Curative effects of Shugan Hewei Zhitong Recipe on chronic gastritis complicated by Helicobacter pylori infection / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the curative effects of Shugan Hewei Zhitong Recipe on chronic gastritis complicated by Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods:Eighty-seven patients with chronic gastritis complicated by Helicobacter pylori infection who received treatment in the Huguosi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China from July 2018 to June 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to undergo treatment with either conventional Western medicine ( n = 43, control group) or Shugan Hewei Zhitong Recipe based on conventional Western medicine ( n = 44, observation group) for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were compared between the two groups. Curative effects of Shugan Hewei Zhitong Recipe on chronic gastritis complicated by Helicobacter pylori infection were evaluated. Results:Total response rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [91% (40/44) vs. 72% (31/43), χ2 = 5.13, P = 0.024]. In each group, the traditional Chinese medicine symptom score post-treatment was significantly lower than the traditional Chinese medicine symptom score pre-treatment (both P < 0.001). After treatment, the traditional Chinese medicine score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P < 0.05). There were no adverse reactions in each group. Conclusion:Shugan Hewei Zhitong Recipe is safe and effective on chronic gastritis complicated by Helicobacter pylori infection, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

The construction and preliminary research of information platform for clinical skills training / 中华医学教育探索杂志

This paper systematically discusses the construction of clinical skills information platform, including the goal, function design, module, content analysis of practical skills training and management system. The information platform for clinical skills training has played a significant role in innovating the teaching and management mode of clinical practice skills training, establishing a scientific assessment system, improving the clinical practice skills training system and enriching the teaching contents and means. At the same time, it has also promoted the communication between teachers and students during the clinical practice skills training, improved teachers' information-based teaching ability, and speeded up the construction of high-quality teachers.

Study on the characteristics and management measures of "unit personnel" and "intra-industry so-cial personnel" in standardized residency training / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Standardized residency training is the only way for medical students to grow into clin-icians. At present, the number of under training residents in China has reached 190000 (excluding special-ized degree graduate students). It is very important to manage each stage of this training well, which is an guarantee for improving the effect of standardized training. The residents who attend the training are com-posed of "unit personnel" and "intra-industry social personnel", and after standardized and homogenized training, the two types of students have officially become the new force in the medical industry after passing the final examination. In order to do a good job in the management of standardized residency training, to achieve fine management at all stages , this paper focuses on the differences between the two types of students, analyzes in detail the characteristics of these two types of students in the recruitment, training and welfare guarantee stages. "Unit personnel" are given the security, supervision and containment of the origi-nal unit, while due to the pressure of job-hunting and the uncertainty of future welfare, "intra-industry so-cial personnel" are equipped with more initiative. Based on advanced management experience in Beijing,Shanghai, Sichuan and Tianjin, this paper aims to summarize the key points in management of the two types of students in training, propose countermeasures to the difficulties in management, innovative management solutions, and provide reference for the optimization management of standardized residency training.

A longitudinal study of posttraumatic growth and rehabilitation outcome in patients after renal transplantation / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective The aim of the longitudinal was to explore the level of posttraumatic growth (PTG) and the effect on rehabilitation outcome in patients who received renal transplant. Methods A questionnaire survey was carried out in patients after renal transplant in one month (T1) and six months (T2) in China during hospitalization. PTG was measured by the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), depression by the Patient Health Questionaire (PHQ-9), anxiety by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionaire (GAD-7). Totally 180 patients were recruited, and 160 completed the follow-up measure. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20.0. Results There were 88.3% (158/180) patients reported positive PTG in T1, and 94.3% (151/160) in T2. The mean score of posttraumatic growth at T1 and T2 had no significant difference (T1:77.96 ± 16.36,T2:79.54 ± 17.58;t=-1.302,P=0.195). PTG was not significant to the recovery of physical symptoms (χ2Creatinine=0.504,P=0.841,χ2recover=0.609,P=0.777, χ2complication=6.131,P=0.150), while it affected the incidence of anxiety (χ2=7.541, P=0.021), but not related with the incidence of depression (χ2=3.926,P=0.130). Conclusions There is no difference in the level of PTG in time. PTG has no obvious effect on body health recovery for patients with renal transplantation after six months, while for the mental health, PTG has no effect on depression symptoms, but can reduce the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.

Impact of disease management of caregivers on self-management behaviors among patients with chronic heart failure / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To explore the impact and mechanism of disease management of caregivers on self-management behaviors among patients with chronic heart failure.Methods·A total of 231 dyads of outpatient chronic heart failure patients and their caregivers were assessed by caregivers contribution to self-care of heart failure index (CC-SCHFI),self-care of heart failure index (SCHFI) and Atlanta heart failure knowledge test (AHFKT-V2).IBM SPSS 22.0 was used to conduct the paired t test and Pearson correlation analysis.LISREL 8.80 was used to conduct the path analysis.Results·There were significant differences between caregivers and patients in maintenance behavior (P=0.015),management behavior (P=0.023) and self-efficacy (P=0.001).There was no correlation between caregiver self-efficacy and patient heart failure knowledge and skill,but other variables were positively correlated,and r value ranged from 0.129 to 0.575 (P＜0.05).Patient self-management behaviors were directly influenced by caregiver disease management,patient heart failure knowledge and skill and patient self-efficacy,and indirectly influenced in part by caregiver disease management through patient heart failure knowledge and skill and patient self-efficacy.Conclusion·Caregiver disease management not only can directly influence patient self-management behaviors,but also can indirectly influence patient self-management behaviors through patient heart failure knowledge and skill and self-efficacy.Health care workers should carry out family-centered health education,and help caregivers actively participate in disease management of patients with heart failure;for those patients whose caregivers can't change their disease management behaviors,health care workers should also improve their self-management behaviors by improving paticnts' heart failure knowledge and skill and self-efficacy.

Surgical management of mediastinal hemangioma: a report of 18 cases / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To summarize our experience in surgical intervention of patients with mediastinal hemangioma.Methods From January 1994 to August 2017,18 patients underwent surgical treatment were diagnosed with mediastinal hemangioma in our department.There were 9 females and 9 males,with the average age of(50.9 ± 14.0) years.Seven patients were seen with signs and symptoms related to the tumor,and the other 11 patients had no symptom.Three cases were located in the anterior mediastinum,1 case in the middle mediastinum and 14 cases in the posterior mediastinum.All of the cases experienced chest computed tomography(unenhanced or contrast-enhanced CT scan).Most mediastinal hemangiomas manifested as well-marginated masses at CT.Seven hemangiomas showed heterogeneous enhancement at contrast-enhanced CT.Calcifications were demonstrated in 2 patients.Preoperative diagnosis was not confirmed in all patients.Two cases were suspected to be hemangioma preoperatively,other cases were suspected to be thymoma,neurofibroma or malignancy.Eight cases were treated by video-assisted thoracic surgery approach,3 of those converted to thoracotomy due to high risk of hemorrhage.Ten cases experienced traditional thoracotomy.Results Seventeen patients had total excision,but one experienced biopsy because of hemorrhage.There were no operative death and major complications.The average operation time was(105.0 ± 49.6) minutes,and the average blood loss was(111.7 ± 138.9) ml.The postoperative hospital stay was (4.7 ± 3.5) days on average.Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 18 months(median,9.6 months).No recurrence was found in the patients with total excision at the time of follow-up.The patient undergoing biopsy showed no progression of the disease for 12 months.Conclusion Mediastinal hemangiomas were rare tumors,without relatively specific clinical manifestation.Calcification and phleboliths on CT scan were helpful in suggesting the vascular nature of the mass.Preoperative diagnosis of mediastinal hemangioma was usually very difficult.Mediastinal hemangiomas were mainly treated by surgical approach and had good prognosis.

VATS thymectomy with suspension of sternum by double hook through xiphoid / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective Evaluation of self-control suspension under the double hook system used to xiphoid thoracoscope fully the effect of thymectomy.Methods There were 17 cases of thymic adenoma diagnosed before surgery in November to December 2016,including 7 males and 10 females,aged(57 ± 10).The total thymomectomy was performed with a double hook method with a double hook procedure.Results All the 17 patients had smooth operation,and no clear hook related complications were observed after the operation.The operation was convenient and the thymus was completely removed.Conclusion It is worth populating that the double pull hook method is convenient and safe to remove the whole thymus gland.

Impact of disease management of caregivers on self-management behaviors among patients with chronic heart failure / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To explore the impact and mechanism of disease management of caregivers on self-management behaviors among patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: A total of 231 dyads of outpatient chronic heart failure patients and their caregivers were assessed by caregivers contribution to self-care of heart failure index (CC-SCHFI), self-care of heart failure index (SCHFI) and Atlanta heart failure knowledge test (AHFKT-V2). IBM SPSS 22.0 was used to conduct the paired t test and Pearson correlation analysis. LISREL 8.80 was used to conduct the path analysis. Results: There were significant differences between caregivers and patients in maintenance behavior (P=0.015), management behavior (P=0.023) and self-efficacy (P=0.001). There was no correlation between caregiver self-efficacy and patient heart failure knowledge and skill, but other variables were positively correlated, and r value ranged from 0.129 to 0.575 (P<0.05). Patient self-management behaviors were directly influenced by caregiver disease management, patient heart failure knowledge and skill and patient self-efficacy, and indirectly influenced in part by caregiver disease management through patient heart failure knowledge and skill and patient self-efficacy. Conclusion: Caregiver disease management not only can directly influence patient selfmanagement behaviors, but also can indirectly influence patient self-management behaviors through patient heart failure knowledge and skill and selfefficacy. Health care workers should carry out family-centered health education, and help caregivers actively participate in disease management of patients with heart failure; for those patients whose caregivers can't change their disease management behaviors, health care workers should also improve their selfmanagement behaviors by improving patients' heart failure knowledge and skill and self-efficacy.

Combination of total Astragalus extract and total Panax notoginseng saponins strengthened the protective effects on brain damage through improving energy metabolism and inhibiting apoptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of the combination between total Astragalus extract (TAE) and total Panax notoginseng saponins (TPNS) against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, TAE (110 mg/kg) group, TPNS (115 mg/kg) group, TAE-TPNS combination group and Edaravone (4 mg/kg) group, treated for 4 days, then, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) ligation for 20 min followed by reperfusion for 1 and 24 h. RESULTS: TPNS could increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, TAE and TAE-TPNS combination increased ATP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) contents and Na+-K+-ATPase activity, and the effects of TAE-TPNS combination were stronger than those of TAE or TPNS alone after reperfusion for 1 h. After reperfusion for 24 h, TAE, TPNS and TAE-TPNS combination significantly increased neurocyte survival rate and decreased the apoptosis rate as well as down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated c-June N-terminal kinase1/2 (p-JNK1/2), cytochrome C (Cyt C), cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease (Caspase)-9 and Caspase-3. Furthermore, the effects in TAE-TPNS combination were better than those in TAE or TPNS alone. CONCLUSION: The combination of TAE 110 mg/kg and TPNS 115 mg/kg could strengthen protective effects on cerebral ischemia injury, the mechanism underlying might be related to improving jointly the early energy metabolism, and relieving the delayed apoptosis via inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of JNK signal transduction.

Combination of total Astragalus extract and total Panax notoginseng saponins strengthened the protective effects on brain damage through improving energy metabolism and inhibiting apoptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of the combination between total Astragalus extract (TAE) and total Panax notoginseng saponins (TPNS) against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, TAE (110 mg/kg) group, TPNS (115 mg/kg) group, TAE-TPNS combination group and Edaravone (4 mg/kg) group, treated for 4 days, then, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) ligation for 20 min followed by reperfusion for 1 and 24 h.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TPNS could increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, TAE and TAE-TPNS combination increased ATP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) contents and Na-K-ATPase activity, and the effects of TAE-TPNS combination were stronger than those of TAE or TPNS alone after reperfusion for 1 h. After reperfusion for 24 h, TAE, TPNS and TAE-TPNS combination significantly increased neurocyte survival rate and decreased the apoptosis rate as well as down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated c-June N-terminal kinase1/2 (p-JNK1/2), cytochrome C (Cyt C), cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease (Caspase)-9 and Caspase-3. Furthermore, the effects in TAE-TPNS combination were better than those in TAE or TPNS alone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of TAE 110 mg/kg and TPNS 115 mg/kg could strengthen protective effects on cerebral ischemia injury, the mechanism underlying might be related to improving jointly the early energy metabolism, and relieving the delayed apoptosis via inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of JNK signal transduction.</p>

Protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline solution on lung injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis / 重庆医学

Objective To explore whether intravenous injection of hydrogen‐rich saline having the protective effect on sodium taurocholate induced severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) associated lung injury(APALI) in rats and its possible mechanisms .Methods Fifty‐four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into sham‐operation group (Sham group) ,model group (SAP+ NS group) and hydrogen water treatment group (SAP + HRS group) ,and each group was subdivided into 6 ,12 ,24 h subgroups .Six rats were killed at each time point for collecting serum ,lung tissue and pancreas tissue .Serum TNF‐αand IL‐1βlevels ,lung wet /dry weight ratio ,expression of TNF‐αmRNA and IL‐1βmRNA in the lung tissue were detected .The pathological evaluation of pancreas and lung tissue injury was performed .Results (1)The levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in serum ,pancreas and lung tissue pathological scores ,TNF‐αmRNA and IL‐1βmRNA expression levels in the lung tissue and lung wet dry weight ratio at the time points of 6 , 12 ,24 h in the SAP+NS group and the SAP+ HRS group were higher than those in the sham group (P<0 .05) .(2) Compared with the SAP+NS group ,the levels of serum TNF‐α,TNF‐αmRNA expression level in the lung tissue and lung wet dry weight ra‐tio at all time points in the SAP+ HRS group were lower(P<0 .05);the levels of serum IL‐1β,pancreas and lung tissue pathologi‐cal score and IL‐1β‐mRNA expression at 6 h in the lung tissue had no statistical difference between the SAP+NS group and SAP+HRS group ,but which at time points of 12 ,24 h in the SAP+ HRS group were lower than those in the SAP+NS group(P<0 .05) . Conclusion HRS realize the protection on APALI possibly via its elective anti‐oxidation action for inhibiting oxidative stress injury related cytokines expression .

Analysis on finger sensory examination among drill workers in a gold mine / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of hand-transmitted vibration exposure on the finger vibratory and pain perception thresholds among drill workers in a gold mine. METHODS: By the judgement sampling method,134 male drill workers from a gold mine in the northern area of China were selected as the hand-transmitted vibration exposure group and102 fit-up workers without vibration exposure in the same mine were chosen as the control group. The finger vibratory perception thresholds,the pain perception thresholds and the occupational health examination were conducted and analyzed in these two groups. Based on the self-report with vibration-induced white finger( VWF),the workers of hand-transmitted vibration exposure group were divided into non-VWF subgroup( 105 workers) and VWF subgroup( 29 workers). RESULTS: The incidence of finger numbness,pain and self-reported white finger in the exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group( P < 0. 05). Compared with the control group,the vibratory perception thresholds of the index finger,middle finger and ring finger of the right hand among the vibration exposure group workers were significantly higher( P < 0. 05),but there was no significant difference in the vibratory perception thresholds of the left ring finger between the two groups( P > 0. 05). The vibratory perception thresholds of both ring fingers,right index finger and right middle-finger in VWF subgroup were higher than those in control group( P < 0. 05). But no significant differences was found in the above 4 indexes in these two groups after compared to those of control group,respectively( P > 0. 05). The vibratory perception thresholds of left ring finger,right ring finger and right index finger in VWF subgroup were all higher than those in non-VWF subgroup( P < 0. 05),but the vibratory perception thresholds of right middle finger in these two groups showed no significant difference( P > 0. 05). The pain perception thresholds of index finger,middle finger and ring finger in both hands of the vibration exposure group workers were all higher than those in control group( P < 0. 05). The pain perception thresholds of middle finger and ring finger in both hands of the VWF subgroup and non-VWF subgroup were higher than those of control group( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The hand-transmitted vibration can increase the thresholds of finger vibratory and pain perception in drill workers. The finger sensory perception examination could be used to assist the early detection of peripheral nerve damage induced by hand-transmitted vibration.

Shenfu injection protects human ECV304 cells from hydrogen peroxide via its anti-apoptosis way.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The pathogenesis of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) has not been fully elucidated until now. Shenfu injection (SFI), a traditional Chinese formula has been widely used clinically for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases for more than two decade. Our previous results first suggested that SFI can cause a significant therapeutic effect on experimental TAO model rats. This experiment was designed to further investigate the protective effect of SFI on VEC damaged by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidative stress in vitro. METERIALS AND METHODS: The cell viability was evaluated by the MTT assay, the activities of SOD and GSH-PX and the content of MDA in the supernatants of the cultured ECV304 cells were evaluated by a colorimetry method, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and an AO/EB double staining method. The protein expressions of Bcl2, Bax and caspase-3 were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: When compared with control group, lower survival rate of ECV304 cells was observed in H2O2 group (p<0.01) ; 20µl/ml, 30µl/ml and 40µl/ml SFI increased the survival rate of ECV304 cells under H2O2 oxidative stress (p<0.05 and p<0.01). The activities of SOD and GSH-PX were higher and MDA level was lower in H2O2 group than those in control group. These effects of H2O2 on SOD, GSH-PX activities and MDA content were reversed by SFI in concentration-dependent way (p<0.05 and p<0.01). Flow cytometry and AO-EB double staining discovered that SFI pretreatment inhibited the ECV304 cells apoptosis. The protein expression of caspase3 in 30µl/ml and 40µl/ml SFI groups significantly decreased whereas Bcl2 protein expressions in 20µl/ml, 30µl/ml and 40µl/ml SFI groups were higher than H2O2 group, with Bax protein expression much lower than H2O2 group (p<0.05 and p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SFI could prevent the ECV304 cells against H2O2 oxidative-stress by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing the membrane lipid peroxidation, as well as upregulating antiapoptotic and downregulating apoptosis protein expressions.

Changes of echocardiographic indices in patients receiving catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation with ;different outcomes / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the changes of different echocardiographic indices in patients receiving catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation with different outcomes. Methods 75 patients received catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation during the period of January 2012 to February 2014. Before and 6 monthes after ablation , all the patients were examined left atrial volume index (LAVi), left atrium pressure (LAP), and left atrial ejection force (LAF) with echocardiography. Then after 6 months, according to the outcomes of the procedure, we divided the patients into two groups and compared the changes of these three parameters. Results In sinus group, LAVi decreased while LAF increased after treatment [LAVi: (29.3 ± 1.9) vs. (41.2 ± 9.3), LAF:(1.31 ± 0.61) (kg·cm)/s2 vs. (0.83 ± 0.22) (kg·cm)/s2, P 0.05]; while in recurrent group, there were no changes in LAVi, LAP, and LAF after treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusions Radiofrequency catheter ablation is safe and effective in treatment of atrial fibrillation, resulting in significant improvements in left atrial volume and cardiac function.

A prospective multicenter clinical trial of medical and surgical treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To demonstrate the clinical outcomes of maximal medical therapy(MMT) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery+ maximal medical therapy (FESS+MMT) for moderate to severe chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) in China, to provide clinical evidence for treatment recommendation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective multicenter case control study consisting of 90 strictly selected CRSsNP patients were carried out by ENT Hospital of SUN Yet-sen university and 7 other university affiliated hospitals across China from March 2011 to October 2012. All patients were selected to MMT group or FESS+MMT group followed by 3 months treatment and 6 months follow up. Treatment efficacy evaluation indicators included improvement of visual analogue scale (VAS) score, quality of life, CT score and post-operative nasal endoscopic evaluations. SPSS16.0 software was used to analyze the data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients enrolled complied with moderate to severe CRSsNP evaluation criteria. There were no significant differences found in the baseline data between two groups (P > 0.05). (1) At the 3 time points (pre-treatment, 3 months and 6 mongths after treatment) , VAS overall symptom score in MMT group were 6.52 ± 2.61, 2.66 ± 2.10, 2.40 ± 1.56, significant differences were found among them (t value were 2.083 and 2.295, both P < 0.05); in FESS+MMT group the values were 6.99 ± 2.70, 0.95 ± 0.84, 0.60 ± 0.81, significant differences were found among them (t value were 3.582 and 5.196, both P < 0.05); SNOT-20 score in MMT group were 38.61 ± 17.36, 18.59 ± 14.04, 18.40 ± 8.91, significant differences were found among them (t value were 2.737 and 2.657, both P < 0.05); in FESS+MMT group the values were 38.21 ± 19.61, 5.94 ± 5.01, 2.65 ± 2.31, significant differences were found among them (t value were 3.247, 3.319, both P < 0.05). (2) FESS+MMT group relative to the MMT group in VAS overall symptom score and quality of life improvements appeared earlier and were more pronounced. (3) Overall treatment efficacy showed that in MMT group: complete control 14 cases (30.4%), partially control 31 cases (67.4%), uncontrolled 1 cases (2.2%); In FESS+MMT group: complete control 17 cases (38.6%), partially control 26 cases (59.1%), uncontrolled 1 cases (2.3%). (4) Patients' satisfaction survey showed that the number of the patients who were very satisfied with the efficacy in the FESS+MMT group were 2 times higher than the MMT group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>(1) For moderate to severe CRSsNP, both MMT and FESS+MMT treatment can effectively control the overall symptoms and classified symptoms, reduce CT scores and significantly improve the quality of life, the ineffective rate is less than 5%. (2) FESS+MMT group in terms of improving symptoms and the onset time are better than MMT group, especially in improving the stuffy nose, head and face fullness, and mental and physical symptoms are better than MMT group. (3) FESS+MMT group showed better results in patient satisfaction survey compared to the MMT group. Therefore for moderate to severe CRSsNP patients, FESS+MMT therapy could be recommended as the preferred treatment.</p>

Duration of breastfeeding and its relevant influencing factors on under 2-years-old in rural areas of 10 provinces in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To understand the current status and relevant factors influencing the duration of breastfeeding in rural areas in China.Methods Children under two years old were selected as subjects from the study on "Physical growth among the under 7-years-old children from the rural areas of ten provinces in China in 2006".Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival curves and Cox multivariate stepwise regression was used to identify the relevant factors on the duration of breastfeeding.Results Median of the duration for breastfeeding was 12 months in rural areas of 10 provinces in China.Results of this study suggested that factors as sex,birth order,areas of residency,nationality,initiation of formula,parents' education levels,maternal services and famliy income were correlated with the duration of breastfeeding.Conclusion Duration of breastfeeding among rural children under 2-years of age was short in the 10 provinces of China.Factors as level of education,residential areas and family income of the parents as well as sex of the chilaren were correlated with the duration of breastfeeding.Intervention program should be implemented to improve the current status on breastfeeding.

Astragalus extract alleviates nerve injury after cerebral ischemia by improving energy metabolism and inhibiting apoptosis.

This aim of this study was to explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of Astragalus extract against cerebral ischemia injury through the energy metabolism and apoptosis pathways of c­Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction. After the bilateral common carotid artery of C57BL/6 mice was occluded for 20 min followed by 1-h reperfusion, the ATP content, total adenine nucleotides (TAN), energy charge (EC), and sodium potassium ATPase (Na(+)-K(+)­ATPase) activity were decreased markedly in brain tissues. Astragalus extract markedly increased the ATP and ADP levels, EC value, and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. Twenty-four and 48 h after reperfusion, the neurocyte survival rate decreased and apoptosis rate increased, while the expression of phosphorylated JNK1/2, cytochrome c (Cyt C), and cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease (caspase)-9 and -3 were significantly enhanced in brain tissues. Astragalus extract significantly increased neurocyte survival and decreased the apoptosis rate as well as down-regulated the expression of p-JNK1/2, Cyt C, caspase-9, and caspase-3. These results suggest that Astragalus extract has neuroprotective effects against nerve injury after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with improved cellular energy metabolism, inhibition of JNK signal transduction pathway activation, and then suppression of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Influencing factors on underweight and stunting among children aged 0-3 years in rural areas from ten provinces in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To analysis the influencing factors on underweight and stunting among children aged 0-3 years in rural areas from ten provinces in China.Methods Children under study were identified by multi-stage stratified cluster from rural areas of ten provinces in China.The ascertainment methods mainly included questionnaire and anthropometric measurements.Results There were 58 926 children under investigation,with 50.91％ were boys.The overall rates on underweight and stunting were 5.05％ and 10.49％ respectively.The rate in the 6 month-olds (1.97％,3.79％ ) was the lowest,while the highest were in the 24 month-olds (7.80％) and the 36 month-olds (16.83％).Age,sex,birth weight,gestational weeks as well as maternal education and fathers' schooling were factors significantly related to childhood underweight and stunting (P＜0.0001).Conclusion The status of underweight and stunting among children aged 0-3 years in rural areas was impressive,with birth weight was the key factor influencing the growth of children.Perinatal health care should be improved to promote the growth of children.

TIMP-2 modulates VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and enhances phosphodiesterase activity in endothelial cells.

In this study, we examine the effects of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) on the phosphorylation status of specific phosphotyrosine residues on the vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) cytoplasmic tail and examine the effects on associated downstream signaling pathways. To focus on metalloproteinase-independent mechanisms, we used the TIMP-2 analog known as Ala+TIMP-2 that is deficient in matrix metalloproteinase-inhibitory activity. Our experiments are designed to compare the effects of VEGF-A stimulation with or without Ala+TIMP-2 pretreatment, as well as basal responses in human microvascular endothelial cells. Our results show that Ala+TIMP-2 selectively alters the phosphorylation pattern of VEGFR-2 after VEGF-A stimulation and disrupts the downstream activation of PLC-gamma, Ca(+2) flux, Akt, and eNOS, as well as decreasing cGMP levels. Moreover, we observed an Ala+TIMP-2-induced reduction in cGMP levels typically elevated by exogenous NO donors implicating Ala+TIMP-2 in the direct activation of an isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX)-sensitive cGMP phosphodiesterase activity. TIMP-2 suppression of endothelial mitogenesis and angiogenesis involves at least two mechanisms, one mediated by protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibition of VEGFR-2 activation as well as downstream signaling and a second mechanism involving direct activation of an IBMX-sensitive phosphodiesterase activity.

Effect of total saponins of "panax notoginseng root" on aortic intimal hyperplasia and the expressions of cell cycle protein and extracellular matrix in rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY: the effect of total saponins of "panax notoginseng root" on aortic intimal hyperplasia and the expressions of cell cycle protein and extracellular matrix in rats MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, control, TSPN and atorvastatin group. Rat aorta intima in all groups were injured by insertion of domestic balloon catheter into the aortae except sham-operated rats. Drugs were administrated orally from the second day after vascular injury and continued for 14 days. The injured segments of aortae were collected on the sixteenth day after operation to observe the morphological changes of vascular structure and to examine the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), cyclinD1, cyclinE, collagen I(Col-I), fibronect(FN), matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1). RESULTS: TPNS significantly inhibited the vascular intimal hyperplasia. TPNS significantly lowered the expression of PCNA, cyclinE, cyclinD1, FN and MMP-9. TPNS had no significant impacts on the expression of Col-I and TIMP-1. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies indicated that TSPN could inhibit vessel restenosis after vascular intimal injury, and its mechanisms may be related to the blockage of the excessive proliferation of VSMC, the reduction of ECM protein deposition in the endometrium, and the degradation of ECM protein.