ABSTRACT
Objective:To examine the impact of berberine on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in mice, and to investigate the effects of berberine on the intestinal flora and the intestinal flora on PCOS.Methods:A mouse model of PCOS was established by administering dehydroepiandrosterone in combination with high fat diet, and the mouse model was given a berberine treatment. The study consisted of a blank control group (C group), a PCOS model group (M group) and a berberine treatment group (T group). During the experiment, the mice were closely monitored through timed body weight measurements and estrous cycle monitoring; intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were done. Upon completion of the pharmacological intervention, the wet weights of liver, ovary and fat deposits of mice were assessed and subjected to HE staining to confirm the success of PCOS modeling and the efficacy of berberine. Additionally, fecal samples were analyzed for intestinal flora through 16S rRNA analysis.Results:The PCOS model was established successfully, berberine alleviated the disturbance of estrous cycle in mice, and significantly alleviated fat accumulation and metabolic abnormalities of glucose in mice. The cross-sectional area of fat pad cells in T group was (2 858±146) μm2, which was significantly lower than that in M group [(9 518±347) μm2], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The blood glucose levels in T group were significantly lower than those in M group ( P<0.05). The composition and structure of intestinal flora in mice of M group with PCOS (compared with C group) and in mice of T group after berberine intervention (compared with M group) were significantly altered. However, alpha diversity did not change significantly among three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Berberine could alleviate PCOS by intervening in the alterations of gut microbiota.
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Objective To explore the effect of early comprehensive rehabilitation therapy on dysphagia after stroke. Methods A total of 120 stroke patients with dysphagia were collected from December 2006 to May 2009 and divided into 3 trial groups and a control group randomly.No treatment was given to patients in the control group.Patients in trial group 1(T1)were given rehabilitation training,while patients in trial groups 2(T2)and 3(T3)were treated with VitalStim and electrical acupuncture,respectively,in addition to the rehabilitation training.A standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) and the swallowing quality of life(SWAL-QOL) scale were used to evalu-ate all the patients before and after 4 weeks of treatment. ResuIts No statistically significant difference was re-vealed before the treatment among the groups in terms of the patients'sex,age,course of disease,SSA or SWAL-QOL results.Statistically significant improvement was observed after treatment in the 3 trial group,but not in the control group with regard to the SSA and SWAL-QOL scores compared with those before treatment.The trial groups all had higher scores than the control group after treatment.while T2 and T3 had higher scores than T1 after treatment.There was no statistically significant difference between groups T2 and T3.Conclusions Early compre-hensive rehabilitation therapy can improve swallowing and the quality of life of stroke patients with dysphagia.Reha-bilitation combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation provides effects similar to that of training combined with electrical accupuneture,and is more effective than simple training in treating dysphagia.
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Objective To explore body image(BI),prosthesis satisfaction and quality of life(QOL)of amputees from Wenchuan earthquake and the relationship among them to provide evidence for the intervention.Methods A total of 21 amputees accepted a survey regarding QOL,BI,and satisfaction with prosthesis.The scale of SF-36 was used to assess QOL.Amputees Bodily Image Scale(ABIS)was;used to assess BI.A self-design questionnaire wag used to evaluate the prosthesis satisfaction of amputees.Results The scores of SF-36,ABIS,and prosthesis satisfaction wag 41.90 ±15.00,64.58 ±10.60,and 59.52±11.06,respectively.The ABIS scores in women(65.07 ±12.10)were hisher than that in men(63.20 ±5.0)(P＜0.05).There was a positive correlation between score of QOL and prosthesis satisfaction,but a negative correlation between QOL and BI.The negative correlations were also observed between BI and Vitality,BI and mental health.Prosthesis satisfaction had positive correla tions with education level.QOL and mental health.Conclusion The body image disturbance(BID)and dissatis faction with prosthesis may cause negative influences on the amputees'quality of life.Relevant intervention should be provided of amputees handling their prostheses and body images correctly and raising QOL.