Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 80
Filter
Add more filters

Complementary Medicines
Country/Region as subject
Publication year range
1.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi ; 103(8): 566-571, 2023 Feb 28.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36822867

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the correlation between fluid load index and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients based on repeated body composition analyses. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to collect the clinical data of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in the Department of Nephrology, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July to September 2020. The pre-dialysis fluid overload (FO) index-overhydration (OH) was measured by bioelectrical impedance method, and the follow-up monitoring was conducted every 6 months. According to the baseline OH value, patients were divided into non-FO group (OH≤2.5 L) and FO group (OH>2.5 L). Moreover, according to the repeated measurements, the patients were divided into continuous non-FO group, continuous FO group and intermittent FO group. All patients were followed up until October 1, 2022, and the outcomes were recorded. The end point of follow-up was cardiovascular events. The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular events was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the risk factors of cardiovascular events were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: A total of 289 patients were included, including 88 patients (30.4%) with FO and 201 patients (69.6%) with non-FO. There were 168 males (58.1%) and 121 (41.9%) females, with an average age of (58±13) years and an average follow-up time of (22.0±6.5) months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the incidence of cardiovascular events in the baseline FO group was higher than that in the non-FO group (log-rank χ2=14.44, P<0.001). The incidence of cardiovascular events in both the continuous FO group and the intermittent FO group was higher than that in the continuous non-FO group (log-rank χ2=41.47, P<0.001; log-rank χ2=18.36, P<0.001). After adjustment for gender, age, comorbidities, and biochemical indicators, the incidence of cardiovascular events in the baseline FO group was 1.850 times of the non-FO group (95%CI: 1.046-3.271, P=0.034). The incidence of cardiovascular events in the continuous FO group was 4.679 times of the continuous non-FO group (95%CI: 2.189-10.002, P<0.001). The incidence of cardiovascular events in the intermittent FO group was 3.410 times of the continuous non-FO group (95%CI: 1.696-6.857, P=0.001). Conclusions: OH value measured by bioelectrical impedance can be used as an important reference index for clinical monitoring of cardiovascular events in MHD patients. Continuous chronic and intermittent exposures to FO are risk factors for cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.


Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Water-Electrolyte Imbalance , Male , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Prospective Studies , Renal Dialysis/adverse effects , Risk Factors , Water-Electrolyte Imbalance/etiology , Heart Failure/complications , Body Composition
2.
Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi ; 51(4): 213-216, 2021 Jul 28.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34645118

ABSTRACT

Animal drugs and their paintings were recorded in both Ben Cao Tu Jing(Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica) and Sman Thang of Tibetan medicine. By analyzing the species,techniques of expression, and facticity in the book and the paintings, different characteristics of animal drugs and their paintings were manifested, reflecting a colorful scene of diverse cultures.


Subject(s)
Materia Medica , Animals , China , Medicine, Tibetan Traditional
3.
Trop Anim Health Prod ; 53(1): 82, 2021 Jan 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33411066

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of plantain herb (Plantago lanceolata L.) supplementation on growth, plasma metabolites, liver enzymatic activity, hormonal status, gastrointestinal parasites, and carcass characteristics of lambs. A total of 24 lambs, aged 6 months weighing 8.0 ± 0.5 kg were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: (1) CL diet-roadside grass and concentrate mixture; (2) PL diet-CL diet + 5% fresh plantain supplementation on a DM basis. The PL diet group exhibited 23% higher (P = 0.01) average daily gain and 15% improved (P = 0.03) feed conversion efficiency. Circulating cholesterol concentrations were suppressed by 9% (P = 0.03), and liver enzyme activity was improved by 5-25% (P < 0.05) in the lamb fed PL diet, compared with CL diet only. The inclusion of plantain in the diet was highly effective at suppressing the parasites, Paramphistomum spp. (P = 0.003) and coccidial parasites (P = 0.04), but not stomach worms. Moreover, plantain supplementation increased growth hormone and insulin concentrations in plasma level, whereas decreased carcass fat by 32.7%. Therefore, supplementation of the lambs' diet with plantain showed some beneficial effects on productivity and parasitic infection, while it led to a leaner carcass.


Subject(s)
Diet/veterinary , Gastrointestinal Diseases/veterinary , Meat/analysis , Plantago/chemistry , Sheep Diseases/prevention & control , Sheep, Domestic/physiology , Animal Feed/analysis , Animals , Dietary Supplements/analysis , Gastrointestinal Diseases/parasitology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/prevention & control , Hormones/blood , Liver/enzymology , Plasma/chemistry , Random Allocation , Sheep , Sheep Diseases/parasitology , Sheep, Domestic/blood , Sheep, Domestic/growth & development
4.
Animal ; 14(11): 2433-2441, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32498740

ABSTRACT

There is a wide range of feed additives deliberately designed to be used in sheep diets that can improve production performance. Whereas herbal supplementation is gaining popularity not only for improving sheep productivity and mutton quality but also for safe application without any harmful residual effects. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and/or garlic leaf (Allium sativum) dietary supplementation on growth performance, immunity, rumen histology, serum antioxidants and meat quality of sheep. The experiment consisted of a completely randomized design with 32 one-year-old sheep (initial mean live weight 9 ± 0.2 kg) allocated to four groups (8 sheep per group). Rice straw and concentrates-based total mixed ration pellets (2390 kcal/kg DM, CP = 15.1%) were offered as a control diet (CL diet). Herbal treatment diets included (i) CL diet + 10 g DM of plantain herb (PL diet), (ii) CL diet + 10 g DM of garlic leaf (GL diet) and (iii) CL diet + 5 g DM of PL and 5 g DM of GL (PG diet). Compared with the CL diet group, the live weight gain and feed conversion ratio were 18% to 26% and 13% to 20% higher in herbal-supplemented groups, respectively. Moreover, the herbal-supplemented groups, especially the PL diet group had higher serum immunoglobulin concentration, antioxidant capacity and rumen papillae size compared to the control. Besides, the lowest caul fat and pelvic fat levels were observed in the PL diet group followed by PG, GL and CL diet groups. In addition, lower mutton ether extract and saturated fatty acid along with higher polyunsaturated fatty acid levels were found in all herbal-supplemented groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with PL and/or GL might be used as an alternative in sheep to promote growth, health status and lean mutton production.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Meat/standards , Rumen , Sheep , Animal Feed/analysis , Animals , Diet/veterinary , Dietary Supplements , Digestion , Sheep/growth & development , Sheep/metabolism
5.
Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi ; 48(3): 192-198, 2019 Mar 08.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30831644

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of diffuse midline glioma (DMG) with H3K27M mutation. Methods: Thirty cases of DMG were collected in Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital from October 2016 to May 2018. The patients' clinicopathological data including age, tumor site and histological grade, treatment and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Results: There were 21 males and 9 females, with a mean age of 26 years (range 5-53 years). Fourteen tumors were located in thalamus, 12 in brainstem (one involved both thalamus and brainstem), and one each in hypothalamus, fourth ventricle, and sellar region, respectively. Two cases presented as diffuse intracranial lesions. Three cases (10.0%) were of WHO grade Ⅰ, 10 cases (33.3%) were grade Ⅱ, eight cases (26.7%) were grade Ⅲ, and nine cases (30.0%) were grade Ⅳ.All patients with gradeⅠ tumors were older than 20 years. Histologically, all were pilocytic astrocytoma-like. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that all tumors were IDH1 negative. Twenty-eight tumors showed diffuse expression of H3K27M, and two showed focal expression. Twenty-one tumors(100.0%, 21/21) showed absent expression of H3K27me3. Sixteen tumors (57.1%, 16/28) showed strongly positive expression of p53, and ATRX was negative in eight tumors (38.1%, 8/21). The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 5% to 40%. Eight cases (including two cases of H3K27M expression of individual cells) showed K27M mutation in H3F3A gene. Intracranial and spinal cord dissemination occurred in six cases (20.0%, 6/30). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.5 months and median overall survival (OS) was 34 months. Mean PFS was 11.2 months and mean OS was 24.3 months. Compared with adults (>20 years old), children/adolescents (no more than 20 years old) had significantly shorter median OS (8 months vs. 34 months, P=0.013). There was no significant difference in PFS and OS between DMGs located in the brain stem/thalamus and other sites within midline (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in PFS and OS between WHO grade ⅠDMGs and WHO grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ DMGs (P>0.05). Conclusions: DMGs occur more commonly in children and adolescents with male predominance. DMGs present with WHO Ⅰ-Ⅳ tumors morphologically, and pilocytic astrocytoma-like lesions with WHO Ⅰ are more common in adults. Expression of H3K27M but not H3K27me3 is helpful for diagnosis of DMG. The prognosis of children/adolescents is significantly worse than that of adults, whereas histological grade and tumor location do not affect prognosis.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/enzymology , Glioma/enzymology , Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/genetics , Mutation , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Astrocytoma/chemistry , Astrocytoma/enzymology , Astrocytoma/mortality , Astrocytoma/pathology , Brain Neoplasms/chemistry , Brain Neoplasms/mortality , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Brain Stem Neoplasms/chemistry , Brain Stem Neoplasms/enzymology , Brain Stem Neoplasms/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Glioma/chemistry , Glioma/mortality , Glioma/pathology , Histones/genetics , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Thalamus , Young Adult
6.
Osteoporos Int ; 28(10): 2945-2953, 2017 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28685283

ABSTRACT

It has been proved that extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) could promote new bone formation. Therefore, we designed an experiment to test the efficiency of ESWT on BMD in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients. The results showed that ESWT could effectively improve the local bone mass of the treated bone area within a short duration. INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the short-term effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: A total of 64 postmenopausal osteoporotic patients were recruited and randomized into 3 groups in 2015. Groups A (n = 20) and B (n = 21) patients received a single-session of low- or high-energy flux density (EFD) ESWT in the left hip, respectively, whereas group C (n = 23) patients served as controls without the ESWT treatment. All patients self-administered alendronate sodium tablets orally for a year. The BMD of the lumbar spine (L2-L4), femoral neck, great tuberosity, and total left hip was measured before ESWT treatment and at 3, 6, and 12 months using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). RESULTS: At 12 months, the lumbar spine, femoral neck, great tuberosity, and total left hip BMD in all patients had increased (p < 0.01). The increase in lumbar spine BMD in group A patients was higher than that in group B patients (p = 0.03); other between-group differences were not observed (p = 0.73, group A vs. C; p = 0.06, group B vs. C). The femoral neck, great tuberosity, and total left hip BMD increases in group B patients were higher than that in either group A or C (p < 0.01, group B vs. A; p < 0.01, group A vs. C). CONCLUSION: This study showed that ESWT could efficiently improve the local BMD; relatively, the high dosage was effective.


Subject(s)
Bone Density/physiology , Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy/methods , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/therapy , Absorptiometry, Photon , Aged , Alendronate/therapeutic use , Bone Density Conservation Agents/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy/adverse effects , Female , Femur Neck/physiopathology , Hip Joint/physiopathology , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology , Middle Aged , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/physiopathology , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
7.
J Acoust Soc Am ; 141(4): 2399, 2017 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28464619

ABSTRACT

The importance of non-acoustical factors including the type of visual environment on human noise perception becomes increasingly recognized. In order to reveal the relationships between long-term noise annoyance and different types of neighborhood views, 2033 questionnaire responses were collected for studying the effect of perceptions of different combinations of views of sea, urban river, greenery, and/or noise barrier on the annoyance responses from residents living in high-rise apartments in Hong Kong. The collected responses were employed to formulate a multivariate model to predict the probability of invoking a high annoyance response from residents. Results showed that views of sea, urban river, or greenery could lower the probability, while views of noise barrier could increase the probability. Views of greenery had a stronger noise moderation capability than views of sea or urban river. The presence of an interaction effect between views of water and views of noise barrier exerted a negative influence on the noise annoyance moderation capability. The probability due to exposure to an environment containing views of noise barriers and urban rivers would be even higher than that due to exposure to an environment containing views of noise barriers alone.


Subject(s)
Auditory Perception , Automobiles , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Housing , Irritable Mood , Noise, Transportation/adverse effects , Visual Perception , Acoustic Stimulation , Adult , Aged , City Planning , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Facility Design and Construction , Female , Hong Kong , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Photic Stimulation , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors
8.
Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi ; 47(6): 366-368, 2017 Nov 28.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29374951

ABSTRACT

As a kind of edible herbal plant, rose is recorded both in the literature of Han medicine and medicine of Uighur ethnic group, yet with different understanding on its function and different clinical application as well. Both Han and Uighur medicine maintain that rose possesses the functions of improving one's look and moisturizing the skin, aromatic deodorant and invigorating spleen to treat inflammation and damage, hematemesis, pain and diarrhea etc. In addition, rose is also used to treat wind bi(impediment or migratory arthralgia), acute mastitis, breast lump and depression in Han medicine, while in Uighur medicine, it is also used to treat constipation, palpitation, flat wart and dry throat.


Subject(s)
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Phytotherapy , Rosa , China , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history , Ethnicity , History, 16th Century , Humans , Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history , Phytotherapy/history
9.
J Anim Sci ; 91(12): 5785-8, 2013 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24085404

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between nitrogen isotopic fractionation (δ(15)N) and nitrogen-use efficiency (milk nitrogen/nitrogen intake; NUE) in pasture-fed dairy cows supplemented with increasing levels of urea to mimic high rumen degradable protein pastures in spring. Fifteen cows were randomly assigned to freshly cut pasture and either supplemented with 0, 250, or 336 g urea/d. Feed, milk, and plasma were analyzed for δ(15)N, milk and plasma for urea nitrogen concentration, and plasma for ammonia concentration. Treatment effects were tested using ANOVA and relationships between variables were established by linear regression. Lower dry matter intake (P = 0.002) and milk yield (P = 0.002) occurred with the highest urea supplementation (336 g urea/d) compared with the other two treatments. There was a strong linear relationship between milk δ(15)N - feed δ(15)N and NUE: [NUE (%) = 58.9 - 10.17 × milk δ(15)N - feed δ(15)N (‰) (r(2) = 0.83, P < 0.001, SE = 1.67)] and between plasma δ(15)N - feed δ(15)N and NUE: [NUE (%) = 52.4 - 8.61 × plasma δ(15)N - feed δ(15)N (‰) (r(2) = 0.85, P < 0.001, SE = 1.56)] . This study confirmed the potential use of δ(15)N to predict NUE in cows consuming different levels of rumen degradable protein.


Subject(s)
Animal Feed/analysis , Cattle/metabolism , Diet/veterinary , Nitrogen/chemistry , Nitrogen/metabolism , Animal Husbandry , Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Animals , Climate , Dietary Supplements , Female , Lactation/physiology , Milk/chemistry , Milk/metabolism , Urea/pharmacology
10.
Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol ; 26(2): 291-8, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23755744

ABSTRACT

Treatment options for prostate cancer consist of radical prostatectomy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy. Hormonal and radiation therapy have well-known, often profound, effects on the histological appearance of benign and malignant prostate tissue. Novel therapies including focal ablative treatments, chemotherapies and targeted molecular therapies are beginning to emerge and pathologists will play a central role in documenting the effects of these treatments at the tissue level. As such, knowledge of treatment-related changes and access to clinical information are essential to ensure accurate interpretation and reporting of post-treatment prostate specimens by pathologists.


Subject(s)
Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy , Ablation Techniques , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use , Humans , Male , Molecular Targeted Therapy , Prostatectomy , Therapies, Investigational , Treatment Outcome
11.
Neuroscience ; 235: 27-39, 2013 Apr 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23321542

ABSTRACT

In the ascending auditory pathway, the inferior colliculus (IC) receives and integrates excitatory and inhibitory inputs from a variety of lower auditory nuclei, intrinsic projections within the IC, contralateral IC through the commissure of the IC and the auditory cortex. All these connections make the IC a major center for subcortical temporal and spectral integration of auditory information. In this study, we examine bilateral collicular interaction in the modulation of frequency-domain signal processing of mice using electrophysiological recording and focal electrical stimulation. Focal electrical stimulation of neurons in one IC produces widespread inhibition and focused facilitation of responses of neurons in the other IC. This bilateral collicular interaction decreases the response magnitude and lengthens the response latency of inhibited IC neurons but produces an opposite effect on the response of facilitated IC neurons. In the frequency domain, the focal electrical stimulation of one IC sharpens or expands the frequency tuning curves (FTCs) of neurons in the other IC to improve frequency sensitivity and the frequency response range. The focal electrical stimulation also produces a shift in the best frequency (BF) of modulated IC (ICMdu) neurons toward that of electrically stimulated IC (ICES) neurons. The degree of bilateral collicular interaction is dependent upon the difference in the BF between the ICES neurons and ICMdu neurons. These data suggest that bilateral collicular interaction is a part of dynamic acoustic signal processing that adjusts and improves signal processing as well as reorganizes collicular representation of signal parameters according to the acoustic experience.


Subject(s)
Auditory Perception/physiology , Inferior Colliculi/physiology , Signal Detection, Psychological/physiology , Acoustic Stimulation , Animals , Auditory Pathways/physiology , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Electrodes, Implanted , Evoked Potentials, Auditory/physiology , Female , Inferior Colliculi/cytology , Male , Mice , Neuronal Plasticity/physiology , Neurons/physiology
12.
Water Sci Technol ; 63(10): 2138-42, 2011.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21977631

ABSTRACT

The application of reversed A2/O process in practice in China is mainly discussed in this paper. As a new process on nitrogen and phosphorus removal, principle and technical features of reversed A2/O process are also summarized. The application in rebuilt wastewater treatment plant shows that reversed A2/O process not only has merits on high nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency, but also has merits on energy saving. The application in newly-build wastewater treatment plant shows that infrastructure and equipment investment of reversed A2/O process economized 15% and 10% respectively, compared to conventional A2/O process. The practical application shows that reversed A2/O process is a new nitrogen and phosphorus removal process, which is suitable for China's national conditions.


Subject(s)
Nitrogen/isolation & purification , Phosphorus/isolation & purification , Waste Management/methods , Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification , China
13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21776291

ABSTRACT

Increased heart rate (HR) and reduced blood pressure (BP) are common consequences of cardiac surgery. This study investigated the effect of transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation applied over acupuncture points (Acu-TENS) on HR, BP, rate pressure product (RPP) and nausea and vomiting score after open-heart surgery. After open heart surgery, 40 patients were randomly allocated to either an Acu-TENS group, which received a 40-min session of TENS applied bilaterally over the acupuncture point PC6 on postoperative days 1-5, or a Placebo-TENS group, which received identical electrode placement but with no electrical output from the TENS unit, despite an output indicator light appearing activated. HR, systolic and diastolic BPs (SBP and DBP) were recorded and RPP computed. Nausea and vomiting symptoms were quantified using a 4-point Likert scale before and after TENS intervention. Daily HR, BP and antiemetic administration data were recorded from a further 20 consecutive subjects who received no intervention and formed the Control group. A trend of decreasing HR and increasing BP in the Acu-TENS group was observed over the five postoperative days, with all variables returning to preoperative values by Day 4 (P > .2). In the Placebo-TENS and Control groups the HR remained higher (P < .0001), BP lower (P < .05) and RPP higher (P = .01) than respective preoperative values at Day 4. The dose of Maxolon required was lowest in the Acu-TENS group (P = .038). We concluded that Acu-TENS facilitated an earlier return to preoperative BP, HR and RPP values in patients after acute heart surgery.

15.
Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg ; 40(4): 413-8, 2011 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21084174

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of icariin on bone formation during mandibular distraction. 40 Rabbits were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Mandibular distraction was performed 5 days after unilateral mandibular osteotomy using a custom-made external distractor at a rate of 0.5mm/12h for 10 days. From the first day of distraction, icariin (2.5mg/kg · day) was orally administered to the experimental group and placebo to the controls. 10 Rabbits were killed at the end of weeks 2 and 4 of the consolidation phase. The distracted hemimandible was harvested and newly formed bone was evaluated by soft radiography, histology and bone histomorphometry. Regenerated bone was evaluated for bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The experimental group had fewer radiolucent areas on soft radiography. Bone mineral density of regenerated bone was higher in the experimental than in the control group at 2 and 4 weeks. At 4 weeks, the experimental group had greater volumes of new bone, higher trabecular number, and less trabecular separation than the controls. Oral administration of icariin could promote bone formation during mandibular distraction osteogenesis and might be a promising method for shortening the course of distraction osteogenesis.


Subject(s)
Bone Regeneration/drug effects , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Mandible/surgery , Osteogenesis, Distraction , Absorptiometry, Photon , Administration, Oral , Animals , Bone Density/drug effects , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry , Flavonoids/administration & dosage , Flavonoids/chemistry , Male , Mandible/diagnostic imaging , Molecular Structure , Osteogenesis, Distraction/methods , Rabbits , Random Allocation
16.
New Phytol ; 187(4): 1112-1123, 2010 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20553395

ABSTRACT

*White lupin (Lupinus albus) forms specialized cluster roots characterized by exudation of organic anions under phosphorus (P) deficiency. Here, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in P deficiency-induced cluster-root formation and citrate exudation was evaluated. *White lupin plants were treated with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and scavenger or inhibitor of NO synthase under conditions of P deficiency (0 muM) or P sufficiency (50 muM). *Phosphorus deficiency enhanced NO production in primary and lateral root tips, with a greater increase in cluster roots than in noncluster roots. NO concentrations decreased with cluster root development from the pre-emergent stage, through the juvenile stage, to the mature stage. The P deficiency-induced increase in NO production was inhibited by antagonists of NO synthase and xanthine oxidoreductase, suggesting the involvement of these enzymes in NO production. SNP markedly increased the number of cluster roots. Citrate exudation from different root segments in P-deficient roots was positively correlated with endogenous root NO concentrations. *These findings demonstrate differential patterns of NO production in white lupin, depending on root zone, developmental stage and P nutritional status. NO appears to play a regulatory role in the formation of cluster roots and citrate exudation in white lupin under conditions of P deficiency.


Subject(s)
Citrates/metabolism , Lupinus/metabolism , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Phosphorus/deficiency , Plant Exudates/metabolism , Plant Roots/physiology , Nitric Oxide Synthase/antagonists & inhibitors , Nitroprusside/pharmacology , Xanthine Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Xanthine Dehydrogenase/pharmacology
17.
Nat Prod Res ; 23(18): 1689-98, 2009.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19921587

ABSTRACT

Saussurea involucrata produces several bioactive flavonoids that are derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. To determine these flavonoids, a sensitive high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry method (LC-ESI-MS) was developed. Chromatographic separation was then performed. The gradient elution was optimised to give high recoveries and satisfactory chromatographic resolution. Flavonoid detection was carried out using an ion trap as mass analyser. Parameters of the mass analyser were optimised. We used the validated LC-ESI-MS method to verify the identities of bioactive compounds, namely apigenin, luteolin, hispidulin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and rutin. Calibration curves for these five flavonoids were linear in ranges between 5.0 and 500 microg mL(-1). The limit of detection ranged from 1.5 x 10(-4) (for hispidulin) to 6.1 x 10(-3) mg mL(-1) (for rutin). Precision was well within the acceptable range (RSD < 3.0%) and the recovery rate was between 75.3 and 89.8% for each flavonoid. A method validation study showed that the LC/MS technique was a powerful analytical tool for detecting trace amounts of the flavonoid compounds in extracts of S. involucrata.


Subject(s)
Chromatography, Liquid/methods , Flavonoids/chemistry , Saussurea/chemistry , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/methods , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Reproducibility of Results
18.
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol ; 297(4): G672-80, 2009 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19661149

ABSTRACT

Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) involves the delivery of electrical impulses to the stomach for therapeutic purposes. New GES protocols are needed that are optimized for improved motility outcomes and energy efficiency. In this study, a biophysically based smooth muscle cell (SMC) model was modified on the basis of experimental data and employed in conjunction with experimental studies to define the effects of a large range of GES protocols on individual SMCs. For the validation studies, rat gastric SMCs were isolated and subjected to patch-clamp analysis during stimulation. Experimental results were in satisfactory agreement with simulation results. The results define the effects of a wide range of GES parameters (pulse width, amplitude, and pulse-train frequency) on isolated SMCs. The minimum pulse width required to invoke a supramechanical threshold response from SMCs (defined at -30 mV) was 65 ms (at 250-pA amplitude). The minimum amplitude required to invoke this threshold was 75 pA (at 1,000-ms pulse width). The amplitude of the invoked response beyond this threshold was proportional to the stimulation amplitude. A high-frequency train of stimuli (40 Hz; 10 ms, 150 pA) could invoke and maintain the SMC plateau phase while requiring 60% less power and accruing approximately 30% less intracellular Ca(2+) concentration during the plateau phase than a comparable single-pulse protocol could in a demonstrated example. Validated computational simulations are an effective strategy for efficiently identifying effective minimum-energy GES protocols, and pulse-train protocols may also help to reduce the power consumption of future GES devices.


Subject(s)
Computer Simulation , Electric Stimulation Therapy , Gastric Emptying , Models, Biological , Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/physiology , Stomach/physiology , Animals , Calcium/metabolism , Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods , Evoked Potentials , Male , Patch-Clamp Techniques , Rats , Stomach/cytology , Time Factors
19.
J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol ; 19(4): 299-305, 2009.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19639726

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Second-generation oral H1-antihistamines have become a mainstay of treatment for the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis; however, the effect of olopatadine has not been widely reported to date. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of 2 oral H1-antihistamines, olopatadine and fexofenadine, in the treatment of the nasal symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis and their possible side effects. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study conducted in an environmental exposure unit (EEU). Twenty volunteers suffering from Japanese cedar pollinosis were randomly divided into 3 groups and exposed to cedar pollen in the EEU with oral administration of olopatadine hydrochloride (5 mg), fexofenadine hydrochloride (60 mg), or placebo 1 hour prior to pollen exposure. Nasal symptoms, activity impairment, and subjective sleepiness were self-assessed during the study period. Attention was measured using the digit cancellation test. The trial was repeated after 4 and 7 weeks. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, olopatadine significantly improved nasal symptoms and activity impairment during pollen exposure (P < .05). There was no significant relief of nasal discharge or nasal congestion with fexofenadine throughout the 5-hour exposure to cedar pollen. Furthermore, olopatadine significantly reduced nasal congestion during the first 2 hours, as well as sneezing and nasal discharge 4 hours after admission to the EEU compared with fexofenadine (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the effect on subjective sleepiness among the 3 groups, and all 3 agents had little effect on attention. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that olopatadine is more effective than placebo and fexofenadine in improving nasal symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.


Subject(s)
Allergens/immunology , Dibenzoxepins , Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating , Pollen/immunology , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/drug therapy , Adult , Cryptomeria/immunology , Dibenzoxepins/administration & dosage , Dibenzoxepins/adverse effects , Double-Blind Method , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating/administration & dosage , Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Motor Activity/drug effects , Motor Activity/immunology , Olopatadine Hydrochloride , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/immunology , Sleep/drug effects , Sneezing/drug effects , Terfenadine/administration & dosage , Terfenadine/adverse effects , Terfenadine/analogs & derivatives , Treatment Outcome
20.
Int J Food Sci Nutr ; 60 Suppl 4: 232-9, 2009.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19449278

ABSTRACT

Flour was prepared from peeled and unpeeled banana Awak ABB. Samples prepared were subjected to analysis for determination of chemical composition, mineral, dietary fibre, starch and total phenolics content, antioxidant activity and pasting properties. In general, flour prepared from unpeeled banana was found to show enhanced nutrition values with higher contents of mineral, dietary fibre and total phenolics. Hence, flour fortified with peel showed relatively higher antioxidant activity. On the other hand, better pasting properties were shown when banana flour was blended with peel. It was found that a relatively lower pasting temperature, peak viscosity, breakdown, final viscosity and setback were evident in a sample blended with peel.


Subject(s)
Food Handling , Food, Fortified/analysis , Fruit/chemistry , Fruit/growth & development , Functional Food/analysis , Musa/chemistry , Algorithms , Antioxidants/analysis , Chemical Phenomena , Dietary Fiber/analysis , Hot Temperature , Minerals/analysis , Organ Specificity , Phenols/analysis , Solubility , Starch/analysis , Starch/metabolism , Viscosity , Waste Products/analysis , Water/analysis
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL