ABSTRACT
Chronic heart failure (CHF), a clinical syndrome resulting from the consequences of various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is increasingly becoming a global cause of morbidity and mortality. We had earlier demonstrated that a 4-day forest bathing trip can provide an adjunctive therapeutic influence on patients with CHF. To further investigate the duration of the impact and the optimal frequency of forest bathing trips in patients with CHF, we recruited those subjects who had experienced the first forest bathing trip again after 4 weeks and randomly categorized them into two groups, namely, the urban control group (city) and the forest bathing group (forest). After a second 4-day forest bathing trip, we observed a steady decline in the brain natriuretic peptide levels, a biomarker of heart failure, and an attenuated inflammatory response as well as oxidative stress. Thus, this exploratory study demonstrated the additive benefits of twice forest bathing trips in elderly patients with CHF, which could further pave the way for analyzing the effects of such interventions in CVDs.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Chronic Disease , Complementary Therapies , Methods , Forests , Heart Failure , Blood , Drug Therapy , Therapeutics , Heart Function Tests , Interleukin-6 , Blood , Natriuretic Peptide, Brain , Blood , Oxidative Stress , Recreation , Treatment Outcome , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , BloodABSTRACT
This study was designed to investigate the microRNA expression profile in human embryonic lung fibroblast 2BS cells upon salidroside (SAL) treatment, and predict the target genes of miRNAs and related pathways delaying cellular senescence. Samples were divided into three groups: young control (28 PD), old control (50 PD), and old+SAL (50 PD with SAL), RNA from three groups was used for miRNA microarray analysis. In late PD cells, 43 miRNAs were found significantly changed relatively to those in young cells, and 58 miRNAs were regulated by SAL. The miRNAs including hsa-let-7c, hsa-let-7e and hsa-mir-3620 were significantly down-regulated in late PD cells which could be reversed by SAL treatment. However, hsa-mir-411, hsa-mir-24-2-5p and hsa-mir-485-3p exhibited an opposite trend. Gene Ontology and Pathway analysis revealed that target genes were significantly enriched in 31 GO and 11 pathways. The microarray data was further validated with qRT-PCR. This research provides new clues regarding the underlying mechanisms of SAL on cellular senescence through miRNAs regulation.
ABSTRACT
Forest bathing trip is a short, leisurely visit to forest. In this study we determined the health effects of forest bathing trip on elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group was sent to forest, and the other was sent to an urban area as control. Flow cytometry, ELISA, and profile of mood states (POMS) evaluation were performed. In the forest group, we found a significant decrease of perforin and granzyme B expressions, accompanied by decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stress hormones. Meanwhile, the scores in the negative subscales of POMS decreased after forest bathing trip. These results indicate that forest bathing trip has health effect on elderly COPD patients by reducing inflammation and stress level.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cytokines , Genetics , Metabolism , Forests , Gene Expression Regulation , Physiology , Lymphocyte Subsets , Physiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Pathology , Psychology , Therapeutics , RecreationABSTRACT
To observe the changes of tear film on the patients after laser in situ keratomileusis(LASlK)with corneal flap created by femtosecond laser and microkeratome. ●METHODS: Totally 150 patients (300 eyes) with myopia received operation of LASlK. Patients were divided into two groups according to the methods of making corneal flap. The patients of group one were assigned to receiving LASlK with corneal flap creation by lntralase femtosecond laser (190 eyes of 95 patients), group two were assigned to receiving LASlK with corneal flap creation by microkeratome ( 110 eyes of 55 patients ). Dry eye symptom score, tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer Ⅰtest(Slt), corneal fluorescein staining(FL)were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at 1wk; 1, 3 and 6mo. ●RESULTS: Dry eye symptom score: there existed obvious differences at 1wk; 1, 3mo between two groups(P0. 05). BUT: there existed obvious differences at 1wk, 1, 3mo between two groups(P0. 05). SchirmerⅠ test: there existed obvious differences in the 1wk, 1, 3mo between two groups(P0. 05). FL: there existed obvious differences in the 1wk, 1, 3mo between two groups(P0. 05). ●CONCLUSlON: The early stability of tear film decrease after operation in both of the two groups. The dry eye symptoms are lighter and recover faster.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To observe the changes of tear film on the patients after laser in situ keratomileusis ( LASIK ) with corneal flap created by femtosecond laser with the different gender. METHODS: The 120 myopic patients ( 240 eyes ) who underwent femtosecond laser surgery LASIK from August to September 2013 were collected, and these patients were followed up for 3mo. The patients were divided into two groups according to the gender, group A was male (110 eyes of 55 patients); group B was female (130 eyes of 65 patients). Dry eye symptom score, tear break-up time ( BUT ) , Schirmer Ⅰ test, corneal fluorescein staining were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively in 1wk,1,2,3mo. RESULTS: Dry eye symptom score: it was statistically significant between two groups after operation in the 1wk, 1, 2mo(P = 0. 000,0. 023, 0. 030). It had no statistical significance between the two groups in 3mo(P=0. 283). BUT: it was statistical significance between two groups after operation in the 1wk, 1, 2, 3mo ( P= 0. 000, 0. 017, 0.026, 0. 032 ). Schirmer Ⅰ test: it was statistically significant between two groups after operation in the 1wk, 1, 2mo(P = 0. 012,0. 024, 0. 018). It had no statistical significance between the two groups in 3mo ( P=0. 206 ) Corneal fluorescein staining:it was statistically significant between two groups after operation in the 1wk, 1, 2, 3mo (P=0. 022,0. 015, 0. 036, 0.041). CONCLUSION: The influence of tear film after femtosecond laser surgery for men less than that for women.
ABSTRACT
AIM:To observe the changes of tear film on the patients after laser in situ keratomileusis ( LASIK) with corneal flap created by femtosecond laser with Oculus corneal topography. METHODS:Totally 120 myopic patients (240 eyes) were collected who underwent femtosecond laser surgery LASIK from August to September 2013, and these patients can be followed up for 3mo. Tear break-up time ( BUT) and tear meniscus height ( TMH ) with Oculus corneal topography were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at 1wk;1, 2 and 3mo. RESULTS: Oculus BUT: there existed obvious differences (P=0. 012, 0. 000, 0. 023 0. 05 ) existed in 3mo compared with the preoperative level. TMH:there existed obvious differences (P=0. 025, 0. 019, 0. 0260. 05 ) existed in 3mo compared with the preoperative level. CONCLUSION: Femtosecond laser surgery affects the stability of the tear film at a certain time and a certain extent. The mechanism related to many factors. It is temporary and lighted.
ABSTRACT
This study is aimed at investigating the potentials of ex vivo expansion and pluri-differentiation of cryopreservation of adult human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into chondrocytes, adipocytes and neurocytes. Cryopreserved hMSCs were resuscitated and cultured for 15 passages, and then induced into chondrocytes, adipocytes and neurocytes with corresponding induction medium. The induced cells were observed for morphological properties and detected for expressions of type II collagen, triglyceride or neuron-specific enolase and nestin. The result showed that the resuscitated cells could differentiate into chondrocytes after exposure to transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and vitamin C (V(C)), and uniformly changed morphologically from a spindle-like fibroblastic appearance to a polygonal shape in three weeks. The induced cells were heterochromatic to safranin O and expressed cartilage matrix-procollagenal (II) mRNA. The resuscitated cells cultured in induction medium consisting of dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, indomethacin and IGF-I showed adipogenesis, and lipid vacuoles accumulation was detectable after 21 d. The resuscitated hMSCs were also induced into neurocytes and expressed nestin and neuron specific endolase (NSE) that were special surface markers associated with neural cells at different stage. This study suggested that the resuscitated hMSCs should be still a population of pluripotential cells and that it could be used for establishing an abundant hMSC reservoir for further experiment and treatment of various clinical diseases.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bone Marrow Cells , Cell Biology , Cell Culture Techniques , Methods , Cell Differentiation , Cells, Cultured , Cryopreservation , Methods , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Cell Biology , Pluripotent Stem Cells , Cell Biology , Tissue Engineering , MethodsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and their supporting capacities in ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Low-density mononuclear cells (MNCs) from UCB were cultured in IMDM containing 20% FBS to form confluent adherent cells through 15 passages. Some cytokines in the conditioned medium were determined with ELISA. UCB-derived adherent cells were displayed with antibodies and analyzed with flow cytometry. The supporting capacity of UCB-derived adherent cells for ex vivo expansion of CD34(+) cells was assayed by co-culture in a two step culture. UCB-derived adherent cells were induced for chondrogenic differentiation with chondrogenic medium, and the induced cells were analyzed for the type II pro-collagen gene expression with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean number of adherent fibroblast like colonies derived from UCB was (3.5 +/- 0.7)/10(6) MNCs. UCB-derived MSCs could survive for at least 15 passages of expansion. In their undifferentiated status, UCB-derived MSCs were CD13(+), CD29(+), CD90(+), CD105(+), CD166(+), SH2(+), SH3(+), SH4(+), CD45(-), CD34(-), and CD14(-). Stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) could be detected in the supernatant of the cultures. The MSCs cultured in chondrogenic media could differentiate into chondrogenic cells and express type II pro-collagen mRNA. UCB-derived MSCs could support the proliferation and differentiation of UCB CD34(+) cells in vitro.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>UCB-derived MSCs are similar to those derived from adult bone marrow and can support the proliferation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.</p>