The Effects of Qigong on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Qigong on type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) using the systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods. All prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials published in English or Chinese and involving the use of Qigong by patients with DM were searched in 7 electronic databases from their respective inception to June 2016. The meta-analysis was conducted using the Revman 5.2. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the Jadad rating scale. Two researchers independently completed the inclusion, data extraction, and quality assessment. Results. Twenty-one trials with 1326 patients met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The meta-analysis demonstrated that, compared with no exercise, the Qigong had significant effects on fasting blood glucose (MD = −0.99, 95% CI (−1.23, 0.75), P<0.0001), HbA1c (MD = −0.84, 95% CI (−1.02, −0.65), P<0.0001), and postprandial blood glucose (MD = −1.55, 95% CI (−2.19, −0.91), P<0.00001). Conclusion. The Qigong training can improve the blood glucose status of the type 2 DM patients and has positive effects on the management of type 2 DM. However, future research with better quality still needs to be conducted to address the effects of Qigong on type 2 DM

Fusobacterium nucleatum induces colon anastomosis leak by activating epithelial cells to express MMP9

BackgroundDespite advances in anastomotic techniques and perioperative care, the incidence of anastomotic leak (AL) has not substantially decreased over time. Although it is known that AL etiology is multifactorial and the mechanisms involved remain unclear, there is accumulating evidence pointing at AL related to gut microbiota.MethodWe firstly performed a clinical study to analyze the gut microbiota between colorectal cancer patients who developed AL and those who did not (nAL) using 16S-rRNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR to identify AL risk bacterial taxa. Then we built a rat anastomosis model and performed a bacteria transplantation to ensure the cause-effect relationship. The anastomotic healing score was used to evaluate the healing of anastomosis. In addition, we assessed the adhesion ability of bacteria by staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate and attachment assay. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) was detected by western blot, and the activity was detected by gelatin zymography.ResultsWe found that the abundance and positive rate of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) were higher in the AL patients. Exposure of the rat’s colon anastomosis to Fn contributes to the loss of submucosa collagen I and III, leading to AL’s pathogenesis. Fn can attach to the gut epithelial cells and stimulate intestinal MMP9 expression in vitro and in vivo. We further confirmed that these effects of Fn depended on the E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway.ConclusionThis work demonstrates that Fn attaches and then stimulates the expression of epithelial cells MMP9 by the E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway. These effects contribute to collagen break down in the intestinal tissue, finally leading to AL

A Cross Sectional Examination of the Relation Between Depression and Frequency of Leisure Time Physical Exercise among the Elderly in Jinan, China

Depression has become a major global public health problem. Many studies have shown the positive effects of physical exercise on depression. However, few studies have examined the relationship between frequency of leisure time physical exercise and depression without considering the time and intensity of exercise among middle-aged and elderly people of urban communities in northern China. We conducted a cross-sectional survey that included 1604 participants among urban residents aged 50 years or older in China to evaluate how the frequency of physical exercise was related to depression. Our study showed that the prevalence of depression in the urban community of Jinan is 16.52%. For physical exercise, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 1~2 times per week, 3~4 times per week and &ge;5 times per week were 1.137 (0.661, 1.953), 0.516 (0.304, 0.875) and 0.548 (0.392, 0.768) respectively, with adjustment for age, gender, marital status, BMI, hypertension, previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes, triglyceride, total cholesterol, soy food intake, milk food intake, vegetable and fruit intake and meat intake. We concluded that physically exercising three times a week is associated with a low prevalence of depression

Determination of 3.5-dinitro-N’-(5-nitrofurfurylidene) salicylic acid hydrazide in fish using immunochromatographic strip tests

The nitrofurans were recently banned from use in livestock production due to their potential carcinogenicity in humans. Therefore, the screening of foods from animal origins for nitrofurans became mandatory. A rapid, specific and sensitive method based on immunochromatographic strip test has been developed for the determination of 3.5-dinitro-N’-(5-nitrofurfurylidene) salicylic acid hydrazide (DNSH) residues in fish. Fish samples were prepared by ultrasonic bath extraction, centrifugation, filtration, drying and res-suspension. The antigen (DNSH-glutaraldehyde-ovalbumin) and a goat anti-mouse IgG antibody were drawn onto a nitrocellulose membrane as the test and control line, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the DNSH cut-off limits for the test strips were determined as 10 ng/mL in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline and 25 ng/mL in fish samples, with results obtained within 5min. Our data suggests this immunochromatographic assay can be used for the sensitive, rapid, and specific on-site screening of DNSH in fish products

Cell-Free Supernatant of <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> 90: A Clean Label Strategy to Improve the Shelf Life of Ground Beef Gel and Its Bacteriostatic Mechanism

Lactic acid bacteria metabolites can be used as a clean-label strategy for meat products due to their “natural” and antibacterial properties. In this study, the feasibility of using cell-free supernatant of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 90 (LCFS) as a natural antibacterial agent in ground beef was investigated. The sensitivity of LCFS to pH, heat and protease, as well as the changes of enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and Na+/K+-ATP together with the morphology of indicator bacteria after LCFS treatment, were analyzed to further explore the antibacterial mechanism of LCFS. The results showed that the addition of 0.5% LCFS inhibited the growth of microorganisms in the ground beef gel and extended its shelf-life without affecting the pH, cooking loss, color and texture characteristics of the product. In addition, the antibacterial effect of LCFS was the result of the interaction of organic acids and protein antibacterial substances in destroying cell structures (cell membrane, etc.) to achieve the purpose of bacteriostasis. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of LCFS in meat products and a new clean-label strategy for the food industry

Associations between individual and environmental factors and habitual physical activity among older Chinese adults: A social–ecological perspective

Purpose: To examine, within a social–ecological framework, associations between multifaceted individual and environmental factors and habitual physical activity (HPA) among older Chinese adults. Methods: Through a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, a survey instrument assessing various factors underlying 3 social–ecological dimensions of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community and environmental resources was developed. Using a cross-sectional design, older adults (n = 1580, aged 67 ± 7 years) recruited from 10 communities in Shandong province completed the social–ecological survey of HPA. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Path Modeling. Results: Factors related to intrapersonal (medical knowledge, motivation, physical function, sport skills, socioeconomic status, and education), interpersonal (social support, social activity, and social norms), and community and physical environmental resources (safety, capacity, availability of and access to physical activity facilities) were found to be significantly associated with older adults' participation in HPA. Conclusion: The findings provide an initial validation of a social–ecological approach to the study of HPA in China, suggesting that strategies aimed at promoting physical activity in older adults should address multiple levels of factors that may contribute to the likelihood of older Chinese adults being physically active

The diffuse reduction in spleen density: an indicator of severe acute pancreatitis?

Correspondence : Xuewei Bai ([email protected]) We observed that acute pancreatitis (AP) was associated with diffuse reduction in spleen density (DROSD) in some patients. Furthermore, the condition of these patients was more serious, and the potential relationship between DROSD and structural and functional injury of the spleen remained unclear. Therefore, we performed a preliminary exploration of these factors. We analysed pertinent clinical data for AP patients with normal spleen density (control group) and for those with DROSD (reduction group) at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (June 2013-June 2015). We measured the immunoglobulin M (IgM) B-cells of the AP patients and examined pancreatic and splenic tissues from AP rats with optical microscopy and TEM. The reduction group had a higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, a longer length of stay (LOS) and lower serum calcium than the control group. The levels of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) did not differ significantly between the two groups. The percentage of IgM memory B-cells was significantly lower in the DROSD group than in the control group. TEM revealed that the spleen T-lymphocytes were normal in AP rats, but pyroptotic and necrotic spleen B-cells were observed in the severe AP rats. In AP, DROSD was an independent indicator of more severe conditions. Furthermore, spleen B-lymphocytes showed obvious damage at the cellular level, and the immunological function of the spleen was down-regulated when AP was associated with DROSD

The effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on the incidence of surgical site infection after laparoscopic appendectomy for chronic appendicitis

Background: The guidelinesthat specify whether antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered before laparoscopic clean-contaminated wound to prevent postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) need to be improved. Studies have shown that elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with clean-contaminated wound does not require antibiotic prophylaxis. However, there are no studies on the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on SSI after laparoscopic appendectomy for chronic appendicitis (LCA), which is a clean-contaminated wound. Methods: We conducted a single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 106 effective patients were randomly divided into the antibiotic group and saline group. Cefuroxime or clindamycin was administered intravenously in the antibiotic group (n = 52). Saline (0.9%) was administered intravenously in the saline group (n = 54). Interventions were administered as a single dose 30 min before surgery. Results: Among the 106 effective patients (median age, 37 years old [IQR, 25–45]; females, 77 [72.6%]), there were 6 cases (5.70%) of SSI: 3 cases (5.56%) in the saline group and 3 cases (5.70%) in the antibiotic group (OR = 1.00, [95% CI (0.20–5.4)], P = 0.96). There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes of anal exhaust time, postoperative complications, and the symptom of primary abdominal pain between the two groups. Conclusion: For patients with chronic appendicitis undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy, preoperative intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis did not reduce the risk of SSI within 30 days of the surgery compared to the saline group. Trial registration: Registration number of China Clinical Trials Registration Center: ChiCTR2100048336