Effects of Perch Essence Supplementation on Improving Exercise Performance and Anti-Fatigue in Mice.

Silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) has many nutrition and health benefits, being a rich source of macro and micronutrients, phospholipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a variety of essential minerals while having a high protein content. In addition to direct consumption, it is often made into a soup as an important nutritional supplement for strengthening the body and delaying fatigue. By extracting the essence, its quality can be controlled, and it is convenient to supplement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with Santé premium silver perch essence (SPSPE) on improving exercise performance and anti-fatigue. Fifty male institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were divided into five groups (n = 10/group): (1) vehicle (vehicle control or water only), (2) isocaloric (0.93 g casein/kg/mice/day), (3) SPSPE-1X (0.99 g/kg/mice/day), (4) SPSPE-2X (1.98 g/kg/mice/day), and (5) SPSPE-5X (4.95 g/kg/mice/day). A sample or an equal volume of liquid was fed orally for four consecutive weeks. Grip strength and swimming exhaustion tests were used as exercise performance assessments. After 10 and 90 min of unloaded swimming, biochemical parameters of fatigue were evaluated. We found that supplementation with SPSPE for four consecutive weeks could significantly improve mice's grip strength, exercise endurance performance, and glycogen content (p < 0.05), and significantly reduced post-exercise fatigue biochemical parameters, such as lactate, blood ammonia (NH3), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, and muscle damage index creatine kinase (CK) activity (p < 0.05). In summary, supplementation with SPSPE for 4 weeks could effectively improve exercise performance, reduce sports fatigue, and accelerate fatigue recovery. In addition, it did not cause any physiological or histopathological damage.

Anti-fatigue Effects of Santé Premium Silver Perch Essence on Exhaustive Swimming Exercise Performance in Rats.

Aim: Fish soup is a traditional Chinese food usually offered as a healthy supplement to elders, pregnant women and persons who just had surgery. Silver perch (Santé premium silver perch essence, SPSPE) extract contains various quality proteins, collagen, minerals, trace elements, and branch chain amino acids (BCAA) that could help individuals recover from exhaustion and control body weight. However, there are very limited studies exploring the effects of fish extracts on exercise performance and fatigue, and relevant physiological mechanisms. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic SPSPE administration on exhaustive exercise performance. Method: Male Wistar rats weighing around 250 g were divided into 4 groups: Control, 1X SPSPE (6.2 ml/kg), 2X SPSPE (12.4 ml/kg) and 5X SPSPE (31.0 ml/kg). Rats were administrated SPSPE by oral gavage feeding every day for 33 days. Their body weight were measured every week. Before and after the exhaustive swimming test, the blood was collected for circulating lactate, glucose, ammonia, hormones, and myoglobin analysis. Rats were sacrificed after performing an exhaustive swimming exercise test. The liver tissues were collected for glycogen content and H&E staining. Results: After the administration of 1X and 5X SPSPE, swimming fatigue was significantly delayed (p = 0.024). There was no difference in the hormone plasma level between the control and SPSPE groups. The induction of plasma corticosterone and TBARS by exhaustive swimming exercise could be decreased by SPSPE administration. The increased plasma myoglobin concentration from exhaustive swimming exercise was weakened by SPSPE supplementation. The higher glycogen sparing contained in liver tissue was observed in SPSPE-treated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: SPSPE could efficiently delay swimming fatigue through sparing of liver glycogen and attenuation of plasma TBARS, myoglobin induction by exhaustive exercise. Our findings provide a scientific-based fundamental information and better understanding for developing a fish extract-based anti-fatigue supplement.

Cyclo-Ketal Xanthene Dyes: A New Class of Near-Infrared Fluorophores for Super-Resolution Imaging of Live Cells.

Newly emerging super-resolution imaging techniques provide opportunities for precise observations on cellular microstructures. However, they also impose severe demands on fluorophores. Here, we develop a new series of NIR xanthene dyes, named as KRhs, by replacing the 10-position O of rhodamines with a cyclo-ketal. KRhs display an intense NIR emission peak at 700 nm with fluorescence quantum yields up to 0.64. More importantly, they, without the aid of enhancing buffer, exhibit stochastic fluorescence off-on switches to support time-resolved localization of single fluorophore. KRhs are functionalized into KRh-MitoFix, KRh-Mem and KRh-Halo that demonstrate mitochondria, plasma membrane and fusion protein targeting ability, respectively. Consequently, these KRh probes demonstrate straightforward usage for super-resolution imaging of these targets in live cells. Therefore, KRhs merit future development for fluorescence labeling and super-resolution imaging in the NIR region.

Impaired cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in severe COVID-19 patients

The World Health Organization has declared SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak a world-wide pandemic. Individuals infected by the virus exhibited different degrees of symptoms, the basis of which remains largely unclear. Currently, though convalescent individuals have been shown with both cellular and humoral immune responses, there is very limited understanding on the immune responses, especially adaptive immune responses, in patients with severe COVID-19. Here, we examined 10 blood samples from COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The majority of them (70%) mounted SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral immunity with production of neutralizing antibodies. However, compared to healthy controls, the percentages and absolute numbers of both NK cells and CD8+ T cells were significantly reduced, accompanied with decreased IFN{gamma} expression in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood from severe patients. Most notably, we failed in detecting SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN{gamma} production by peripheral blood lymphocytes from these patients. Our work thus indicates that COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms are associated with defective cellular immunity, which not only provides insights on understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19, but also has implications in developing an effective vaccine to SARS-CoV-2.

Characterization of anti-viral immunity in recovered individuals infected by SARS-CoV-2

The WHO has declared SARS-CoV-2 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. However, to date, there was hardly any study in characterizing the immune responses, especially adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we collected blood from COVID-19 patients who have recently become virus-free and therefore were discharged, and analyzed their SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and T cell responses. We observed SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular immunity in the patients. Both were detected in newly discharged patients, suggesting both participate in immune-mediated protection to viral infection. However, follow-up patients (2 weeks post discharge) exhibited high titers of IgG antibodies, but with low levels of virus-specific T cells, suggesting that they may enter a quiescent state. Our work has thus provided a basis for further analysis of protective immunity to SARS-CoV-2, and understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19, especially in the severe cases. It has also implications in designing an effective vaccine to protect and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Stout camphor tree genome fills gaps in understanding of flowering plant genome evolution.

We present reference-quality genome assembly and annotation for the stout camphor tree (Cinnamomum kanehirae (Laurales, Lauraceae)), the first sequenced member of the Magnoliidae comprising four orders (Laurales, Magnoliales, Canellales and Piperales) and over 9,000 species. Phylogenomic analysis of 13 representative seed plant genomes indicates that magnoliid and eudicot lineages share more recent common ancestry than monocots. Two whole-genome duplication events were inferred within the magnoliid lineage: one before divergence of Laurales and Magnoliales and the other within the Lauraceae. Small-scale segmental duplications and tandem duplications also contributed to innovation in the evolutionary history of Cinnamomum. For example, expansion of the terpenoid synthase gene subfamilies within the Laurales spawned the diversity of Cinnamomum monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.

A new dammarane-tye triterpenoid saponin from roots of Panax notoginseng / 中草药

Objective: To study the minor triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Panax notoginseng, which provided basis for the systematic research, quality control and safety evaluation of P. notoginseng. Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by MCI resin, ODS, along with Preparative-HPLC, and the structures were identified by spectroscopic analysis, and comparing with the pubished literature values. Results: Twelve monomeric compounds isolated from the roots of P. notoginseng, were identified as notoginsenoside P1 (1), notoginsenoside T5 (2), ginsenoside Rk3 (3), ginsenoside Rh4 (4), notoginsenoside T3 (5), 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (6), dammar 20 (21),24-diene-3β,6α,12β-triol (7), ginsenoside Rg3 (8), gypenoside XIII (9), ginsenoside Rk1 (10), ginsenoside Rg5 (11), and 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (12). Conclusion: Compound 1 is a new dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin

Effects of perioperative intestinal microecological treatment on postoperative complications and gastrointestinal function in patients with refractory functional constipation / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of perioperative intestinal microecological treatment on postoperative complications and gastrointestinal function in patients with refractory functional constipation by nonrandomized controlled trial.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 198 patients with refractory functional constipation who underwent Jinling procedure in our department from 2014 to 2015 were prospectively enrolled, and were divided into conventional treatment group (n=100, routine intestinal preparation was used before operation; probiotics and prebiotics were applied if diarrhea or abdominal distention occurred after operation) and microecological treatment group (n=98, routine perioperative management was applied; probiotics, prebiotics and enteral nutrition were administered since 2 weeks before operation; probiotics and prebiotics were given again when exhaust and defecation recovered after operation). The general clinical data, postoperative complications, gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI), Wexner constipation score, the incidence of abdominal distension and diarrhea during follow-up were collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The baseline information was not significantly different between two groups (all P>0.05) as well as the morbidity of postoperative complication [27.6% (27/98) vs 37.0% (37/100), P=0.155]. Compared with conventional treatment group, microecological treatment group had obviously lower incidence of enteritis [2.0%(2/98) vs. 9.0% (9/100), P=0.034] and shorter postoperative hospital stay [(7.2±3.1) d vs. (9.8±3.6) d, P=0.040]. The incidences of diarrhea and abdominal distension in microecological treatment group were obviously lower than those in conventional treatment group [30.9% (29/94) vs. 46.9% (45/96), P=0.024; 44.7%(42/94) vs. 60.4%(58/96), P=0.030] at postoperative 1-month. Compared with conventional treatment group, microecological treatment group had obviously higher GIQLI (52.36 vs. 43.55, P=0.026) at postoperative 1-month. At postoperative 12-month, the incidences of diarrhea and abdominal distension decreased obviously in both two groups but without significant differences [diarrhea: 3.4% (3/89) vs. 3.3%(3/90), P=0.989; abdominal distention: 6.7% (6/89) vs. 5.6% (5/90), P=0.742]. GIQLI and Wexner score were improved but without significant differences as well (all P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Perioperative intestinal microecological treatment can obviously reduce the incidences of postoperative enteritis, early abdominal distension and early diarrhea, improve the postoperative early GIQLI, and shorten postoperative hospital stay.</p>

Efficacy and safety of the Jinling procedure in the treatment of adult Hirschsprung disease / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the safety, efficacy and long-term outcomes of Jinling procedure in the treatment of adult Hirschsprung disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical and follow-up data of 125 patients with adult Hirschsprung disease undergoing Jinling procedure at the Department of General Surgery between January 2000 and January 2013 were summarized. All the patients were diagnosed by CT, barium enema, anorectal pressure detection and pathology examination. Abdominal symptoms, gastrointestinal quality of life index(GIQLI, the lower score, the worse quality of life), Wexner constipation score (higher score indicated worse symptom), defecography (evaluation included rectocele, mucosal prolapse, intramucosal intussusception, perineal prolapse) and other operative complications were compared before and after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 125 patients, 69 were male and 56 were female with median age of (41.2±15.5) (18 to 75) years. The follow-up rates were 94.4%(118/125), 92.0%(115/125), 89.6%(112/125) and 88.0%(110/125) at postoperative months 1, 3, 6, and 12. Incidences of abdominal distension and abdominal pain were 100% and 82.4%(103/125) before operation, and were 7.3%(8/110) and 20.9%(23/110) at 12 months after surgery. Wexner score was significantly lower at postoperative months 1(8.7±2.9), 3 (7.2±2.8), 6(6.7±2.2) and 12(6.3±1.7) than that before operation (21.4±7.2) (P<0.01). GIQLI score was 51.6±11.9 before operation, though it decreased at 1 month (47.3±5.5)(P<0.05) after surgery, but increased significantly at postoperative months 3, 6, 12(68.9±8.0, 96.5±8.2, 103.2±8.6)(P<0.01). Abnormal rate of defecography was 70.4%(81/115), 48.2%(54/112) and 27.3%(30/110) at postoperative months 3, 6, 12, which was significantly lower than 91.2%(114/125) before operation (P<0.01). Morbidity of postoperative complication was 29.6%(37/125), including 5 cases of surgical site infection (4.0%), 2 of anastomotic bleeding (1.6%), 8 of anastomotic leakage (6.4%, one died of severe abdominal infection), 4 of urinary retention (3.2%), 3 of recurrent constipation (2.4%, without megacolon relapse), 11 of bowel obstruction (8.8%), 2 of anastomotic stricture(1.6%) and 2 of refractory staphylococcus aureus enteritis (1.6%, diagnosed by stool smear and culture, and both died finally).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Jinling procedure is a safe and effective surgical procedure for adult Hirschsprung's disease.</p>

Therapeutic effect and long-term follow-up of the Jinling procedure for refractory constipation: a series of 1 100 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the safety, effectiveness and long-term results of Jinling procedure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1 100 patients with refractory constipation were admitted to the Institute of General Surgery between February 2000 and December 2013 and received Jinling procedure. There were 217 male and 883 female patients with an average age of (45±15) years and an average duration of (275±159) months. The Jinling procedure modifies the classic procedure of subtotal colectomy with colorectal anastomosis by adding a new side-to-side cecorectal anastomosis. The general clinical data, postoperative complications, gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI), Wexner constipation score, satisfaction rate, body composition, nutritional status, homeostasis, anal manometry and defecography during follow-up were collected. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test analysis, χ(2) test or Fisher's exact probability.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The postoperative follow-up rate were 96.73%, 94.36%, 93.00% and 92.55% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The satisfaction rate were 62.50%, 72.45%, 93.16% and 94.70% respectively during 1, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. The postoperative 1 month, GIQLI was lower than that of preoperative (P=0.038), but significantly better at postoperative 3 month than the preoperative (P=0.022), and gradually improve after then. Wexner score was significantly lower at postoperative 1 month than the preoperative (P=0.018), and with the gradually reduce. Compared to the preoperative baseline, all body composition and serum protein parameters decreased significantly at the one-month follow-up and then increased gradually over the remaining follow-up period. Weight and prealbumin were significantly higher than the preoperative at postoperative 12 month. Jinling procedure had no effect on electrolytes. All patients were detected in defecography before surgery, but these abnormal indicators were improved after surgery. Anal function, coordinated movement anorectal function, anorectal reflex and rectal sensation were injured at early postoperative, but as time goes on, these indicators gradually returned to preoperative levels, some indicators better than the preoperative level. Postoperative surgical site infection, anastomotic bleeding , anastomotic leakage, urinary retention, sexual dysfunction, recurrent constipation, bowel obstruction, anastomotic stricture and mortality rates were 4.36%, 5.45%, 6.00%, 6.91%, 0.64%, 0.45%, 8.82%, 4.00% and 0.27% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Jinling procedure is a safe and effective surgical procedure for refractory constipation. It can improve defecation function and quality of life significantly, and has a high follow-up satisfaction rate.</p>

Efficacy of combined pranoprofen eye drops and artificial tears on the treatment of mild to moderate dry eye syndrome after trabbeculectomy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AlM:To evaluate the efficacy of combined pranoprofen eye drops and artificial tears on the treatment of mild to moderate dry eye syndrome after trabbeculectomy.METHODS:This prospective case control study included 63 cases (63 eyes) of patients with mild to moderate dry eye syndrome after trabbeculectomy in our hospital from November 2013 to June 2013. All subjects were randomly divided into two groups. Observation group was treated with combined pranoprofen eye drops and artificial tears and control group received simple artificial tears marking the eyes at 1, 2, 4wk. The patient's symptoms, signs, BUT, S▏t, and FL were observed before treatment and 1, 2, 4wk after treatment.RESULTS: After 2wk, the symptoms of observation group were improved, there was statistically significant difference (P<0. 05). FL difference of each group was statistically significant ( P<0. 05 ); After 4wk, symptoms and signs were improved. There was statistically significant difference ( P < 0. 05 ). The BUT of the observation group and corneal FL scores of two groups showed significant differences (P<0. 05). CONCLUSlON: Artificial tears joint pranoprofen eye drops has good curative effect in the treatment of mild to moderate dry eye syndrome after trabbeculectomy.

Establishment of rat slow transit constipation model by selective chemical ablation of the enteric plexus / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an innovative rat model of slow transit constipation by selective chemical ablation of the colon enteric plexus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sprague Dawley rats, 5-6 weeks old, were randomly divided into normal control group, sham operation group, treatment group I, II, III, IIII. The normal control group did not receive treatment. Rats in the sham operation group and the treatment groups received abdominal operation under anesthesia, and the gauze containing 0.9% normal saline, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.25%, 0.5% benzalkonium chloride (BAC) was applied into colon for 30 minutes. Two weeks after operation, the number of feces, fecal dry weight in 24 h and gastrointestinal transit time were recorded, then hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry, ELISA were used for the evaluation of colonic pathology, enteric plexus, Interstitial cells of Cajal and neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the normal control group and the sham operation group, the gastrointestinal transit time was significantly prolonged and fecal dry weight was lower in the treatment group II, III (all P<0.05). HE and immunohistochemical staining showed varying degrees of pathological changes in the treatment groups and in line with the pathological changes of slow transit constipation. 5-HT concentration reduced significantly in treatment group III compared to other groups (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The animal model of STC is successfully established by applying 0.25% BAC selective chemical ablation of the colon enteric plexus. This model is simple, stable, and is more in line with pathological changes of slow transit constipation.</p>

Expression of TMEM16A in the colon of intractable functional constipation patients and its clinical implications / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of TMEMl6A in the colon of intractable functional constipation patients and its clinical implications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 30 patients with intractable chronic functional constipation were selected as trial group (full thickness tissue of sigmoid colon), 30 patients with colon cancer as control group (distant tissues at least 5 cm away from cancer). Tissues from two groups were collected in our hospital from February 2012 to June 2014 and confirmed by pathological diagnosis. Immunofluorescence staining, RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of TMEM16A and c-kit in colon.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TMEM16A and c-kit protein expressions were observed in similar sites of colon tissues in two groups. Expressions of TMEM16A and C-kit in colon tissues detected by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and Western blotting were significantly lower in trial group than those in control group (TMEM16A: mean A 1.84±0.25 vs. 3.65±0.32, P<0.05, gray intensity ratio 0.66±0.07 vs. 1.04±0.17, P<0.05, relative mRNA 0.41±0.05 vs. 1.00, P<0.05; c-kit: mean A 3.38±0.24 vs. 5.06±0.31, gray intensity ratio 0.64±0.06 vs. 0.98±0.09, relative mRNA 0.18±0.08 vs. 1.00, all P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TMEM16A expression in colon tissues of intractable functional constipation patients is significantly lower and may adjust the movement of colonic smooth muscle by regulating the c-kit expression. TMEMl6A may be used as a new candidate target for diagnosis and treatment of intractable functional constipation.</p>

Operative and long term results after diseased bowel resection for chronic radiation enteritis complicated with intestinal obstruction / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To report operative and long-term results after surgery for chronic radiation enteritis and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of surgery and investigate the risk factors of postoperative survival rate.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 120 CRE patients performed with diseased bowel resection from June 2001 to March 2011 were analyzed retrospectively and followed up by telephone. There were 22 male and 98 female patients and their age were 23-82 years (median 52 years). Their demographic data, the cancer history, the characteristics of radiotherapy received (total dose, defined as the cumulative dose of external and endocavity radiation), the time interval between the first symptoms and the first surgical procedure, postoperative complications, length of residual small bowel, postoperative survival rate were recorded. Evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of surgery and investigate the risk factors of postoperative survival rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The postoperative overall complications and the incidence of moderate to severe complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade III-V) were 61.7% and 33.3%, respectively. The postopertive mortality was 2.5%. The survival probabilities were 96%, 60% and 37% at 1-, 5- and 10-years, respectively. At the end of follow up, the mean of body mass index (BMI) increased compared with the BMI of preoperatiive ((17.6 ± 3.0) kg/m(2) vs. (20.2 ± 3.0) kg/m(2), t = 6.01, P < 0.01). The 93% of patients can stop PN and regain full oral diet after operation (χ(2) = 164.1, P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, survival was significantly decreased with residual neoplastic disease (HR = 4.082, 95%CI: 1.318-12.648), an American Society of Anesthesiologists score>3 (HR = 3.495, 95%CI: 1.131-10.800) and an age of chronic radiation enteritis diagnosis >70 years (HR = 2.800, 95%CI: 0.853-9.189).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The survival of patients with chronic radiation enteritis complicated with intestinal obstruction after intestinal resection was good and was mainly influenced by underlying comorbidities. Majority of the patients can stop PN and regain full oral diet after operation.</p>

Influence of preoperative nutritional support on surgical outcomes of chronic radiation enteritis patients complicated with intestinal obstruction / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of preoperative nutritional support in the management of patients with chronic radiation enteritis (CRE) with intestinal obstruction undergoing resectional surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 158 CRE patients undergoing diseased bowel resection from 2001 to 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 130 patients received preoperative nutritional support, including 28 patients with enteral nutrition support, 60 patients with total parenteral nutrition support, and 42 patients with combined nutritional support. The nutritional parameters, procedures, operation-related complications, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After aggressive nutritional support in 130 patients, patients nutritional index, such as serum prealbumin, transferrin, serum albumin improved significantly preoperatively, while the change of body mass index and hemoglobin was not significant. Compared to those without preoperative nutritional support, those who received preoperative nutritional support had lower stoma rate (31.5% vs. 53.6%, P=0.027), less postoperative infection rate (13.8% vs. 32.1%, P=0.019), shorter postoperative hospital stay [(14.1±7.3) d vs. (18.8±15.8) d, P=0.013). Enteral nutrition group had less postoperative infection rate (7.1% vs. 21.7%, P=0.017), lower stoma rate (28.6% vs. 48.3%, P=0.02), and shorter postoperative hospital stay [(15.5±9.6) d vs. (21.7±19.0) d, P=0.025) as compared to total parenteral nutrition group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preoperative nutritional support can decrease the stoma rate, postoperative infection rate, and shorten hospital stay in CRE patients complicated with intestinal obstruction. If tolerated, enteral nutrition support should be chosen.</p>

A multidimensional sensing device for the discrimination of proteins based on manganese-doped ZnS quantum dots.

Lab-on-a-nanoparticle: the triple-channel optical properties of Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (fluorescence, phosphorescence, and light scattering) are explored to develop a multidimensional sensing device for the discrimination of proteins in a lab-on-a-nanoparticle approach.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on learning-memory ability of vascular dementia rats with concomitant hypertension and hyperlipemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of acupoint recipe for "dredging Governor-Meridian, regulating vitality and strengthening the kidney" on learning-memory ability and pathological changes of cerebral minute blood vessels and hippocampal structure in hypertension-hyperlipmia-vascular dementia (HH-VD) rats. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation (sham) group (n=8), EA-I group [n=8, EA of "Baihui" (GV 20), "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Pishu" (BL 20) and "Shenshu" (BL 23), 80 Hz, 1 mA, 20 min/day, 15 days], EA-II group (n=8, EA of nonpoints, 5 mm lateral to the abovementioned acupoints), medication group (n=8, intragastric perfusion of Nimotong, 0.6 mg/mL, 20 mL/kg, 15 days), model group (n=8). HH-VD model was established by feeding the rat with high fat forage and by occlusion of the left renal artery and carotid artery. The animals' learning-memory ability was detected by Y-maze test, the synaptic structure of the hippocampal CA 1 region, and the pathological change of the cerebral cortex were observed by electronic microscope and light microscope, respectively. RESULTS: After modeling, the blood pressure, serum total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels, and the error number (EN), total reaction time (TRT) and standard number (SN, number of paw-electric-stroke for reaching correct reactions) of Y maze test increased significantly in comparison with sham group (P<0.05). After EA, the EN, TRT and SN of EA-I , EA-II and medication groups decreased significantly in comparison with model group (P<0.01), suggesting a striking improvement of the learning-memory ability after the treatment, and the EN, TRT and SN of EA-I group and medication group were significantly lower than those of EA-II group (P<0.05). Under electronic microscope, the number of synapses in hippocampal CA 1 area of HH-VD model rats reduced obviously, its postsynaptic density (PSD) was lighter, and the synaptic vesicles were fewer. Whereas in comparison with EA-II and medication groups, the synaptic number and density in EA-I group were more and bigger, and the width, length and color of PSD increased clearly. The synaptic number of EA-II group was relatively smaller compared with the other two treatment groups. Under light microscope, the vascular walls of the cerebral minute and small arteries of model group were obviously thickened and their lumina narrowed. While in EA-I group, these pathological changes were mild. In medication group the thickening of vascular walls of partial cerebral minute and small arteries were also seen. CONCLUSION: EA of acupoint recipe for "dredging Governor-Meridian, regulating vitality and strengthening the kidney" can improve pathological changes of the synaptic structure of hippocampal CA 1 region and the vascular walls of cerebral minute and small arteries, which may contribute to its function in improving the learning-memory ability in HH-VD rats.

Clinical analysis of 18 cases with postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome after pancreaticoduodenectomy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prevention and treatment for postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome (PGS) after pancreaticoduodenectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 18 PGS cases after pancreaticoduodenectomy were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PGS of these 18 patients occurred within 4-10 days after operation. All of the PGS patients were cured with mean 25.4 days by conservative therapy and no one received re-operation. PGS was closely associated with the operation procedure (chi(2)=3.90, P<0.05)and postoperative complications (chi(2)=3.92, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Incidence of PGS can be decreased by improvement of surgical procedure and prevention of abdominal complications. PGS can be cured by conservative therapy generally. Re-operation should be avoided.</p>

Epidemiologic study on STD/HIV infections among tin mining workers in Gejiu, Yunnan province / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) related knowledge, the prevalence and risk factors for HIV/STDs among tin miners in Gejiu, Yunnan Province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study was conducted in tin miners working at 5 mining regions from March to June 2006 in Gejiu City, Yunnan Province. A total of 1796 miners were enrolled in the study, and a standardized questionnaire was administered probing socio-demographic factors, knowledge of HIV/STDs and sexual behavior. 7 ml-volume venous blood and 15 ml urine specimens were collected for HIV/STDs testing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twelve participants [0.7%] (12/1760) were identified HIV positive. While, the positive proportions for syphilis, herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2), Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachoma were 1.8% (31/1760), 9.6% (169/1760), 0.8% (14/1773), 4.8% (85/1773), respectively. The total prevalence of STDs was 14.9% (264/1776). Factors associated with HIV infection were illegal drug use (adjusted OR = 17.8; 95% CI: 4.0 - 78.8), frequencies of visiting female sex workers in the past twelve months (adjusted OR = 8.7; 95% CI: 1.9 - 39.0), tattoos (adjusted OR = 6.6; 95% CI: 1.8 - 24.0), surgical operation experiences (adjusted OR = 6.0; 95% CI: 1.6 - 22.5) and toothbrush sharing (adjusted OR = 5.6; 95% CI: 1.0 - 31.3). Factors associated with STDs infection were race (adjusted OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5 - 2.7), age (adjusted OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0 - 2.9), illegal drug use (adjusted OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.0 - 5.2), living with spouses (adjusted OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1 - 1.9) and visiting female sex workers (adjusted OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4 - 2.6). Only 4.1% (49/1201) of respondents aware the correct transmission routes of HIV. 21.6% (339/1569) of the miners who had previous sexual experience self-reported visiting female sex workers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HIV and other STDs are highly prevalent amongst miners in this region. In addition, the awareness of HIV/STDs is low and multiple routes of HIV transmission, such as heterosexual intercourse and IDU, were also observed in these study subject. HIV/STDs interventions should therefore be reinforced among the miners in this region.</p>

Study on sexual behavior and HIV/STIs among miners in Yunnan province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This paper aims to describe human immunodeficiency virus/sexual transmitted infections (HIV/STIs) related knowledge, attitudes, practice and the prevalence of HIV/STIs amongst miners.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two focus-group related discussions with a total number of 13 members including Community Advisory Boards (CAB) and 12 miners were conducted in a mining township in Yunnan province. Questionnaire surveys and HIV/STIs tests were conducted among 233 miners recruited by cluster sampling in two towns where the mines were located.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average age of respondents was 28 year old with 82.8% of them younger than 35 year old. 95.3% of the respondents attended the education level of junior middle school. AIDS related knowledge among miners was low. The percentage of right answers to the routes of transmission was only 54.4%. The ratio of self-reported prostitutes visits was 9.0%. The prevalence rates of Neisseria gonrrhoeae, HIV and Chlamydia trachomatis were 0.4%, 0.4%and 8.2% respectively. The correlation between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and education (P = 0.0347) was significant, and so was that between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and marriage status (P = 0.032).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study showed that the awareness of HIV/STIs prevention was limited and the rate of condom use was low, suggesting that miners needed to be viewed as a key population in HIV/STIs prevention and control.</p>