[Study on the application of oral magnesium sulfate solution in split doses as bowel preparation for colonoscopy in elderly patients].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral magnesium sulfate solution in split doses as bowel preparation in elderly patients undergoing colonoscopy. Methods: A total of 368 elderly patients undergoing colonoscopy were enrolled at PLA General Hospital. The patients were randomly divided into magnesium sulfate solution orally in split doses group (group A, n=178) and single dose group (group B, n=190). Parameters including general information, defecation frequency, Boston bowel preparation score (BBPS), detection rate of lesions and adverse reactions. Results: The frequency of defecations in group A was (7.6±1.4), more than that in group B (6.6±1.5) with statistical significance (P<0.05). The duration of bowel preparation in group A was (128.6±25.3) min, shorter than that of group B (165.4±29.7) min (P<0.05). The BBPS in group A was (8.09±0.67), better than that of group B (7.34±0.58) (P<0.05). The detection rates of intestinal polyps and micropolyps (diameter<0.5 cm) in group A were 73/178 (41.0%) and 51/178 (28.7%) respectively, compared with 58/190 (30.5%) and 37/190 (19.5%) in group B (both P<0.05). In group A, 8 patients reported adverse reactions as abdominal distension and discomfort. One patient had ST-T abnormality of electrocardiogram (ECG). No nausea or vomiting occurred, yet 2 cases needed enema for inadequate bowel preparation. Twenty-one cases in group B reported adverse events including 7 with nausea and vomiting. There were 13 patients treated with enema. Abnormal ECG was found in 4 patients in group B. The satisfaction rate of group A was 97.8%, higher than that of group B (91.6%) (P<0.05). Conclusions: The effect of bowel preparation of elderly patients with magnesium sulfate solution in split dose has a better tolerance, good cleaning effect and low incidence of adverse reactions. It is an ideal choice for the elderly to prepare colonoscopy.

Significant improvement of intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) after traditional Chinese medicine feeding.

AIMS: Increasing attention has been attracted to intestinal microbiota, due to interactions with nutrition, metabolism and immune defence of the host. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) feed additives have been applied in aquaculture to improve fish health, but the interaction with fish gut microbiota is still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of adding TCM in feed on the intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacterial communities of 16 fish intestinal contents and one water sample were characterized by high-throughput sequencing and analysis of the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the composition and structure of the bacterial community were significantly altered by the TCM feeding. Some phyla increased markedly (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, etc.), while Fusobacteria were significantly reduced. Concurrently, the richness and diversity of the taxonomic units increased, and the microbiota composition of TCM-treated fish was more homogeneous among individuals. At the genus level, the addition of TCM tended to reduce the incidence of potential pathogens (Aeromonas, Acinetobacter and Shewanella), while stimulating the emergence of some potential probiotics (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bacillus and Pseudomonas). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that the feed additive could regulate the fish intestinal microbiota by reinforcing the microbial balance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study may provide useful information for further application of TCM for diseases prevention and stress management in aquaculture.

Therapeutic effect of hyperoxygenated solution on acute lung injury induced by oleic acid.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hyperoxygenated solution (HOS) has been shown to protect the myocardium, spinal cord and brain from ischemic injury. In this study, we evaluated the effect of HOS on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by oleic acid in rabbits. METHODS: 24 rabbits were randomized into four groups: control (C), oleic acid (OA), inhaled oxygen (OX), and HOS treatment (HOS). The ALI model was produced by administrating oleic acid intravenously. Half an hour after oleic acid infusion, animals received inhaled oxygen at 30% FiO2 or 20 ml/kg HOS intravenously. Various parameters were measured during the 2 h after oleic acid treatment. RESULTS: After treatment with oleic acid, mean arterial pressure and PaO2 decreased significantly compared to group C (p < 0.01), while lung/body ratio, lung water content, and the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and TNF-alpha in the serum and BALF increased significantly (p < 0.01). Histologically, interstitial edema, alveoli exudation and massive inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the lung. However, when treated with 20 ml/kg HOS, PaO2 significantly increased compared to group OA (p < 0.05). The MPO and TNF-alpha levels in the serum and BALF were decreased (p < 0.01), pulmonary edema was reduced (p < 0.01). Improved pathological manifestations were observed. CONCLUSION: HOS at 20 ml/kg has therapeutic effects to ameliorate the biological and morphological changes to the lung induced by oleic acid. HOS is a safe, simple and effective measure to protect animals from ALI.

Evidence for suppression of electroacupuncture on spinal glial activation and behavioral hypersensitivity in a rat model of monoarthritis.

Our previous study demonstrated that single intrathecal (i.t.) application of fluorocitrate, a glial metabolic inhibitor, synergized electroacupuncture (EA) antagonizing behavioral hypersensitivity in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced monoarthritic rat. To further investigate the relationship between spinal glial activation and EA analgesia, the present study examined the effects of multiple EA on spinal glial activation evoked by monoarthritis (MA). The results showed that (1) unilateral intra-articular injection of CFA produced a robust glial activation on the spinal cord, which was associated with the development and maintenance of behavioral hypersensitivity; (2) multiple EA stimulation of ipsilateral "Huantiao" (GB30) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) acupoints or i.t. injection of fluorocitrate (1 nmol) significantly suppressed spinal glial activation; (3) inhibitory effects of EA on spinal glial activation and behavioral hypersensitivity were significantly enhanced when EA combined with fluorocitrate, indicating that disruption of glial function may potentiate EA analgesia in inflammatory pain states. These data suggested that analgesic effects of EA might be associated with its counter-regulation to spinal glial activation, and thereby provide a potential strategy for the treatment of arthritis.