Effects of exergaming on cognitive functions and loneliness of older adults with cognitive frailty.

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive frailty combines physical frailty and cognitive impairment in the absence of dementia. The prompt detection of cognitive frailty and early implementation of preventive interventions may reduce the incidence of dementia. However, intervention studies of exergaming in older adults with cognitive frailty are scant. Therefore, we aim to investigate the effectiveness of exergaming on cognitive functions and loneliness among older adults with cognitive frailty. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental design. METHODS: Participants were recruited from four community settings. The experimental group participated in two 40-min group exergaming sessions weekly for eight weeks; the control group received usual care. The outcome measures were the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Chinese Version of the Loneliness Scale. Analyses of covariance were conducted to analyze whether exergaming influenced participants' cognitive functions and loneliness. In addition, the effect size of the posttest of the experimental group relative to its baseline value was calculated to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULT: 69 older adults with cognitive frailty were included, and 35 and 34 were assigned to the experimental and control groups, respectively. The exergaming effectively improved the cognitive function of older adults with cognitive frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Exergaming interventions can effectively improve the cognitive functions of older adults with cognitive frailty but do not positively affect loneliness. We provide evidence to healthcare workers to apply exergaming interventions for older adults with cognitive frailty to improve cognitive function.

DHPW1 attenuation of UVB-induced skin photodamage in human immortalized keratinocytes.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVB) can result in photodamage to the skin and can seriously threaten health, particularly in the elderly. Oxidative stress and the inflammatory response have been shown to play a significant role in the process. In a previous study, we isolated, purified and identified a polysaccharide from the extract of Dendrobium huoshanense (DHPW1). In this study we evaluated the effect of DHPW1 on ameliorating the UVB photodamage of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT). Cell proliferation and cell scratch assays were used to evaluate the viability of the HaCaT treated with DHPW1, and a fluorescent probe and Western blot analysis were used to examine the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of proinflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6, and NF-κB(p65). The results show that, compared with the control group (UVB irradiation only), DHPW1 significantly improved the viability of UVB-irradiated HaCaT and enhanced the migration rate of the cell scratch after 24 h. The scratch-healing rate reached 90 % after 36 h. DHPW1 also significantly inhibited UVB-induced oxidative stress and expression of proinflammatory factors . Compared with the control group, the production of ROS decreased by 49.11 %, and the relative protein expression of IL-6 and NF-κB(p65) decreased by up to 13.30 % and 31.02 %, respectively. It is concluded that DHPW1 can significantly improve viability and wound closure rate of UVB-irradiated HaCaT. In addition, it can reduce the expression of IL-1 and IL-6 by inhibiting the transcription of NF-κB(p65), thereby reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in UVB-irradiated HaCaT.

[Effect of Shaoyao Tang on ulcerative colitis in rats via regulation of TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway].

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of Shaoyao Tang on ulcerative colitis(UC) in rats via regulation of TLR4/NF-κB signal pathway. A total of 56 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group(double distilled water), model group(double distilled water), mesalazine group(10 mL·kg~(-1)), high dose, middle dose and low dose Shaoyao Tang groups(2.4, 1.2, and 0.6 g·mL~(-1)). After UC rat models were established by 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB)/ethanol enema, the rats received double distilled water or corresponding drugs twice a day for 7 days. After the treatment cycle, the general performance and disease activity index(DAI) of rats were observed on the next day. Then the rats were sacrificed. The length of colon was measured. Macroscopic and histological score of colon were evaluated. Histopathological changes of colon were observed by HE staining. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry detection was used to detect the content of myeloperoxidase(MPO) in blood and colon tissues. The levels of P-selectin, macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) and thromboxane B_2(TXB_2) in blood and colon tissues were determined by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in colon tissues. The results showed that as compared with the model group, Shaoyao Tang of different doses improved the general performance of UC rats. Moreover, high-dose Shaoyao Tang group showed the most obvious effect in scoring of disease activity index(P<0.001); both medium and high doses of Shaoyao Tang significantly inhibited the colon shortening and pathological injury, with significantly decreased expression levels of MPO, P-selectin, MIF and TXB_(2 )in serum and colon tissues of UC rats(P<0.001). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay showed that the levels of TLR4 and NF-κB protein expression in the colon tissues of Shaoyao Tang high-dose group were remarkably lower than that in the model group(P<0.001). This study shows that Shaoyao Tang has protective and repairing effects on UC, and its possible mechanism is achieved probably by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and inhibiting the expressions of MPO, P-selectin, MIF and TXB_2.

Morphological ontogeny in Tenuipalpus orilloi Rimando (Acari: Tenuipalpidae).

The ontogenetic stages of a tenuipalpid mite, Tenuipalpus orilloi Rimando, are described with detailed illustrations of the larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult male and female specimens recently collected from Evodia lepta (Spreng.) Merr. (Rutaceae) in the Fujian province of China. The ontogenetic changes in idiosomal and leg chaetotaxy are discussed.

[Study of isobutyrylshikonin inhibiting proliferation of colon carcinoma cells through PI3K/Akt/m-TOR pathway].

To investigate the inhibitory effect of isobutyrylshikonin on the growth of human colon carcinoma cells in vitro and its effect on the PI3K/Akt/m-TOR pathway. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of different concentrations (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 mg·L⁻¹) of isobutyrylshikonin on the proliferation of human colon carcinoma cell HT29 at 24, 48 h. CCK-8 method was used to detect the inhibitory effect of isobutyrylshikonin on HT29, HCT116, DLD-1 and Caco-2 at 48 h. AnnexinV/propidium iodide staining was applied in detecting the apoptoticrate of HT29 cells treated with different concentrations of isobutyrylshikonin at 24 h and 48 h. Cycletest plus DNA was employed to analyze HT29 apoptosis and cell cycle after 48 h treatment with isobutyrylshikonin at different concentrations. Western blot and RT-PCR assay were used to examine the protein and mRNA expressions of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt and m-TOR. The results showed that isobutyrylshikonin inhibited the proliferation of different human colon carcinoma cells, and the inhibition rate was in a dose-dependent manner. Isobutyrylshikonin induced apoptosis mainly in the early stage and blocked cells in the G0/G1 or G2/M phase. Isobutyrylshikonin reduced the protein expressions of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, m-TOR and the mRNA expressions of PI3K, Akt, m-TOR in a dose-dependent manner. Isobutyrylshikonin can significantly inhibit the proliferation, induce the early apoptosis and change the cycle distribution in colon carcinoma cells.This biological effect may be correlated with the inhibition of PI3K/AKT/m-TOR pathway.

Short-term effect and adverse events of adalimumab versus placebo in inducing remission for moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adalimumab is used in an attempt to maintain remission for Ulcerative colitis. This study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of adalimumab compared with placebo in inducing remission of Ulcerative colitis. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, OVID, BIOSIS, CNKI, and Google were searched. All randomized trials comparing adalimumab with placebo in inducing remission of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis were included. RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials with a total of 754 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled risk ratio (RR) of clinical remission was 1.85 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26 to 2.72) following adalimumab treatment. RR of clinical response was 1.40 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.65) while that of mucosal healing was 1.23 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.47). RR of any adverse events was 1.00 (95% CI 0.93 to 1.09). CONCLUSION: Compared with placebo, administration of adalimumab may increase the proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis attaining clinical remission, clinical response and mucosal healing. Adalimumab is also tolerated well in these patients.

Serum IL-17 and IL-6 increased accompany with TGF-ß and IL-13 respectively in ulcerative colitis patients.

PURPOSES: To explorer the serum level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the patients of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel disease. And analyze the correlation between the cytokine's levels and disease's activity of ulcerative colitis patients. METHODS: Serum cytokines of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea patients including IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-α and TGF-ß were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and ulcerative colitis activity were assessed by Mayo scoring system. The correlation of the serum level of cytokines and ulcerative colitis activity were analyzed by the SPSS 19.0 software. RESULTS: Compared with healthy people, the serum level of IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-α and TGF-ß were elevated in ulcerative colitis patients. There is no direct correlation between each cytokines analyzed and the Mayo score. And the level of IL-6 is relevant to IL-13 (r=0.364, P=0.029), and the level of IL-17 is relevant to TGF-ß (r=0.336, P=0.045). CONCLUSION: When the pro-inflammatory cytokines increase in the serum of ulcerative colitis, the anti-inflammatory cytokines were increased concomitantly, Some cytokines are positive correlated, such as IL-6 and IL-13, IL-17 and TGF-ß, the mechanism of which is complex and needs further investigation.

[Protective effect of baicalin against LPS-induced intestinal injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of baicalin on the intestinal mucosal injury caused by endotoxin-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the anti-oxidative injury in colonic and ileal mucosa of rats with septicopyemia. METHOD: Fifty healthy male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: the normal control group, the model group, and baicalin high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose groups. They were orally administered with double distilled water, 100 mg x kg(-1) of baicalin, 50 mg x kg(-1) of baicalin, and 25 mg x kg(-1) of baicalin respectively for three days, once a day. 1 h after the oral administration on 3 d, they were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline or LPS (17 mg x kg(-1)). At 20 h after the injection of LPS, all of the mice were sacrificed, and their colonic and ileal tissues were collected. The mental status, life state and death rate of mice in each group were observed, and the lengths of colonic were measured. Chiu's scoring method was used to assess the intestinal mucosal injury. Histopathological changes of intestinal tissues were tested by HE staining. The ultraviolet spectrophotometry was used to detect total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) of intestinal homogenate. The immunohistochemical method was used to analyze the expression of PCNA in intestinal tissues of each group. RESULT: The death of mice was observed after the intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The death rates of baicalin groups were remarkably lower than the death rate of the model group. The colons in the medium-dose baicalin group were much longer than that in the model group (P < 0.05), with a much lower intestinal mucosa injury degree than the model group. Colonic and ileal injuries in the high-dose baicalin group significantly (P < 0.05). Colonic and ileal injuries in the medium-dose baicalin group and the low-dose baicalin group significantly reduced compare with the model group (P < 0.000 1). The medium-dose baicalin group showed no significant increase in homogenate's T-AOC, T-SOD and GSH-PX compare with the model group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between baicalin groups and the model group in PCNA. CONCLUSION: Baicalin can protect intestinal epithelial cells suffering from injury from oxygen radicals, and relieve the intestinal injury caused by LPS by improving the intestinal mucosa structure and functions.

[Effect of fuzheng yiliu granule on H22 tumor cell apoptosis, p53 and caspase-3 gene expression in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitory effect of Fuzheng Yiliu Granule (FYG) on growth and apoptosis of H22 tumor cell, and expressions of p53 and Caspase-3 gene. METHODS: The tumor inhibitory rate of FYG on H22 tumor cell line was observed in vivo, cell apoptosis rate and cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry (FCM), and expressions of wild type p53 and Capase-3 mRNA were determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: FYG could inhibit the growth of H22 tumor cell at the dose of 12g/kg, 24g/kg, the maximal inhibitory rate up to 51.24% (P < 0.01). By FCM, it was shown that FYG could significantly enhance apoptosis rate of cell line H22, with the peak reached 15.84% (P < 0.01), and cause the tumor cell cycle being blocked at G0/G1 phase, with decrease of cells in S phase. RT-PCR illustrated that FYG could significantly up-regulate the level of p53 and Caspase-3 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: FYG can significantly inhibit the growth of tumor cell in mice, its anti-tumor mechanisms may relate to the cell apoptosis induction, cell cycle regulation and wild type p53 and capase-3 gene expression enhancing.

[Clinical analysis of 5 cases with acute intravascular hemolysis caused by puerarin].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics of acute intravascular hemolysis caused by puerarin so as to help our prevention, diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Analysis of 5 cases of acute intravascular hemolysis caused by puerarin was made and literature review conducted. RESULTS: All patients had the history of administering puerarin, with the pre-symptoms of acute hemolysis; the clinical characteristics of acute intravascular hemolysis were observed:sudden attacks of lumber and abdominal pain, chill, fever dyspnea, temporary conciousness loss, dark urine or hematuria, low hemoglobin, high reticular red blood cell, positive of Coombs' test. CONCLUSION: When sudden attacks of the above symptoms appear, the acute intravascular hemolysis should be taken into consideration first and the giving of the puerarin intravenously be immediately stopped Active and proper treatment should be made.

[A study on the genital system injury induced by nickel sulfate in male rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of the genital system damage by nickel sulfate in male rats in order to provide the laboratory theoretical evidence for the prevention and cure of nickel genital toxicity. METHODS: Three groups of rats were injected intraperitoneally with nickel sulfate at dose of 1.25, 2.50, 5.00 mg/kg respectively for two weeks. The content of testicle nickel and blood serum testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) were assessed with atomic absorption spectrum and radioimmuno-assay, meanwhile the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the content of nitric oxide (NO) were measured by enzyme method. RESULTS: The contents of testicle nickel [(0.22 +/- 0.03), (0.34 +/- 0.04), (0.41 +/- 0.02) micro g/g respectively] were increased, but the content of T, TSH, LH in blood serum were reduced; the activities of NOS in testicle tissue [(33.65 +/- 2.93), (26.53 +/- 9.52), (10.20 +/- 2.74) U/g respectively] were inhibited by nickel sulfate and the contents of NO [(0.26 +/- 0.03), (0.18 +/- 0.05), (0.15 +/- 0.02) mmol/g respectively] were decreased (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Nickel-induced genital system injury of male rats may be related to the decrease in the contents of T, TSH, LH, and the inhibition on NOS, as well as the fall of NO content.