Physical activity combined with massage improves bone mineralization in premature infants: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Osteopenia of prematurity is a known source for morbidity in preterm infants. Premature infants have shown favorable outcomes in response to massage and physical activity. Whether such intervention can stimulate bone formation or decrease bone resorption is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that massage combined with physical activity can stimulate bone formation and ameliorate bone resorption in premature infants. DESIGN/METHODS: A prospective double-blinded randomized trial was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. Thirty preterm infants (28 to 35 weeks' gestation) were randomly assigned to either control group (Group I, n=15) or intervention group (Group II, n=15). Infants in the intervention group received a daily protocol of combined massage and physical activity. Serum type I collagen C-terminal propeptide (PICP) and urinary pyridinoline crosslinks of collagen (Pyd) were used as indices for bone formation and resorption, respectively. PICP and Pyd were measured at enrollment and at discharge for all subjects. t-Test, ANOVA and linear regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups I and II in gestational age (32.1+/-1.8 vs 31.5+/-1.4 weeks) or birth weight (1.429+/-0.148 vs 1.467+/-0.132 g). In the control group, serum PICP decreased over time from 82.3+/-8.5 to 68.78+/-14.6 (p<0.01), while urinary Pyd increased from 447.7+/-282.8 to 744.9+/-373.6 (p<0.01) indicating decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption, respectively. In the intervention group, serum PICP increased over time from 62.5+/-13.8 to 73.84+/-12.9 (p<0.01). Urinary Pyd also increased over time from 445.7+/-266.5 to 716.8+/-301.8 (p<0.01). In a linear regression model including gestational age and intervention, serum PICP increased significantly in the intervention group (regression coefficient 18.8+/-4.6, p=0.0001) while urinary Pyd did not differ between groups (regression coefficient=5.6+/-114.3, p=0.961). CONCLUSIONS: A combined massage and physical activity protocol improved bone formation (PICP) but did not affect bone resorption (Pyd). Pyd increased over time in both groups, possibly due to continuous bone resorption and Ca mobilization.     

Isoflavonoids from Astragalus mongholicus protect PC12 cells from toxicity induced by L-glutamate

lsoflavonoids, formononetin, 9,10-dimethoxypterocarpan 3-O-beta-D-glucoside, ononin, calycosin 7-O-glc and calycosin, were isolated from the roots of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (Leguminosae). The neuroprotective roles and direct antioxidant effects of these isoflavonoids were investigated by using PC12 cell model and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Formononetin, ononin and calycosin were found inhibiting glutamate-induced cell injury, with an estimated 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 0.027 microg/ml, 0.047 microg/ml and 0.031 microg/ml, respectively. Pretreatment with them increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and prevented the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in glutamate-injured PC12 cells. On the other hand, calycosin 7-O-glc and calycosin showed more scavenging activity to DPPH radicals than formononetin in the cell-free system. The inconsistency between the neuroprotective capabilities of isoflavonoids and their directly scavenging activity to DPPH radicals indicated that formononetin, ononin and calycosin probably depended on increasing endogenous antioxidant and stabilizing the cells' membrane structures to inhibit the cell damage induced by glutamate.     

五仁液有效成分分析

应用GC/MS联用技术研究了五仁液有效成分及其相对含量,发现五仁液中含有丰富的酚类、苯甲酸类、脂肪酸等抗微生物的有效成分。该结果证实了五仁液消毒、杀菌和治疗皮肤病的有效性。     

Differentiating Microaneurysm Pathophysiology in Diabetic Retinopathy Through Objective Analysis of Capillary Nonperfusion,Inflammation, and Pericytes

Microaneurysms are biomarkers of microvascular injury in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Impaired retinal capillary perfusion is a critical pathogenic mechanism in the development of microvascular abnormalities. Targeting fundamental molecular disturbances resulting from capillary nonperfusion, such as increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression, does not always reverse the anatomic complications of DR, suggesting that other pathogenic mechanisms independent of perfusion also play a role. We stratify the effects of capillary nonperfusion, inflammation, and pericyte loss on microaneurysm size and leakage in DR through three-dimensional analysis of 636 microaneurysms using high-resolution confocal scanning laser microscopy. Capillary nonperfusion, pericyte loss, and inflammatory cells were found to be independent predictors of microaneurysm size. Nonperfusion alone without pericyte loss or inflammation was not a significant predictor of microaneurysm leakage. Microaneurysms found in regions without nonperfusion were significantly smaller than those found in regions with nonperfusion, and their size was not associated with pericyte loss or inflammation. In addition, microaneurysm size was a significant predictor of leakage in regions with nonperfusion only. This report refines our understanding of the disparate pathophysiologic mechanisms in DR and provides a histologic rationale for understanding treatment failure for microvascular complications in DR.     

Transperineal pelvic drainage combined with lateral position to promote perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection: A prospective cohort trial

Background:For the rectal cancer <5 cm from anal margin, extralevator abdominoperineal resection (eAPR) has been accepted widely by surgeons. However, the rate of perineal infection following up eAPR is approximately 70%. We did the study with the aim of evaluating the effect and safety of transperineal pelvic drainage combined with lateral position (TPDLP) on perineal wound in patients undergoing eAPR.Methods:Patients were randomly assigned to N-TPDLP group (standard arm) or TPDLP group (intervention arm). In the standard arm, surgery was completed after abdominal drainage tube was placed in pelvic. Comparatively, an additional transperineal wound drainage tube was applied in the experimental arm. Postoperatively, patients of both 2 groups were informed not to sit to reduce perineal compression until the perineal wound healed. But lateral position was demanded in the intervention arm. The primary endpoint was the rate of uncomplicated perineal wound healing defined as a Southampton wound score of <2 at 30 days postoperatively. Patients were followed for 6 months.Results:In total, 60 patients were randomly assigned to standard arm (n = 31) and intervention arm (n = 29). The mean perineal wound healing time was 34.2 (standard deviation [SD] 10.9) days in TPDLP arm, which significantly differ from 56.4 (SD 34.1) in N-TPDLP arm (P = .001). At 30 days postoperatively, 3 (10%) of 29 patients undergoing TPDLP were classified into grade 4 according to Southampton wound score, however, 16 (52%) of 31 patients were classified into grade 4 in control arm, and significantly difference was observed between randomization groups (P = .001). What''s more, perineal wound pain was assessed at 30 days postoperatively, and it is discovered that the pain degree of patients in control arm was significantly more severe than the interventive arm (P = .015).Conclusion:In the present study, we found that TPDLP generated a favorable prognosis for perineal wounds with acceptable side-effects.     

Thyroid hormone resistance syndrome due to a novel heterozygous mutation and concomitant Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A pedigree report

Thyroid hormone resistance syndrome (THRS) is a rare disease characterized by reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormones. Mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRB) gene are considered as contributing to the pathogenesis. This report describes a Chinese pedigree with THRS and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) due to novel point mutation in the 11th exon of the THRB gene (c. 1378 G > A). The proband complained of goitre with increased thyroid hormone and normal thyroid stimulating hormone levels. Gene sequencing was performed to confirm the diagnosis. HT was also diagnosed based on positive thyroid autoantibodies and diffuse, grid-like changes in the thyroid on ultrasound examination. Additionally, a comprehensive examination of the proband’s pedigree was conducted. The patient’s father exhibited the same gene mutation site and was diagnosed with THRS and HT. No mutation site was detected in three patients with HT only and three healthy volunteers. Thus, gene sequencing should be considered the gold standard for diagnosing THRS. Furthermore, treatment should be individualized to control the patient’s symptoms rather than normalizing thyroid hormone levels. Further studies that determine the relationship between THRS and TH are warranted.     

Examination of lymphatic transport of puerarin in unconscious lymph duct-cannulated rats after administration in microemulsion drug delivery systems

The potential for microemulsion drug delivery systems to improve the lymphatic transport and the portal absorption of a poorly water-soluble drug, puerarin, were investigated in lymph-cannulated rats. SD rats were operated for lymph duct cannulation and were orally dosed with 3 ml puerarin microemulsion (0.6 mg/g, n = 6). The lymph and plasma were collected over 8 h and the concentrations of puerarin and triglyceride were measured. Similarly, control rats (non-lymph-cannulated, n = 6) were dosed orally with puerarin microemulsion and subsequently with puerarin injection intravenously. Plasma and lymph samples were analysed by HPLC. Lymph triglyceride was measured using an enzymatic colorimetric technique. The extent of lymphatic transport via the thoracic duct was 0.06% of the dose for the animals dosed with puerarin microemulsion. The systemic bioavailability of oral puerarin co-administered with lipid was only 16% in the lymph duct-cannulated rats compared with 40% in the controls. These data clearly indicate that the lymphatic transport process contributes significantly to intestinal absorption of puerarin and subsequently to its systemic bioavailability. The results imply that the pharmaceutical scientist may use microemulsion formulations to optimize lymph-targeting drug delivery systems, by improving the extent of lymphatic transport.     

雷公藤多甙对成人隐匿性自身免疫性糖尿病患者谷氨酸脱羧酶抗体和B细胞功能的影响

目的探讨雷公藤多甙（GTT）对成人隐匿性自身免疫性糖尿病（LADA）患者谷氨酸脱羧酶抗体（GAD-Ab）和B细胞功能的影响。方法60例LADA患者随机分为GTT组和对照组，应用GTT观察3个月前后空腹C肽、GAD-Ab和胰岛素抗体（IAA）的变化。结果①GTT组患者应用GTT治疗3个月后GAD-Ab阳性率下降，转阴率为43％，与对照组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。②IAA治疗前后，2组组内和组间比较差异均无显著性。③GTT组患者治疗后C肽水平略有上升，组内治疗前后比较差异无显著性，而与对照组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论研究提示GTT对GAD-Ab具有免疫抑制作用，并有一定的改善B细胞功能的趋势。     

气管插管后持续性声嘶的原因及其治疗

目的：探讨气管插管后持续性声嘶的原因及评估杓状软骨复位的治疗效果。方法：对78例病人通过检查及疗效观察,确定声嘶原因,采用杓状软骨复位术及肉芽摘除术治疗。结果：78例中,71例为杓状软骨脱位（91．03％）,5例声带麻痹（6．41％）,2例喉内肉芽形成（2．56％）,杓状软骨脱位的病人全部治愈;声带麻痹治疗无效,喉肉芽形成的病人,1例治愈,另1例发音改善,结论：杓状软骨脱位,声带麻痹及喉内肉芽形成是气管插管后持续性声嘶的主要原因;杓状软骨复位术对杓状软骨脱位所致的声嘶疗效明显。