[Investigating the effects of Modified Sijunzi Decoction on the diversity of intestinal microflora of severe scald rabbits based on 16S ribosomal RNA high-throughput sequencing].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Modified Sijunzi Decoction on the diversity of intestinal microflora of in severe scald rabbits based on 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) high-throughput sequencing. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. Ninety Japanese big-ear rabbits regardless gender, aged 6 to 8 months, were randomly divided into normal control group, scald alone group, scald+low-dose group, scald+medium-dose group, and scald+high-dose group, with 18 rabbits in each group. The rabbits in normal control group were free to eat and drink, and the rabbits in scald alone group, scald+low-dose group, scald+medium-dose group, and scald+high-dose group were intragastrically administered normal saline, 0.2 g/mL Modified Sijunzi Decoction, 1.0 g/mL Modified Sijunzi Decoction, and 5.0 g/mL Modified Sijunzi Decoction, respectively for 7 days after sustaining full-thickness scalding of 30% total body surface area. On the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping, the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the number of samples in each group at each time point was 6. According to the above experimental results, another 9 rabbits were selected and divided into normal control group, scald alone group and scald+medium-dose group, with 3 rabbits in each group. The grouping and treatment methods of rabbits in each group were the same as before. On the 7th day after grouping, the V3, V4 region of 16S rRNA of ileum mucosa of rabbits in three groups were sequenced by high-throughput sequencing technology. The number of quality bacteria was counted by QIME software. The classifications of phylum, class, order, family and genus of microflora were analyzed by RDP Classifier software. The α diversity (Ace, Chao1, Simpson, and Shannon indexes) and ß diversity were analyzed by Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology, and the number of experiment samples in each group was 3. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis for variance of factorial design, SNK test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: Compared with that in normal control group, the levels of TNF-α of ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald alone group, scald+low-dose group, and scald+high-dose group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping and scald+medium-dose group on the 1st and 3rd day after grouping were all significantly increased (P<0.01), the levels of IL-1ß in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald alone group, scald+low-dose group, scald+medium-dose group and scald+high-dose group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping were all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the levels of IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald alone group, scald+low-dose group, scald+medium-dose group, and scald+high-dose group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping were all significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with that in scald alone group, the levels of TNF-α in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+low-dose group, scald+medium-dose group, and scald+high-dose group on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping, and scald+medium-dose group on the 1st day after grouping were all significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the levels of IL-1ß in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+low-dose group, scald+medium-dose group, and scald+high-dose group on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping and scald+medium-dose group on the 1st day after grouping were all significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the levels of IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+low-dose group on the 7th day after grouping and scald+medium-dose group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping and scald+high-dose group on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping were all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with that in scald+low-dose group, the levels of TNF-α in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in medium-dose scald alone group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping and in high-dose scald alone group on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the levels of IL-1ß in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in medium-dose scald alone group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping and in high-dose scald alone group on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping were all significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the levels of IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+medium-dose group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping and in scald+high-dose group on the 7th day after grouping were all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with that in scald medium-dose group, the levels of TNF-α in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+high-dose group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping were all significantly increased (P<0.01), and the levels of IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+high-dose group on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after grouping were all significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the levels of IL-1ß in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+high-dose group on the 7th day after grouping was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with that on the 1st day after grouping, the levels of TNF-α in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald alone group on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping and in normal control group on the 3rd day after grouping were all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the levels of IL-1ß in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald alone group both on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the levels of IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in both scald+low-dose group and scald+high-dose group on the 7th day after grouping and scald+medium-dose group both on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the levels of TNF-α in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+high-dose group on the 3rd and 7th day after grouping and in scald+medium-dose group on the 7th day after grouping were all significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the level of IL-1ß in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+medium-dose group on the 7th day after grouping was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the level of IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald alone group on the 7th day after grouping was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with that on the 3rd day after grouping, the levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald alone group and the levels of IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in normal control group, scald+low-dose group, scald+medium-dose group, and scald+high-dose group on the 7th day after grouping were all significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); and the levels of TNF-α in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald+low-dose group, scald+medium-dose group, and scald+high-dose group on the 7th day after grouping were all significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the levels of IL-1ß in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits both in scald+medium-dose group and scald+high-dose group on the 7th day after grouping were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the levels of IL-10 in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits in scald alone group on the 7th day after grouping was significantly decreased (P<0.01). On the 7th day after grouping, the high-quality sequences obtained from the microflora in ileum mucosa of rabbits in normal control group, scald alone group, and scald+medium-dose group were 96 023, 107 365, and 95 921, respectively. At the classification level of phylum, class, order, family, and genus of the microflora in ileum mucosa of rabbits in three groups were all Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, Clostridium and Bacteroidetes, Clostridium and Bacteroidetes, Rumenobacteriaceae and Clostridium and Bacteroideaceae, Clostridium and Bacteroidetes and rumen bacteria mainly, while the percentage of microflora in each group was different. There were no significant differences in Ace, Chao1, Simpson, Shannon indices (P>0.05), and no obvious difference in ß diversity of microflora in ileal mucosa tissue of rabbits among three groups. Conclusions: After severe scalding, the inflammatory response of rabbit ileal mucosa tissue is obvious and increased in a time-dependent manner. Modified Sijunzi Decoction can reduce inflammation with optimal therapeutic concentration of 1.0 g/mL. The technology of high-throughput sequencing can reflect the structural composition of the intestinal microflora accurately. The ileal microflora of the severe scald rabbit can be regulated by the administration of Modified Sijunzi Decoction.

Curcumin attenuates heat-stress-induced oxidant damage by simultaneous activation of GSH-related antioxidant enzymes and Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxifying enzyme systems in broiler chickens.

The object of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on modulating the glutathione (GSH)-related antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant responses via NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in heat-stressed broiler chickens. A total of 400 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broiler chicks was reared in an environmentally controlled room. At 21 d, broiler chicks were divided into 5 treatment groups and were fed one of 4 diets under 2 temperature conditions: 22°C + a basal diet (CON treatment); 34°C for 8 h (0900-1700) + a basal diet supplemented with 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg curcumin (HS, CMN1, CMN2, and CMN3 treatments, respectively). The heat treatment lasted for 20 consecutive days. The results showed that heat stress significantly increased (P < 0.05) the weekly rectal temperature and average head and feet temperature. Compared to the HS treatment, feed conversion was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in CMN1 and CMN2 treatments. CMN1 administration significantly improved (P < 0.05) the pH24 of muscle. The abnormal changes of serum malonaldehyde and corticosterone concentrations were prevented (P < 0.05) by curcumin. Mitochondrial GSH concentration in the liver was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in CMN1 and CMN2 treatments compared with the HS treatment. The CMN1, CMN2, and CMN3 supplementations significantly increased (P < 0.05) γ-GCL, GSH-Px, and GST activities. Curcumin significantly increased (P < 0.05) the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and γ-GCLc in the liver as compared to the CON diet. The expression of Cu/ZnSOD and CAT were increased (P < 0.05) by feeding CMN2, respectively, as compared to the HS treatment. It was concluded that curcumin supplementation enhanced the resistance of broilers to heat stress, as evidenced by reversing the FC, increasing the GSH content and GSH-related enzyme activities, and inducing the expression of Nrf2 and Nrf2-mediated phase II detoxifying enzyme genes.

Feeding glycerol-enriched yeast culture improves lactation performance, energy status, and hepatic gluconeogenic enzyme expression of dairy cows during the transition period.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding glycerol-enriched yeast culture (GY) on feed intake, lactation performance, blood metabolites, and expression of some key hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes in dairy cows during the transition period. Forty-four multiparous transition Holstein cows were blocked by parity, previous 305-d mature equivalent milk yield, and expected calving date and randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments: Control (no additive), 2 L/d of GY (75.8 g/L glycerol and 15.3 g/L yeast), 150 g/d of glycerol (G; 0.998 g/g glycerol), and 1 L/d of yeast culture (Y; 31.1 g/L yeast). All additives were top-dressed and hand mixed into the upper one-third of the total mixed ration in the morning from -14 to +28 d relative to calving. Results indicated that the DMI, NE intake, change of BCS, and milk yields were not affected by the treatments ( > 0.05). Supplementation of GY or Y increased milk fat percentages, milk protein percentages, and milk protein yields relative to the Control or G group ( < 0.05). Cows fed GY or G had higher glucose levels and lower ß-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and NEFA levels in plasma than cows fed the Control ( < 0.05) and had lower NEFA levels than cows fed Y ( < 0.05). On 14 d postpartum, cows fed GY or G had higher enzyme activities, mRNA, and protein expression of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C; < 0.05); higher enzyme activities ( < 0.05) and a tendency toward higher mRNA expression ( < 0.10) of glycerol kinase (GK); and a tendency toward higher enzyme activities of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) in the liver ( < 0.10) when compared with cows fed Control or Y. The enzyme activities, mRNA, and protein expression of PEPCK-C, PC, and GK did not differ between cows fed GY and G ( > 0.10). In conclusion, dietary GY or Y supplementation increased the milk fat and protein content of the cows in early lactation and GY or G supplementation improved the energy status as indicated by greater plasma glucose and lower plasma BHBA and NEFA concentrations and upregulated the hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes of dairy cows during the transition period. Feeding cows with a GY mixture in the peripartum period combined the effects of yeast on lactation performance and the effects of glycerol on energy status in dairy cows.

The mortality and direct medical costs of osteoporotic fractures among postmenopausal women in Taiwan.

UNLABELLED: This study estimated the fracture-related mortality and direct medical costs among postmenopausal women in Taiwan by fracture types and age groups by utilizing a nationwide population-based database. Results demonstrated that hip fractures constituted the most severe and expensive complication of osteoporosis across fracture sites. INTRODUCTION: The aims of the study were to evaluate the risk of death and direct medical costs associated with osteoporotic fractures by fracture types and age groups among postmenopausal women in Taiwan. METHODS: This nationwide, population-based study was based on data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Female patients aged 50 years and older in the fracture case cohort were matched in 1:1 ratio with randomly selected subjects in the reference control cohort by age, income-related insurance amount, urbanization level, and the Charlson comorbidity index. There were two main outcome measures of the study: age-differentiated mortality and direct medical costs in the first and subsequent years after osteoporotic fracture events among postmenopausal women. The bootstrap method by resampling with replacement was conducted to generate descriptive statistics of mortality and direct medical costs of the case and control cohorts. Student's t tests were then performed to compare mortality and costs between the two cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 155,466 postmenopausal women in the database met the inclusion criteria for the fracture case cohort, including 22,791 hip fractures, 72,292 vertebral fractures, 15,621 upper end humerus (closed) fractures, 36,774 wrist fractures, and 7,988 multiple fractures. Analytical results demonstrated that patients experiencing osteoporotic fractures were at considerable excess risk of death and incurred substantially higher treatment costs, notably for hip fractures. Furthermore, results also revealed that the risk of mortality increased with advancing age across the spectrum of fracture sites. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed an excess mortality and higher direct medical costs associated with osteoporotic fractures. Moreover, hip fractures constituted the most severe and expensive complication of osteoporosis among fracture types.

Effects of exogenous protease supplementation on endogenous trypsin activity and gene expression in broilers.

Two hundred and forty one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross-308) were fed corn-soybean basal diets with 0, 40, 80, or 160 mg/kg of an acid protease preparation from 1 to 42 days of age, in order to investigate the effects of an exogenous enzyme on growth performance, pancreatic trypsin activity and mRNA expression. Average daily gain (ADG) was greatest in the 160-mg/kg treatment group at 1-21 days, which was significantly higher than that in the control. After 42 days, average daily feed intake (ADFI) and ADG had significantly increased in the 80- and 160-mg/kg treatments (P < 0.05), with the 80-mg/kg treatment group having the highest ADFI and ADG values. The feed conversion ratio was not affected. Dietary acid protease at 80 and 160 mg/kg significantly decreased trypsin activity in the pancreas (relative to the control group) by 35.71 and 47.29%, respectively (P < 0.05). After 42 days, trypsin mRNA expression in the pancreas had significantly decreased by 19.5% in the 80-mg/kg treatment group relative to the control (P < 0.05). After 21 and 42 days, the diet supplemented with 160 mg/kg acid protease significantly decreased pancreatic trypsin mRNA by 19.6 and 37.7%, respectively, compared to the control. There were the 40-mg/kg treatment group and the control. Our results suggest that the amount of acid protease in the diet significantly affects trypsin activity and mRNA expression in broilers.

Vortex-induced morphology on a two-fluid interface and the transitions.

We investigate experimentally the steady flows in a cylinder containing two immiscible liquids, with the primary fluid being driven by the upper boundary rotating at constant speeds. The system exhibits interesting interplays between the flow fields and the morphology of the interface, with evidence showing that the remarkable flattop structure is a consequence of the vortex breakdown discovered decades ago, and that the deformability of the interface also feedbacks positively to the development of the vortices. Monitoring the topological structure of the flow fields defines the base states and transitions behind the morphology, whereas our survey over different aspect ratios also reveals rich phenomena of surface instabilities accompanying these steady states.

Effects of dietary supplementation of selenium-enriched probiotics on production performance and intestinal microbiota of weanling piglets raised under high ambient temperature.

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of selenium-enriched probiotics (SeP) on production performance and intestinal microbiota of piglets raised under high ambient temperature. Forty-eight cross-bred weanling piglets (28 days old), randomly allotted into 12 pens (four piglets/pen) and four dietary treatments (three pens/treatment group), were fed ad libitum for 42 days a basal diet (Con) or the basal diet supplemented with probiotics (Pro), sodium selenite (ISe) or a SeP preparation. Blood and faecal samples were collected on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 post-treatment. The SeP group had higher final BW (p < 0.05), greater ADG (p < 0.05) and lower FCR (p < 0.01) than the Pro, ISe or Con group. The diarrhoea incidence rate of either SeP or Pro group was lower (p < 0.01) than the ISe or Con group. Blood Se concentration and GSH-Px activity were both higher (p < 0.01) in the SeP than in the Pro, ISe or Con group. On days 28 and 42, the serum concentrations of T3 were higher (p < 0.01) and T4 lower (p < 0.01) in the SeP than in the ISe group, and the T3 and T4 concentrations in the ISe group, in turn, were higher (p < 0.05) and lower (p < 0.01), respectively, than in the Pro or Con group. Also on days 28 and 42, the faecal counts of lactobacillus bacteria were higher (p < 0.01) while Escherichia coli lower (p < 0.01) in the SeP or Pro group as compared to the ISe or Con group. The results of RFLP showed that the faecal microbial flora in the SeP group changed the most (numerically) as compared to the Pro or ISe group. These results suggest that the SeP product may serve as a better alternative to antibiotics than the solo probiotics for using as a growth promoter for weanling piglets.

Feeding glycerol-enriched yeast culture improves performance, energy status, and heat shock protein gene expression of lactating Holstein cows under heat stress.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental common yeast culture (CY) and glycerol-enriched yeast culture (GY) on performance, plasma metabolites, antioxidant status, and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA expression in lactating Holstein cows under heat stress. During summer months, 30 healthy multiparous lactating cows (parity 3.25 ± 0.48; 60 ± 13 d in milk [DIM]; 648 ± 57 kg BW; an average milk yield of 33.8 ± 1.6 kg/d) were blocked by parity, previous milk yield, and DIM and randomly allocated to 3 dietary treatments: no supplemental yeast culture (Control), 1 L/d of CY (33.1 g yeast) per cow, and 2 L/d of GY (153.2 g glycerol and 31.6 g yeast) per cow. During the 60-d experiment, values of air temperature and relative humidity inside the barn were recorded hourly every 3 d to calculate temperature-humidity index (THI). Weekly rectal temperatures (RT) and respiration rates and daily DMI and milk yield were recorded for all cows. Milk and blood samples were taken twice monthly, and BW and BCS were obtained on d 0 and 60. In this experiment, THI values indicated cows experienced a moderate heat stress. Cows supplemented with CY and GY had greater yields of milk, energy-corrected milk and milk fat, and milk fat percent but lower HSP70 mRNA expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes than Control cows (P < 0.05). Supplementing CY and GY tended (P < 0.15) to decrease RT at 1400 h, increase milk protein yield and erythrocyte glutathione, and reduce plasma urea nitrogen compared with Control. Lower plasma NEFA concentration and HSP70 mRNA expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes (P < 0.05) and tendencies towards greater plasma glucose concentration (P = 0.11) but less BW loss (P = 0.14) were observed in GY relative to CY cows. In conclusion, either CY or GY supplementation partially mitigated the negative effects of heat stress on performance and HSP70 mRNA expression of lactating cows, and GY supplementation provided additional improvements in energy status and HSP70 gene expression of lactating cows.

Evidence-based assessment of the impact of the WHI on women's health.

Following the announcement of the first results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) to the media in 2002, prior to their scientific publication, the resulting panic headlines had an immediate and lasting negative effect on use of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) around the world. Rates of use dropped by 40-80%. Symptomatic women then sought multiple alternative therapies but the majority of these have no greater effect than the effect seen from placebo in well-conducted trials of HRT. Some of these therapies have risks. Although anecdotally most menopause practitioners after 2002 can attest to having to counsel large numbers of women with debilitating menopausal symptoms who were too frightened to consider HRT, it is difficult to document loss of health-related quality of life in large population studies as they were not conducted. Similarly, the positive or negative effects of the marked decline in HRT on long-term morbidities and mortality have yet to be fully assessed. Recent studies have shown an increase in postmenopausal fractures and in some, but not all, populations a small temporary decline in breast cancer. Cardiovascular outcomes may not be apparent for another decade. Short-term, randomized, placebo-controlled trials confirm that HRT is the only therapy that effectively improves health-related quality of life in symptomatic women through a reduction in vasomotor and urogenital symptoms, joint pains and insomnia, while improving sexuality. The results of the re-analyses of the WHI data and new data from other studies do not justify the continuing negative attitude to HRT in symptomatic women who start HRT near menopause.

Wogonin induces apoptosis and down-regulates survivin in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by modulating PI3K-AKT pathway.

Wogonin, one of flavonoid compounds isolated from Chinese herbal plants Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been recognized as a potent anti-cancer agent acting through control of growth, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of its anti-cancer activity remains to be further elucidated. In this study, we investigated the potential role of wogonin in the induced-apoptosis of human breast cancer cells MCF-7. Wogonin was found to inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 in a concentration and time-dependent manner, notably wogonin could induce G1 phase arrest of MCF-7 cells. Wogonin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by a significant decrease of the Bcl-2 and survivin and increase of Bax and p53. Wogonin also increased active apoptosis forms of caspases-3, -8, -9 significantly. Z-DEVD-fmk, a specific caspase-3 inhibitor, significantly inhibited wogonin-induced cell apoptosis. Wogonin also suppressed the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and induced phosphorylation of ERK. PD98059, a specific ERK inhibitor, significantly blocked wogonin-induced apoptosis. On the other hand, LY294002, a specific PI3K inhibitor, significantly increased wogonin-induced cell apoptosis. Further study indicated that LY294002 not only down-regulated the expression of survivin alone, but also enhanced the inhibition of survivin expression combined with wogonin. In conclusion, the pro-apoptotic effect of wogonin is mediated through the activation of ERK and the activation of caspases, and is correlated with the block of the PI3K/Akt/survivin signal pathways in MCF-7 cells.

Comparison of therapeutic results in sudden sensorineural hearing loss with/without additional hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a retrospective review of 465 audiologically controlled cases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the necessity of routine application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. DESIGN/SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective chart review looked at 465 patients, with 353 of them receiving pharmacologic treatments alone. Among these patients, 76 underwent systemic steroid treatment only (steroid group) and 277 received systemic steroids and dextran (steroid-dextran group). The remaining 112 patients were treated with hyperbaric oxygen in addition to pharmacologic agents (steroid-dextran-hyperbaric oxygen group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome was determined by comparing the difference of pure-tone thresholds and absolute hearing gains after treatment calculated at each audiometric octave frequency or grouped frequencies of audiograms. On the basis of the severity of initial hearing loss, patients were classified at three scales of hearing impairments measured in decibels hearing level (dBHL): ≦ 70 dBHL, less severe; 71-90 dBHL, severe; and ≧ 91 dBHL, profound. The outcomes of their hearing recovery were classified into three recovery grades: good, fair and poor. RESULTS: In those patients with initial hearing loss >90 dBHL, the addition of hyperbaric oxygen to steroid-dextran gave a significant hearing gain difference (P = 0.030) by showing a greater hearing gain of 24.5 ± 2.7 dB compared with steroid only (12.9 ± 3.7 dB) or steroid-dextran (15.6 ± 2.7 dB). This outcome was confirmed when we compared the outcome using the recovery grading; steroid-dextran-hyperbaric oxygen group showed that more patients with initial profound (≧ 91 dBHL) hearing loss responded to hyperbaric oxygen treatment by exhibiting good and fair recoveries (2% and 70%) as compared with steroid only (0% and 42%) or steroid-dextran (8% and 46%) groups (P = 0.043), while the patients with initial severe (71-90 dBHL) and less severe (≦ 70 dBHL) hearing loss responded to the addition of hyperbaric oxygen treatment with less favourable recoveries. Furthermore, the addition of dextran in steroid-dextran group showed no significant benefit compared with the steroid group (P = 0.435). CONCLUSIONS: When applied as an adjuvant to pharmacologic agents, hyperbaric oxygen benefits patients with initial profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Therefore, we recommend the routine application of hyperbaric oxygen in conjunction with pharmacologic agents for those patients. The addition of dextran to steroid has no benefit and cannot be recommended.

The assessment of efficacy of Diascorea alata for menopausal symptom treatment in Taiwanese women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Diascorea alata for treatment of menopausal symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical investigation on 50 menopausal women randomly assigned to two groups, treated for 12 months with either placebo or two sachets daily of Diascorea extracts containing 12 mg/sachet. Primary outcome measures were changes in the Greene Climacteric Scale caused by Diascorea compared with placebo; secondary outcomes were changes in plasma hormone profiles. One-way ANCOVA test was performed to investigate the significance. RESULTS: At 6 months and at the end of treatment, those women who received Diascorea showed general improvement in almost all the clinical symptoms investigated. A significant reduction was noted in the total Greene scores in the Diascorea group assessed at the end of 12 months' treatment (p < 0.01). This phenomenon was more significant for the psychological parameters of anxiety than for other parameters. Apparent improvements were noted in the parameters 'feeling tense or nervous' (p = 0.007), 'insomnia' (p = 0.004), 'excitable' (p = 0.047) and 'musculoskeletal pain' (p = 0.019) among those receiving Diascorea. Diascorea consumption also resulted in positive effects on blood hormone profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, Diascorea alata improves symptoms, particularly the psychological parameters in menopausal women. Safety monitoring indicated that standardized extracts of Diascorea alata were safe during daily administration over a period of 12 months.

Hyperbaric oxygen ameliorates delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome of carbon monoxide poisoning.

OBJECTIVES: Delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome (DNS) is characterized by mental impairment, motor dysfunction, dementia, or psychosis that develops between a few days and weeks after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. One possible mechanism responsible for CO-mediated encephalopathy involves oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxidation, caused by the cellular uptake of CO and which leads to an inflammatory cascade. There is no current effective treatment for DNS. We applied 8-40 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) to patients with DNS and evaluated its effectiveness. METHODS: After admission, all patients were administered piracetam or bromocriptine, or both, and received HBO2. Neuropsychiatric tests included EEG, mini-mental status examination (MMSE), brain MRI, event-related potential (ERP), and brain perfusion scan (brain SPECT). Results of these tests were compared before and after HBO2, and the clinical features were monitored during this period. RESULTS: The symptoms of DNS for all patients improved significantly after HBOT. Although white matter changes remained evident in the brain MRI scans, other examinations such as EEG, MMSE, ERP, and 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT were nearly normal after HBOT. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HBO2 decreases the severity of impairment in patients with DNS. Although a large randomized trial is required to address the efficacy of this therapy, therapeutic application of HBO2 may be recommended in patients with DNS after CO poisoning.

Inhibition of group A streptococcal infection by Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil concentrate in the murine model.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of a water-soluble Melaleuca alternifolia concentrate (MAC) on group A streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes)-induced necrotizing fasciitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: MAC pretreatment (1% and 2% v/v) was able to protect mice from GAS infection in an air pouch model. GAS-induced mouse death and skin injury were inhibited dose dependently by MAC. Administration of MAC at 6 h post-GAS infection partially delayed mouse death. Surveys of the exudates of the air pouch of MAC-treated mice revealed that the survival of infiltrating cells was prolonged, the bacteria were eliminated, and the production of inflammatory cytokines was inhibited. MAC could directly inhibit the growth of GAS in vitro, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of MAC for GAS was determined as 0.05% v/v using the time-kill assay. Furthermore, a sub-MIC dose of MAC not only enhanced the bactericidal activity of RAW264.7 macrophage cells against GAS but also increased susceptibility of GAS for blood clearance. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MAC may inhibit GAS-induced skin damage and mouse death by directly inhibiting GAS growth and enhancing the bactericidal activity of macrophages. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results provide scientific data on the use of MAC for the treatment of GAS-induced necrotizing fasciitis in the murine model.

Involvement of GRP78 in inhibition of HBV secretion by Boehmeria nivea extract in human HepG2 2.2.15 cells.

Previous studies showed that the root extract of Boehmeria nivea (BNE) can significantly suppress the production of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vitro and in vivo. In this study, viral core and large-surface proteins accompanied with their encapsidated viral DNA were observed to accumulate within the cells. Notably, 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) was found to be suppressed by BNE, and stimulation of the GRP78 expression by thapsigargin could rescue virus production initially inhibited by BNE. The antiviral effect of BNE was reversible, which also coincided with the level of GRP78. Furthermore, we synthesized the GRP78 siRNA to knockdown the expression of GRP78 protein, and the production of supernatant HBV DNA was reduced simultaneously. Moreover, combined treatment of BNE and 3TC exhibited an additive anti-hepatitis B virus effect. In conclusion, the inhibitory effect of BNE on blocking assembled virion secretion might be via the reduction of GRP78.

Low-loss propagation in Cr4+:YAG double-clad crystal fiber fabricated by sapphire tube assisted CDLHPG technique.

Cr4+:YAG double-clad crystal fiber with an uniform 10-microm core was fabricated by using a sapphire tube as a heat capacitor to stabilize the power fluctuation of the CO2 laser in the co-drawing laser-heated pedestal growth system. The uniformity of the fiber core showed a factor of 3 improvement compared to that without the use of sapphire tube. The variation of the core diameter is within the +/-1.35-degree adiabatic criterion and has a autocorrelation length of 1.7 mm. The measured propagation loss is only 0.02 dB/cm. The sapphire tube also reduces the vertical temperature gradient during the crystal fiber growth process so the 10-microm crystal core exhibits a smooth perimeter. The sapphire tube assisted system can be applied to the growth of many other optical crystal materials.

Diffusion-tensor MR imaging for evaluation of the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome caused by carbon monoxide inhalation.

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with delayed neuropsychiatric syndrome (DNS) caused by carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and neuropsychological test. Conventional and diffusion tensor brain MR imaging exams were performed in six patients with DNS immediately before and 3 months after the HBOT to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) values. Six age- and sex-matched normal control subjects also received MR exams for comparison. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was also performed in patients immediately before and 3 months after the HBOT. A significantly higher mean FA value was found in control subjects as compared with the patients both before and 3 months after the HBOT (P < 0.001). The mean FA value 3 months after the HBOT was also significantly higher than that before the HBOT in the patient group (P < 0.001). All of the patients regained full scores in the MMSE 3 months after the HBOT. Diffusion tensor MR imaging can be a quantitative method for the assessment of the white matter change and monitor the treatment response in patients of CO-induced DNS with a good clinical correlation. HBO may be an effective therapy for DNS.

Clinicopathology of gout in growing layers induced by high calcium and high protein diets.

1. An experiment was conducted to test the independent and combined effects of high dietary calcium and protein concentrations on the induction of visceral gout in growing birds of a layer strain. 2. One hundred and sixty healthy birds were randomly divided into 4 groups at 35 d of age. The different groups were given 4 diets containing normal or high concentrations of dietary calcium or crude protein in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment for 30 d. The diets contained normal calcium (Ca) and crude protein (CP) (NCNP, 8.5 g Ca/kg and 175g CP/kg), high calcium and normal protein (HC, 36.3 g Ca/kg and 175 g CP/kg), normal calcium and high protein (HP, 8.8 g Ca/kg and 245 g CP/kg) or high calcium and high protein (HCHP, 36.8 g Ca/kg and 242 g CP/kg), respectively. 3. Typical visceral gout was induced by the HCHP diet. The HCHP and HC diet caused severe kidney damage. The HP diet did not cause kidney damage, but significantly increased plasma uric acid and inorganic phosphorus concentrations. 4. The HC diet significantly increased plasma uric acid, calcium and sodium, but significantly decreased plasma inorganic phosphorus, potassium and magnesium concentrations. The HCHP diet significantly increased plasma uric acid, calcium and sodium. 5. Urine volumes were significantly higher on the HCHP and HC diets than on the control. The growers raised on HC and HCHP diets had significantly higher total quantity of 24 h urinary excretion of uric acid, calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus and potassium and a significantly lower 24 h urinary excretion of sodium. The growers fed on the HP diet had a higher 24 h urinary excretion of uric acid and inorganic phosphorus than the control. 6. It is concluded that growing layer birds should not be fed on layer rations.

Clinicopathological and molecular biological features of colorectal cancer in patients less than 40 years of age.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to identify the clinicopathological and molecular biological characteristics of early-onset colorectal cancers. METHODS: The clinicopathological and molecular biological parameters of 138 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer aged less than 40 years were compared with those of 339 patients aged 60 years or more. RESULTS: The younger patients with colorectal cancer had more mucin-producing (14.5 versus 4.7 per cent; P < 0.001) and poorly differentiated (7.2 versus 3.3 per cent; P = 0.015) tumours, a higher incidence of synchronous (5.8 versus 1.2 per cent; P = 0.007) and metachronous (4.0 versus 0.6 per cent; P = 0.023) colorectal cancers, and more advanced tumour stage (P < 0.001) than older patients. The operative mortality rate was lower (0.7 versus 5.0 per cent; P = 0.026), and cancer-specific survival was similar (in stage I, II and III disease; P > 0.05) or better (in stage IV disease; 95 per cent confidence interval 22.50 to 28.41 versus 12.61 to 17.05 months; P < 0.001). There was a higher percentage of normal p53 expression (61.1 versus 46.8 per cent; P = 0.023) and high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) (29.4 versus 6.3 per cent; P < 0.001), and a similar family history of cancer (17.5 versus 14.2 per cent; P > 0.05), compared with older patients. CONCLUSION: Young patients with colorectal cancer have several distinct clinicopathological and molecular biological features. The mechanisms underlying the inconsistency between the presence of MSI-H and a family history of cancer in these early-onset colorectal cancers deserve further investigation.

Hyperbaric oxygen increases the lung's susceptibility to inhaled lipopolysaccharide in mice.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) has been shown to inhibit the adhesion function of beta(2)-integrin, which is important in mediating cell-to-cell adhesion and extravasation of inflammatory cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of HBO2 exposure on neutrophil infiltration and tissue injury in a model of acute lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhalation. Male C57BL/6 mice of 8 weeks old were exposed to 3 atmosphere absolute (ATA) 100% HBO2, 3 ATA hyperbaric air (HBA), or room air for 90 min. After exposure, they were exposed to aerosolized LPS solution (1 mg/ml) or saline in a plexiglass chamber for 10 min. Four hours after inhalation, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed to determine protein concentration, LDH activity, total cells, and differential cell counts in the lavage fluid (BALF). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) content, lung histopathology, and plasma nitric oxide (NO) metabolite concentrations were also determined in separate sets of animals. We observed that LPS inhalation increased neutrophil number in the BALF, which was significantly inhibited by HBO2 but not HBA pre-exposure. However, MPO content in the lung was prominently increased by HBO2 pre-exposure, which correlated with increased PMN infiltration in lung tissues. Further, HBO2 plus LPS, but not saline inhalation caused a significant increase in the BALF protein level and LDH activity compared with that of LPS inhalation alone. LPS exposure induced significant increase in plasma NO metabolites, which was not potentiated by HBO2 pre-exposure. The inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, aminoguanidine, significantly attenuated the increases in plasma NO metabolites and tissue MPO content as well as lung injuries. In summary, our data suggest that HBO2 pre-exposure increases the lung's susceptibility to inhaled LPS, which may be related to increased tissue neutrophil infiltration and dependent on interaction(s) between HBO2 exposure with LPS-induced nitric oxide production.