Individualized Nutritional Support for Hospitalized Patients With Oropharyngeal Dysphagia After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Post-stroke dysphagia may cause aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and other complications. However, data on the effects of nutritional supplementation and its value after stroke are insufficient. We aimed to evaluate the effect of an individualized 1-week nutrition intervention program on swallowing function and nutritional status in stroke patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. Methods: This study comprised the control group receiving oral nutritional support and continuous nasogastric tube feeding according to the results of the water swallow test (WST). The intervention group additionally underwent a volume-viscosity swallowing test (V-VST) and intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding based on WST. The outcomes were measured after 7 days of intervention, including the improvement of swallowing function assessment by WST, biochemical parameters, such as total serum protein, serum albumin, hemoglobin levels and body composition. This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier ChiCTR 2100054054. Results: In total, 173 participants completed the study between September 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021. Patients receiving individualized nutritional support showed a more significant improvement in the total effective rate of swallowing function (95.3% vs. 85.1%, P < 0.05). After the intervention, the total serum protein level (0.97 ± 0.41 vs. -0.83 ± 0.47 g/L; P < 0.05), serum albumin level (0.33 ± 0.28 vs. -1.39 ± 0.36 g/L; P < 0.001) and lean tissue mass (0.13 ± 0.35 vs. -1.00 ± 0.40 g/L; P < 0.05) increased in the intervention group. The decrease of hemoglobin levels in the control group was more evident (-6.17 ± 1.63 vs. -0.64 ± 1.40 g/L; 95%CI, -9.78 to -1.28; P = 0.001). The difference of phase angle between the two groups was statistically significant (5.93 ± 0.88° vs. 5.77 ± 0.78°; P = 0.035), but not in body fat mass. Conclusions: In stroke patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, the use of individualized nutritional support based on V-VST and intermittent oroesophageal tube feeding during the first week of hospitalization improved swallowing function and maintained nutritional status. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: ChiCTR 2100054054.

Anti-inflammatory effect of qingpeng ointment in atopic dermatitis-like murine model.

Qingpeng ointment (QP) is a Chinese medicine which has been used in treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in China. AD-like lesions were induced in BALB/c mice by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) on shaved backs. The mice were then treated for 2 weeks with QP of different concentrations and Mometasone Furoate cream (MF), respectively. Macroscopic and microscopic changes of the skin lesions were observed after the treatment. The levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E, tissue interferon (IFN)- γ , and interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A and the levels of involucrin, filaggrin, and kallikrein7 in epidermis were measured. The results show severe dermatitis with immune profiles similar to human acute AD. A significant infiltration of CD4(+) T and mast cells was observed in dermis of lesion but inhibited by QP after a 2-week treatment with it. The production of IgE, IL-4 and the mRNA expression of IL-17A were also suppressed, but the level of IFN- γ was increased. MF suppressed all production of these cytokines and IgE. Accordingly, the mechanism of QP on AD might correlate with its ability of modulating the immune dysfunctions rather than suppressing them. It had no effect on expressions of involucrin and filaggrin, except that its vehicle decreased the level of kallikrein7.

Identification and expression of the gene product encoding a CPD photolyase from Dunaliella salina.

Ultraviolet light induces photoproducts, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (6-4) photoproducts (6-4PPs), in cellular DNA, which cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on the cells. Cells have several DNA repair mechanisms to repair the damage and to maintain genetic information of the cells. Photoreactivation is one of the DNA repair mechanism to remove UV-induced DNA damage from cellular DNA catalyzed by photolyase under visible light. Two types of photolyase, CPD photolyase and (6-4) photolyase, are specific for CPDs and for (6-4)PPs. We have isolated a gene product encoding CPD photolyase, named PHR2, from Dunaliella salina which is a kind of unicellular alga. Sequence analysis showed that PHR2 encodes a protein that has 529 amino acids and is similar to other Class II CPD photolyase. The complementation assay of the photoreactivation deficiency of the Escherichia coli SY2 by PHR2 cDNA showed a significant increase in survival rate when cells were irradiated with UV-C. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that the transcription of PHR2 was induced by UV-C, white light, high salinity, and H(2)O(2).

Cosmetic dermatitis in Chinese eczema patients patch tested with a modified European standard series of allergens.

The prevalence of cosmetic allergic contact dermatitis (CACD) in Chinese eczema patients (CEP) has not been reported. The purpose of our study was to analyse CACD in CEP and examine the frequency of patch test (PT) reactions to common cosmetic-related allergens (CRA). 378 consecutive CEP patch tested with a modified European standard series of allergens during a 2-year period in our clinic were analysed. 73 patients (19.3%) were considered as suspected CACD and 37 patients (9.8%) were confirmed. The frequencies of the positive PT reactions in suspected CACD and confirmed CACD to at least 1 CRA were 64.4% and 89.2%, to para-phenylenediamine (PPD) were 31.5% and 59.5%, to fragrance mix (FM) were 27.4% and 32.4% and to imidazolidinylurea were 5.5% and 8.1%, respectively. These results were much higher than those of CEP without cosmetic reactions (26.3% for at least 1 CRA, 5.8% for PPD, 8.8% for FM, and 0 for imidazolidinylurea) (P < 0.01 for all, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test). These results suggested that CACD is very common in CEP patch tested. PPD and FM are the leading allergens identified. CACD should be strongly considered in CEP with positive PT reactions to PPD, FM and imidazolidinylurea.