Influence of enteral feeding initiation time on intestinal flora and metabolites in very low birth weight infants: a prospective study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the influence of enteral feeding initiation time on intestinal flora and metabolites in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.@*METHODS@#A total of 29 VLBW infants who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, from June to December, 2020, were enrolled as subjects. According to the enteral feeding initiation time after birth, the infants were divided into two groups: <24 hours (n=15) and 24-72 hours (n=14). Fecal samples were collected at weeks 2 and 4 of hospitalization, and 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to analyze the microflora and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) respectively in fecal samples.@*RESULTS@#The analysis of microflora showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in Chao index (reflecting the abundance of microflora) and Shannon index (reflecting the diversity of microflora) at weeks 2 and 4 after birth (P>0.05). The analysis of flora composition showed that there was no significant difference in the main microflora at the phylum and genus levels between the two groups at weeks 2 and 4 after birth (P>0.05). The comparison of SCFAs between the two groups showed that the <24 hours group had a significantly higher level of propionic acid than the 24-72 hours group at week 4 (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the total amount of SCFAs and the content of the other SCFAs between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Early enteral feeding has no influence on the diversity and abundance of intestinal flora in VLBW infants, but enteral feeding within 24 hours can increase the level of propionic acid, a metabolite of intestinal flora.

Long-term effect of active parenteral nutrition support regimen in preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the long-term effect of active parenteral nutrition support regimen in preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks.@*METHODS@#According to the different doses of fat emulsion and amino acids used in the early stage, the preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks, who were admitted to the hospital within 24 hours after birth from May to December 2019, were divided into an active parenteral nutrition group and a conventional parenteral nutrition group (@*RESULTS@#At the age of 6 months, the active parenteral nutrition group (@*CONCLUSIONS@#For preterm infants with a gestational age of <34 weeks, an active parenteral nutrition support strategy with high doses of fat emulsion and amino acids within 24 hours after birth can improve their long-term neurodevelopment.

Effect of the course of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics on intestinal flora and short-chain fatty acids in feces of very low birth weight infants: a prospective study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of the course of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics on intestinal flora and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.@*METHODS@#A total of 29 VLBW infants who were admitted to the Neonatal Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University from June to December 2020 were enrolled as subjects for this prospective study. According to the course of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, they were divided into two groups: ≤7 days (@*RESULTS@#There was a significant reduction in Chao index of the intestinal flora in the ≤7 days group and the >7 days group from week 2 to week 4 (@*CONCLUSIONS@#The course of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics can affect the abundance, colonization, and evolution of intestinal flora and the content of their metabolites SCFAs in VLBW infants. The indication and treatment course for broad-spectrum antibiotics should be strictly controlled in clinical practice.

Aerobic exercises alleviate renal oxidative stress injury in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Studies have confirmed that long-term regular aerobic exercise can effectively reduce blood glucose level and improve insulin resistance. It is an important measure for diabetic nephropathy, but the specific mechanism is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on renal oxidative stress injury in mice with diabetic nephropathy, and explore its relationship with nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) signal pathway. METHODS: Male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, and aerobic exercise group, 8 mice in each group. Except for the control group, mice in the other two groups were intraperitoneally injected with 40 mg/kg streptozotocin for 5 consecutive days to induce diabetes. After 4 weeks, the 24-hour urine protein content > 30 mg suggested a successful modeling of diabetic nephropathy. After 8 weeks of modeling, mice in the aerobic exercise group underwent treadmill aerobic exercise for 8 weeks, 1 hour daily, 5 days per week. After 8 weeks of treatment, systolic blood pressure of the tail artery, 24-hour urinary microalbumin excretion rate, blood glucose, blood lipid, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were measured. The content of malondialdehyde and the activity of total superoxide dismutase of renal tissue homogenate were determined. The glomerular mesangial extracelluar matrix deposition, the level of reactive oxygen and the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in renal tissue were detected. Ethic approval was obtained from the Experimental Animal Ethic Committee of Henan Academy of Chinese Medicine in China (approval No. HPHT2015019). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, the 24-hour urinary microalbumin excretion rate, levels of blood glucose, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure of the tail artery in the model group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), the glomerular mesangial extracelluar matrix was significantly accumulated (P < 0.05), and the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, the above-mentioned parameters were significantly decreased in the aerobic exercise group. Aerobic exercise significantly increased the activity of total superoxide dismutase, decreased the accumulation of glomerular mesangial extracelluar matrix, and up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the renal tissue. To conclude, aerobic exercise can alleviate renal oxidative stress injury in diabetic nephropathy mice, which may be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Activation of Multifidus and Erector Spinae Muscles during Upper Limb Flexion and Abduction in Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To compare the difference in the onset time of the trunk muscles activity in individuals with and without nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) during upper limb flexion and abduction. Methods:From September to December, 2017, 21 patients with NLBP (NLBP group) and 21 volunteers (control group) participated in this study. Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were recorded from the anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, multifidus and erector spinae muscles during upper limb flexion and abduction in standing position. Relative differences in the onset times between each muscle and the prime mover were calculated. Results:During upper limb flexion, the right multifidus muscle, bilateral erector spinae were activated in advance of the agonist muscle (anterior deltoid), while the left multifidus muscle was delayed relative to the agonist muscle in both groups. The onset time of the right erector spinae was significantly delayed in NLBP group than in the control group (t = -2.393, P = 0.019). During upper limb abduction, bilateral multifidus muscle and bilateral erector spinae were activated in advance of the agonist muscle (middle deltoid) in the control group. Additionally, in NLBP group, the left erector spinae was activated in advance of the agonist muscle, bilateral multifidus and right erector spinae were delayed relative to the agonist muscle. There was no significant difference in the relative onset time between both groups (t < 1.393, P > 0.05). Conclusion:During upper limb flexion and abduction, the trunk muscles of the lower back are activated in advance for healthy individuals, while individuals with NLBP have a possibly delayed activation of trunk muscles.

Test-retest Reliability of Lumbar Spine Position Sense for Aging People / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To determine the test-retest reliability of lumbar passive reposition accuracy for older people. Methods:A total of 58 healthy older people stood on an isokinetic dynamometer, and passively moved their trunk forward and backward to the target positions as accurately as possible. The targeted positions were set as flexion forward 15°, 30° and 60°, and flexion backward 15°. The absolute error (AE) was recorded. They were tested again a week latter. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard errors of measurement (SEM and SEM%) were calculated. Results:The ICC of AE was 0.699 to 0.833 for all the subjects, SEM was 1.18 to 3.26, and SEM% was 26.84% to 37.13%. For the men, the ICC was 0.462 to 0.818, SEM was 1.60 to 3.68, and SEM% was 36.37% to 48.78%. For the women, the ICC was 0.782 to 0.891, SEM was 1.48 to 2.71, and SEM% was 28.48% to 33.34%. Conclusions:Lumbar passive reposition accuracy is some reliable to assess the position sense for older people. However, there are too large errors for clinical measurement, which need further improvment.

Value of serum heart fatty acid binding protein in the assessment of cardiac function in patients with rheumatic heart disease / 新乡医学院学报

Objective To investigate the value of the serum heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in the assessment of cardiac function in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD).Methods Forty-five RHD patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2016 to December 2016 were selected as the observation group.In addition,45 subjects with normal cardiac function in the same period were selected as control group.The levels of serum H-FABP,B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP),left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVESD) and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) were compared in the groups.The correlation between serum H-FABP and BNP,cardiac function classification was analyzed.Results The serum H-FABP and BNP levels and LVEDD,LVESD in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P ＜ 0.05),but the LVEF in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P ＜ 0.05).There were significant differences in the serum H-FABP,BNP levels and LVEDD,LVESD,LVEF among the patients with class Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ of heart function (P ＜0.05).The serum H-FABP,BNP levels and LVEDD,LVESD in the patients with class Ⅲ and Ⅳ of heart function were significantly higher than those in the patients with class Ⅱ of heart function(P ＜ 0.05);but the LVEF in the patients with class Ⅲand Ⅳ of heart function was significantly lower than that in the patients with class Ⅱ of heart function(P ＜0.05).Compared with the patients with class Ⅲ of heart function,the serum H-FABP,BNP levels and LVEDD,LVESD in the patients with class Ⅳ of heart function were significantly higher(P ＜ 0.05);but the LVEF in the patients with class Ⅳ of heart function was significantly lower(P ＜ 0.05).The serum H-FABP level was positively correlated with serum BNP level,LVEDD and LVESD in the observation group (r =0.579,0.743,0.740;P ＜ 0.05).but it was negatively correlated with LVEF (r =-0.801,P ＜0.05).Conclusion The serum H-FABP level increases with the aggravation of heart failure in patients with RHD.It can be used as an important index to evaluate the heart function and prognosis of RHD patients.

Simultaneous determination of 8 constituents of Desmodii Styracifolii Herba in rat bile with HPLC-MS/MS and their excretion pharmacokinetics / 中国中药杂志

To establish a HPLC-MS/MS quantitative method for analysis of 8 constituents in rat bile. The method was applied in the biliary excretion study after oral administration of Desmodii Styracifolii Herba extract. The rat bile samples were collected during 0-1, 1-2, 2-4, 4-6, 6-8, 8-12, 12-24 h. Diamonsil C₁₈column (4.6 mm×150 mm, 5 μm) was adopted and eluted with methanol and 0.01% acetic acid in a gradient mode. The flow rate was 0.8 mL•min⁻¹, and the column temperature was set at 40 ℃. The detection was carried out by a triple quadrupole linearion trap mass spectrometer in the negative ion mode with an electrospray source. Multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode was employed. The calibration curves showed a good linearity, with correlation coefficients (r≥0.991 5) for all of the analytes within the concentration range. The intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD) were both less than 15%, and the accuracies (RE) ranged from -15% to 15%. The method had a good stability, and was suitable for the content determination of 8 constituents in rat bile. The extraction recoveries of the 8 analytes were more than 63.2%, and the RSD of IS-normalized matrix factors were no more than 15%, which met the requirements for analysis. According to the biliary excretion study, the bile excretion rates of the 8 analytes were relatively low, with great difference among the individuals. The results showed that the established method was simple, selective and specific, thus could be applied in the biliary excretion study of the 8 analytes in rat bile.

Clinical observation on the neurotransmitters regulation in patients of insomnia differentiated as yang deficiency pattern treated with warm acupuncture and auricular point sticking therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect mechanism of warm acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking therapy and its efficacy on insomnia by monitoring the level of brain neurotransmitters in the insomnia patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty patients with insomnia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 65 cases in each one. In the observation group, based on the treating principle of warming yang and benefiting qi, acupuncture was applied to Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6) and Shenmen (HT 7). Warm acupuncture was supplemented at Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3). The treatment was given once every day. In the control group, estazolam tablets, 0. 5 to 1 mg were prescribed for oral administration, 30 min before sleep at night. The treatment of 14 days was taken as one session and 2 sessions were required in the two groups. The encephal of luctuograph technology was used to observe the sleep quality and brain neurotransmitters before and after treatment in the two groups and the efficacy was compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 83.1% (54/65) in the observation group and 87.7% (57/65) in the control group. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the observation group, after treatment, 5-HT and GABA/Glu were all increased compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and norepinephrine (NE) was reduced compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). The level of each index did not change significantly before and after treatment in the control group (all P > 0.05). The regulations of 5-HT, GABA/Glu in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combined therapy of warm acupuncture and auricular point sticking method for warming yang and benefiting qi effectively improves brain neurotransmitters and essentially improves sleep quality of the patients with insomnia differentiated as yang deficiency pattern.</p>