Impact of intravitreal triamcinolone injection following epiretinal membrane peeling on ectopic inner foveal layer classification.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) administration after peeling of idiopathic epiretinal membranes (iERM) on both anatomical and visual outcomes, utilizing the ectopic inner foveal layer (EIFL) staging scheme. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, we analyzed 43 eyes from 43 patients diagnosed with iERM between June 2019 and December 2021. All participants were categorized into the TA or control groups based on administering intravitreal TA injection following ERM peeling. We thoroughly reviewed the clinical data, including the preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and macular cube volume (VOL), with ERM stages classified according to the EIFL staging scheme. RESULTS: The study enrolled 22 eyes in the TA and 21 in the control groups. Following a mean follow-up period of 11.07 ± 2.02 months, noteworthy improvements in EIFL stages were observed in both cohorts (p < 0.01), but without significant distinctions between groups. In the TA group, 63.64% of eyes demonstrated improvements in EIFL stages, while the control group exhibited 76.19% (p = 0.37). At the final visit, both groups experienced a noteworthy reduction in the postoperative CFT and VOL (p < 0.05), coupled with significant improvement in BCVA (p < 0.01). No substantial differences appeared between the two groups concerning BCVA, CFT, and VOL (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that concurrent intravitreal TA injection following ERM removal did not provide additional benefits regarding anatomical and visual improvement in iERM cases classified as Stages 2 and 3.

Xiangbinfang granules enhance gastric antrum motility via intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal in mice.

BACKGROUND: Interdigestive migrating motor complexes (MMC) produce periodic contractions in the gastrointestinal tract, but the exact mechanism of action still remains unclear. Intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) participate in gastrointestinal hormone and neuromodulation, but the correlation between ICC-IM and MMC is also unclear. We found that xiangbinfang granules (XBF) mediated the phase III contraction of MMC. Here, the effects of XBF on gastric antrum motility in W/W v mice and the effects of ICC-IM on gastric antrum MMC are reported. AIM: To observe the effects of ICC-IM on gastric antrum motility and to establish the mechanism of XBF in promoting gastric antrum motility. METHODS: The density of c-kit-positive ICC myenteric plexus (ICC-MP) and ICC-IM in the antral muscularis of W/W v and wild-type (WT) mice was examined by confocal microscopy. The effects of XBF on gastric antrum slow waves in W/W v and WT mice were recorded by intracellular amplification recording. Micro-strain-gauge force transducers were implanted into the gastric antrum to monitor the MMC and the effect of XBF on gastric antrum motility in conscious W/W v and WT mice. RESULTS: In the gastric antrum of W/W v mice, c-kit immunoreactivity was significantly reduced, and no ICC-IM network was observed. Spontaneous rhythmic slow waves also appeared in the antrum of W/W v mice, but the amplitude of the antrum slow wave decreased significantly in W/W v mice (22.62 ± 2.23 mV vs 2.92 ± 0.52 mV, P < 0.0001). MMCs were found in 7 of the 8 WT mice but no complete MMC cycle was found in W/W v mice. The contractile frequency and amplitude index of the gastric antrum were significantly increased in conscious WT compared to W/W v mice (frequency, 3.53 ± 0.18 cpm vs 1.28 ± 0.12 cpm; amplitude index, 23014.26 ± 1798.65 mV·20 min vs 3782.16 ± 407.13 mV·20 min; P < 0.0001). XBF depolarized smooth muscle cells of the gastric antrum in WT and W/W v mice in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, the gastric antrum motility in WT mice was significantly increased after treatment with XBF 5 mg (P < 0.05). Atropine (0.1 mg/kg) blocked the enhancement of XBF in WT and W/W v mice completely, while tetrodotoxin (0.05 mg/kg) partially inhibited the enhancement by XBF. CONCLUSION: ICC-IM participates in the regulation of gastric antrum MMC in mice. XBF induces MMC III-like contractions that enhance gastric antrum motility via ICC-IM in mice.

Rapid rehabilitation technique with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine promotes postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery.

BACKGROUND: During the perioperative period, the characteristic therapy of traditional Chinese medicine is effective in improving postoperative rehabilitation. In large-scale hospitals practicing traditional Chinese medicine, there is accumulating experience related to the promotion of fast recovery in the perioperative period. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yikou-Sizi powder hot compress on Shenque acupuncture point combined with rapid rehabilitation technique. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled study included two groups: Treatment group and control group. The patients in the treatment group and control group received Yikou-Sizi powder hot compress on Shenque acupuncture point combined with rapid rehabilitation technique and routine treatment, respectively. Clinical observation regarding postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function was performed, including the times to first passage of flatus, first defecation, and first normal bowel sounds. The comparison between groups was conducted through descriptive analysis, χ 2, t, F, and rank-sum tests. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the time to postoperative first defecation between the treatment and control group (87.16 ± 32.09 vs 109.79 ± 40.25 h, respectively; P < 0.05). Similarly, the time to initial recovery of bowel sounds in the treatment group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (61.17 ± 26.75 vs 79.19 ± 33.35 h, respectively; P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the time to initial exhaust between the treatment and control groups (51.54 ± 23.66 vs 62.24 ± 25.95 h, respectively; P > 0.05). The hospitalization expenses for the two groups of patients were 62283.45 ± 12413.90 and 62059.42 ± 11350.51 yuan, respectively. Although the cost of hospitalization was decreased in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). This clinical trial was safe without reports of any adverse reaction or event. CONCLUSION: The rapid rehabilitation technique with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine promotes the recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function and is significantly better than standard approach for patients after colorectal surgery.

[Effects of light intensity on growth, survival, metabolism and related enzyme activities of Sepia pharaonis.] / å ‰ç §å¼ºåº¦å¯¹è™Žæ–‘ä¹Œè´¼ç”Ÿé•¿ã€å­˜æ´»ã€ä»£è°¢åŠç›¸å ³é ¶æ´»æ€§çš„å½±å“.

An experiment with single-factor design was conducted to investigate the effects of light intensity on growth and survival of cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis). The specific growth rate, survival rate, oxygen consumption rate, ammonia excretion rate, lactic acid content in muscle, respiratory metabolic enzymes (including hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase), supero-xide dismutase, and malondialdehyde in liver were measured in five constant light intensity treatments (10, 30, 50, 70, 90 µmol·m-2·s-1). The main results were as follows: The specific growth rate and survival rate remained steady initially and then decreased gradually with the increases of light intensity. There was no significant difference between groups 10 and 30 µmol·m-2·s-1, but they were significantly higher than those of the other groups. Exposed to light intensities of 10 and 30 µmol·m-2·s-1, the specific growth rates were (8.43±0.22)%·d-1 and (8.47±0.17)%·d-1, and the survival rates were (79.2±5.9)% and (80.0±4.9)%, respectively. Oxygen consumption rates and ammonia excretion rates increased first slowly and then sharply, and reached the maximum value when light intensity was 90 µmol·m-2·s-1, which was significantly higher than those of the other groups. Lactic acid content in muscle firstly decreased and then increased, with the minimum value at 30 µmol·m-2·s-1. The acid content of 10 µmol·m-2·s-1 was significantly lower than those of the other groups except 30 and 50 µmol·m-2·s-1. With the increases of light intensity, the activities of HK and PK in gills remained steady initially and then decreased gradually, and reached the highest level when exposed to 10 and 30 µmol·m-2·s-1, which were significantly higher than those of the other groups. LDH activity in muscle had the lowest level at the light intensity of 10 and 30 µmol·m-2·s-1, which was significantly lower than those of the other groups. SOD activity in liver firstly increased and then decreased, and reached the highest level ((104.93±4.17) U·mg-1 pro) when exposed to 70 µmol·m-2·s-1, which was significantly higher than those of the other groups. MDA content in liver first remained steady and then increased gradually, and reached the highest level ((5.06±0.35) nmol·mg-1 pro) when exposed to 90 µmol·m-2·s-1, which was significantly higher than those of the other groups. In conclusion, the optimum light intensities for growth, survival and metabolism of S. pharaonis were 10 and 30 µmol·m-2·s-1, beyond which S. pharaonis would be under stress. Therefore, sunproof measures should be taken to keep weak light condition in culture practice.

[Effects of light intensity and photoperiod on the embryonic development of Sepia pharaonis.] / å ‰ç §å¼ºåº¦ä¸Žå ‰å‘¨æœŸå¯¹è™Žæ–‘ä¹Œè´¼èƒšèƒŽå‘è‚²çš„å½±å“.

We investigated the effects of lumination on hatching of fertilized eggs of Sepia pharaonis, to reveal the best light conditions for its embryonic development. A single-factor experiment was carried out to examine the effects of different light intensities (10, 30, 50, 70, 90 µmol·m-2·s-1) and different photoperiod L:D (24 h:0 h, 18 h:6 h, 12 h:12 h, 6 h:18 h, 0 h:24 h) on the embryonic development. The results showed that the effects of light intensity on the hatching rate, fractured yolk sac rate, incubation period, mass of newly hatched larvae and mantle length was significant. There was no significant effect on hatching period and survival rate after hatching 7 days. With the increases of light intensity, the hatching rate, incubation period, mass of newly hatched larvae and mantle length first increased and then decreased, while the fractured yolk sac rate gradually increased. The optimum light intensity was 30 µmol·m-2·s-1. Exposed to this light intensity, the hatching rate, fractured yolk sac rate, incubation period, hatching period, mass of newly hatched larvae, mantle length and survival rate after hatching 7 days were (90.0±4.1)%, (7.3±1.5)%, (25.50±0.35) d, (8.10±0.89) d, (0.213±0.011) g, (1.013±0.022) cm, (97.1±4.0)%, respectively. The effects of photoperiod on the hatching rate, incubation period, hatching period were significant, but there was no significant effect on fractured yolk sac rate, mass of newly hatched larvae, mantle length and survival rate after hatching 7 days. With the increases of illumination time, the hatching rate and hatching period first increased and then decreased. The optimum photoperiod was L:D (12 h:12 h). When exposed to this photoperiod environment, the hatching rate, fractured yolk sac rate, incubation period, hatching period, mass of newly hatched larvae, mantle length and survival rate after hatching 7 days were (88.7±1.8)%, (8.7±1.8)%, (25.00±0.50) d, (7.00±3.20) d, (0.209±0.005) g, (0.998±0.026) cm, (96.8±7.1)%, respectively. In conclusion, embryo hatchability of S. pharaonis preferred to low light intensity (30 µmol·m-2·s-1) and normal photoperiod L:D (12 h:12 h). In production practice, sunproof measures should be taken to keep the eggs in weak light condition.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Xiangbin prescription on gastrointestinal motility.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Xiangbin prescription (XBP), a Chinese herbal concoction, on gastrointestinal motility. METHODS: Forty healthy volunteers were recruited for this randomized controlled trial of XBP. Antroduodenojejunal manometry was used to monitor gastrointestinal motility in these subjects. After the subjects had fasted for at least 12 h, XBP (n = 30) or placebo (n = 10) was orally administrated and gastrointestinal motility was recorded for 4 h. Plasma motilin and ghrelin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Oral administration of XBP significantly increased the amplitude of duodenal contractions [19.5 (13.0-26.7) vs 16.9 (12.3-23.9), P < 0.05], jejunal contractions [18.3 (15.3-25.0) vs 15.4 (11.7-23.9), P < 0.01], and the motility index of duodenal contractions [522.0 (146.0-139.0) vs 281.0 (76.5-1006.0), P < 0.01] in phase II of the migratory motor complex (MMC), which subsequently initiated the MMC cycle [74.0 (30.0-118.0) vs 116.5 (24.0-219.0), P < 0.05], shortened the duration of phase I of the MMC [42.0 (0.0-90.0) vs 111.5 (42.0-171.0), P < 0.01], and lengthened the duration of phase II of the MMC [120 (21-240) vs 58 (16-170), P < 0.01] compared to the duration before XBP administration. There were significant differences in the amplitude of jejunal contractions [19.8 (14.0-30.0) vs 18.0 (13.0-28.5), P < 0.05], the motility index of duodenal contractions [236.0 (115.0-306.0) vs 195.0 (109.0-310.0), P < 0.05)], and jejunal contractions [214.0 (95.0-403.0) vs 178.0 (55.0-304.0), P < 0.01] in phase III of the MMC. Oral administration of XBP greatly increased plasma motilin (57.69 ± 9.03 vs 49.38 ± 8.63, P < 0.01) and ghrelin (279.20 ± 104.31 vs 238.73 ± 115.59, P < 0.01) concentrations compared to concentrations after oral administration of the placebo. CONCLUSION: XBP can stimulate duodenal and jejunal motility and increase the concentrations of plasma motilin and ghrelin. The clinical applicability of XBP in treating GDIM deserves investigation.

[Advance in studies on areca nuts and their active substances].

A number of clinical practices and studies indicated that areca nuts showed such effects as anthelmintic, food retention removal, qi activation and diuresis, and elimination of wetness and jaundice. Arecoline is the most important pharmacological active ingredient for healthcare from areca plants with a wide influence on human functions. In recent years, a lot of studies have been made on areca nuts and arecoline's pharmacology, physiology and immunity. The article summarizes areca nuts and their active substances.