Protective Effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on Mitochondrial Damage in AD Model of Caenorhabditis Elegans / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of the extract of Liuwei Dihuangwan （LW） on mitochondrial damage in the Alzheimer's disease （AD） model of Caenorhabditis elegans （C. elegans）. MethodC. elegans transfected with human β-amyloid protein （Aβ） 1-42 gene was used as an AD model. The rats were divided into blank group， model group， metformin group （50 mmol·L-1）， and low， medium， and high dose （1.04， 2.08， 4.16 g·kg-1） LW groups. Behavioral methods were used to observe the sensitivity of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in nematodes. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Aβ in nematodes. Total ATP content in nematodes was detected by the adenine nucleoside triphosphate （ATP） kit， and mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by the JC-1 method. In addition， the mRNA expression of Aβ expression gene （Amy-1）， superoxide dismutase-1 （SOD-1）， mitochondrial transcription factor A homologous gene-5 （HMG-5）， mitochondrial power-associated protein 1 （DRP1）， and mitochondrial mitoprotein 1 （FIS1） was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. ResultThe extract of LW could reduce the hypersensitivity of the AD model of nematodes to exogenous 5-HT （P<0.05） and delay the AD-like pathological characteristics of hypersensitivity to exogenous 5-HT caused by toxicity from overexpression of Aβ in neurons of the AD model of nematodes. Compared with the blank group， in the model group， the mRNA expression of Aβ protein and Amy-1 increased （P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression of SOD-1 and HMG-5 decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of DRP1 and FIS1 increased （P<0.01）， and the level of mitochondrial membrane potential decreased （P<0.05）. The content of ATP decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， in the positive medicine group and medium and high dose LW groups， the mRNA expression of Aβ protein and Amy-1 decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression of SOD-1 and HMG-5 increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of DRP1 decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and that of FIS1 decreased （P<0.01）. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential increased （P<0.01）， and the content of ATP increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe extract of LW may enhance the antioxidant ability of mitochondria， protect mitochondrial DNA， reduce the fragmentation of mitochondrial division， repair the damaged mitochondria， adjust the mitochondrial membrane potential， restore the level of neuronal ATP， and reduce the neuronal damage caused by Aβ deposition.

Metagenomic data-analysis reveals enrichment of lipopolysaccharide synthesis in the gut microbiota of atrial fibrillation patients / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the functional changes of key gut microbiota (GM) that produce lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and to explore their potential role in the pathogenesis of AF. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Patients with AF admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University were enrolled from March 2016 to December 2018. Subjects with matched genetic backgrounds undergoing physical examination during the same period were selected as controls. Clinical baseline data and fecal samples were collected. Bacterial DNA was extracted and metagenomic sequencing was performed by using Illumina Novaseq. Based on metagenomic data, the relative abundances of KEGG Orthology (KO), enzymatic genes and species that harbored enzymatic genes were acquired. The key features were selected via the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. The role of GM-derived LPS biosynthetic feature in the development of AF was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and logistic regression analysis. Results: Fifty nonvalvular AF patients (mean age: 66.0 (57.0, 71.3), 32 males(64%)) were enrolled as AF group. Fifty individuals (mean age 55.0 (50.5, 57.5), 41 males(82%)) were recruited as controls. Compared with the controls, AF patients showed a marked difference in the GM genes underlying LPS-biosynthesis, including 20 potential LPS-synthesis KO, 7 LPS-biosynthesis enzymatic genes and 89 species that were assigned as taxa harbored nine LPS-enzymatic genes. LASSO regression analysis showed that 5 KO, 3 enzymatic genes and 9 species could be selected to construct the KO, enzyme and species scoring system. Genes enriched in AF group included 2 KO (K02851 and K00972), 3 enzymatic genes (LpxH, LpxC and LpxK) and 7 species (Intestinibacter bartlettii、Ruminococcus sp. JC304、Coprococcus catus、uncultured Eubacterium sp.、Eubacterium sp. CAG:251、Anaerostipes hadrus、Dorea longicatena). ROC curve analysis revealed the predictive capacity of differential GM-derived LPS signatures to distinguish AF patients in terms of above KO, enzymatic and species scores: area under curve (AUC)=0.957, 95%CI: 0.918-0.995, AUC=0.940, 95%CI 0.889-0.991, AUC=0.972, 95%CI 0.948-0.997. PLS-SEM showed that changes in lipopolysaccharide-producing bacteria could be involved in the pathogenesis of AF. The key KO mediated 35.17% of the total effect of key bacteria on AF. After incorporating the clinical factors of AF, the KO score was positively associated with the significantly increased risk of AF (OR<0.001, 95%CI:<0.001-0.021, P<0.001). Conclusion: Microbes involved in LPS synthesis are enriched in the gut of AF patients, accompanied with up-regulated LPS synthesis function by encoding the LPS-enzymatic biosynthesis gene.

Visual and Haptic Feedback Fusion Based on Force Tracking in Upper-limb Rehabilitation Robot System / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To solve the issue regarding a low correlation between visual and haptic feedback provided by the current upper-limb rehabilitation training system, this study was implemented based on the end-effector based upper-limb rehabilitation robot developed in the lab. A novel visual and haptic feedback fusion technology based on force tracking was investigated and its effect on upper-limb training was also studied. Methods:Based on the force model constructed in a virtual environment, two types of haptic feedbacks correlated to the visual feedback were designed, including the repulsive force when two objects getting close and the friction force when the object moving above medium surfaces. The haptic feedback constructed in the virtual environment was delivered to the trainees by using force tracking based on robot controlling algorithm. Eight health subjects were recruited and trained with and without feedback fusion. In the training process, the actual and expected haptic feedbacks as well as the surface electromyography (EMG) signals from anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps, and triceps were collected. The root means square error (RMSE) between the actual and expected haptic feedback was calculated under the feedback fusion training mode to characterize the force tracking-based multi-sensory feedback fusion technology. The integrated EMG values (iEMG) and EMG amplitudes per unit time (EMG/T) under two training modes were measured to explore the effect of feedback fusion technology on the upper-limb motor training. Results:Under feedback fusion training mode, the RMSE between actual and expected haptic feedback was (0.757±0.171) N. The values of iEMG from four muscles were significantly higher (|t| > 7.965, P < 0.001), and the values of EMG/T from the biceps, triceps and anterior deltoid were significantly larger under feedback fusion training mode than under the training mode without feedback fusion. Conclusion:The proposed upper-limb rehabilitation robot training system could accurately transmit the haptic feedback constructed under the virtual environment to the trainees. This system could increase the stimulation to trainees' peripheral nervous function through visual and haptic feedback fusion as well as increase the trainees' training effort. The advantages of force tracking-based visual and haptic feedback fusion technology are to freely construct the force model under the virtual environment and the haptic feedback mode is not constrained by the spatial position. Moreover, two or more types of force models can be superimposed in the same spatial position by using this technology that could improve the matching effect between haptic feedback and visual feedback under a virtual environment. The trainees' motor rehabilitation interest could be stimulated and the experience feeling of human-robot interaction could also be enhanced.

Effect of Real-time Visual Trajectory Feedback on Upper Limb Movement Learning / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effect of real-time visual trajectory feedback on the motor learning ability of healthy volunteers during upper limb circle-drawing movements by using rehabilitation robots. Methods:From July to September, 2018, 24 right-handed healthy volunteers were divided into two groups according to the baseline level of motor ability, one group received three kinds of feedbacks including visual, result and real-time trajectory feedbacks (V+KP+KR group), and the other group only received two kinds of feedbacks including visual and performance (V+KR group). Both groups were trained in clockwise circle drawing task under different conditions for five sessions, 20 times per session, and then underwent one session of maintenance test after three days. The motor learning processes of two groups were evaluated and analyzed by two parameters including roundness score and completion time. Results:By using two-factor repeated measures variance analysis, it was found that there were intergroup and intragroup interactions (F = 6.029, P < 0.001). The intergroup individual effects showed that except for the fifth training section (F = 8.775, P = 0.658), the values of roundness score in other sessions were higher in V+KP+KR group than in V+KR group (F > 13.126, P < 0.001). The intragroup individual effects showed that there were significant differences among sessions in both groups (F > 12.465, P < 0.001). For completion time, there was no intergroup and intragroup interactions (F = 1.606, P = 0.228), the intergroup main effect was not significant (F = 0.55, P = 0.477), and the intragroup main effect was significant (F = 3.95, P = 0.031). Conclusion:Real-time trajectory feedback can help volunteers quickly understand the essentials of motor tasks at the early stage of motor learning, thus helping them to improve the fast learning ability of new tasks, but the improvement effect on motor learning during middle and late stages is not obvious. The dependence of volunteers on real-time trajectory feedback gradually decreases in the middle and later stages of motor learning, and they might rely on proprioception to complete tasks.

Study on prevalence of and influencing factors of mild cognitive impairment among elderly people in communities of Nanning / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among elderly people in communities of Nanning, so as to provide scientific basis for the formulation of MCI early intervention measures. Methods A total of sample of 3 000 elderly people aged 60 or above living in Nanning area were sampled out using the method of cluster random sampling from three communities in Nanning. The Beijing version of the montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA-BJ) was administered by face to face interview. Results 833 MCI patients were detected. The standardized prevalence rate of MCI was 27.27% by the age composition of the population in Nanning in 2010. Single factor analysis showed that there were significant differences(all P<0.05)in the prevalence of MCI in different groups by age, education, occupation, exercise time, sleep time, number of reading, community activities and housework. Multivariate analysis showed that old age, primary education level, occupation of farmer/migrant worker and enterprise personnel/worker were the risk factors of MCI, adequate sleep time, moderate exercise time and reading times were the protective factors of MCI (all P<0.05). Conclusions The prevalence rate of MCI is high among the elderly in Nanning. The elderly with advanced age, primary school education, occupation as farmer/peasant-worker and enterprise personnel/workerare at high risk of developing MCI. Effective measures should be taken as soon as possible to prevent the occurrence and development of MCI.

Expression and Clinical Meaning of Plasma Soluble Receptor of Advanced Glycation End Product in Patients With Gestational Hypertension Heart Disease / 中国循环杂志

Objective:To explore the expression and clinical meaning of plasma soluble receptor of advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) in patients with gestational hypertension heart disease.Methods:Our research included in 2 groups:Observation group,n=57 patients with gestational hypertension heart disease who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from 2013-06 to 2016-07;Control group,n=57 healthy pregnant women at the same period of time.Based on cardiac function,the patients in Observation group was divided into 4 subgroups as NYHA Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and ⅣV;according to 28-day surviving,the patients were divided into another set of 2 subgroups as Survival subgroup,n=49 and Death subgroup,n=8.Plasma levels of sRAGE and BNP were examined within 24h of admission.The changes of sRAGE were compared among different groups and the impact of sRAGE on gestational hypertension heart disease prognosis was analyzed.Results:Compared with Control group,Observation group had increased plasma sRAGE (939.2±184.3) pg/mL vs (467.3±116.2) pg/mL,P＜0.05;sRAGE level was positively related to NYHA grading (r=0.76,P＜0.001),sRAGE had an elevating trend upon NYHA grade increasing accordingly,P＜0.05.Compared with Survival subgroup,Death subgroup had increased plasma sRAGE (1647.6±249.7) pg/mL vs (776.9±146.2) pg/mL,P＜0.05.The areas of sRAGE and BNP under ROC curve were 0.91 and 0.88 respectively,P＜0.05.Conclusion:Plasma sRAGE was increased in patients with gestational hypertension heart disease;it was related to severity of heart failure (HF) and could be used for predicting the early prognosis in HF patients.

Expression and Clinical Meaning of Plasma Soluble Receptor of Advanced Glycation End Product in Patients With Gestational Hypertension Heart Disease / 中国循环杂志

Objective:To explore the expression and clinical meaning of plasma soluble receptor of advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) in patients with gestational hypertension heart disease.Methods:Our research included in 2 groups:Observation group,n=57 patients with gestational hypertension heart disease who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from 2013-06 to 2016-07;Control group,n=57 healthy pregnant women at the same period of time.Based on cardiac function,the patients in Observation group was divided into 4 subgroups as NYHA Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and ⅣV;according to 28-day surviving,the patients were divided into another set of 2 subgroups as Survival subgroup,n=49 and Death subgroup,n=8.Plasma levels of sRAGE and BNP were examined within 24h of admission.The changes of sRAGE were compared among different groups and the impact of sRAGE on gestational hypertension heart disease prognosis was analyzed.Results:Compared with Control group,Observation group had increased plasma sRAGE (939.2±184.3) pg/mL vs (467.3±116.2) pg/mL,P＜0.05;sRAGE level was positively related to NYHA grading (r=0.76,P＜0.001),sRAGE had an elevating trend upon NYHA grade increasing accordingly,P＜0.05.Compared with Survival subgroup,Death subgroup had increased plasma sRAGE (1647.6±249.7) pg/mL vs (776.9±146.2) pg/mL,P＜0.05.The areas of sRAGE and BNP under ROC curve were 0.91 and 0.88 respectively,P＜0.05.Conclusion:Plasma sRAGE was increased in patients with gestational hypertension heart disease;it was related to severity of heart failure (HF) and could be used for predicting the early prognosis in HF patients.

The effect of on-line correction on stiffness of human upper limb during goal-directed movements / 医用生物力学

Objective To study the relationship between on-line correction and stiffness of the upper limb during human movements, so as to improve the measurement accuracy of stiffness and to assess the on-line correction capability. Methods Five kinds of upper limb goal-directed movements in a horizontal plane were designed. The stiffness values at 5 different positions, i.e. in the early period, early to mid period, mid period, mid to late period and late period separately during the movements with sudden perturbation were measured to investigate the regular pattern of human hand stiffness influenced by such on-line correction, as well as the relationship between the movement accuracy and hand stiffness. Results The stiffness was always varying during the movements, and the variation of the stiffness would influence the movement error. On-line correction during the movements could induce an increase in the value of stiffness amplitude, especially at the position in late period of the movement. However, no significant linkage was found between the change of stiffness and the occurrence time or content of on-line correction. Conclusions On-line correction plays an important role in goal-directed movements. Considering that on-line correction may cause a change in the amplitude of the stiffness, the on-line correction function of patients can be more accurately assessed by measuring stiffness value in specific experiments, combined with other medical diagnosis methods in clinic.