Application of Perioperative Pain Management in the Perioperative Nursing of Labia Minora Plasty and its Effect on the Rehabilitation of Patients.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate effective pain management strategies for women undergoing labiaplasty surgery. By focusing on pain relief, patient rehabilitation, and satisfaction improvement, we aim to enhance the overall patient experience and outcomes of this common gynecological plastic surgery. Methods: A total of 126 individuals diagnosed with labia minora hypertrophy and who underwent plastic surgery on their labia minora within the period of July 2020 to July 2023 were chosen as the participants for this study. They were divided into an observation group and a comparison group, each consisting of 63 cases, based on the different nursing methods. The comparison group was treated with routine perioperative nursing after labia minora surgery, and the observation group was treated with perioperative pain nursing management based on the comparison group. Postoperative pain score, comfort score, incision healing time, first urination time, night Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, complications, and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. All data were established in an Excel database, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS26.0. Statistical methods used include descriptive analysis, t tests, and Chi-square tests. Results: The mean incision healing time of the observation group was 3.90±0.61 days, and that of the control group was 3.62±0.64 days. The mean incision healing time of the observation group was significantly different from that of the control group (P < .05). VRS scores and PSQI scores were significantly lower in both groups 1 week aftercare compared with 1 day before care, indicating improvements in pain and sleep quality. The improvement degree of VRS score and PSQI score in the observation group was significantly different (P < .05). The number of incision infections, hematoma, flap necrosis, skin scar, delayed healing, and total complication rate were 3 in the observation group and 11 in the comparison group, indicating that the complication rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the comparison group. The comparison difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Through the Chi-square test, the nursing satisfaction and perineal aesthetic effect satisfaction of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the comparison group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Conclusions: The implementation of perioperative pain nursing management has been shown to effectively alleviate pain in patients diagnosed with labia minora hypertrophy. This approach not only enhances treatment comfort but also significantly reduces the occurrence of postoperative complications. Additionally, it accelerates the healing process of incisions, improves the quality of incision healing, and enhances patient satisfaction with both the aesthetic outcome of the perineal area and the quality of nursing care provided.

Vegetable-derived indole enhances the melanoma-treating efficacy of chemotherapeutics.

Food-drug interaction is an important but overlooked issue. For example, little is known concerning whether or not the chemotherapy of cancers is affected by the well-defined dietary chemicals such as 2-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-3,3'-diindolylmethane (LTr1) derived from daily consumed cruciferous vegetables. This work, inspired by the described melanogenesis reduction by certain indoles, presents that LTr1 mitigates the melanogenesis and thus potentiates the in vitro and in vivo anti-melanoma effectiveness of different chemotherapeutic agents including dacarbazine, vemurafenib, and sorafenib. In B16 melanoma cells, LTr1 was shown to inhibit the melanogenesis by acting towards the regulatory (R) subunit of protein kinase A (PRKAR1a) associated with the phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). This allows LTr1 to reduce the expression of melanogenesis-related enzymes such as tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2). Furthermore, LTr1 was addressed to bind to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and up-regulate the expression of CYP1A1 encoding cytochrome P450 1A1, leading to the escalation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. The increased ROS generation promotes the cysteine-to-cystine transformation to inhibit the pheomelanogenesis in melanomas. Collectively, the work identifies LTr1 as a new melanogenesis inhibitor that modulates the PKA/CREB/MITF and AhR/CYP1A1/ROS pathways, thereby providing a new option for (re)sensitizing melanomas to chemotherapeutics.

[Intervention mechanism of moxa-cone moxibustion at Shu- and Mu-acupoints on the expression of RORγt/Foxp3 in asthma mice: an analysis based on PI3K signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of moxa-cone moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL13) and "Zhongfu" (LU1) on the contents of related inflammatory factors in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the expression of phosphatidy-linositol-3-kinase (PI3K), retinoic acid related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and fork/wing helix transcription factor 3 (Foxp3) in lung tissue in asthma mice. METHODS: Sixty male Balb/c mice were divided into normal, model, LY294002 (an inhibitor of PI3K, LY), electroacupuncture (EA) and moxa-cone moxibustion (moxibustion) groups (n=12 in each group). The asthma model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin sensitization. The mice in the LY group were injected with LY 294002 (7.5 mg/kg) via the tail vein. EA or moxa-cone moxibustion was applied at BL13 and LU1 in the EA or moxibustion group once daily for 2 weeks. The levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in serum and BALF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of PI3K, RORγt and Foxp3 in lung tissue were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QRT PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the levels of IgE and IL-4 in serum and BALF, the expressions of PI3K and RORγt mRNA and protein in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels of IFN-γ, and the expressions of Foxp3 mRNA and protein were significantly reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the levels of IgE and IL-4 in serum and BALF, the expressions of PI3K and RORγt mRNA and protein in lung tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the levels of IFN-γ in serum and BALF, the expressions of Foxp3 mRNA and protein in lung tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01) in the LY, EA and moxibustion groups. CONCLUSION: Moxa cone moxibustion at Shu- and Mu-acupoints of the lung meridian can reduce airway inflammatory reaction and control asthma attacks in asthma mice, which is closely related to its effects in regulating the expressions of RORγt and Foxp3 through PI3K signaling pathway.

Effects of long-term fertilization without phosphorus on greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields.

The strategy of few or no-phosphorus fertilization in rice season but more in wheat season can effectively increase phosphorus use efficiency and reduce phosphorus loss through runoff and leaching. It remains unknown whether the lack of phosphorus will affect greenhouse gas emission in the rice season. We monitored the CH4 and N2O emission fluxes during the growth period of rice treated with normal phosphorus application (NPK) and no-phosphorus application (NK) in two long-term experimental fields in Suzhou and Yixing. The results showed that long-term no-phosphorus application promoted CH4 and N2O emission in both fields. Compared with the NPK treatment, CH4 and N2O emissions from the NK treatment significantly increased by 57% and 25% in Suzhou experi-mental field, respectively, while those in Yixing experimental field were also significantly increased by 221% and 70%, respectively. The contents of organic acid, dissolved organic carbon and available phosphorus in soil were reduced under long-term NK treatment, and they were closely related to CH4 emission. Soil available phosphorus content was significantly negatively correlated with CH4 emission (r=-0.987). The global warming potential (GWP) was greater in NK treatment than NPK treatment in both fields. Therefore, long-term no-phosphorus application could decrease the contents of organic acid, soluble organic carbon, and available phosphorus in soils, resulting in more CH4 and N2O emission in rice field.

Abietic acid ameliorates psoriasis-like inflammation and modulates gut microbiota in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Abietic acid (AA), an antibacterial terpenoid, was initially isolated from rosin which has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat psoriasis. In our previous works, we found that water-processed rosin (WPR) can alleviate imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice. However, the efficacy of AA, the main component of WPR, against psoriasis remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we confirmed the anti-psoriasis efficacy of AA (40 mg/kg daily for 7 days) in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation BALB/c mouse model by the psoriasis area severity index (PASI), flow cytometry, ELISA, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, we detected the relative abundance of gut microbe using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to validate whether AA modulate gut microbe. RESULT: Oral administration of AA ameliorates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation through reducing PASI scores, regulating the balance of Th17/Treg cells in the mouse spleen, and downregulating the level of serum cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-17A, TGF-1ß, and IL-23. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the relative abundance of gut bacteria related to inflammation, such as, Anaerotruncus and Christensenella at genus level were decreased, while Kurthia, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella at genus level were increased in AA group mice. Additionally, the correlation analysis illustrated that the key microbiota had a close relationship with the psoriasis-like inflammation related indexes. CONCLUSION: AA might exert the anti-psoriasis effect via inhibiting Th17-related immune responses, hinting that it might be a candidate for treating psoriasis. Meanwhile, the alteration of intestinal microbiota by AA treatment is another possible explanation for the amelioration of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation.

[Effect of moxa-cone moxibustion at lung's back-shu points and front-mu points on Th17/Treg balance in mice with asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxa-cone moxibustion at lung's back-shu points and front-mu points on the expression of helper T lymphocyte 17 (Th 17)/regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg) in mice with asthma, and to explore the possible mechanism of moxa-cone moxibustion on asthma. METHODS: Sixty SPF-grade healthy male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an LY294002 group (LY group), an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a moxibustion group, 12 mice in each group. Asthma model was replicated by using ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Except the mice in the normal group, all the mice were intraperitoneally injected with sensitization solution (containing 15 µg of OVA and 30 mg of aluminum hydroxide) on the 1st day, 7th day and 14th day, 0.5 mL per mice; from the 15th day, 1% OVA solution was atomized for 20 min, once a day for 2 weeks; the mice in the normal group was treated with identical operations but with 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The mice in the LY group were treated with injection of LY294002 at tail vein on the 13th day, 14th day and 15th day. At the beginning of the 15th day, The mice in the EA group were treated with EA at "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Zhongfu" (LU 1) with disperse-dense wave, frequency of 2 Hz/20 Hz, intensity of 1 mA, 15 min each time, once a day for 2 weeks. The mice in the moxibustion group was treated with moxa-cone moxibustion at "Feishu" (BL 13) and "Zhongfu" (LU 1) from the 15th day, three moxa-cones per acupoint, once a day for 2 weeks. On the 16th day, 18th day and 22nd day, the incubation period of asthma was recorded. On the 29th day, all the samples were collected. The expressions of IL-17 and IL-10 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by ELISA method. The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by HE staining. The percentage of Th17, Treg and Th17/Treg ratio in spleen tissue were detected by flow cytometry method. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the incubation period of asthma in the model group was significantly shortened (P<0.01), while that in the LY group, the EA group and the moxibustion group was longer than that in the model group (P<0.01). After the intervention, bleeding and inflammatory exudation in the lung tissue were observed in the model group, and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration around the bronchus and alveoli was found, and extensive consolidation appeared; the pathological changes of lung tissue in the LY group, the EA group and the moxibustion group were significantly reduced, and the structure of bronchus and alveoli was basically normal, and the inflammatory exudation and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly reduced compared with the model group; the inflammatory reaction in the moxibustion group was slightly less than that in the LY group and the EA group. Compared with the normal group, the content of IL-17 in serum and BALF, the percentage of Th17 and Th17/Treg ratio in spleen tissue in the model group after intervention were increased (P<0.01), while the content of IL-10 in serum and BALF and the percentage of Treg in spleen tissue were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the contents of IL-17 in serum and BALF, Th17 percentage and Th17/Treg ratio in spleen tissue in the LY group, the EA group and the moxibustion group were significantly reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the content of IL-10 in serum and BALF and the percentage of Treg in spleen tissue were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). The above indice had no significant difference among all the intervention groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The Th17/Treg is imbalanced in asthmatic body. The moxibustion at lung's back-shu points and front-mu points can control asthma by regulating Th17/Treg imbalance and restoring immune homeostasis.

Ethiodized poppyseed oil versus ioversol for image quality and adverse events in hysterosalpingography: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the image quality and adverse events (AEs) of ethiodized poppyseed oil (EPO) compared with ioversol as contrast agents in hysterosalpingography (HSG). METHODS: Two hundred twenty-eight patients underwent HSG were consecutively recruited in this prospective cohort study, and were accordingly divided into EPO group (N = 165) and ioversol group (N = 63). The quality of image was assessed according to the European Guidelines on quality criteria for diagnostic radiographic images. AEs during, within 2 h and at 1-month post-HSG were recorded. RESULTS: EPO displayed elevated image quality compared with ioversol including the total image quality score (P < 0.001), the cervical canal display score (P < 0.001), shape and outline of uterus score (P < 0.01), cervical mucosa or folds score (P < 0.001), oviduct isthmus score (P < 0.001), ampulla and fimbriae of oviduct score (P < 0.001) and celiac diffuse image score (P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression displayed that EPO (P < 0.001) was an independent predictive factor for increased total image quality score. AEs were similar between EPO group and ioversol group during and within 2 h post-HSG (all P > 0.05). However, at 1-month post-HSG, the number of patients had unchanged and faded menstrual blood color decreased but the proportion of patients with deepened menstrual color increased in EPO group compared with ioversol group (P = 0.007). In addition, the number of patients had iodine residue in uterine cavity was elevated in EPO group compared with ioversol group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: EPO is more efficient in image quality and equally tolerant compared to ioversol as contrast agents in HSG.

[Intervention effect of Modified Dahuang Zhechong Granule on epididymal morphological changes in experimental varicocele rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Modified Dahuang Zhechong Granule (MDZG) on the development and maturation of epididymal sperm in experimental varicocele (VC) rats. METHODS: Sixty SD male rats were randomly divided into six groups of equal number, sham operation, VC model, Aescuven forte, and low-, medium- and high-dose MDZG. The model of left VC was made by the Turner method in all the rats except those of the sham operation group, followed by treatment with 0.9% normal saline for the animals in the sham operation and VC model groups, Aescuven forte tablets at 54 mg per kg of the body weight for those in the Aescuven forte group, and MDZG at 0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 g/ml for those in the low-, medium- and high-dose MDZG groups, all administered intragastrically qd for 8 successive weeks. Then, all the rats were sacrificed and their left epididymides harvested for examination of the quality of the epididymal sperm and the local microscopic and ultrastructural changes of the epididymal tissue. RESULTS: The VC model rats showed significant apoptosis of the epididymal sperm cells, interstitial edema, microvascular dilatation, degeneration and degeneration of the epithelial cells, degeneration of some principal cells and basal cell vacuoles, and immature spermatids in the lumen. Sperm motility was significantly increased in the Aescuven forte and low-, medium- and high-dose MDZG groups as compared with the VC models (P <0.01). Both sperm concentration and motility were markedly higher in the high-dose MDZG than in the Aescuven forte group (P <0.05). Remarkable apoptosis of epididymal sperm cells was observed in the microenvironment of sperm development in the VC models, which exhibited no statistically significant difference from that in the rats of the medium- and high-dose MDZG groups. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental varicocele induced local apoptosis of epididymal sperm cells, interstitial edema and microvascular dilatation in the rat epididymis, while Modified Dahuang Zhechong Granule could improve the stability of epididymal sperm maturation and contribute to their development.

[Chemical constituents from stems and leaves of Psychotria serpens].

The chemical consituents from the stems and leaves of Psychotria serpens were separated and purified by column chromatographies with silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and PR-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analyses, as well as comparisons with the data reported in literature. 18 compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of P. serpens, which were identified as chrysin(1), acacetin(2), genkwanin(3), chrysoeriol(4), rhamnocitrin(5), isorhamnetin(6), tricin(7), jaceosidin(8), dillenetin(9), kumatakenin(10), ayanin(11), isosakuranetin(12), eriodictyol(13), homoeriodictyol(14), taxifolin(15), pomonic acid(16), fupenzic acid(17) and euscaphic acid(18). All compounds were isolated from the genus Psychotria for the first time.

Comparative effectiveness of electro-acupuncture plus lifestyle modification treatment for patients with simple obesity and overweight: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is considered to be an effective and safe treatment for obese and overweight patients, although high-quality evidence regarding the effects of acupuncture on obesity are not conclusive. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture plus lifestyle modification for treating obese and overweight patients, in comparison with lifestyle modification alone in China. METHODS/DESIGN: To compare the effectiveness of acupuncture plus lifestyle modification, a 2-armed, controlled trial with randomization using minimization will be conducted on 150 simple obesity and overweight patients, aged 18-50 years, for a 36-week study duration. All patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups and will receive either acupuncture plus lifestyle modification or lifestyle modification alone. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks during treatment as well as at 6-week, 12-week, and 24-week follow-up. The primary endpoint is change of body mass index (BMI) during the 12th week. Secondary endpoints are body weight; waist-to-hip ratio; biochemical tests including serum cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels; and answers to the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lite Version (IWQOL-Lite). Statistical analyses will be based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. The main endpoint will be analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and the objective outcome results will be analyzed by logistic regression analysis. To avoid potential confounding factors, additional sensitivity analyses will be conducted following these statistical analyses. DISCUSSION: This trial is the first to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture plus lifestyle modification for treating obesity relative to lifestyle modification treatment alone by using a pragmatic study design. We hope that the results of this study will contribute to advancing the current methodology of acupuncture trials for obesity and will facilitate the application of useful acupuncture strategies in real-world clinical settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-TRC- 12002762 . The date of registration is 31 October 2012.

Peptides derived from Rhopilema esculentum hydrolysate exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and antioxidant abilities.

Jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum) was hydrolyzed using alcalase, and two peptides with angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and antioxidant activities were purified by ultrafiltration and consecutive chromatographic methods. The amino acid sequences of the two peptides were identified as VKP (342 Da) and VKCFR (651 Da) by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The IC50 values of ACE inhibitory activities of the two peptides were 1.3 µM and 34.5 µM, respectively. Molecular docking results suggested that VKP and VKCFR bind to ACE through coordinating with the active site Zn(II) atom. Free radical scavenging activity and protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cell (RCMEC) injury were used to evaluate the antioxidant activities of the two peptides. As the results clearly showed that the peptides increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activities in RCMEC cells), it is proposed that the R. esculentum peptides exert significant antioxidant effects.

[Influence of submerged macrophytes on phosphorus transference between sediment and overlying water in the growth period].

In order to study the process of phosphorus transfer between sediment and overlying water, Hydrilla verticillata and Vallisneria natans were cultured in spring, Potamogeton crispus was cultured in winter. Changes of environmental factors and phosphorus concentrations in water and sediment were investigated. The results indicated that: submerged macrophytes could reduce all phosphorus fractions in the overlying water. Phosphorus concentrations in overlying water maintained in a relative low level in the growth period of submerged macrophytes. The concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) in overlying water of H. verticillata, V. natans and P. crispus were 0.03-0.05, 0.04-0.12, 0.02-0.11 mg x L(-1), respectively. All phosphorus fractions in sediment were reduced. The maximum value between submerged macrophyte and control of H. verticillata, V. natans and P. crispus were 35.34, 60.67 and 25.92 mg x kg(-1), respectively. Dissolved oxygen (DO), redox potential (Eh) and pH in overlying water increased (DO 10.0-14.0 mg x L(-1), Eh 185-240 mV, pH 8.0-11.0) in the submerged macrophytes groups. Submerged macrophytes increased Eh( -140 - -23 mV) and maintained pH(7.2-8.0) in neutral range. The results indicated that submerged macrophytes affected phosphorus transferring between sediment and overlying water through increasing DO, Eh and pH in overlying water, and Eh in sediment.

Efficient procedure for isolating methylated catechins from green tea and effective simultaneous analysis of ten catechins, three purine alkaloids, and gallic acid in tea by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection.

Monomers of (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3''Me) and (-)-3-O-methyl epicatechin gallate (ECG3'Me) (purity, >97%) were successfully prepared from extract of green tea by two-time separation with Toyopearl HW-40S column chromatography eluted by 80% ethanol. In addition, monomers of (-)-catechin (C), (-)-gallocatechin (GC), (-)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG), and (-)-catechin gallate (CG) (purity, >98%) were prepared from EC, EGC, EGCG, and ECG by heat-epimerization and semi-preparative HPLC chromatography. With the prepared catechin standards, an effective and simultaneous HPLC method for the analysis of gallic acid, tea catechins, and purine alkaloids in tea was developed in the present study. Using an ODS-100Z C(18) reversed-phase column, fourteen compounds were rapidly separated within 15min by a linear gradient elution of formic acid solution (pH 2.5) and methanol. A 2.5-7-fold reduction in HPLC analysis time was obtained from existing analytical methods (40-105min) for gallic acid, tea catechins including O-methylated catechins and epimers of epicatechins, as well as purine alkaloids. Detection limits were generally on the order of 0.1-1.0ng for most components at the applied wavelength of 280nm. Method replication generally resulted in intraday and interday peak area variation of <6% for most tested components in green, Oolong, black, and pu-erh teas. Recovery rates were generally within the range of 92-106% with RSDs less than 4.39%. Therefore, advancement has been readily achievable with commonly used chromatography equipments in the present study, which will facilitate the analytical, clinical, and other studies of tea catechins.

[Efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy under different pressures on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy].

OBJECTIVE: Some research has shown that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) can decrease the rate of mortality and disability caused by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates. However, the HBO pressure used in the clinical reports and the efficacy of HBO are different. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of HBO therapy under different pressures by observing the changes of peroxidation, antioxidant levels and brain vasomotor regulation factors as well as the score of neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) in neonates with HIE after HBO therapy. METHODS: Sixty neonates with HIE were randomly administered with 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 atmosphere absolute (ATA) of HBO, once daily for seven days. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were measured before and after HBO therapy. Meanwhile, NBNA and eye ground examination were performed. RESULTS: Serum SOD level increased and serum levels of MDA, NO and NOS decreased significantly after HBO therapy in the three HBO therapy groups (P<0.01). Serum SOD level was significantly higher and serum levels of MDA, NO and NOS were significantly lower in the 1.6 ATA HBO group than those in the 1.4 ATA group after therapy (P<0.05). The 1.6 ATA HBO group also showed increased SOD and decreased MDA levels compared with the 1.5 ATA HBO group after therapy (P<0.05). NBNA scores in the three groups increased significantly after HBO therapy (P<0.05). None of the three HBO therapy group patients showed abnormal eye grounds after therapy. CONCLUSIONS: HBO therapy with 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 ATA is safe and effective for neonatal HIE. The antioxidant capacity increases with the increasing HBO pressure in neonates with HIE.

[Protective effect of silibinin against isoproterenol-induced injury to cardiac myocytes and its mechanism].

Silibinin is a polyphenolic flavanoid derived from fruits and seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum). To investigate the effect and mechanism of silibinin on beta-isoproterenol-induced rat neonatal cardiac myocytes injury, the viability, the activation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the content of maleic dialdehyde (MDA) were chosen for measuring the degree of cardiac myocytes injury. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi) detected by flow cytometric analysis, and Western blotting analysis were applied to determine the related proteins. Silibinin protected isoproterenol-treated rat cardiac myocytes from death and significantly decreased LDH release and MDA production. Silibinin increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsi). Furthermore, the release of pro-apoptotic cytochrome c from mitochondria was reduced by silibinin. Silibinin increased the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bcl-2, and up-regulation of SIRT1 inhibited the translocation of Bax from cytoplasm to mitochondria, which caused mitochondrial dysfunction and cell injury. Silibinin protects cardiac myocytes against isoproterenol-induced injury through resuming mitochondrial function and regulating the expression of SIRT1 and Bcl-2 family members.

[A study on the association between tea consumption and stroke].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between tea consumption and stroke. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in autumn, 1998. The subjects were from 12 provinces in China. 15 groups of populations were selected by cluster randomized sampling and each group had about 1000 persons, aged from 35 to 60 years old. 14 212 subjects had complete data for analysis. Data regarding tea drinking would include drinking status, dose and type of teas. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between tea consumption and stroke. RESULTS: There was a strong inverse correlation between tea drinking and stroke after adjusting other risk factors of stroke (P < 0.05). The odds ratio (OR) of stroke was 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42 - 0.85] for subjects who drank tea compared to those who did not. Increased amount of tea consumption per month was associated with decreased stroke prevalence. The association for tea consumption over 150 gram per month and stroke was statistically significant (P < 0.05) with an OR value of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.36 - 0.89). Analytical results indicated that the OR value was 0.24 (95% CI: 0.06 - 1.01) for black tea and other tea (P = 0.05). The OR value was 0.35 (95% CI: 0.18 - 0.72) for green tea (P < 0.01), and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.51 - 1.11) for jasmine tea (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tea drinking was independently associated with prevalence of stroke which might play a role in the prevention of the disease.

[A forty-year study on hypertension].

Since 1959 the investigations on prevalence of hypertension and studies on the prevention and treatment of this disease have been carried out. The vascular mechanism of hypertension and the depressor effect of Chinese traditional herbs were also studied in Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The results revealed that: (1) The prevalence of hypertension in Chinese adults increased from 7.73% in 1979 to 11.26% in 1991, both much higher than that in 1959 (5.11%). The rate of awareness, treatment and control was only 26.3%, 12.1%, and 2.8% respectively. The risk factors of hypertension included overweight and alcohol drinking. High sodium, low potassium, low calcium, and low animal protein diet were also very important risk for elevation of blood pressure. Hypertension was the most important causal risk factor of coronary heart disease and stroke. (2) Hypertension diagnosis and staging criteria were established in 1959. Secondary hypertension was found to constitute 1.1% among community hypertensive patients. The new concept of aortitis was formed and found to be the most common cause of renal vascular hypertension. Patient education together with low dose compounds of antihypertensive drugs was implicated widely. Randomized clinical trials Syst-China, Post-stroke Antihypertensive Treatment Study, Chinese Acute Stroke Trial, and Chinese Cardiac Study 1 demonstrated benefits of treatment for hypertensive, stroke or acute myocardial infarction affordable by Chinese population at large. (3) A series of functional changes and abnormalities with evident hereditary characteristics were found in the processes of cellular Ca2+ transportation, utilization, metabolism and their modulation of the vascular smooth muscle in SHR, and SHRsp, which seem to be the principal cause of the increase in peripheral vascular resistance in hypertension. (4) Alkaloid of Rauwolfia verticilata and Ligustrazine had marked depressor effect. Flavones of Radix Pueraricae could reduce the cardiac and cerebral ischemic damage and symptoms in hypertensive patients.