the presence of 2 binding sites, one of high affinity (Kd = 1.34 nM, Bmax = 34 fmol/mg protein) and the other of low affinity (Kd = 484 nM, Bmax = 2.29 pmol/mg protein). Cross-linking experiments using disuccinimidyl suberate to link the [125I]-EGF to gastric membranes followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography revealed that the major receptor for EGF was a protein of 170 kilodaltons. When the solubilized membranes were subjected to wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography, the purified material was found to act as substrate for EGF-stimulated phosphorylation. The major component which was labeled by the [gamma-32P]-ATP was also found to be a 170-kilodalton protein. The data are the first to provide evidence that the gastric mucosa possesses a functional EGF receptor and describe its binding characteristics.