Analgesic and anti-arthritic effects of Lingzhi and San Miao San supplementation in a rat model of arthritis induced by Freund's complete adjuvant

Aim of study

In this study, we have investigated the analgesic and anti-arthritic effects of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combination of Lingzhi and San Miao San (SMS) in a rat model of arthritis induced by Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA).

Materials and methods

Sprague–Dawley rats were induced with monoarthritis by single unilateral injection of FCA into the knee joint. The TCM combination was administered to the rats daily by intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/(kg day)) or via oral administration (500 mg/(kg day)) for 7 days before induction of arthritis and 7 days after. Extension angle that provoked struggling behavior, and size and blood flow of the rat knees were measured to give indexes of allodynia, edema, and hyperemia, respectively. The extent of cell infiltration, tissue proliferation, and erosions of joint cartilage provided additional indexes of the arthritis condition.

Results

FCA injection produced significant allodynia, edema, hyperemia, immune cell infiltration, synovial tissue proliferation, and erosions of joint cartilage in the ipsilateral knees compared with the contralateral saline-injected knees. Intraperitoneal injection of the TCM combination (50 mg/(kg day)) suppressed allodynia, edema, and hyperemia in the inflamed knees, and oral administration (500 mg/(kg day)) suppressed edema and hyperemia. Histological examination showed that the TCM administered by either route reduced immune cell infiltration and erosion of joint cartilage.

Conclusions

These findings suggest the Lingzhi and SMS formulation has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in arthritic rat knees, and concur to previous clinical studies that showed the TCM combination reduced pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and extends its possible benefit to suppression of inflammatory symptoms in these patients.     

Primary aortoduodenal fistula caused by tuberculous aortitis presenting as recurrent massive gastrointestinal bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from primary aortoduodenal fistula (PADF) is unusual and fatal. The etiology of PADF from tuberculous aortitis is rare. We report a 69-year-old male patient who suffered recurrent hematemesis and hematochezia with hypovolemic shock of unknown origin. Initial endoscopy failed to lead to a diagnosis. A bleeder over the third portion of the duodenum was found after the third endoscopy. Exploratory laparotomy showed a ruptured aortic pseudoaneurysm with an aortoduodenal fistula. Dacron graft repair of the aorta and simple closure of the duodenal fistula were carried out. Pathologic examination revealed tuberculous aortitis. The patient survived and was symptom-free following operation and antituberculous therapy. Review of the literature revealed that the clinical presentations in this disorder are insidious. The endoscopic findings are atypical. We conclude that so-called "herald bleeding", a history of tuberculous infection or aortic aneurysm and a high degree of suspicion are critical for successful diagnosis. Early diagnosis and surgical exploration are needed for timely and successful management.     

健康教育对恢复期精神分裂症患者预后的影响

目的探讨健康教育对恢复期精神分裂症患者预后的影响.方法将2005年1月～6月在我院住院的200例恢复期精神分裂症患者随机分为两组,每组各100例.对照组应用抗精神病药物治疗和常规护理,干预组在对照组治疗的基础上给予健康教育干预.两组均于治疗前和治疗第4w末应用简明精神病评定量表评定临床疗效,并进行比较分析.结果治疗前两组简明精神病评定量表差异无显著性（P＞0.05）,治疗4w末干预组临床疗效较对照组显著提高（P＜0.05或0.01）.结论健康教育干预对恢复期精神分裂症患者的自知力和依从性有较好的辅助治疗作用.     

精神科护士工作压力源调查分析

目的探讨精神科护士的工作压力源,为护理管理提供参考。方法采用问卷调查法对107名精神科在职护士进行调查。并与内、外科护士的国内常模进行对比分析。结果精神科护士工作压力源依次为：工作环境及资源方面的问题;护理专业及工作方面的问题;工作量及时间分配问题;病人护理方面的问题;管理及人际关系方面的问题。工作压力源总分及上述5个因子得分均低于内、外科护士国内常模．差异有显著或极显著性（P〈0．05或0．01）。结论缓解或消除精神科护士的工作压力源．可有效提高精神科的护理工作效率。     

高分子聚合物微流控细胞芯片的改性研究

目的 探讨2种不同硅烷化试剂对高分子聚合物材料PDMS芯片的改性效果和改性后芯片在细胞捕获/筛选的初步应用.方法 接触角实验考察不同硅烷化试剂处理的PDMS样本亲水性,筛选硅烷化试剂及其浓度,以芯片上的非特异性细胞捕获实验验证筛选结果,并连接抗体构建功能化芯片,进行细胞捕获实验的初步研究.结果 2种硅烷化试剂均对...     

Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Improvement with Prebiotics: Histological Evaluation of Longish Glucomannan Hydrolysates-Induced Innate T Lymphocyte Activities in Mice

Use of prebiotics is a growing topic in healthcare. A lightweight molecule and water-soluble fiber ingredient, longish glucomannan hydrolysates (LGH), has been developed to improve the intestinal mucosal barrier and confer gut health benefits. This study aims to investigate the implications of continuous LGH intervening in intestinal epithelium integrity and protective immunity against chemical dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Twelve male BALB/c mice were randomly arranged into four groups. The LGH/DSS group had results in bodyweight variance, epithelial cell density, and aberrancy score as good as the LGH group, and both were equivalent to the control group. LGH consumption effectively protects the distal intestinal epithelium by activating innate T lymphocytes. Meanwhile, T-cell subsets in subepithelial interspersion take a bystander role in these microenvironmental alterations. Under this stress, the cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3)⁺ T cells infiltrate the epithelium, while CD4⁺ T cells inversely appear in submucosal large lymphoid aggregates/isolated lymphoid follicles (ILFs) in which significant CD3⁺, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺ T-cell populations agglomerate. Moreover, forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and interleukin 17 (IL-17) are observed in these ILFs. Agglomerated CD4⁺ T-cell lineages may have roles with proinflammatory T helper 17 cells and anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells in balancing responses to intraluminal antigens. Collectively, LGH administration may function in immune modulation to protect against DSS-induced inflammation.     

NSF-Based Analysis of the Structural Stressing State of Trussed Steel and a Concrete Box Girder

This paper analyses the characteristics of the mechanical behavior of a trussed steel and concrete box beam under bending conditions based on the structural stressing state theory and the numerical shape function method. Firstly, the parametric generalized strain energy density was introduced to characterize the structural stressing state of trussed steel stud concrete box girders, and the strain energy density sum was plotted. Then the Mann-Kendall criterion was used to discriminate the leap point of the curve change and to redefine the structural failure load. By analyzing the strain and displacement, the existence of a sudden change in the structural response during the load-bearing process was again demonstrated. Afterwards, the numerical shape function method was used to extend the strain data, and further in-depth analyses of strain/stress fields and internal forces were carried out to show in detail the working characteristics of each under load. Through an in-depth analysis from different angles, the rationality of updating the failure load was verified. Finally, the effects of different structure parameters on the evolution of the structural stresses of the members were analyzed in a transversal comparison. The analysis results of the stress state of a steel-concrete truss structure reveal the working behavior characteristics of a steel-concrete truss structure from a new angle, which provides a reference for the design of a steel-concrete truss structure in the future.