[A case of arrhythmia caused by barium carbonate poisoning].

Barium carbonate poisoning is mostly caused by mistaken ingestion in clinical cases, and self-administration of poisoning is rare. In November 2020, Tianjin Occupational Disease Prevention Hospital admitted a patient with severe hypokalemia complicated with arrhythmia after taking poison. It is very important to take timely and effective potassium supplementation, symptomatic and detoxification treatment in the course of treatment. At the same time, closely observing the changes of vital signs and taking quick and accurate rescue measures in the event of malignant arrhythmia are the keys to ensuring the success of rescue. In this paper, the clinical data of the case were retrospectively analyzed, providing reference for the diagnosis and treatment of similar clinical cases.

[Effect of density and directional cultivation on yield, quality and benefit of Nuomi yam].

A split-plot experiment was conducted to study the optimum planting density of Nuomi yam in directional groove shallow cultivation. Nuomi yam was the main local cultivar of Dioscorea. The study of this paper may help to give valuable instructions of local production. Three different planting densities and shallow groove diameter were designed in the experiment. The results showed that the fresh weight of aerial part per plant, yield and planting benefit of Nuomi yam tuber were the highest when the planting density was 12 000 plants/hm~2 and the diameter of shallow growth groove was 11.0 cm, while they were the lowest when the planting density was 22 500 plants/hm~2 and the diameter of shallow growth groove was 7.5 cm. Along with the increase of planting density, the fresh weight of aerial part, tuber, fresh yield, benefit and commercial tuber rate of Nuomi yam also decreased. The commercial tuber rate of Nuomi yam of 11.0 cm diameter in shallow growing pot was the highest, while it was the lowest with no shallow growing pot. On the contrary, the content of amylopectin and mucin was the highest when there was no shallow groove, and was the lowest when the diameter of shallow groove was 7.5 cm, although there was no significant difference between the two treatments. Therefore, Nuomi yam with the directional cultivation combination of planting density of 12 000 plants/hm~2 and shallow groove diameter of 11.0 cm showed high yield, good appearance quality, high planting benefit and no obvious adverse effect on internal quality.

Mrr2 mutations and upregulation are associated with increased fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans isolates from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus, which causes vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The aim of this study was to evaluate Mrr2 mutation and its expression levels and Candida drug resistance 1 (Cdr1) in C. albicans associated with fluconazole (FCA) resistance. We identified 80 isolates of C. albicans from 155 vaginal secretions and performed FCA drug sensitivity tests, using M27-A3 micro-broth dilution. We extracted DNA, sequenced Mrr2, and performed reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to detect mRNA expression levels of Mrr2 and Cdr1. In total, 40 isolates were sensitive, 10 were dose-dependently sensitive, and 30 were resistant to FCA. Mrr2 mutation occurred in 56·67% isolates, which was significantly higher than that in the FCA sensitive group (26·08%, P < 0·05). The mRNA expression level of Cdr1 in the FCA resistant group was significantly higher than that in the sensitive group Cdr1 (0·42 ± 0·294 vs 0·25 ± 0·289, P < 0·05). The odds ratio of FCA-resistant occurrence in C. albicans with Mrr2 mutation and high expression levels was 47·5 times higher than C. albicans without Mrr2 mutation and low expression levels. The results may provide new insights for improving VVC treatment. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Significance and Impact of the Study: Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus, which causes vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Fluconazole (FCA) is the most widely used drug in VVC infection. However, the widespread use of FCA has severely increased the incidence of FCA-resistant fungus. Therefore, the mechanism underlying FCA resistance in C. albicans must be elucidated urgently. This study demonstrated that high expression of Cdr1 and Mrr2 may directly be linked to C. albicans resistance to FCA, and high expression of Mrr2 may promote high expression of Cdr1 and mediate resistance of C. albicans to FCA. The results may provide new insights for improving VVC treatment.

Effects of fat type and emulsifier in feed on growth performance, slaughter traits, and lipid metabolism of Cherry Valley ducks.

A 2-factor test design was used to investigate the effect of an emulsifier (Aldo®, Lonza, America) (200 g/t) in the diet of Cherry Valley meat ducks to replace some of 2 different oils (animal fat and vegetable oil) on meat production performance, slaughter traits, and fat metabolism. The 900 healthy 18-day-old ducks were grouped into 6 treatments, each with 5 replicates and 30 meat ducks per replicate. The 2 fat sources were established as a positive control group, a negative control group (positive control group-some oil (equivalent to metabolic energy of 50 kcal/ton)), and an emulsifier group (negative control group + 200 g/ton Aldo). The results showed that addition of different fat sources in feed had no significant effect on growth performance, carcass properties, and fat metabolism of 18- to 42-day-old meat ducks (P > 0.05). Reducing the amount of oil used in the feed lowered the growth performance, carcass properties, and affected fat metabolism of meat ducks. However, in feeds with 2 fat sources, some oils were replaced by adding Aldo without affecting growth performance and carcass properties of meat ducks, and improved their fat metabolism, reduced triglycerides (TG) in serum, and increased activity of lipoprotein and hepatic lipases in liver and of pancreatic lipase. Thus, addition of Aldo to a low fat diet could improve growth performance, carcass quality, and lipid metabolism, and promote digestion and absorption of fat for meat ducks.

High-intensity focused ultrasound and laparoscopic myomectomy in the treatment of uterine fibroids: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacies of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) in the treatment of uterine fibroids and their effects on patients' quality of life. DESIGN: A non-randomised control study. SETTING: Gynaecological department in a university teaching hospital. POPULATION: Patients with uterine fibroids. METHODS: From November 2014 to November 2015, 166 patients with uterine fibroids were enrolled and underwent HIFU (n = 99) and LM (n = 67) surgeries, respectively. Clinical efficacy, postoperative complications and quality of life after treatment were evaluated using the SF-36 Scale to compare the differences in each variable at the 1-year follow up. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Differences in efficacy, safety and quality of life between the patients treated with HIFU and LM. RESULTS: The 12-month follow-up results showed that the HIFU group had a total effective rate of 99%; only one patient underwent alternative treatment due to non-apparent tumour shrinkage. All patients in the LM group showed complete tumour disappearance. Of these patients, 52 showed significant clinical improvement, 15 with partial clinical improvement, a total effective rate of 98%. There was no significant difference in effectivity rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both treatments effectively improved patients' quality of life. Compared with the LM group, patients in the HIFU group experienced no blood loss, a shorter hospital stay and fewer adverse effects and complications, the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity focused ultrasound can be as efficacious as LM therapy and effectively improve patients' quality of life in the treatment of uterine fibroids, with fewer adverse effects and complications, shorter hospital stays, and quicker postoperative recovery compared with LM therapy. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Patients with uterine fibroids can be effectively treated with both HIFU and myomectomy.

Quercetin is an effective inhibitor of quorum sensing, biofilm formation and virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

AIMS: The study aimed to perform a systematic investigation of the effects of quercetin on biofilm formation and virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Ps. aeruginosa strain PAO1 was selected as the test strain. The results indicated that quercetin did not impact the growth of PAO1 as determined by MIC and growth curve analysis. However, this compound significantly inhibited (P < 0·05) biofilm formation and production of virulence factors including pyocyanin, protease and elastase at a lower concentration than those for most previously reported plant extracts and substances. Considering the central role of quorum sensing (QS) in the regulation of biofilm and virulence factor, we further detected the transcriptional changes associated with QS and found that the expression levels of lasI, lasR, rhlI and rhlR were significantly reduced (P < 0·05) by 34, 68, 57 and 50%, respectively, in response to 16 µg ml(-1) quercetin. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that quercetin is an effective inhibitor of biofilm formation and virulence factors in Ps. aeruginosa. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study to demonstrate that quercetin is an effective inhibitor of QS, biofilm formation and virulence factors in Ps. aeruginosa. Furthermore, quercetin might have potential in fighting biofilm-related infections.

Bifidobacterium infantis has a beneficial effect on 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis in rats.

Intestinal mucositis is a common toxic side effect in cancer patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of Bifidobacterium infantis in a rat model of intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, 5-FU, and 5-FU + B. infantis. A single intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) was used to induce intestinal mucositis. B. infantis (1×109 cfu) was administered for 11 days, starting from 7 days before 5-FU injection. Intestinal mucositis was evaluated based on body weight, villus height, immunohistological expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB), levels of the pro-inflammatory factors interleukin 1 beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentration. The results showed that the 5-FU + B. infantis group demonstrated a higher body weight and villus height, increased expression of PCNA, reduced expression of NF-κB and pro-inflammatory factors, and lower MPO concentration compared to the 5-FU group. These data suggest that probiotic B. infantis is effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis in rats.

Three new C-flavonoids from Corallodiscus flabellata.

Three new C-glycosylflavones, named 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-8-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl- (1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (1), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-8-methoxy-6-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (2), and 5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-6-C-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl flavonoside (3), along with two known compounds 5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-6-C-glucopyranosyl-flavonoside (4), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymethyl benzoate (5) were isolated from 70% acetone extract of Corallodiscus flabellata. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical methods.

Effect of PYCNOGENOL on the toxicity of heart, bone marrow and immune organs as induced by antitumor drugs.

PYCNOGENOL is a mixture of water-soluble bioflavonoids extracted from the bark of pine trees growing in the southwest coastal region of France. In the present paper the effects of PYCNOGENOL (Pyc) on the toxicity of bone marrow, heart and immune organs induced by anticancer drugs were investigated, in mice. The following results were obtained: 1. Pyc at the orally-administered dose of 200 and 150 mg/kg body wt. markedly prevented the elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and the decrease of heart rate in mice treated with doxorubicin (Dox); 2. Pyc at 100 and 150 mg/kg body wt. significantly antagonized the inhibition of DNA synthesis in thymus induced by subcutaneous injection of cyclophosphamide (Cyc); 3. Pyc at 150 and 200 mg/kg body wt. markedly induced increase of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, but had no effect on leukopenia, in Cyc-treated mice; and 4. Pyc has no antagonizing effect on the anticancer activity of Dox and Cyc. All the results suggest that Pyc possesses a protective effect on the cardiotoxicity of Dox and the inhibition of thymus DNA synthesis induced by Cyc in mice.

Dysfunctional elimination syndrome in children without obvious spinal cord diseases.

Elimination dysfunction is a functional disease that encompasses the urinary and GI tracts. Because the presentation is varied and ED is a disease of exclusion, a thorough history and physical examination are mandatory. Noninvasive management that includes the "fundamental four" and continuous engagement and encouragement of the patient and family are the pillars of treatment. For patients who are refractory to this approach, new research in children-directed biofeedback research shows promise.

Tissue contents and subcellular distribution of chromium and other trace metals in experimental diabetic rats after intravenous injection of Cr 50-enriched stable isotopic tracer solution.

In order to study the metabolism of essential trace elements in diabetics, we studied alloxan-diabetic rats for the distribution patterns of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in the liver, kidney, pancreas, and testes, as well as in the organ subcellular fractions. Normal rats were used as controls. Cr 50-enriched stable isotopic tracer solution was given by intravenous injection to avoid the difficulties of estimation of Cr status. Our data show that the concentrations of Zn in liver and kidney, of Co, Fe, and Zn in pancreas, and of Fe and Zn in testes of the diabetic rats were significantly higher than in the control rats. Nevertheless, the concentrations of Cr in pancreas, Fe in kidney, and Cr and Se in testes of the diabetic rats were significantly lower than in the controls. Furthermore, we observed significant alterations of element concentrations in subcellular fractions of various organs in the diabetic rats. These results suggest that changing hormone levels may interfere with the accumulation of some trace elements both in the organs and in the subcellular fractions of rats.

Elements in erythrocytes of population with different thyroid hormone status.

The contents of elements K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, and Rb in erythrocytes of 78 cases with different thyroid hormone status have been measured by proton-induced X-ray emission and neutron activation analysis. According to the status of thyroid hormones T3, T4, TSH, FT3, and FT4 detected by radioimmunoassay, the experiment subjects were divided into four groups (i.e., hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, critical [one of thyroid hormones was abnormal], and normal). Elements contents and hormones levels of four groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and correlation using an SPSS/PC statistical package. The results showed that the Se contents of four groups were not significantly different (p<0.05). Zn content of hypothyroid group was significantly higher than those of hyperthyroid and critical groups. The Zn content of the normal group was higher than that of the hypothyroid group and lower than that of the hyperthyroid and critical groups. In the hyperthyroid group, there were significant correlations between elements contents and thyroid hormones levels (except TSH), but not between elements contents and levels of thyroid hormones. However, in the hypothyroid group, relatively strong correlations have been found between elements contents and thyroid hormones levels, especially between Zn and the T3/T4 ratio, and between Zn and TSH.

Serum and urine chromium concentrations in elderly diabetics.

The serum and urine chromium concentrations of 57 diabetics and 55 normal fasting subjects were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Our results indicate that the chromium concentration ranges of serum and urine for diabetics are 0.22-0.36 and 4.54-5.90 microg/L, respectively, significantly lower than 0.66-0.84 7.80-9.68 microg/L for the normal (P<0.001), which implies that the elderly diabetics probably lack chromium. Further, it was found that the urine chromium level of the female diabetics was substantially higher than that of the male in the same age group (P<0.01), whereas the serum chromium level was almost the same. However, the urine chromium concentration increases with aging, no matter who the diabetics or the controls are. The serum chromium concentrations of the 24 cases patients with 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were significantly lower than that of those with empty stomach, whereas the urine chromium exhibits a contrary tendency. Our data indicate that the chromium lost and excreted from human body increases with aging and is related to the diabetics. Thus, it is recommended to supplement a certain amount of chromium to the elderly diabetics according to their nutritional level.

Correlation of mercury with selenium in human hair at a typical mercury-polluted area in China.

The levels of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) and their correlation in human scalp hair of 29 pairs of pregnant women and their newborns living at a high-Hg and low-Se area, the Second Song-Hua-Jiang River System, have been studied by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Our results indicate that the Hg level in infant hair samples are roughly close to that in their mothers, whereas the Se level in infants is much higher. Furthermore, the molar ratios of Se/Hg in newborns are also 40% higher than those in mothers. It demonstrates that infants are able to absorb more selenium from their mothers' bodies to protect against or alleviate the intoxication of Hg. This "autoprotective mechanism" likely plays a critical role during fetal development. The possible chemical species of Hg and Se in hair is also discussed.

Expression of cytokine mRNA during immuno-modulation of murine suppressor macrophages.

In order to analyze the mechanism of immuno-modulation by LPS on murine peritoneal suppressor macrophages, we have, using RNase protection assay, checked the changes of mRNA expression pattern of several cytokine genes during the immuno-modulation. It has been found that, after treating peritoneal suppressor macrophages with LPS, mRNAs of IL-12 p35, IL-12 p40, IL-6 and IFN-gamma are newly appeared, while those of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1Ra are increased and those of other cytokines, like TGF-beta 1 and MIF are not changed at all. It seems certain that those cytokines, whose expression is increased by LPS stimulation, may be responsible for the functional changes of suppressor macrophages during immuno-modulation. Among these changes, the appearance of IL-12 mRNA may play a critical role, and, in this regard, the synergetic effect between IFN-gamma and LPS on the increase of IL-12 p35 and Il-12 p40 mRNA expression is an interesting finding.

[Antitumor activity of Hypsizigus marmoreus. II. Preventive effect against lung metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma].

Antitumor activity of Hypsizigus marmoreus, an edible mushroom, was investigated by in vivo bioassay. The aqueous extract, hereinafter referred to as YH, was tested against syngeneic tumor, Lewis lung carcinoma. YH was found to give a significant increase in life span when assayed using a solid tumor, Lewis lung carcinoma, by intraperitoneal administration, but not as much by oral administration. It was also found that YH have an inhibitory activity of spontaneous tumor metastasis in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma by intraperitoneal administration. YH significantly decreased the number of metastasized nodules. It was suggested by Winn test that antitumor and antimetasatic activities shown by YH was effective in increasing activity on immunological by competent cells.

[Effect of shashen maidong decoction on gastric motility in vivo].

Effect of Shashen Maidong Decoction (SSMDD) on the gastric motility of mice and rats was observed in vivo. Results showed that the gastric phenol red excretion rate of mice could be reduced markedly by SSMDD given in various dosages (23 g.kg-1.d-1, 9 g.kg-1.d-1 or 23 g.kg-1.d-1 for 5 days successively), P < 0.05. By administration of 9 g.kg-1.d-1 or 23 g.kg-1.d-1 could antagonize the acceleration of gastric emptying induced by neostigmine in mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). 7 g/kg of SSMDD by gastrogavage could inhibit the frequency and amplitude of contraction of fundic longitudinal muscle using strain gauge transducer in rats, but the effect was not obvious on that of antral circular muscle. By water-ballon method, it was observed that SSMDD 3.5 g/kg or 7 g/kg intraduodenal perfusion could slow down the frequency and decrease the amplitude of gastric peristalsis, 7 g/kg could inhibit significantly the gastric hypermotility induced by subcutaneous injection of indomethacin (40 mg/kg), but had no obvious effect on the gastric hypermotility induced by intramuscular injection of reserpine (0.4 mg.kg-1.d-1 x 4 d).

Cloning and expression of a novel acidic calponin isoform from rat aortic vascular smooth muscle.

The actin-binding protein calponin has been implicated in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. We have isolated cDNA clones encoding a novel acidic calponin isoform from rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. The initial 273 residues of the deduced 330 amino acid polypeptide (M(r) 36,377) are highly homologous to basic smooth muscle calponin isoforms, but the remaining 57 residues at the carboxyl terminus comprise a unique and strongly acidic domain. The sequence of the acidic domain shows high homology (93.3% identity) to the partial sequence of HUMXT01244, an unidentified human hippocampal gene product (Adams, M., Dubnick, M., Kerlavgne, A. R., Moreno, R., Kelly, J. M., Utterback, T. R., Nagle, J. W., Fields, C., and Venter, J. C. (1992) Nature 355, 632-634). Transcripts encoding acidic calponin are expressed in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells and in non-muscle and smooth muscle tissues of adult rat. Based on its calculated M(r) and the tissue distribution of its expression, acidic calponin is an excellent candidate for a previously detected non-muscle calponin homolog (Takeuchi, K., Takahashi, K., Abe, M., Nishida, W., Hiwada, K., Nabeya, T., and Maruyama, K. (1991) J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 109, 311-316). Like basic calponin isoforms, acidic calponin synthesized in a bacterial expression system bound F-actin. However, unlike basic calponin, the acidic isoform did not interact with Ca2+/calmodulin, indicating a functional distinction between the muscle and non-muscle forms.

[Effect of Tibetan drug Arenavia kansuensis Maxim. var. ovatipetala Tsui on inflammation and immunological function].

It has been found that the Tibetan drug Arenaria kansuensis has significant inhibitory action on edema in the ears of mice induced by cotton oil and granuloma, on acute inflammation in the form of swollen feet of rats induced by albumen injection and carrageenan, on phagocytosis of histiocytes in the abdomen of mice, and on the formation of antibody (serum HC50). Being low in toxicity, the drug is conducive to the smooth functioning of the liver and kidney.