Risk factors for metabolic bone disease of prematurity in very/extremely low birth weight infants: a multicenter investigation in China / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the incidence rate and risk factors for metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP) in very low birth weight/extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) infants.@*METHODS@#The medical data of 61 786 neonates from multiple centers of China between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2016 were retrospectively investigated, including 504 VLBW/ELBW preterm infants who met the inclusion criteria. Among the 504 infants, 108 infants diagnosed with MBDP were enrolled as the MBDP group and the remaining 396 infants were enrolled as the non-MBDP group. The two groups were compared in terms of general information of mothers and preterm infants, major diseases during hospitalization, nutritional support strategies, and other treatment conditions. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for MBDP.@*RESULTS@#The incidence rate of MBDP was 19.4% (88/452) in VLBW preterm infants and 38.5% (20/52) in ELBW preterm infants. The incidence rate of MBDP was 21.7% in preterm infants with a gestational age of < 32 weeks and 45.5% in those with a gestational age of < 28 weeks. The univariate analysis showed that compared with the non-MBDP group, the MBDP group had significantly lower gestational age and birth weight, a significantly longer length of hospital stay, and a significantly higher incidence rate of extrauterine growth retardation (@*CONCLUSIONS@#A lower gestational age, hypocalcemia, extrauterine growth retardation at discharge, and neonatal sepsis may be associated an increased risk of MBDP in VLBW/ELBW preterm infants. It is necessary to strengthen perinatal healthcare, avoid premature delivery, improve the awareness of the prevention and treatment of MBDP among neonatal pediatricians, and adopt positive and reasonable nutrition strategies and comprehensive management measures for preterm infants.

Effects of intrathecal ouabain and tizanidine injection for treatment of neuropathic pain in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of intrathecal ouabain and tizanidine injection for treatment of neuropathic pain in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6), namely the control group, ouabain group, tizanidine group, combined ouabain and tizanidine injection group, and the antagonist group. Intrathecal catheter was implanted 7 days before spinal nerve ligation to establish the neuropathic pain model. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) before and after intrathecal administration of the agents was recorded in the rats. Isobolographic analysis was performed to evaluate the interactions between the agents.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Intrathecal injection of ouabain (0.25-5 microg) or tizanidine (0.5-5 microg) alone produced dose-dependent analgesic effect against the neuropathic pain (P < 0.05). Isobolographic analysis revealed a synergistic interaction between ouabain and tizanidine. Intrathecal pretreatment with atropine (5 microg) or yohimbine (20 microg) antagonized the effects of ouabain and tizanidine administered alone or in combination (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intathecal injection of ouabain or tizanidine produces dose-dependent analgesic effects against neuropathic pain, and their synergistic effect after combined injection probably involves the cholinergic transmission and alpha2 receptor.</p>

Effects of flavonoids from Cuscuta chinensis on ovarian endocrine in female rats exposed to psychologic stress / 中草药

Object To observe the effects of the flavonoids extracted from Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (FC) on the ovarian endocrine functions in female rats exposed to psychologic stress. Methods Sound, light and electricity were combined into a stressful stimulus to induce dysfunction on ovarian endocrine functions in female rats; to observe the effects of FC on the ovarian endocrine functions in female rats exposed to psychologic stress, by determining the changes of serum E 2, P and ascorbic acid levels in adrenal gland, and by weighing the pituitaries, ovaries and uteruses. Results FC increased the serum E 2, P and the weight of pituitaries, ovaries and uteruses obviously, but did not increase ascorbic acid levels in adrenal gland in female rats exposed to psychologic stress. Conclusion FC improves the ovarian endocrine functions in female rats.